Page 16 of Only Some Stars Fall

“No problem.” I turn and walk back to my truck. “Everly?”

“Yea?” She looks so natural and innocent, standing on the porch backlit by the house lights, her guard down.

“You need to watch your step, it’s getting fucking embarrassing.” I smirk as I hear her huff and slam the screen door behind her.Mission accomplished. It’s too easy.

I stepout onto the resort’s expansive wraparound porch and wipe the sweat from my forehead. Today has been the hottest day of the summer yet, and the sun is finally starting to disappear behind the mountain range across the lake. Almost every Adirondack chair is taken, which is great for business but stressful for me. Thanks to the annual Silsby golf tournament, the bar has been slammed since early afternoon. The end result is affluent jerks from apparently all over New England flocking to the restaurant for victory drinks.

Thankfully, Elle had just arrived for her shift, as she’s a monster behind the bar and makes me look like an amateur. I’ve had a rough day and am in no mood to deal with customers, which is not great in my line of work. Nightmares found their way into my cabin and my head last night. I haven’t been able to shake them, mainly because they aren’t just dreams but also my reality. I console myself with the thought you have to push all that aside when the family’s livelihood is at stake, no matter how much it sucks.

“Slacking off on the job?” a peppy voice calls out. Everly walks up the porch steps. I almost mistake her for a local, looking lovely in cutoff jean shorts and a fittedtank top, making my eyes linger on her chest a half-moment too long, and my flannel shirt from last night draped across her forearm. Her hair is pulled up in a messy ponytail. “You know, Rhonda docks people’s pay for shit like this.”

Usually, I would be a bit turned on by her newfound sass, but not today. “Nice to see you too.” I take my flannel from her and sling it over my shoulder. “What are you doing here?”

As cute as she is, I don’t have the time or patience for her calamities tonight. I’m exhausted from putting on a fake smile and waiting on drunken pricks while I congratulate them on a game I couldn’t care less about. I just want to focus on getting through the next several hours of this shift so I can meet up with Ashlee for the night.

“I thought I would come grab a bite to eat. I’ve been home all day and felt like a change of scenery.” Her eyes dart around the porch, landing on anything other than me. She’s picked up on my foul mood, and I can tell she regrets approaching. Unfortunately, that doesn’t stop me from being an ass.

“Edward and Bella weren’t enough company for you? Sorry to disappoint you, but you won’t find much sparkle here.” I head back into the bar, holding the screen door for her not bothering to look back.

“Clearly,” she says under her breath as she brushes past me, and I feel my blood pressure rise again. I have felt like exploding most of the day, and now I have a target.

Returning to the bar, I grab a bottle of whiskey for Mr. Appleton, who is taking his last swig. Everly sits at Elle’s end of the bar, putting as much distance between her and me as possible. When did those two become such good friends anyway? She found a way to lay claim on my friends now too, it seems, fueling my animosity.

“I know most men like to look at that pretty thing downthere,” a shaky finger points in Elle’s direction, “but you, son, pour a good whiskey on ice.” Mr. Appleton lifts his third glass and tilts it toward me before taking a large sip. I always overpour him just a bit. First of all, he doesn’t have a driver’s license because his eyesight is so bad, and his sister Alice will pick him up by eight thirty. Second, because of that unfortunate vision, he’s extra shitty at golf, and today is always a hard day for him.

“Well, you’re my favorite customer, that’s why.” I grin as he waves me off.

I reach for a clean glass and realize I’m out, meaning I need to travel down to Elle’s territory for a clean rack. I don’t know what my deal is, but for some reason, Everly and Elle laughing and gossiping is irritating the hell out of me. I glance in Everly’s direction in time to send my irritation spiral into full anger. I see Nick has joined them, a beer in his hand as he leans on the back of Everly’s barstool.

“Hey there, bud,” I say sarcastically as I walk up to the trio. “Going to need some ID.” I try but fail to keep the anger out of my voice.

“Dude, don’t be a narc. My dad’s letting me celebrate a bit. I fucking killed it today on the course.” He smiles, and I know he’s not trying to be a dick.

But I am.

“Good for you, but our liquor license is a bit more important than your killer scorecard.” I reach to take the bottle. His smile slightly fades, but he makes eye contact with me as he begrudgingly hands over his beer, his hand still firmly planted on the back of Everly’s stool.Too bad. I was hoping for more of a fight.

Elle must be picking up on the impending shit show that’s about to go down. She knows me well and has seen what happens when I reach my breaking point. She changes the subject quickly.

“Hux, are you coming over tonight? I’m having a little fire to celebrate this hellish night’s end.”

“Are you sure there isn’t anything we can bring?” Everly cutely whines at her. I grind my teeth.

“Yeah, we have to stop at the store on our way anyway; I need more beer.” Nick’s shit-eating grin burns a hole between my eyes. I slam my fist on the bar hard enough that a few glasses rattle. The friendly trio and a few curious guests look in our direction.

“No, Ashlee is coming over as soon as we close. Typically, we’rebusyall night.” I stare directly into Everly’s eyes and watch her smile completely disappear.

I thought so.Good.

I turn to grab a rack of glasses as my father walks around the bar. Fucking great. I love my dad, but I also love being left alone.

“What’s up?” I ask as he gives me a stressed-out look.

“I need you to take the boat and go look for Big Earl.”

“Seriously! Who let him take a boat out? Haven’t we learned by now? It’s busy as hell here!” Earl Iverton is eighty-seven years old and an avid fisherman. The only problem is that he tends to fall asleep in the early evening. Letting the tin boat drift all over the lake with the old man snoring away inside.

“Somehow, he persuaded Roger into believing that he would be back long before the sun went down.” We look out the window at the rapidly darkening skyline over the lake.

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