Page 49 of Love By The Falls

13

Charlotte

I throw on a light puffer jacket and turn to Sage. “Thank you for staying with Charlie tonight.”

“You don’t need to thank me, Char; we’re friends.” She’s standing in the foyer with me, a hand on her hip. “I’d rather come and hold the jerk down so you could punch him in the gut, but I’ll watch Charlie for you instead.”

I chuckle at her joke, although the more I get to know Sage, I wonder if she’s actually kidding.

Sage never really knew Jason since she didn’t grow up with him like Jane and Austin did. Cutting him off wasn’t much of a hardship for her. It was harder for Austin, and while I never asked him to do it, I felt supported when he no longer invited him to the bar for a drink with the guys. Sometimes I wonder if Jason’s friends cutting him off after our breakup made him stay away so much. I wonder about it, but I don’t feel guilty. His friends judged his actions and reacted accordingly.

So why is he back now?

I still can’t figure that one out, and I’m hoping to get answers tonight.

I pull up to McDougal’s Pub, one of the few bars in town, and breathe in and out slowly a few times before heading inside.

It’s Sunday night so there’s a good-sized crowd, but nothing too rowdy like a Friday or Saturday Karaoke night would bring. The lighting is dim and the furniture dark, with black leather booths and chairs scattered around the bar. Two groups linger in the back by the pool tables, and I look past them for Jason.

“Hey Charlotte, darling. How are you?” asks the server as she walks past with a tray full of drinks. “Hey Debbie,” I call out.

After setting the glasses down in front of some regulars, she returns to me. “Are you drinking alone, or can I help you find someone?”

I hate having to admit this, but in a town as small as this and a bar as crowded as this one, it won’t be a secret for long. “I’m here to talk to Jason. Is he here yet?”

She looks around the bar and clicks her tongue. “I haven’t seen him. Why don’t you take a seat in the booth down there and I’ll send him over when he comes in?”

The booth is tucked away in a corner, far from the pool tables and bar. I appreciate her help in keeping this as quiet as possible. “Thanks, Deb.”

“Don’t mention it.”

I scoot across the black leather bench and tap my nails on the table as I wait for Jason.

Meeting him at home wasn’t an option, and I didn’t want to ask Jane and Austin if we could use their place, as that could be awkward for Austin. I don’t want the town to know my business, but it’s one of the few downfalls of living here, so I suck it up.

Debbie brings me a glass of sparkling water with lemon, my usual, while I scroll my phone. Time goes by slowly as I sip my drink, and it’s nearly finished when Jason finally shows up.

“Sorry, I’m late,” he says.

“Traffic?” I ask.

He grimaces. “No. Just got stuck somewhere and I couldn’t leave.”

“Glad you could pull yourself away long enough to meet with me.”

“Do you mind if we skip the sarcasm tonight? I’m not in the mood.”

“Fine. How about we skip the pleasantries and the small talk and get right to the point? What do you want, Jason?”

“I told you. I want to talk with you and to Charlie.”

“About what?”

“Nothing specific. I just want to get to know him. Is that so wrong?”

I fight the urge to yell at him and stare up at the ceiling, avoiding eye contact. “How long are you planning to stay in town?”

“I don’t know. A week, maybe more.”

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