Since Last Time

by Danes, Ellie

  Kris’ hackles raised. “Old friend?”

  Courtney waved her off. “You know what I mean.”

  Eric pulled his arm away. “Not the time or the place, Courtney. If you want to pay your respects, there are some chairs over there.” He pointed.

  She shrugged and focused all her attention on Dalton, her main reason for coming over. She looked him up and down as if he was a dish that you wanted to eat while you were on a diet, but it was just out of your reach. She went in like a spoon for ice cream, caressing his arm.

  “I heard you were back in town, Dalton. Where are you staying? I’m sure George could get you a better room.”

  We all looked at George, who was still texting away on his phone.

  Dalton smiled at her, but it never reached his eyes. “I believe I’m fine, Courtney.”

  Courtney lowered her sunglasses a little bit more and smiled at him with her storm-gray eyes. She noticed Eric watching her with Dalton and took a step back to George and put her arm through his while he continued texting. “I’ll be at the wake later, so I’m sure I will see you there. Won’t we, George?”

  George raised his head. “Yeah, babe, if that’s what you want.”

  She smiled icily at him and patted his arm. “Your dad helped make Asheville the happening scene it is. It will be the place to be tonight.”

  Dalton turned to Eric as she strutted off, teetering in her heels.

  Eric laughed. “Can you imagine all I’ve had to put up with through the years?”

  Dalton shook his head.

  Kris said, “Wow and how clueless can you be? Like a wake is a social event.”

  Everyone took their seats. The graveside service was quick, and Pops was laid into the ground. Kris, Eric, Dalton, and I all took our turns throwing the roses on the grave and stayed quiet as the coffin was lowered.

  Kris turned and headed back to her bike.

  I followed. “I’m going to have Dalton drop me off at the funeral home, so I can head back and change into something more casual, so I can help at the bar.”

  Kris looked me over. “You mean jeans and t-shirt? I’m going to head over as is and meet you at The Boar. I do look pretty awesome today, and I want to get there before Ms. Queen Bee does.”

  As we walked back to our respective vehicles, an older gentleman in a long black trench coat approached us. Everyone stopped as he walked over to Dalton. Dad’s lawyer, Henry, had been a fixture at the bar for the last fifty years. It wasn’t odd that he was here, just that he wanted to talk with Dalton.

  “Dalton, it is good to see you.”

  Dalton shook the older man’s hand. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

  Henry took off his glasses, wiping them down from the humidity with the requisite handkerchief from his pocket. So old school. “Had to say goodbye to my old friend. He would have wanted me here.”

  He finished wiping them down and placed them back on his nose. They were practically coke bottles after all these years, but Henry always seemed so charming and gentlemanly. A step back in time. Made me miss Pops even more.

  “However, now that you are all here together, I also wanted to remind you Pops wanted all of you there for the reading of his will in two days. Including Kris and Dalton.” He turned his coke bottle eyes on everyone one and then returned them to the prodigal son.

  “I’m aware. I’ll be in town for business for the next few weeks, so I made time to schedule in the reading. What is the time again, so I can let my secretary know?” Dalton asked.

  “One o’clock on Friday afternoon.”

  “Dalton, too?” Eric asked.

  Henry nodded. “Your dad was very specific about it. See you then.”

  Kris voiced what we were all thinking. “Well, that was weird. Don’t know why Pops would want me there.”

  I caught Dalton watching Henry walk to his car and wondered to myself what secrets he had on the West Coast and what had followed him here.

  Chapter Six

  Dalton

  As I headed on down to The Boar and Brew for the wake, I couldn't help but think over the past couple of hours and what a relief it was to be able to have a relationship with my best friend again.

  How would he react when the will was read? I was not looking forward to that. Pops, what were you thinking? I could have just stayed quiet where I was, the will would be read, and I would have been far away from the fallout.

  As I glanced over the mountains on our way back down to town, I shook my head. I would have come anyway. Not just to see Pops, but because it was time to come home. This was my home. Time to make amends and take my medicine.

