Page 30 of Here's to Yesterday

Tucker visibly shudders because I’ve more than once heard her “offer” herself to him. And I’ve heard him refuse her each time. Can’t say that it didn’t make mehappy.

“Ick. Thanks for the warning. Can I take the table you’re clearing off,then?”

Odd, because hecouldsit at the bar, but I don’t see him offering up thatoption.

“Sure. Let me grab the last few things and wipe it down. Go ahead and claim it, but don’t touch anythingyet.”

I speed walk past him to the bar, grabbing a dish tub to dump the dirty ones in and a rag to wipe down the filthytable.

When I get back, Perry is sitting withTucker.

“Per Bear,” I sayhappily.

“Hey, Maurie. Hope you don’t mind if I sit here withTuck.”

“Memindyou, Perry? Never,” I tell him, throwing a grin hisway.

I feel Tucker’s eyes on me, and I grab the few remaining dishes and clean up the mess made by the table’s previousoccupants.

Perry’s already scoping the place out for potential “friends” as he callsthem.

“What can I get you boys?” Iask.

“I’ll have aCoke.”

“Put Jack in mine,” Perryanswers.

I want to frown at this because as happy as I am to see Perry, I think he’s starting to develop a bit of a problem. With drinking. And hisfriends. And partying. It’s annoying and disconcerting all inone.

Lately he’s been visiting Clyde’s more and more. That part is okay though. Perry is the last person who needs to be all wrapped up in himself all the time. He has a not-so-pretty history withdepression.

What’s harmful about him coming into Clyde’s is what he orders. Again and again and again. And sometimes again. It’s always the same thing—a Jack andCoke.

He flirts for hours with women and drinks the entire time only to leave alone and thoroughly disappointed at the end of thenight.

Normally Rae would say something to him, but after finally getting a job in the city, she doesn’t work here full time anymore, so she doesn’t see it as much as I do. Plus, she hasn’t been herself lately either. She’s so happy with Hudson and Joey that I think she’s become oblivious to what’s happening with Perry. Can’t blame her though, because I’ve been equally distracted with all that’s going on with Tanner. Both of us should be there forhim.

I acknowledge their orders and head to the bar to get Benny—our regular bartender and unofficial bouncer—to fillthem.

“Can I get a Coke and a Jack and Coke? But make the JC light. Like extra light, please,” I say to the bigbear.

You wouldn’t think a guy with arms so enormous or a scowl that sends grown men cowering to the corner would be the sweetest, most giving person ever, but Benny definitelyis.

He shoots me a look. “Extralight?”

I subtly nod my head toward where Perry is seated. Benny flicks his eyes toward the table and then glances back at menodding.

“I’ve noticed too. It’s been picking up these past couple weeks. Wasn’t so bad before. Now it’s starting to become a little too much. Ya dig?” he says in that slow drawl ofhis.

“Oh, I dig. Rae say anything?” I askhim.

“Nah. Not yet. Not sure if she’s seenit.”

“Not sure if I’ve seen what?” Rae asks, magically appearing next to me. “Can I get two shots of tequila, BigBen?”

I flick my eyes toward her. “How’d you know we were talking about you? And why are youhere?”

She shrugs. “I’m psychic. Duh. And I picked up an extrashift.”

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