Blame It On The Whiskey (On the Rocks)

Chapter 5

Haven

"I'll be right back. I need to help on the floor," I tell Parker as I walk out from behind the bar, out where all the tables are. There's only so much I can stand working in that closed-off space with Parker watching me closely. I swear my heart is racing triple time. I can't believe he's here. He wasn't supposed to arrive in Redwood until next week. Usually whenever I see him, it's something that I mentally need to prepare myself for, but there was no preparing tonight. I let my true excitement shine through when I barreled toward him, and he put me in a fierce bear hug. My body is still trembling from the after-effects.

Parker puts his hand on my shoulder and looks at me worriedly. "I'll be right here if you need anything."

My forehead creases, not understanding, but I nod and keep walking. It seems as if hours have gone by. The crowd has picked up, and I have worked my ass off refilling beers and doing orders. I told Parker that he can go on home, but he wasn't having it. He's determined to sit here until we have a chance to talk.

I walk around the room, picking up empty bottles and carrying them to the trash. I make several trips and talk to a few regulars along the way. Steven is still persistent, but I just laugh it off. I'm smiling when I return to the bar and Parker is looking at me with a guarded expression. The closer I get, the more I can inspect his face. It's obvious he's tired. I imagine he doesn't get a lot of rest, and probably the last thing he wants to be doing is sitting at a bar.

"I'm telling you, Parker, go on home. We can catch up tomorrow. I can tell you're tired." But before I even get the words out, he shakes his head. "Nope, I'm going to wait until you're off."

I lift my arm up and look at the smart watch on my wrist. "We don’t close for a few more hours," I tell him. I've stopped next to him, and he turns to where his knees are on each side of my body. Parker and I have always been like this. We've always hugged and touched one another. That's just how our friendship is. So standing like this is nothing new.

However, I have to keep reminding myself to not let my body let on how much being this close to him affects me. I look at his broad shoulders, which seem to get even bigger every time I see him. He juts his chin at me. "What is it? What are you thinking?"

I laugh and shake my head. There’s no way I’m telling him that. I set the tray of bottles on the bar top and put my hand on his shoulders, rubbing them up and down his arms and then across his chest. I wiggle my eyebrows at him. "I bet you still have women falling at your feet all the time. Do you work out every day, all day? I can't believe how big you are."

I feel his body pulsate under my palms. He reaches up and grabs on to my wrist, holding my hands in place. I suck in a breath as he stares back at me. His voice is low as he looks me in the eye. "What about this new look you have, Haven?”

I can feel my face turn red. I roll my eyes and try to pull from his grasp as I pretend to laugh it off. "I know. I look ridiculous, don't I?"

His hands tighten on my wrist, and he pulls me toward him. "You don't look ridiculous at all.” We're so close I can feel his breath on my cheek. I search his eyes, trying to understand what I'm seeing. His nostrils flare, and I feel his chest expand as he takes a deep breath. I want to ask him what he thinks of my new look, but I'm not brave enough to do so. Instead, I pull back. "I need to get back to work."

He nods. "I'll be waiting right here."

I almost start to argue with him again and tell him to go on home, but I know that it’s a lost cause. Parker is going to do what he wants to do. I spend the next hour working when one of the managers offers to let me cut out early. Parker hasn't moved from his spot, and I know he’s ready to go. I can use the money, but I don’t want to miss out spending time with Parker; he’s only here for a short time. I walk over toward him. "You ready?"

He nods and gestures for me to go in front of him. I wave bye to everyone that is left and then we walk outside. He walks with me to my car, and I stop next to the driver's side door. "Now where?"