Page 2 of Fly Back to Me
Selling my share of ownership at the bike shop Mike Riley and I ran for three years was a difficult decision, but it was necessary. After starting out as mechanics, Mike and I took over the business when our boss left. As much as I enjoyed my time there, I felt like I squeezed everything I could out of it. So naturally, I made the decision to take my share of the company and forge my own path to success.
Jenna’s head sinks back against my chest, her blonde locks spilling across my arm. “Who is it?”
“It’s Mike. He wants to go out tonight to celebrate.”
“Aw, you should go. When was the last time you spoke to him?”
I shrug, genuinely considering her question. “Probably a few weeks ago. Shit, whenever he texts me, I feel … strange.”
Jenna spins to nest my face in her hands, her periwinkle eyes boring into mine. “You know you made this decision for a reason, and you’re going out to spend time with one of your long-time friends. Understand?”
I flash her a kinked smile. “I’ll let him know I’ll be there tonight.”
I enter Last Call, the dim lighting casting over scuffed, wooden walls and floors. The scent of stale beer and cigarettes dangles in the air, blending with the bar food they sell for a measly two dollars.
Above the sea of bodies and gravelly voices, Mike hails me over to where he and Lacey are sitting at the end of the bar. He runs a tattooed hand through his shoulder-length hair as he stands from his stool, and I extend a palm for a handshake-hug.
“Hey, I missed you, man,” I say through a grin, my free arm locking around his back.
“Same, brother.”
Lacey’s palm meets my shoulder. “Cade! For fuck’s sake, finally,” she scoffs.
I pull away from Mike, flashing a smile as I curl an arm around Lacey’s shoulders. My fingers absently ghost the ends of her dark locks as I say, “Parking options were complete shit.”
We slip away from one another, each of us sinking down onto a bar stool.
“How’s the shop been?” I ask, scrubbing a hand through my short waves.
I direct my attention to my left, and Mike sips his beerbefore his chestnut eyes meet mine. “Business has been steady, I can’t complain. A handful of our regular customers have been asking why you sold your share.”
I lean my leather-clad forearms on the bar top. “I actually ran into Gary a couple months ago when I was out to dinner with Jenna. He was bummed, but he knows he’s in the best hands with you.”
Mike’s scruffy mouth carves into a lighthearted smile. “To give you a little bit of a fun story, a new customer came in with his grandfather’s old Honda, and I’m restoring it for him. He said he found it in his grandfather’s garage after he passed away and wants to ride it for sentimental value.”
I nod, my brows contorting with intrigue. “That’s really fucking cool. Was anything salvageable? Or do you have to replace the motor or frame?”
“Okay!” Lacy’s hazel eyes expand as she suspends her palms in front of her. “Seriously, the doubling-down of bike talk is annihilating my buzz. Cade, tell us how the business is going.”
I shine a crooked smile, inclining back to grant her my full attention. “Just received my first supply order, so I’ll be working closely with my brewmaster before opening up. Thankfully, the chaos has settled from four months ago when I rented the space and got the licenses and permits. It’s just ‘showtime’ now.”
“What’s the name, and where is it?” Lacey asks before drawing a sip from her glass of beer.
“Chrome Pipes Brewing in Stardust Cove.” I stab my index finger in her direction, my eyes dipping to the drink cuddled in her palm. “And don’t worry, I’ve included sours just for you.”
“Woo!” Lacey exclaims, punching her free hand up in the air.
My chest pumps through laughter when I locate the chalkboard menu on the wall behind the bar. The next two hours are fueled by a couple cheap beers and laughs, and then the threeof us are ready to vacate our space. A side effect of turning thirty in less than a year, I suppose.
Damn.
“I’m so sorry about the delay.” The bartender slides a credit card and receipt in front of Mike before she continues, “The machine was giving us a little trouble.”
“It’s no problem,” he replies, signing the merchant copy.
“I appreciate the sentiment, but I’m buying the next round when we go out again,” I insist.
Ignoring my offer, Mike rises from his seat before I do the same. “How does Jenna like the new hospital she’s working for?”
