Page 65 of Hate You Later
Since The Grumpy Stump is in the industrial district, not too far from the lofts, I choose to walk. Fluffy clouds are zipping across the sky, and the smell of wet leaves lingers in the cool, misty air. Jackson passes me in his car, parks, and jogs back to walk the last two blocks with me.
“Sorry I missed the event planning meeting yesterday. How did it go?”
“It went.” I sigh.
“Emily said Celestial Pets’ primary goal is to raise funds for the shelter relocation?”
“Yep.” I nod. “Folks are a bit touchy about that. Bryce hasn’t helped matters.”
“How are you even related?” Jackson shakes his head.
“Technically, we aren’t,” I point out.
“Seems like a good idea, giving them the use of your space,” Jackson comments.
“It was actually Lilly’s idea,” I say. “I think she was getting a hard time about the shelter from some of the kids at school.”
“Poor Lilly. It’s so tough being a kid these days,” Jackson says. “Cyberbullying comes up all the time in our dating focus groups.”
“You clearly don’t know my sister.” I laugh. “She’s basically a mini-Walker. Nobody pushes Lilly around. Come to the next planning meeting?” I suggest. “We’re doing the walk-through next week. You can meet everyone and work out the livestream stuff then. It’s coming together pretty quickly.”
“Works for me.” Jackson nods.
* * *
The Grumpy Stump sign displays their logo—two crossed axes above a stump burned into a three-foot-wide slice from an old growth tree. Stained yellow and lit from above, it glows golden in the night, gathering locals like moths to a flame.
It’s busier than I would have thought. Ax throwing appears to be a hit. It’s a younger crowd than you’d find at The Onion. Small groups of hipsters mill around outside, vaping and chatting. There are a lot of interesting tattoos, haircuts, and some truly impressive facial hair. The conversation seems lively.
From the street, I’m startled to see two familiar faces seated inside at the end of the bar. Xander and Kenna are engrossed in conversation. They don’t notice us when we come in.
Kenna shouts toward the caged-off area beside the bar, “Just keep going. You can take my bucket. I’m useless at throwing axes.”
“Are you sure we should be encouraging her?” Xander speaks loudly to Kenna, voice rising above the din. “She’s chucking those axes so hard, I’m afraid she might hurt herself.”
“She’ll be fine. She just needs to let off some steam,” Kenna reassures him.
And then I realize who they’re talking to … and about.
“I heard that!” Georgia’s voice yells back from the throwing area. “Guess whose face I’m picturing on the stump?”
“Hi, guys.” I step closer and wave.
Kenna and Xander both freeze, looking worriedly at each other.
“Jackson, this is Xander and Kenna. They’re two of the key players on the team organizing the masquerade. Do you two already know Jackson?” I ask.
“Double shot Americano?” Kenna asks. Jackson gives her the thumbs-up sign.
“Thrilled to meet you, man!” Xander sticks out his hand.
“Xander is obsessed withLit Lovers,” Kenna explains for my benefit.
“Small world.” Jackson smiles. “I was just chatting about you and your sister with Emily. You want to come on the podcast later this month, maybe help spread the word about your event?”
“Really?” Xander says. “You’d do that?” Xander’s eyes go wide at the mention of theLit Lovers’podcast, and he looks excitedly from me to Jackson.
“Absolutely. Hell, you’d be doing me a favor, bro. I hear you’ve got quite the following of your own. We can talk about rom coms with pets in them. You’d be surprised how many romantic literature aficionados are also passionate pet owners. I definitely think there’s some cross correlation there that bears closer investigation.” He considers this for a moment. “I should probably train an AI on it.”
