Page 52 of Next to You

Most Honeybrook Hollow locals chose the Twilight Trails Tavern to unwind over beers and burgers in the evenings. A few times a week, I’d meet one or more of my brothers there to play pool and relax.

Although this place was a dive, it was warm and comfortable. It was all dark wood and burgundy leather booths. A big, roaring fireplace flanked by deep green couches was in one corner. In another, a couple of pool tables surrounded by high-top tables were visible through an arched entrance. Old country western music hummed through the speakers, and there was a small stage for bands and karaoke.

I wiped a hand on my jeans. My fingers were pruning up from the condensation of my beer bottle.

What was I doing here right now?

It was like I had nowhere to be. My place felt wrong. This bar felt wrong. At some point, maybe I should contemplate if it was justmethat felt wrong.

I was unsettled.

I couldn’t unwind when there was no losing this tension that had burrowed its way into my chest the second my dad and I had dropped Lucy off at her house.

For some reason, I was trying to live my everyday life as if I hadn’t dropped my heart off at Lucy’s little cabin behind the Honeybrook Inn.

“Spencer. It’s your turn.”

“Huh?” I slowly focused on my oldest brother Hunter’s face. We were in the pool room.

My brothers and I looked alike. Tall, with dark brown hair and light blue eyes, we looked like our parents had cut and pasted us into existence.

“Where’d you go, Spence?” His eyebrows popped up expectantly as he took a swig of his beer.

He knew what, or rather who, I was thinking about. Apparently, not talking about something did not make it a secret, which, by this time, I should have already figured out. They clearly had noticed I had a thing for Lucy over the years.

I considered opening up about her but decided against it. It was too soon. I should open up toherfirst without the pressure of trying to fight our attraction in the cabin to get in the way.

“Sorry, I’m just tired, I guess.” I stepped up to the pool table and took my shot.

He didn’t answer. His eyes flashed as he watched me, studying my face as I answered him.

“Knock that shit off, Hunter. Quit staring.” I was antsy; my brain was filled with nothing but spiraling thoughts about Lucy, and all I wanted to do was get out of here.

“Yeah, leave the man alone,” Deacon said as he wound his way toward us through the crowd, carrying fresh beers for us and a plate piled high with wings and fries.

He sat at the high-top table next to the pool table and dug in.

Tucker was home with his kids, who had begged for one more night with Larry. Brody was still working, so it was just the three of us. Dad had gone home after we dropped Lucy off. He wasan early-to-bed, early-to-rise type of person and rarely joined us here unless it was a special occasion.

“Are you okay?” Hunter persisted.

“Yeah, of course. I’m fine.” I twisted the cap off my beer and took a sip before setting it on the table next to Deacon.

“You were stuck up there?—”

“With Lucy Darlington,” Deacon added.

I glared at him, and he shrugged.

“Yeah, for what was it? Three days?” Hunter continued. “Why are you here with us right now and not with her?”

“Because I always come here? I don’t know.”

“But I think it’s good you’re here,” Deacon said. “You have to make sure you still feel it.”

“Feel what?”

“Whatever you felt when you dropped her off.” He eyed me speculatively. “Dad said you were wrecked.”

---