  Eric looked good. The bike was the same one he rode in college, so I wondered how the bar was doing. Maybe I could give Eric a hand while I was here. I was going to have to anyway, once the can of worms was opened.

  I thought back to Taylor sitting across from me on the way to the funeral home. It was a silent trip, but I enjoyed the feel of it, knowing she was a fingertip away and not thousands of miles. Her hands were folded, guarded. She wanted some distance, but I did see her glance my way when she thought I wasn’t looking.

  I recalled the way she kissed me, how hesitant she was, the only woman who ever could have brought me to my knees, when I thought I was invincible. At the time, I thought she was just surprised, not that she had never been kissed before. Finding out I was her first kiss threw me. I should have recalled Pops guarded her like a hawk, even though she probably wasn’t aware of it.

  As long as I could remember, there was always Kris and Taylor, the dynamic female duo. Kris, always loyal, always there for Taylor. Best friends forever and all that girl talk. However, seeing her get riled up by Courtney touched me. Knowing how faithful she was to the family also shamed me, knowing how I had betrayed the one person who was a brother to me. It was time to mend the fences. Fix them up and make them strong.

  Maybe I hadn’t thought about it before because I saw what Kris and Taylor had and missed that slice of life I had with Eric. Missed the feeling of friendship, which made me wonder what else I had missed while I was busy buying up property and building a kingdom of my own. The laughter of a single glance and the shared memories invoked a lifetime of what that shared friendship entailed. It would have helped over the last nine years. The one thing I didn’t have. Family.

  I went back to the hotel and changed into jeans and a polo. The bar wasn’t a place where people came dressed to the nines. Even for a wake. I called an Uber to come pick me up. I’d really have to get my own rental wheels in the near future, especially with all the driving I needed to do.

  As I pulled into the front of The Boar and Brew, a solid crowd was lined up. When I came in, I saw Taylor wearing her white t-shirt and jeans, hair back up in ponytail, her daily uniform for working the bar. She had always worn the same thing, and it was mighty sexy on her grown up body. I noticed Taylor scan the bar and the catering tables to make sure all was in order. Noticed also how she began even more diligently brushing the crumbs off the table, even though I was sure the mess was no longer there. She was always a wee bit compulsive.

  Once I walked through the doors, I was immediately swarmed with people who reminisced with me about all those years ago when I bartended. The bar hogs, we called them privately. The steady people who helped make the pub what it was today. Loyal clientele. Of course, the scene was ruined by Courtney walking in and taking my arm.

  “Dalton, we should have lunch tomorrow if you’re free.”

  I caught Eric watching me with amusement as I kindly took her hand away.

  “Very sorry, Courtney, but I’m here on business.”

  She gave me a pissed off look and walked away.

  “Eric, you need some help behind the bar?” I asked.

  Eric grinned ear to ear and threw me a bar apron. “Think you remember how?”

  I grinned back. One of the bar hogs, Pete, laughed, watching the play by play. I recollected that he owned the auto repair shop on Main a
nd Lee.

  “Remember? Maybe I never forgot.”

  Eric turned to me. “Really, by sitting on your ass in a boardroom?”

  I stopped in surprise. “Excuse me?”

  Eric turned to me, and I had to look away at the astonishment I felt. He smacked me on my shoulder, and I swung my head back. It surprised me how natural it felt between us. Just like with Taylor and me. Like I had never left. Almost. I just had to get her to talk to me. She had gotten out of the limo without a word.

  Eric shook my shoulder, bringing me back to the world. “Are you serious? The hottest nightclubs in LA, expanding to Wilmington, and opening here? And I wouldn’t know about it. Please. I was going to go to a convention in New York and see a seminar on the new variety of hops for craft beers. Who’s on the list? D. Dobbins from D&E Enterprises.”

  I shook my head. “You kept tabs?”

  “My competition? Of course.”

  I shook my head. “Not competition. You handle the local bar scene. We’re made for the out-of-towners who want a good time. The socialites and celebrities. Two different markets. Did you sleep through marketing class in college with me? Back to the point, Eric, why didn’t you stop by? That was what, two or three years ago?”

