Page 16 of Seamus's Basement
Well, that was unexpected.
“My night was fine. I’m almost done here,” Seamus said in answer to his question, seemingly oblivious to what was happening. “Was your shift busy?”
“Hilarious,” Lucas mumbled into his glass. Then he turned to DJ. “Rest of your night? Why were you hitting the bar earlier? I know Todd didn’t pester you into it because he’s with the sheriff playing mister mom to his sister’s kid.”
“I just stopped by to…” He considered his words. People in Hope wouldn’t understand his arrangement with Seamus, so by unspoken agreement, they hadn’t told anyone about it. On the other hand, he didn’t want to lie. “…help Seamus out with a family thing.”
“Family thing?” Lucas looked at Seamus.
“It was nothing.” He started wiping the bar.
“Hi, DJ,” Jared said from next to Lucas. “Thanks for helping me carry in that produce last week.”
Lucas’s boyfriend Jared McFarland owned a farm outside of town. He provided the vegetables and fruit for the restaurants and grocery store in Hope. Even though he had been around Jared since he was a kid, he hadn’t talked to him much until Lucas moved there. Jared was a man of few words, but very kind actions. Lucas, on the other hand, had a lot to say, much of it snarky. But they were an unexpectedly good match. Since Lucas arrived, Jared frequently smiled and he was coming out of his shell.
“You’re welcome. I’m surprised to see you here. You don’t usually go out.”
“It was date night!” Lucas leaned into Jared’s bulky frame. “We went to Pike’s and then decided to stop here for a drink.”
Pike’s Grill was Hope’s version of a nice restaurant. The atmosphere was casual but the food was great and they often had live music. If he didn’t sometimes work there, he’d never be able to afford stepping inside let alone eating anything.
“That sounds fun.”
“It was.” Lucas rested his head on Jared’s shoulder and smoothed his hand down his chest. “Are you almost done with your beer? I want to go home and finish date night.”
“I’m done.” He pushed his half-full glass away.
“Jared McFarland. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you out this late socializing,” said a new voice.
DJ looked over his shoulder at Steve Faus, his boss’s boyfriend.
“I’d ask how this happened but I have a good idea.” Steve tipped his chin toward Lucas.
“Hi, Steve,” Jared said.
“Bye, Steve,” Lucas said with a grin. “Seamus, I can give you advice about your latest family drama later. Jared and I are going to finish date night in private so we don’t get arrested.” He stood, took Jared’s hand, and tugged him away.
“I’m never taking advice from you again, troublemaker.” Seamus shook his head at the two of them and then reached over the bar and clapped Steve’s shoulder. “Hey, man. What brings you out tonight?” He looked toward the door. “Where’s Tanner?”
“Mike’s in town and he invited all their old high school friends over to the house.” He took the stool next to DJ. “I escaped.”
“Mike’s in Hope?” Seamus asked as he picked up a pint and walked over to the tap. “I haven’t seen him, and since he turned twenty-one, he always comes by when he’s in town.”
“It’s a comfort to know that, when my son graces Hope with his presence, his first stop is the local bar.”
Seamus poured a light lager into the glass, held an upside-down spoon over it, and topped it with Guinness. “He’s a good customer,” he said to Steve.
“Yeah, I bet. He just got here a couple of hours ago. I’m sure he’ll stop by tomorrow for a drink.”
Grinning, Seamus set a coaster in front of Steve and put the glass on it. “Here’s your usual—a Half and Half.”
“Thanks.” Steve picked up his glass and took a long swallow. “Mmm.” He wiped his hand across his mouth. “What was Lucas saying about drama with your family?” he asked. “Did they overtake your house with cheap beer, bad music, and loud stories?”
“They’ll probably leave a mess too.” Seamus laughed. “Every twenty-one-year-old is a version of an idiot. Next time, send Mike and his friends over here instead.”
“I tried. When that failed, I followed my own advice and nowI'mhere.”
“I can’t believe you abandoned Tanner like that,” DJ said.
