Falling Fast

“Hi, guys,” I greet them, and they all turn to look at me, their expressions varying from interest to confusion. “What can I get you to drink?” I ask, ignoring the looks and keeping the smile on my face. I haven’t taken many orders since working here, because the people who have come in normally take a seat at the bar, and whoever is working behind it pouring drinks gets there before me.

“Four Coors Lights,” the biggest and oldest of the bunch orders for all of them.

“All right, I’ll be right back with your drinks.” I head back to the bar, trying to avoid looking at Colton, even though I can feel his eyes boring into me.

“They’re having four Coors,” I tell him, writing down the drinks on the notepad in my hand.

“Gia.”

“Yeah?” I look up stupidly, and the moment our eyes meet, my pulse kicks up from the look he’s giving me.

“Hey, guys. How’s it going?” Rose asks before Colton can say whatever it is he’s going to say, and we both look at her.

“It’s all good, Ma,” Colton tells her as she wraps an arm around his waist and hugs his side.

“You doing okay, Gia?” she asks after her son wraps his arm around her shoulders.

“Yep.” I give her a smile. I really like Rose. I like how she is when she’s with her husband and her son. I like that she’s been so kind to me, and I really like that she wears rocker T-shirts, jeans, and high-heeled boots.

“Have you guys been busy?” she asks, looking behind me when the door opens and two more guys walk in.

“It’s been slow,” I tell her as Colton puts four bottles of Coors on top of a tray and pulls off the tops. “I’ll be back.” I pick up the tray, taking the beers over to the four guys before heading to another table with the two new guys, and taking their orders. The rest of the day is a steady flow of customers, which keeps me busy, making it easy to avoid really having to talk to Colton. It also leaves me with forty dollars’ worth of tips in my pocket, meaning I can stop at the store on the way home and stock up on chocolate without feeling guilty about spending money.

“See you in a couple days,” I tell Rose as I step into the office to grab my coat and bag.

“Okay, honey, but call tomorrow after your grandma’s appointment. I’d like to know what they say.”

“I’ll call,” I promise, thinking that’s one more reason I really like her.

Grabbing my purse I stowed under the desk, I leave with a wave to her then say a quick goodbye to Colton, since it would be rude not to. Getting in my Jeep, I shut the door and am reminded once more that Colton might frustrate me but he’s actually kinda sweet when the door closes on the first try.

I start the engine and pull out of the lot before heading to the grocery store, where I buy chocolate, lots of it, along with corn tortillas and a few other things for dinner before driving home. Once there, I spend the evening with Grandma working on the puzzle and watching some old black-and-white movie she picked out before getting her ready for bed and doing the same with myself.

“Hello?” I answer my phone sleepily.

“Gia.”

“Colton?” I sit up, sleep completely forgotten about. Looking at the clock next to my bed, I see it’s 11:30 p.m.

“Were you sleeping?” he asks, and I blink into the dark.

“It’s after eleven,” I reply. Then ask, “Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s okay. I just pulled into your driveway.”

“What?” I utter, wondering if I heard him correctly.

“You’ve still got the key for my Suburban,” he says, and instantly I feel like an idiot.

“I’m so sorry. I totally spaced giving it back to you. I’ll be out in a minute.” I hang up. Throwing the covers back, I get out of bed then walk across the room to flip on the light. I grab my bag and dig through for his key then pull out a sweater from the dresser that Ned brought over. I put it on over my tank top and sleep shorts as I head toward the front door, unlocking the deadbolt and knob when I get there, and pull the door open.

Seeing Colton standing on the front porch with his leather jacket soaked from the rain that is steadily falling and his cheeks pink from the cold, I look over his shoulder and see a motorcycle parked behind my Jeep in the driveway. “I’m so sorry.” I hand him his key. “I would have dropped it off to you.”

“I wouldn’t ask you to leave your grandma to do that.” He shoves it into his pocket. “I would have left you with the key until tomorrow, but I need the Suburban to move some shit from storage first thing in the morning.”