  Eric shook his head. “First time Pops started getting sick. Couldn’t make it. So, I checked you out in the industry magazine. Saw you did pretty well for yourself. Made me happy for you, but…”

  I slapped his shoulder back and leaned in close. “I would never again do anything to hurt this family. Never again. Anything you need, Eric, I’m here.” I meant it, though I knew that this reunion might be over once the will was read.

  Eric noticed Taylor hanging out at the catering stands and waved her over. She startled and walked over.

  “Dalton is D&E. The nightclubs all over the world. They’re his.”

  Taylor looked impressed, but not surprised. “Not too shabby, Dalton.”

  “Was that what you found out on your search?” Eric asked.

  Taylor shrugged her shoulders and gave Eric the evil eye.

  Eric must have seen that we didn’t seem as casual as we used to be, but then again, I don’t know if he knew about our stolen kiss. A bit of hesitancy between the both of us, like we were trying to find our way. What an odd day it had been. But she was checking me out. That changed things, but in what way, I didn’t know.

  The party, I mean, wake, took off in full force with tons of toasts and “Danny Boy” being sung. I was touched, as it seemed all of Asheville had come to send Pops off. I watched Taylor and couldn’t help but appreciate how her jeans fit her so fine. I had spent the last five years building businesses and running a small empire. I never took the time to relax and live. Pops had gotten sick so fast at the end that I’m sure they were doing what they could to stay afloat. Maybe I could give them my expertise.

  I started throwing the bottles around like an old pro, and the crowd cheered. God, I enjoyed this. I missed this. One of the reasons I chose the nightclub business was because of what I felt working here all those many years ago. The camaraderie, our friendship. When I left, I was adrift for a while. Got in trouble and straightened out. Pops gave me all he could via phone calls and letters, which kept me occupied while I cooled my heels due to being young and stupid.

  I pulled the tap on the Pilsner. It was pretty thin. I came up behind Eric and yelled over the mayhem of people, “The Pilsner is tapped out. I’m going to put another one on. Can you handle the crowd?”

  Eric nodded and waved Taylor over. “Hey, Taylor. Can you show Dalton the new place we keep the kegs?”

  Taylor seemed a bit put out, then again, that’s how she was handling me, I guess. Breaking up the routine she had for herself. She rolled her eyes and headed to the door that led to the cellar with me following in her wake.

  Chapter Seven

  Taylor

  I ran down the stairs ahead of Dalton, determined to put some space between us. I opened the door and walked into the refrigerated cooler. Being this close to him was bringing back old memories and feelings, not all of them bad.

  “Nice cooler,” Dalton said with feeling as the door closed.

  “Eric designed it. We could keep the beer below, and it gave us more space upstairs.”

  I walked over to the kegs and grabbed the pilsner. I felt him come up behind me and try to take the keg from me. I held on tightly and pulled it away from him.

  “What the hell do you think you are doing?” I rolled the keg over to replace the old one.

  “Let me do it.”

  “Excuse me. I think I learned how to put new kegs on in the last nine years, Dalton.”

  He folded his arms. “Taylor, I’ve already apologized. I wish I could go back and change things. I can’t. But I can try to make up for the things I screwed up and do better. All I’m asking for is another chance.”

  “Another chance. We never had a beginning. We had a kiss. A single kiss. That was it. Besides, I’m seeing someone.”

  Dalton unfolded his arms. “Who?”

  “Joe Brennan.”

  “Little Joey Brennan with the massive overbite?”

  “Orthodontics helped. He’s sweet and predictable, and you know what you are getting with him.”

  Dalton stepped forward. “Sounds vanilla to me.”

  “You don’t know him. Besides, you and Courtney tore the family apart. Coming in here like you own the place and bringing up all the bad memories. It just… it isn’t good for Eric.”

  Dalton took another step forward. “Not good for Eric or not good for you?”

