Page 51 of The Bartender Special

A sentiment that was starting to become mutual.

“As long as this one here doesn't make me regret it, I'm good.”

Jack didn't justify the jab with a reply. Instead he looked longingly out the windshield while Benny finished up the longest conversation in history.

It wasn't until he had them driving out of the neighborhood that Jack finally felt free.

And finally was able to bitch about it.

“I have to say, I knew this fake-relationship deal would be work, but I didn't realize how much of the deal would have me working.” A bead of sweat rolled down his spine. It was a drop in the ocean. There was no way he was going to go to the bar later if he didn't swing by the apartment to shower first.

Benny let out a long breath.

“You could have said no, but you didn’t,” he pointed out. “No one’s forcing you to do any of this either. So any and all complaining is just you yapping and me feeling sorry for my ears. Plus, all of what you’re doing is helping you at the end of the day too. Something we wouldn’t be able to do without Ms. Peggy’s help, by the way. She just saved us a fortune, not to mention physical labor if we can get Roger to let us borrow his boat.”

Benny pulled out his phone and started swiping.

“Speaking of, I guess I need to message him and see if he's home.”

Jack shook his head so fast sweat flew.

“Oh no. No way,” he hurried. “No way am I going to another pseudo-stranger's house only to get trapped again. A man can only take so much, Benny. A man can only take so much.”

Benny surprised him with a snort.

“You know, for a bartender in a small town, you don't seem to be a fan of socializing with people in a small town.”

“Says the guy who's currently trending for writing stuff down instead of saying it out loud.”

Jack had meant the comment, but not the bite it came out with.

Benny tensed. He shifted in his seat, his knees angling towards the door.

He was right though.

Benny couldn’t talk to him about being anti-social when the reason for his fame was rooted in the same thing.

Jack wasn’t going to apologize for the snap.

Benny surprised him again by pushing through the moment.

“All I'm saying is a little honey does a lot more than vinegar,” he pointed out. Out of Jack’s periphery he saw him turn his head to look out of the passenger’s side window. “Grumbling about these people who are, or might consider, helping us doesn't make sense. You wanted my help with good PR for the bar? Then we need to do well at the party, parade, and pageant too. So, unless you have some other secret plan I don’t know about, you have to be willing to listen to me or this won't work.”

The cab of the truck became quiet again.

This time, Jack broke it.

“Fine.” He exhaled deep. “We can go talk to Roger, but only after I swing by my apartment and shower. My shift starts in less than five hours. I’m only telling you that so you know we can’t use those five hours trying to say bye to Workaholic Roger, okay?”

Jack had expected a quick, chirpy response.

Instead, there was a new slowness to Benny’s words.

A calm.

Jack wasn’t sure how to feel about it. But, then again, it wasn’t like he had to completely understand Benny De Carlo. After two weeks, he wouldn’t even have to see him anymore.

The thought slipped in just as Benny responded.