Chapter 3

SEAN

Afternoons at the Brickstone Bar were quiet but the nights were something else. Cade’s brother Bryce turned the place into one of the few spots in the West Bay where everybody would come out to drink, dance, and have a good time. While Bryce created an atmosphere that even some of the shyest folks could enjoy, Cade reinforced it with the help of the Chargers. Yes, nights at Brickstone got crazy if you weren’t ready for it.

Tonight wasn’t an exception.

I worked behind the bar with a couple of other bartenders. The beer was flowing. Hard shots were gulped. The thin line between sober and drunk was crossed in the blink of an eye.

Men and women crowded around the floor to dance with each other. When they weren’t dancing, the conversations were lively. The lights in the bar made it easy for you to see all of that. But even if it was dark, it was still easy to tell. The hormones in the air. You could smell them. You could taste them on your tongue. You could feel it. Alphas and Omegas and Betas all having a good time and looking for an even better one.

“Sparrow! Let’s get these glasses cleaned up!”

“I’m on it.”

I wasn’t sure what to make of Bryce. He was in charge of the bar. He barked out orders like a bossy Omega. But when I looked into his eyes, I saw a kindness that was rare in this part of town. It was hard to believe that he and Cade were brothers.

Bryce stood near the bar, his arms crossed as he observed the scene in front of him. I kept my head down while I went through the usual routine. Glasses were cleaned and set out to dry. And there was no shortage of glasses needed with how much everybody was drinking.

“How you doing there, Sean?” Bryce asked.

“Just fine.”

“The work isn’t too hard for you, is it?”

I scoffed at the suggestion. He really was looking out for me.

“I just got back from the other side of the world,” I said. “There were times when I wasn’t sure I’d get back to camp alive. I can handle washing a few dishes.”

“It’s not that. I just wonder if working the bar is beneath you.”

“If I ever start complaining about the type of work I’m doing or the type of money I’m making, I’ve got bigger problems than my job.”

I stopped for just a second to wipe my hands down. A brief second to relax before more glasses showed up on the counter.

“It’s honest work,” I said. “It means a lot to be a Charger—”

“I don’t want you working here just because you’re in my brother’s club now.”

“It’s not just that. I know that Brickstone is an important part of this community. There’s no better job in the West Bay than working here. You need to worry about me. I’m here to work.”

The young Omega smiled softly at me then patted me on the shoulder. Just then, another stack of dirty glasses appeared in front of me.

“How’s your son?” I asked as I got back to work.

“He’s doing just fine. He’s with his father now.”

“His father? I figured he’d be working.”

“Uriah is dedicated but he’s not always in the office. He’s a good Alpha. He knows that his family is more important than his job.”

“If he knows that then he is a good Alpha.”

While Bryce kept me company, the rest of the Chargers were all scattered around the place. Cade and the others were enjoying the night and drinking like they did every night.

“You’ve been at it for a few hours,” he said. “Why don’t you take a break?”

“Is that why you’ve been staring at me this whole time? I’m fine. Really. I can handle it.”

“The other Chargers are having a good time. I don’t see why you can’t relax for a bit. You’re not alone.”

“I know how it works. I’m the newest member of the club. I’ve gotta pay my dues. Show everybody I’m here to work.”

“Sean…”

Bryce put a hand on my shoulder.

“…I’m serious. Take a break.”

“All right,” I sighed. “If you insist—”

“I do. I can finish up from here.”

“I never heard of the owner of a bar rinsing his own glasses.”

“That’s because you’ve never been to the Brickstone before.”

He gave me a wink and took my spot at the sink. He had a smile on his face, whistling while he got busy with the endless amount of work in front of him.

I grabbed a bottle of beer for myself then collapsed in a chair off to the side of the bar.

Tired…

Standing at the same spot for a few hours made me more exhausted than I realized. I was sitting by myself, enjoying my beer, when the entrance to the bar opened up next to me.

Joshua walked in and started looking around.

I’d be lying to myself if I didn’t say that I was still thinking about him ever since I saw him this afternoon. The oil and sweat all over his lean body. The way his messy brown hair covered his face a bit. He was just as I remembered him from all those years ago. His youthful face matured a little but he was still young.

He wore the same pair of jeans I saw him in earlier along with a tight t-shirt that hugged his slim physique just right.

“Hey,” I greeted him. “You made it.”

“When you offered me a beer, how could I refuse?” he said with a smile.

That smile…

Everything about him was so familiar even though it’d been so long. He narrowed his brown eyes slightly at me. I caught myself staring for a second then shook my head.

“I’m on my break right now,” I said. “Lemme go get you that beer.”

“Sounds good.”

Joshua took a seat at one of the empty booths at the side of the bar while I headed back to the counter. I grabbed another bottle of beer then showed it to Bryce.

“Put it on my tab,” I said.

“Your tab? You’re not gonna get drunk on your shift now, are you?”

