Chapter Six
Dalton
As I headed on down to The Boar and Brew for the wake, I couldn't help but think over the past couple of hours and what a relief it was to be able to have a relationship with my best friend again.
How would he react when the will was read? I was not looking forward to that. Pops, what were you thinking? I could have just stayed quiet where I was, the will would be read, and I would have been far away from the fallout.
As I glanced over the mountains on our way back down to town, I shook my head. I would have come anyway. Not just to see Pops, but because it was time to come home. This was my home. Time to make amends and take my medicine.
Eric looked good. The bike was the same one he rode in college, so I wondered how the bar was doing. Maybe I could give Eric a hand while I was here. I was going to have to anyway, once the can of worms was opened.
I thought back to Taylor sitting across from me on the way to the funeral home. It was a silent trip, but I enjoyed the feel of it, knowing she was a fingertip away and not thousands of miles. Her hands were folded, guarded. She wanted some distance, but I did see her glance my way when she thought I wasn’t looking.
I recalled the way she kissed me, how hesitant she was, the only woman who ever could have brought me to my knees, when I thought I was invincible. At the time, I thought she was just surprised, not that she had never been kissed before. Finding out I was her first kiss threw me. I should have recalled Pops guarded her like a hawk, even though she probably wasn’t aware of it.
As long as I could remember, there was always Kris and Taylor, the dynamic female duo. Kris, always loyal, always there for Taylor. Best friends forever and all that girl talk. However, seeing her get riled up by Courtney touched me. Knowing how faithful she was to the family also shamed me, knowing how I had betrayed the one person who was a brother to me. It was time to mend the fences. Fix them up and make them strong.
Maybe I hadn’t thought about it before because I saw what Kris and Taylor had and missed that slice of life I had with Eric. Missed the feeling of friendship, which made me wonder what else I had missed while I was busy buying up property and building a kingdom of my own. The laughter of a single glance and the shared memories invoked a lifetime of what that shared friendship entailed. It would have helped over the last nine years. The one thing I didn’t have. Family.
I went back to the hotel and changed into jeans and a polo. The bar wasn’t a place where people came dressed to the nines. Even for a wake. I called an Uber to come pick me up. I’d really have to get my own rental wheels in the near future, especially with all the driving I needed to do.
As I pulled into the front of The Boar and Brew, a solid crowd was lined up. When I came in, I saw Taylor wearing her white t-shirt and jeans, hair back up in ponytail, her daily uniform for working the bar. She had always worn the same thing, and it was mighty sexy on her grown up body. I noticed Taylor scan the bar and the catering tables to make sure all was in order. Noticed also how she began even more diligently brushing the crumbs off the table, even though I was sure the mess was no longer there. She was always a wee bit compulsive.
Once I walked through the doors, I was immediately swarmed with people who reminisced with me about all those years ago when I bartended. The bar hogs, we called them privately. The steady people who helped make the pub what it was today. Loyal clientele. Of course, the scene was ruined by Courtney walking in and taking my arm.
“Dalton, we should have lunch tomorrow if you’re free.”
I caught Eric watching me with amusement as I kindly took her hand away.
“Very sorry, Courtney, but I’m here on business.”
She gave me a pissed off look and walked away.
“Eric, you need some help behind the bar?” I asked.
Eric grinned ear to ear and threw me a bar apron. “Think you remember how?”
I grinned back. One of the bar hogs, Pete, laughed, watching the play by play. I recollected that he owned the auto repair shop on Main and Lee.
“Remember? Maybe I never forgot.”
Eric turned to me. “Really, by sitting on your ass in a boardroom?”
I stopped in surprise. “Excuse me?”
Eric turned to me, and I had to look away at the astonishment I felt. He smacked me on my shoulder, and I swung my head back. It surprised me how natural it felt between us. Just like with Taylor and me. Like I had never left. Almost. I just had to get her to talk to me. She had gotten out of the limo without a word.
Eric shook my shoulder, bringing me back to the world. “Are you serious? The hottest nightclubs in LA, expanding to Wilmington, and opening here? And I wouldn’t know about it. Please. I was going to go to a convention in New York and see a seminar on the new variety of hops for craft beers. Who’s on the list? D. Dobbins from D&E Enterprises.”
I shook my head. “You kept tabs?”
“My competition? Of course.”
I shook my head. “Not competition. You handle the local bar scene. We’re made for the out-of-towners who want a good time. The socialites and celebrities. Two different markets. Did you sleep through marketing class in college with me? Back to the point, Eric, why didn’t you stop by? That was what, two or three years ago?”
Eric shook his head. “First time Pops started getting sick. Couldn’t make it. So, I checked you out in the industry magazine. Saw you did pretty well for yourself. Made me happy for you, but…”
I slapped his shoulder back and leaned in close. “I would never again do anything to hurt this family. Never again. Anything you need, Eric, I’m here.” I meant it, though I knew that this reunion might be over once the will was read.
Eric noticed Taylor hanging out at the catering stands and waved her over. She startled and walked over.
“Dalton is D&E. The nightclubs all over the world. They’re his.”
Taylor looked impressed, but not surprised. “Not too shabby, Dalton.”
“Was that what you found out on your search?” Eric asked.
Taylor shrugged her shoulders and gave Eric the evil eye.
Eric must have seen that we didn’t seem as casual as we used to be, but then again, I don’t know if he knew about our stolen kiss. A bit of hesitancy between the both of us, like we were trying to find our way. What an odd day it had been. But she was checking me out. That changed things, but in what way, I didn’t know.
The party, I mean, wake, took off in full force with tons of toasts and “Danny Boy” being sung. I was touched, as it seemed all of Asheville had come to send Pops off. I watched Taylor and couldn’t help but appreciate how her jeans fit her so fine. I had spent the last five years building businesses and running a small empire. I never took the time to relax and live. Pops had gotten sick so fast at the end that I’m sure they were doing what they could to stay afloat. Maybe I could give them my expertise.
I started throwing the bottles around like an old pro, and the crowd cheered. God, I enjoyed this. I missed this. One of the reasons I chose the nightclub business was because of what I felt working here all those many years ago. The camaraderie, our friendship. When I left, I was adrift for a while. Got in trouble and straightened out. Pops gave me all he could via phone calls and letters, which kept me occupied while I cooled my heels due to being young and stupid.
I pulled the tap on the Pilsner. It was pretty thin. I came up behind Eric and yelled over the mayhem of people, “The Pilsner is tapped out. I’m going to put another one on. Can you handle the crowd?”
Eric nodded and waved Taylor over. “Hey, Taylor. Can you show Dalton the new place we keep the kegs?”
Taylor seemed a bit put out, then again, that’s how she was handling me, I guess. Breaking up the routine she had for herself. She rolled her eyes and headed to the door that led to the cellar with me following in her wake.