Page 82 of While You're There
She had been so engrossed in her own thoughts that she hadn’t seen Fielding move around the bar to sit beside her. She released her lower lip from between her teeth, willing herself to relax and stop stressing.
She glanced over at her friend and smiled. He may have supplied the liquor for their little shindig tonight, but he didn’t appear to be drinking any of it either.
“I’m okay,” she assured him, flipping her phone over and setting it back down on the bar. “Tired, but I got in a little nap after you dropped me off at home this afternoon, so I’m good.”
“You didn’t want to do shots with Dem?” he teased as he bumped his shoulder into hers. She rolled her eyes but didn’t bother smothering her smile.
“Uh, yeah. That would be a no. I think the more legit question is why aren’tyoudoing shots with your brother tonight?”
He shrugged as he stared at Dempsey from across the bar, replying without meeting her gaze. “We drove together, and Dem is the one who needs to blow off some stream. We got the call from our mom that she’s coming home next week, so we’ll both be back on babysitting duty soon. He deserves a night to let loose. He’s genuinely excited about working at The Oak. I’m glad he has something new to look forward to right now, and I just wanted him to have fun tonight. Plus, I figured I could be the one to drive Jake home if you were tired and wanted to leave early.”
“Careful, Fielding,” she chided in a hushed tone. “If people hear you talking like this, they might think you’re more than just a trust fund fuckboy.”
“Field!” Jake yelled in their direction, pulling them both out of their private conversation. “You want one of these?” He nodded toward the sets of shot and pint glasses lined up in front of him. Tori gagged at the sight of what he was offering. Jägerbombs after all that rum weren’t going to serve any of them well tomorrow.
“Nah, I’m driving,” Fielding replied before he glanced over at her with wide eyes of disgust. He obviously shared her feelings about Jake’s drink of choice. “I can’t even look at Jägermeister without instantly smelling puke and poor choices,” he muttered under his breath so only she could hear. Tori bit down on her lip to hold back a laugh.
“You’re a good man, Fielding Haas,” Jake declared dramatically as he passed around the shot glasses and partially-filled pints. Fielding nodded once to acknowledge he’d heard him before turning back to Tori.
“Okay, it’s decided. I’ll drive Jake home tonight. There’s no way he’snotgoing to puke, and I have to deal with my drunk-ass twin anyways.”
“I’m not gonna fight you on that,” Tori said appreciatively as she stifled another yawn. “He’s right. You’re a good man, Fielding Haas.”
Chapter thirty-four
Tori
EverythingaboutTheOakBarrell Tavern was perfect. The nineties rock playlist and the interesting-but-not-pretentious drink menu was classic Jake. The exposed industrial beams juxtaposed against the warm lighting and surprisingly comfortable bar stools was all Mike. The Hampton High and Archway Prep sports memorabilia that decorated the walls added to the local hometown vibe and kept things from feeling too sterile. There was no doubt in her mind that this place was going to be successful.
She ran her fingers along the raw edge bar, marveling at the attention to detail they had put into all aspects of The Oak.
“I’m not sure I’m allowed to let you sit here all night and order nothing but water.” She could just barely hear Dempsey over The Wallflowers song blaring through the speakers. It didn’t matter that Jake had the volume all the way up: the bar was packed, and they would have had to shout to hear each other regardless.
“Guess you better go ask your new boss about that,” she countered, raising her chin in Jake’s direction. He was moving behind the bar with skilled precision: taking orders, refilling drinks, wiping things down. He had a genuine joyfulness to him tonight that made Tori almost tear up if she thought about it too long. That, or the hormones were really wreaking havoc on her emotions.
Dempsey refilled her etched mason jar with water before going to take the order of a group of women who had just walked in. Dem wasn’t the only one of the Valet Boys that Jake had hired to work for him. Cole and Teddy were also part of the staff of Hampton’s newest hangout, and it was all hands on deck tonight for the grand opening. Watching the four attractive men move around each other behind the bar in their matching black T-shirts was a sight to behold. Yeah. This place was going to be wildly successful.
“My picture is hanging outside the ladies’ room,” Fielding boasted as he slipped back into the bar stool beside her. He had seen a few guys he knew from high school when they first arrived together, so he’d been making the rounds for the last hour.
“Uhhh… do I even want to know?” Tori side-eyed him up and down as he just smiled smugly beside her. Over his shoulder, she could see Dempsey still chatting with the group of women who had come in a few minutes ago. Two of them had noticed Fielding sit down and were currently ogling the Haas brothers like their heads were on an oscillating fan. Tori was certain Jake had known what he was doing when he hired his staff. These boys were going to be so good for business.
“There’s local sports memorabilia all over the walls. The Archway hockey team won regionals my sophomore and senior years, so our team picture is back there. It’s pretty cool, actually. I feel like this place is going to be really popular.”
“I think you’re right. This place has Jake written all over it. I didn’t realize how much he was actually doing to get things up and running, or how much Mike was letting him do, I guess.”
“I mean, you’ve been a little busy these last few months, Tor,” Fielding reminded her. “But yeah. He’s been working nonstop. The only time I ever get to see him is if I come visit him when he’s working, or if we meet up after work and I crash at his place. Between Clinton’s and here, I bet he’s worked at least seventy hours a week all summer.”
Tori picked at the corner of her drink napkin as his words sunk in. She’d been so wrapped up in her own life lately. She hadn’t even noticed how much Jake had been pouring into this project. Not only that, he had still managed to be there for her and for Rhett time and time again over the last few months. She silently chastised herself and promised to do better when it came to showing up and paying attention to her friends’ lives.
“You kids having fun?” Mike asked as he emerged from the back room and started dumping a fresh bucket of ice into a cooler.
“This place is amazing, Mike. Congratulations.”
“Well, I have this guy to thank for a lot of it,” he responded as he slapped Jake on the shoulder. “Most of the concept and design came from him. I wasn’t sure about the exposed beams or the unfinished bar, but…”
“That’s seriously the best part! I love this bar top. It’s edgy but still natural. You did good, Jake.”
“Thanks, baby,” he beamed in response to her praise. “I can’t believe we’re finally open.” He was grinning from ear to ear. She felt a wave of giddiness pass through her just from seeing her friend so happy.