“It’s not for me,” I said, chuckling softly. “It’s for an old friend.”

Bryce looked over at Joshua in the distance. He didn’t say anything but his mouth was half-open like the words were on the tip of his tongue. He slowly turned back toward me, his eyes narrowed slightly.

“An old friend, huh?”

“It’s not like that,” I said, laughing even harder than before. “He really is just a friend.”

“That’s what they all say…”

“He’s my ex-girlfriend’s brother.”

“Your ex-girlfriend’s brother? Well… That’s just awkward.”

“It’s not awkward. We’re just catching up and talking about business. It’s club business. It’s not what you think it is. Really.”

Bryce kept an eyebrow arched at me.

“Don’t look at me like that. It’s not what you think it is.”

He didn’t stop staring. I sighed and rolled my eyes, knowing that he wouldn’t let it go.

“Just make sure you’re back here in 10,” he said. “But if you need more time to talk—”

“Ten minutes. No problem.”

Sheesh…

I walked back to Joshua and put the beer down in front of him. His eyes were still focused on all of the craziness in the bar.

“You work here?” he asked.

“That’s right. I got back into town around a month ago. Been looking for work but there isn’t much, especially not in the West Bay. Heard the Chargers were around and I figured why not.”

“A job and a club. Two birds with one stone.”

“That’s right.”

“Funny thing… Never figured you for a Charger.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Joshua gave me a half-smirk then leaned forward in his seat.

“It’s been a long time since you’ve been in the West Bay,” he said. “Things are different around here. The Chargers have a reputation.”

“And what kind of reputation is that?”

“Vigilantes. They go around West Bay handling people’s problems.”

“That doesn’t sound like a bad thing.”

“Maybe it is. Maybe it isn’t. But when you start taking the law into your own hands, the police will start to sit up and take notice. Not to mention the gangs and motorcycle clubs already here who wanna start shit with you. Chargers aren’t making friends with anybody.”

“I’m not a Charger to make friends. I’m just trying to do what’s right.”

He leaned back in his seat, that sly little grin still on his face. Ever since I’d known him, Joshua always looked like he was up to something. Ten years hadn’t changed that.

“Then I guess I was wrong,” he said. “I guess joining up really changed you.”

“You learn a lot about discipline when you’re a Marine. I took all of it with me.”

“First you’re out there risking your life. And now you’re back home… Risking your life.”

“The West Bay isn’t that risky. Now…”

I raised my bottle of beer up.

“…What should we toast to?”

“How about… to Snow Falls and the West Bay?”

I tapped my bottle to his and took a swig. Two old friends who hadn’t seen each other in years just sharing a drink.

This is the life…

His sister was lingering on my tongue but I didn’t wanna get into it. Now, I just wanted to enjoy the company of a man I thought I’d never see again.

“So, lemme see if I got this straight,” he said. “You go on tour for a decade, doing your country proud, and after all that, you decide to come back home?”

“I’m a Snow Falls man, born and raised.”

“Snow Falls, sure. But did you have to come back to the West Bay? I mean, the Northside is right there. And Ashton Webb is doing a lot in the Southern Block.”

“So I’ve heard. But the truth is, when I was out on tour, I never felt completely comfortable. I thought about moving somewhere else entirely. But this feels right. I don’t mind staying in the West Bay. This is my home. Besides, if things don’t work out, I can always leave.”

“True.”

He took another sip of his beer and nodded. Joshua always had a nonchalant attitude about everything. That was the reason I was so comfortable around him. Even after his sister and I stopped dating, Joshua didn’t have any disdain for me.

“I’m still on my shift,” I said. “It’ll be a few hours until I’m off completely. But maybe you can stick around if you’re not doing anything else.”

“It’s a bar. I’m sure I can find something to do to keep me busy. It’s not like I’ve got anything else on my plate…”

I gulped down the rest of my beer and got up from my seat.

“Just let me know if there’s anything you need. Bar’s open all night.”

“Thanks, Sean.”

He gave me a wink and that smile of his. For a man who liked to get his hands dirty, there were times when he looked as cute as the most innocent Omegas.

“All right,” I said after I got back to Bryce. “Break’s over.”

“Already? That wasn’t 10 minutes. It looks like your friend is lonely there.”

“Joshua is fine. We’ve got plenty of time to catch up.”

“I can give you the rest of the night off if you need it—”

“Bryce. Please.”

I was trying to be serious but he was still smiling at me.

“All right, all right,” he said as he put his hands up. “Just let me know if you need more time with your friend.”

“Would you stop talking like that?”

“Just calling it like I see it.”

He patted me on the arm and finally left me alone so I could get back to work.

Joshua sat by himself in the distance, continuing to observe the wild scene around him. I did wanna sit down and talk with him but I could never admit that to Bryce. I just had to keep working until I eventually got a chance to catch up with him.

It’s gonna be a long night…