Page 109 of Here's to Yesterday

Handing the customer his drink, I turn to Rae. “Fine. I do need to tell him. If I see him tonight, I promise I’ll talk tohim.”

“Fine. I’ll take it. It’s better thannothing.”

“Good. Now go take Gaige his drink, please. I’ll be over during mybreak.”

Gary appears out ofnowhere.

“Do youreallythink I’d make you work tonight? Get your skinny ass out from behind my bar,” he says in that gruff voice ofhis.

I put my hands on my hips and brace myself for an argument for him. “Come on, Gary. That’s not fair to everyoneelse.”

“Would it make you feel any better if I said I wasn’t working tonighteither?”

“I’m not going to win, amI?”

Gary gives a short laugh. “You mean I’m not going to let you hide behind the bar all night?No.”

I relax my stance and drop my shoulders in defeat because he called that. I did want to hide tonight. I’ll keep my promise to Rae regarding Tucker, but that doesn’t mean that I’m going to go out of my way to find him and talk tohim.

“You suck, Gary,” I tell him half-jokingly.

“I’ve been told that time or two. Now go. Don’t make me fireyou.”

“I knew I liked you, Gary,” Raebeams.

Pulling off my apron, I shoot her a dirty look. After refilling my soda, I walk with Rae over to our grouptable.

“Here, lazy ass,” she says, handing Gaige his drink and taking a seat next toHudson.

“Can’t believe we scored VIP seats for the show. I fucking love Drive. And Tucker is okaytoo.”

“Of course we did,” Gaige says. “Ever since Rae and Maura left Clyde’s, all we’ve done is hang out here. I think we keep Gary afloat most days. We deserve thisspot.”

“Truth,” Perryagrees.

“Tucker hooked us up with these seats, not Gary, you nuts,” Hudson tells them. “My boy does me good.” We all immediately start laughing, minds going directly to the gutter. Hudson blushes when it catches up to himwhat he just said. “Fuckers.”

Rae shakes her head at her boyfriend. “I can’t believe Joey hasyouas a father. Poorkid.”

Hudson mumbles about “just saying yes,” and Rae swats at his arm. I mentally make a note to corner her about that later, because it seems like she’s holding back vital info about herlife.

“Have you guys heard him on the radio yet?” Rae asks. “He soundsawesome.”

Gaige leans back in his chair and scoffs. “I had to hear that bastard for months in our apartment. I’m allTuckered out.” He laughs loudly and slaps the table. “Get it?Tuckered?”

Hudson looks over at Rae and asks, “Who invitedhim?”

“Whatever. Tucker always appreciated my shitty jokes. You guys just need to be more likehim.”

“Off driving all across the country, singing sad poetic songs to throngs of beautiful women who probably throw themselves at him at every show? Sign me up!” Perry spouts off, not thinking of what he justsaid.

“Perry!” Rae hisses. “Sorry, Maura. I’m sure he didn’t mean it likethat.”

I wave her off. “It’s fine, Rae. Promise. I’m going to go check and make sure Gary doesn’t need any help before I officially clockout.”

Not waiting for a response, I rush off toward the back room, a little upset by what Perry just said. I don’t actually need to check with Gary about anything. Instead, I stand in the back hallway to collect myself because suddenly there are tears stinging myeyes.

What if Perry is right? I’ve spent this entire time Tucker was gone thinking of him asmine. What I never considered was all the women on the road or who was warming his bed at night. What if he doesn’t even want me anymore? What if I’m suddenly not enough? What if he’s realized he’s better off without me on theroad?

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