Page 84 of I Wanna Be Your Lager

“Maybe that’s how we make it work so well.” I shrug.

“How can you be such an amazingly sweet and caring guy? I’m such a hot mess. I don’t deserve someone like you.”

I grab her hand, the one with the drawing on her wrist, and flip it over. My fingers trace over her palm. “I love that you’re a hot mess.”

Her jaw drops, and she giggles. “Thanks for that.” She tugs her hand away, but I refuse to let her go.

“You didn’t let me finish. I love that you’re a hot mess because I want to see all of you. The good, the bad, and the hot mess. I want to be your rock during all those times. To help you. Comfort you. Cheer you on. Anything you need me to do. I’ll be a hot mess with you. I love you.”

“Good save.” Her hand wraps around my wrist, and she pulls me to where she’s sitting. I drop my hands on either side of her hips. My lips are inches from hers. “Did you ever play hockey? Because you’d make a good goalie.”

“No, but we can play a little stick-in-the-net action if you’d like.”

“Now you’re speaking my language.” She wiggles her eyebrows before leaning in, pressing her lips to mine.

FORTY-TWO

HOLD MY HAND

Lach

A month later, things between Jake and me still aren’t back to how they used to be, but at least I don’t flinch every time I’m in his general vicinity. The beer he brought over was a good peace offering but not the fix. I know it will take time, at least longer than working a few shifts together, and I can wait. If the tables were turned, I would have reacted the same way. Both of us want the best for Eve, and a rift between us isn’t that.

I exit the walk-in cooler with a case of beer in my hands. My phone vibrates in my back pocket. I rest the box on the edge of the cooler and pull it out. Eve’s name flashes on the screen. With my hip, I slide the box so it fully rests on top. I stroll to the opposite end of the bar, where it’s a little quieter. I press talk.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“Lach.” Her voice is shaky.

Panic sets in. “What’s wrong?”

“S-something doesn’t feel right. I don’t know what it is, but it doesn’t feel right.”

Fuck. A rope tightens around my chest. She’s scared. I need to be strong for both of us. “Alright. Call the doctor. Tell her we’re going to the hospital. Can you do that, Sunflower?”

“Y-yes.”

“I’m on my way to pick you up.”

“O-okay.”

I end the call and whip around. Jake’s at the other end of the bar with Nora. When he spots me, he nudges Nora to finish making the drink and advances toward me. “I’ve never seen all the color drain from your face. What’s wrong?”

“I need to leave. Something’s wrong with Eve. I don’t know what it is, but I have to take her to the hospital,” I spit out. I yank my keys from my pocket, not even waiting for an answer.

Nora leans around Jake. “Go. We got it here.” She glares at Jake, almost willing him to say no.

His eyes meet mine. “Eve needs you.”

I take off in a full sprint across the bar and out the door to my truck. The engine roars to life. The tires squeal and kick up rocks as I peel out of the parking lot. All the buildings and houses flash past me in a blur. My only focus is to get to the townhouse and to Eve. As soon as I pull into the short driveway, I slam my truck into park. Leaving it running, I shoot off like a cannon to the front door. Eve’s in the living room, sitting on the couch, holding her right side. Within seconds, I’m kneeling in front of her.

“Are you okay?”

“I have a sharp pain on my right side and a pounding headache.”

“Did you call the doctor?”

She nods. “Yes. She’ll meet us at the hospital.”

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