22. Oliver

Chapter 22

Oliver

F at Tuesday was going to be one for the books, that was for sure. We'd already cleared a hundred patrons by the time seven p.m. rolled around, and I was seeing dollar signs. I was also seeing Lexie waning, though, so I pulled Krista into my office during a rare dry spell.

"What's up, boss?"

"Keep an eye on Lex," I said, and she frowned.

"What do you mean? She's been doing great."

"I know, but she hasn't been feeling well," I mumbled. "Just… watch out for her."

Krista grinned. "You know, I heard you were sweet on her back in high school, but I didn't know you still were."

"I'm not," I argued, but Krista just shook her head, laughing, and walked back out to the bar.

Great. Now my head bartender knew how crazy I was about Lexie Tripp. Was it that obvious?

Clayton came in through the back, smiling broadly when he saw me. I greeted him with a half-hug, but he pulled me into a full one, a bearhug, really, nearly picking me up off my feet. Which wasn't easy considering I was six-foot-three.

But Clayton was a big man. Theresa was with him, wearing beads and a little flapper dress, already appearing slightly intoxicated.

"You're doing such a great job, Oliver," she said, smiling brightly at me. "The place is absolutely booming."

"I'm doing my best," I said, smiling back at her. Clayton took her by the hand and led her to the bar. I hailed Krista to tell her anything for them would be on the house. She nodded in understanding, but Clayton ended up tipping her and Lexie generously regardless.

It was nice to see Clayton out and about, having a good time. He'd always been working whenever I'd seen him before, and I'd never seen him out with his wife.

They seemed happy, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. I'd wanted that, once upon a time. I guess I still did. And I also knew who I wanted it with—Lexie Tripp.

I knew that I'd forgiven her for what happened when we were teens, or at least I told myself I had. We were young and stupid, and maybe I'd overreacted. I'd never gotten absolute proof, although I knew my father wouldn't lie to me.

There had to be a way to find our way back to each other, even if she did want out of Wagontown. Hell, maybe I'd even go with her. All I knew was that I needed to talk to her so badly my heart ached.

She'd been avoiding me, and it hurt not to be around her even though we worked together and lived next door to each other.

I was waiting for a break in the business to talk to her, but it didn't seem to be letting up. Every time I saw Lexie, she was making a drink or talking to a customer. I was starting to get dizzy, watching her flit around, so I finally started taking drink orders for her, repeating them to Krista to put into the computer.

"Thanks," Lexie said breathlessly as she walked by, hurrying to make a tray of drinks. I helped her carry them, and within a few hours, we'd finally gotten somewhat caught up, despite the way the bar was packed to the gills.

I saw Lexie head outside for a break and decided to get some fresh air myself. I found her sitting on a crate in the alley, breathing out slow, long breaths.

"You all right?"

"Fine," she said, looking up at me with a smile. "Just tired."

"It's already been a long night."

She groaned. "And it's not even close to over."

"We're going to make it through," I promised her. She stood, smiling softly up at me.

God, I wanted to kiss her. I wanted to kiss the trail of freckles along her nose, down her jawline, her neck.

"Lexie," I whispered. She tilted her head up slightly and I took the opportunity to kiss her, leaning down, pressing my mouth to hers.

Lexie relaxed against me, her hands going to my chest, but she didn't push me away, making my heart soar.

"Boss!" Krista called, her eyes widening when she caught me and Lexie making out in the alley. "Oops. Sorry to interrupt, but I need another few bottles of Tito's for this party."

I hurried inside, my face flushed, to crack open the liquor cabinet and get her what she needed. I couldn't believe I'd let Krista catch us. I was definitely going to have to explain to her that she couldn't say a word about it.

But why couldn't she? Didn't I want the whole world to know? I wanted Lexie Tripp to be mine, and I wasn't ashamed of that. Not anymore.

I missed Lexie coming back inside, losing track of her for another hour while we were all busy working. I was busy helping Krista pour drinks when I finally caught sight of Lexie, her head thrown back, laughing at something a customer had said.

It wasn't until I got closer that I recognized the customer—Tristan.

My blood turned to ice in my veins. It was later in the night, and everyone seemed to be in the process of leaving, but not Tristan. She had her hand on his arm, and it suddenly felt like I was back in time, back to when my father told me that Lexie and Tristan had something going on.

My blood had run cold then, too.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, my voice cracking.

"Don't you think they spend too much time together?"

"They're friends," I said, defending them, but my father looked me right in the eye.

"I caught them," he said. "Kissing out on the terrace on the fourth of July."

"No," I breathed. "You didn't. She wouldn't."

My father shrugged. "I just can't stand seeing my son being a pushover in my own house."

My breath had become short and I'd taken off, looking for Tristan and Lexie.

That was it. That was the moment that had ruined all my hopes and dreams for any future with Lexie.

I didn't think, I just stalked across the bar and grabbed Tristan's arm, yanking him away from her.

"Oliver," he said quietly. "We were just talking. "

That was exactly what he'd said that day years ago.

"Just talking, huh? Talking about what? About how you betrayed me?"

"Stop it!" Lexie nearly screamed, and Tristan and I both looked over at her, shocked. "Stop it, Oliver. I don't need to be stressed like this." She paused, breathing hard. "I'm pregnant. It's bad for the baby."

It's bad for the what?