Page 51 of Roommate's Guide to Love

“Always,” I say, pointing to the seat on the other side of the desk from me. “What brings you by?”

Wes takes a seat, and by the concerned look in his eye, it’s not to talk about the upcoming Nashville Fury football season. “Thought I’d come and check on you.”

I sit back in my chair. “You heard?”

“Everyone in the city limits heard. Hell, my brother heard, and he’s on vacation in Aruba right now.”

Damn. News travels fast and far. The post office could use some pointers from this community. “Thanks, but I’m okay.”

Clearly my half-truth isn’t convincing. “I’m going to call bullshit. So when you’re ready to actually talk, I’ll be sitting right here. Though I could use a beer.”

I laugh and reach over to the mini fridge I keep for myself, and grab one for each of us. “Honestly, I could too. Nothing like unpacking family trauma without a cold one.”

We tip the beers to each other and each take a pull. “But in all seriousness, I’m fine. Well, now I am. Still a little shook, because seeing Missy wasn’t something I’d planned on. But I haven’t heard from her since she ran out of here.”

Wes leans forward, elbows on his knees. “She really didn’t say anything? Ask for anything?”

“Nope,” I say. “I could tell she was making some things up. Too jumpy, you know? But she wasn’t here long enough for me to get a real read on her.”

“Do you think maybe she just actually wanted to connect?”

“Maybe,” I say. “And I thought about that when she mentioned that her dad passed. But then why dart out of here when Harry and George walked in? What would she have done if there were people here when she arrived? Nothing makes sense.”

“So odd.” Wes pauses for a second before asking me the one he knows is going to hurt. “Did she bring up your mom?”

I nod, the pain of having to think about my mom after all these years being the worst part of all this. “Apparently Bonnie hasn’t changed her ways. I think Missy was lying about a lot of things, but the one thing she was truthful about was that Bonnie was still the same ol’ woman.”

Wes’s eyebrows shoot up. “Bonnie? I know you don’t talk about your mom a lot, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard you call her by her first name.”

“Guess I finally realized that to be called Mom, you have to act like one. She sure as shit hasn’t. “

“That’s the fucking truth,” Wes said. “Okay, so back to Missy. She hates Bonnie too. She randomly popped in here. Was jumpy. Made a lot of random small talk. Then left? Just like that.”

“Just like that,” I say with a nod.

“So weird. Something’s off.”

“Is this what family drama is like?” I ask.

Wes shakes his head. “Slightly. But then again, you never had to deal with a crazy ex-wife or a custody battle. So maybe I’m biased.”

I laugh, because he’s right. Then again, having a crazy ex would require me getting married. And that is one thing I’ve never wanted.

God love being a child of divorce with a mother who doesn’t give two shits about you.

“Well, if she comes back, keep me in the loop, won’t you?” Wes says as he stands up. “Oh, and the fact my mom had to hear the news from one of the Bingo ladies did not sit well with her.”

I laugh and stand up as well. “I’ll call Aunt Peggy and apologize.”

“You know an apology will require you to come over for dinner.”

I nod. “I think I can live with that.”

Wes and I exchange a slap-your-back hug before he exits my office, me following behind. When I go back into the bar, it’s the normal, slow, Monday crowd. Good. When it’s slow like this, I can leave Jenny to tend bar and handle the tables. More money for her and a break for me.

And after the weekend I’ve had, I could use a break. Plus, maybe now a certain guest can come over a little earlier.

Yes. I like this plan.

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