Page 1 of Saddles

Chapter 1

Ford

“Another.” Slamming the shot glass upside on the bar, I line it up carefully next to the others.

Val wanders over, one of her dark eyebrows raises as she glances up to the clock. “It’s almost last call, Ford. If you want another round, you know that means I’m calling Mason.” Her bright red lips purse.

Fuck. I don’t need Mason driving out here.

“It ain’t more than usual, Val. Maybe just one more whiskey? I’m heading out to the contract cabin for the winter.” I tilt my hat back and tap the ring on my pinky against the empty glass. “I won’t be back to cause problems ‘til spring, I swear.” I try to flash my best smile, but there’s two of her now.

Her green eyes narrow. “You’re going up before Halloween?”

Like a fucking punch to the gut.

Squinting hard, my double vision momentarily clears. “Why you gotta do that to me?” My tongue feels fat and slow in my mouth.

I guess I might have hit my quota.

Because just the mention of the looming date makes me thirsty.

“We all worry about you, Ford,” she says softly. “You really shouldn’t go until after, so you’re not alone. You always get stupid this time of year.” Her head tilts, making her maroon hair fall across her cheek.

My fist tightens on the upside down tumbler, highlighting the jack-o-lantern tattoo on the back of my hand.

It’s there so I don’t forget.

Ineverwill.

The lights are too damn bright.

“Fine. Thanks,” I grumble. Grabbing the chain attached to my wallet, I yank it out of my pocket and start counting out the bills.

It used to always be eight shots. I went to four for a while, but tonight I needed the full run.

Knowing I’m going to be left with my demons for another long winter alone made it easy to want to fall into old, bad habits.

I’m a weak fuck who can’t shake a grudge.

Don’t really deserve to. It’s the only thing that wakes me up most mornings.

Who knows what’ll happen once I can turn all eight of those damn glasses over?

Nothing. That’s what.

A clunking sound comes from the back of the bar before the swinging doors are pushed open by a big plastic tote.

Scott’s green eyes match Val’s as he aims for his sister. “Which one of these sinks has the dirty ones?” He gestures with the empty container, looking over his shoulder along the length of the wooden counter.

Val sighs, then points to the one nearest the wall.

“I thought you’d be home playing video games with Sawyer by now?” I toss my money down, calling towards Scott.

He groans while pulling a stack of empty beer steins out of their murky water. “Believe me, I’d rather be. I can’t wait until I’m done with my classes so I can be on campus next semester.” His nose wrinkles as a splash of grimy suds lands on his shirt.

Val raises an eyebrow and her full lips flatten. “I can’t even imagine what your dorm room will look like.” Shaking her head, she wipes the spot clean where my empties sat, then turns to me. “Maybe he should go stay in the cabin for a few months. It’d be good for him to detox from online for a while.”

“Yea, fuck that,” he grumbles before disappearing into the back.

---