by M. E. Carter
“How did you know that was for Heath?” Tammy asks.
“He’s the only one who drinks it. I keep trying to push it but he’s the only taker.”
“Whatever,” Tammy says with a wave of her hand. “As long as they’re tipping, I don’t care what they drink.”
She talks a good game, but we all know Tammy absolutely loves the guys. And they love her right back.
“Don’t charge Heath anything tonight.”
Tammy looks puzzled so I clarify.
“He worked for pizza and booze again. Time for me to pay up.”
She lifts her chin, acknowledging how much Heath deserves a few free drinks for all his help.
The three of us make quick work of gathering all the drinks and two of my favorite ladies set off to deliver while I hang back and clean up the mess we’ve already made. It gives me a few seconds to take in the scene around me and just enjoy.
A year ago, I had just bought this business and it was on the verge of falling apart. Now, we have regular customers who cover more than just the bills every night, a part time studio that gives the best dance teacher I know a financial cushion, a house mascot who never seems to leave the pool table, and I’ve got the woman of my dreams and the best child I could ask for living with me.
I never saw any of this coming, but I have to admit, if somehow it all falls apart, it won’t be because I didn’t put in my all. When it boils down to it, that’s all any of us can ever do.
Well, that and serve up some damn good drinks.
As Tammy and Kiersten make their way back toward me, I get right back to work, the place where it all finally fell into place.
I look at them both and smile. “Who’s next?”
EPILOGUE
Nicole
“You were flirting with him! I saw you!” He grabs my arm and begins squeezing, the strength of his fingertips cutting into my skin. My heart races as I plead.
“No! He asked me where the bathroom was. I was just answering his question!”
His face contorts, his eyes darkening. He looks like pure evil.. “So you could go with him and blow him? Huh? Answer me! Do you want his dick in your mouth?”
“No!” I yell, but he’s not listening, too enraged to calm down. “It’s you I love! You!”
“You’re mine, do you understand? Mine!”
My cheekbone feels like it explodes as he backhands my face. I have no doubt my skin has broken open. The blood is already oozing down my face.
“How dare you make me hit you like this. This is all your fault!”
He roars with anger and… I startle awake, my face pressing so hard into the pillow that my cheek aches.
I quickly run my hand down my face, ensuring there’s no blood and it was just a nightmare. It wasn’t real, only a nightmare.
Finally satisfied I’m safe in my apartment, I roll onto my back and breathe in… two, three, four, hold… two, three, four, and out… two, three, four. My heart begins to calm and the normal sounds around me start to register.
Another roar from outside my door and I finally put together what woke me up.
Trivia Night at Frui Vita.
Grabbing the remote, I turn the television off and slide my jeans on. I’m not sure how I fell asleep on the couch. I usually don’t go to bed until the bar is closed. I must be extra tired tonight. The last thing I remember is someone named Alex being added to The Circle. I don’t stay awake long enough to find out if he’s a catfish.
This is what my life has come to. Living in a small apartment in the back of my almost brother-in-law’s bar and binge-watching reality television every night. Pathetic. At some point I need to look at moving on with my life. It’s been months since I left my jerk boyfriend, Jeremy. While he still plagues me in nightmares, I want to have a life when I’m awake, not be stuck in this limbo I’ve found myself in.
Making sure I have my keys, I head out the door locking it behind me, not even caring that my make up probably looks worn from the day and my hair is piled on top of my head. It’s late and I doubt I know any of the customers tonight. Heath and his football team are away at training camp and those are most of the guys I know. And only because Heath is my nephew’s godfather so he’s always around.
I ease my way up to the bar and sit on the stool that I claimed months ago. I’ve got my back to a wall, my side to the counter, and I can see every inch of the large room. I feel safest sitting here. I’m also out of the way while my sister works.
Somehow, though she always knows when I join her. I don’t even say hello before she’s setting a glass of Sprite down in front of me.
“Thanks.” I lean on the bar and take a sip of my non-alcoholic beverage, observing the team play happening near the stage. “How’s Trivia Night going?”
Kiersten wipes her hands on a towel and grabs the shaker. I’m always in awe watching her work. She’s only been here a little over a year and has multi-tasking down pat. “Busy as always.”
“Which team is that?” I ask with a gesture of my head. I barely get the question out before more cheers erupt and a huge guy with floppy blond hair stands up so quickly his chair falls backwards. He raises his hands in victory, teammates holding their drinks up to give him their salud.
My sister just shakes her head with a smirk. “That would be the Slingers hockey team. Kade said they start preseason in a couple weeks. I guess tonight is one last hurrah before hitting the ice hard for the next few months.”
“Kade? Is he here tonight?” I pray my cheeks aren’t turning pink just from saying his name. Too many people are in my business now as it is. I don’t want to tip them off that I may have developed a small crush on him.
It’s not even a realistic crush. More like a fantasy of who he might be. If I’ve learned anything in the last couple of years, it’s that fantasy and reality are never the same. Not ever. While I can indulge in a little unrequited interest from afar, I’m not dumb enough to pretend the Kade in my head is the true Kade. I’ll never make that mistake with any man again.
Matter of Time is coming July 2021.
Preorder here!
Acknowledgments
I’ve just got a few people to thank:
Sometimes a book is just a breath of fresh air to write. This one was like that. Kiersten and Paul’s story, while filled with its own issues, was just what I needed so many months into pandemic living. For that, I’m so grateful to them. They may be fictional characters, but Kiersten and Paul became more like family to me and I’m looking forward to meeting with them again.
That doesn’t mean they didn’t require some work, which leads to the next people I’m grateful for.
Huge shout out to Brenda Rothert for talking through ideas with me. The story has so much more depth because of her. And let’s not forget how much she advises me on tricks of the trade. You are such a treasure to me!
Andrea Johnston, Hazel James and Marisol Scott for the great feedback on this book. I couldn’t have done it without you. From the good to the bad and the ugly, I know it ended up all the better because of those giant slashy red pens.
I accidentally forgot to send McKinnze Lopez the first draft, which turned out to be a good thing. Knowing how far this book had come and getting your feedback to make it that much better was so important to me. Still aiming for 5 stars, baby!
Let’s not forget Murphy Rae who created this cover a million years ago and then had to go back and do more with it once it was ready for paperback! Much, much appreciated.
Janice Owen and I have only worked together a handful of times but wow, are you thorough! I’m sorry about the em dashes. If you could tell me where to find them on my computer that would be great, thanks.
My deepest apologies to Alyssa Garcia for having to work with me still. You can’t get rid of me now!!! (I’m the reason she drinks. Kthanksbye)
Oh and thanks Mom for being a last set of eyes. Even when you’re wrong, you’re usually right. Go figure.
Carter’s Cheer
leaders, Nerdy Little Book Herd – you make my world go round!
Thank you God for giving me the words so easily on this one. You promised rest for the weary and you delivered in a big way.
Other books by M.E. Carter
Hart Series
Change of Heart
Hart to Heart
Matters of the Hart
Matters to Me
Matters to You
Matter of Time
Texas Mutiny Series
Juked
Groupie
Goalie
Megged
Deflected
#MyNewLife Series
Getting a Grip
Balance Check
Pride & Joie
Amazing Grayson
Charitable Endeavors
(Collaborations with Andrea Johnston)
Switch Stance
Ear Candy
Model Behavior
Better than the Book
Smartypants Romance
Weight Expectations
Cutie and the Beast
Weights of Wrath
Collaborations with Sara Ney
Friend Trip
Kissmas Eve
New Years Steve