Page 55 of Tinsel & Tools
Ryan held up both hands, still smirking. “Fine. We’re up next anyway. She picked ‘Die With a Smile.’”
“And you promised to stay with me on the chorus.”
“I’ll stay with you. I won’t carry you.”
“You couldn’t carry me.” She stuck out her tongue, and he leaned in and nipped at it, causing her to giggle.
I glanced at Gavin, and he rolled his eyes. “We should get a drink.”
“Hell yeah. I’ll be back.” I slid from the table and walked over to Maggie at the bar. “Hey, Mags. Can I get a Sam Adams and a martini, please?”
“Anything for you, Cole.” She winked and then got to work on my order.
I turned just as Kyle called Allie’s and Ryan’s names. They climbed onto the stage, and right on cue, Ryan started the first verse, nerves showing for half a line before he found the rhythm. Allie came in on her part, her tone clear, her smile soft as she matched him. Their voices blended smoothly on the chorus, neither pushing to be louder than the other. The Tap went quiet as people listened intently. On the last chorus, they held the final words together and let them fade before the track cut. Applause broke out, and when I turned back toward the bar, Maggie had already put my drinks down. I left her some cash and then took the drinks back to the booth, sliding Gavin his.
“Thanks.”
“Of course.” I winked.
Allie and Ryan came back to the table, Allie flushed and Ryan shaking his head like he couldn’t believe it went that well.
“Your turn,” Allie told me.
“I’ll put my name down.” I stood and walked over, writing my name and chosen song down before handing the sheet back to Kyle.
When I returned to the table, my leg rested against Gavin’s again. Paige came by with a drink in her hand. She stopped at our booth and leaned her free hand on the edge of the seat I was leaning back on. Before she even spoke, my mind went to her grandma cornering me at the tree farm.
“Hi, Cole. My grandma told me she ran into you while you were picking out your tree.” She rolled her eyes, apology already there. “Sorry about her. She means well, even if it doesn’t seem like it.”
“Just another day running into Bonnie Perkins. It’s cool. I handled it.”
“I figured you did.” Paige tapped her straw on her glass and looked at me for a beat. “But if you did want to grab a bite while I’m in town, I’d be up for it.”
I felt Gavin pull his leg away from mine, but I didn’t turn to look at him. My eyes stayed on Paige.
“Like I told your grandma, work is keeping me busy and tired, but if that changes, I’ll let you know.”
“Sounds good. See you around, and you too, Ryan.” She turned away and moved back toward her friends.
“Who was that?” Allie asked.
“The one I thought Cole was banging,” Ryan stated.
I narrowed my eyes. “Firstly, fuck off. And secondly, her grandma tried to set us up.”
“Cole took her for a coffee date,” Gavin chimed in.
I shook my head and closed my eyes. He knew it wasn’t a date.
“Oh.” Allie perked up. “That was when we first came to Brookhaven, right? We saw you together at Maple & Mug.”
“Yep.” Gavin popped the P as he responded.
“It was a favor to Mrs. Perkins,” I argued. “Nothing more.”
“But by the looks of it, Paige would be down to fuck,” Ryan announced.
“You know I’m not interested in her,” I shot back.