  I turned around and began pushing the keg over to the hoses. I also rubbed my arms, as the temperature was pretty chilly. I realized my chest was revealing just how cold it was and folded my arms.

  “You gave me the first kiss of my life on my eighteenth birthday and then disappeared. I had to hear from everyone the next day about Courtney. Courtney ‘Spread My Legs’ Knight. And deal with Eric and his broken hand and heart.”

  I sighed and played with my ponytail, a sign of how nervous I was being this close to him. “We had hoped she would change with Eric, but I guess you can’t teach an old bitch new tricks. You showed us that in spades.”

  Dalton stepped closer and leaned in. “I’m so sorry I caused you pain. Let me make it up to Eric and you. Please.”

  Dalton towered over my five-foot, four-inch slim self. His height was perfect for me. I felt the heat rise between our bodies and stepped away from him and gave my full attention to the keg.

  “I don’t care what happened nine years ago. I’m not the same mindless teenager. I have goals, ambitions, and maybe, I don’t want you to be a part of them.”

  He stepped closer to me. “Stop it.”

  He pulled me into his arms. I pushed against his rock-hard chest.

  He stepped back. “I was young and stupid, Taylor. When I left you in the kitchen, your dad was waiting for me outside. He suggested it was time for me to take a break from the family.”

  “Pops loved you like a son. It hurt him to do that.”

  Dalton smiled sadly. “He also told me why I needed to leave for my master’s early.”

  I looked at him for the span of more than a minute, processing this information. “Okay, I give. Why?”

  “Because I wasn’t his son, and he wanted me to get some space from the family because he saw where I was going with you, and he wasn’t going to have it. He told me in time, he would ask me to return. He would help pay for my schooling if I stayed away.”

  “He never said a word about that. Ever. How do I know if you’re telling me the truth?”

  “I have no reason to lie. He had big dreams for his daughter, and I think… he wanted me to get some years behind me before I… before I came for you.”

  I sputtered. “Came for me. Like I’m a princess in some fairy tale? That’s bullshit on both of your ends. What the hell was he thinking?”

  “I made the mistake of not telling you or calling
you. Either of you. And the first person I saw after kissing you and being told to leave was Courtney. I was young, impulsive, and stupid. The hurt I saw in your brother’s eyes told me as much. So, I left. Your dad kept in touch over the years, and he helped me.”

  “What do you mean, kept in touch?”

  Dalton laughed. “Pops was old school. He wrote to me every week. Phone calls and, of course, letters. Especially when I needed letters so desperately.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Dalton sighed and leaned back against the cooler door. “It took me a little bit to get over myself after I left. Didn’t get the master’s right away. Got in a fight with a guy over a girl and ended up spending some time in jail. Beat him up pretty bad. Gave me time to think and realize what an ass I was being. I got two years and when I got out, Pops helped me get back on my feet. Told me he would call me when it was time to come home.”

  I stared at him, my emotions churning.

  “In the meantime, I put my head on straight, started bartending again, and wanted to start my own place. I realized I had a head for it and started buying up dives with my meager savings. For the last six years, I built what I could to make Pops proud. The letters and phone calls had stopped. I called him and left message after message. Never a return call. I wrote him. Never got a return letter. Was going to call again and got busy. I got a phone call from Peggy instead. Last week. I’m sure you know what she said.”

  Tears welled up in my eyes. I shook my head.

  “She said, ‘It will be too late for him, but he wants you to come back.’”

  I walked over to him, and he looked away from me, ashamed.

  “We didn’t know.”

  “I told Pops not to tell you all. My pride, my fear. I haven’t told Eric yet.” Dalton put his hands on my arm. “I didn’t want any secrets from you.”

  He opened his arms, and I stepped into his embrace. His hands wrapped around me as he drew me in closer. As his head lowered to mine, my heart began to pound. I could feel he needed this. He needed me to help reshape him. My heart beat so hard, I was sure it was going to burst through my chest. Once his lips touched mine, I opened my mouth to him. His tongue tasted me, pulled back, and plunged into my mouth. I sucked his tongue back, and he moaned into my mouth.