Chapter Nineteen

Gage

" W hat's taking him so long?" I glance over at Ash, then resume my restless pacing alongside the bar.

"It's only been twenty minutes. There's no need to panic. Just try to stay calm."

Right now, I'm a man teetering on the edge. Desperately trying to distract myself, I've wiped down the bar countless times, my palms sweaty and my heart racing. I don't think this will end until Garff leaves. Yes, that's the guy's name. Eight o'clock on the dot, he was at the door. As he introduced himself, I could feel my body tense up, trying to hide the nervousness that was bubbling within me. Ash was my savior at that moment, stepping in to offer the guy a drink and provide him with a brief tour.

Despite Ash's best efforts to keep me calm, nothing has been effective so far. I can hear the distinct sound of papers flicking about as Garff checks things off on his clipboard.

I can't help but think he's intentionally moving at a snail's pace, just to make my agony last.

"Hey," Ash says, his voice filled with warmth. With a simple upward nod, he acknowledges Garff's return from the kitchen. "I think he might be finished," he whispers.

Ash closes the distance between us, providing the comfort I silently crave. I'm sure he can sense the waves of anxiety pouring off of me. Just then, I feel the gentle graze of his knuckles against my hand. My heart rate quickens, pounding an additional twenty beats. I desperately want to reach out and take it, but I've only just calmed myself down after our previous encounter. That hug he gave me this morning, just as I was about to have a meltdown, meant the world to me. In an ideal world, I would've frozen time, relishing the sensation of his body pressed tightly against mine. I wanted to keep him. I wanted our bodies to merge. We wouldn't be Gage and Ash anymore, we'd be Gash!

Garff confidently strides up and positions himself directly in front of the bar. "Well, Mr. Miller," he declares. "I believe my work here is complete."

Shit, my hands are shaking. This is it, the moment of truth, when I discover if I can unlock the doors once more. The man, dressed in a shabby brown suit straight out of the ‘70s, possesses the authority to determine my fate.

"It appears you've fulfilled all the requirements asked of you."

He drones, the monotonous sound of his voice punctuated only by the occasional rustle of the paperwork.

Jesus fuck, he's killing me.

I'm filled with anticipation and practically vibrating. I clench and unclench my fists, trying to control the urge to slam them on the bar and demand the outcome.

Ash's hand gently brushes against mine once more, grounding me before I spiral. My body aches for his touch. Can he sense my need for him? A tightness grips my throat. Inside, a suffocating tension builds within me as I brace myself for the verdict, my body trembling with the fear of rejection and the potential devastation that may follow.

Then I feel it. The sensation of Ash's fingers slowly wrapping around mine sends a wave of comfort and calm through my body. With a sigh of relief, I let go of the breath I was holding, feeling some of the tension leave my body.

My attention shifts to Ash, only to find him locked in a deadly stare-down with Garff. If glares had the power to incinerate, Mr. Brown-Poop-Suit would be ashes. The irony of this situation is not lost on me. It brings a smile to my face. Just then, I realize even if this all goes to shit; I have good people by my side. Everything will be alright.

Looking back at Garff, I prepare to face my fate.

In a monotone voice, he informs, "Mr. Miller, you have passed inspection. This is your certificate. Please display it accordingly. You can now open up to the public, congrats. I'll show myself to the door."

Silence. Am I dead?

The sound of the door clicks closed.

Suddenly, Ash yells, " Wooohooo , you fucking did it!" And starts jumping up and down, pulling at me to look at him.

"I did it," I whisper quietly.

"Of course you did," he says, certainty clear in his voice.

"I did it!" I shout, jubilantly hoisting him up and spinning him around, the joyful sound of our laughter resonating throughout the bar.

Just as Max and Jaxon enter the room, I can't contain my excitement any longer. I shout, "We did it! We fucking did it!"

Their joyful whoops and hollers accompany their steps as they walk over and join our circle of happiness.

After lowering Ash, he firmly plants his feet back on the floor, but I can't bring myself to let him go completely, so I keep my arm securely wrapped around his waist.

"Happy birthday, boys," Jax exclaims in a cheerful, sing-song voice, his excitement palpable. "We got two birthdays, a bar re-opening, and a huge fucking party."

"Yeah, happy birthday to you both! And congratulations on the bar, Gage. We all knew you had it in you to make it happen," Max declares, his gaze zeroing in on my arm wrapped securely around Ash.

"It's all thanks to Jax. This wouldn't have been possible without him."

"No way," Jax replies. "I just gave you the means. You did all the planning. Take the credit, Gage. This is your accomplishment."

Damn, these guys are the best hype team. I guess I did manage to pull it all off, despite the nerves and doubts.

"Seriously, thanks for sticking by me. I know you say it's all me. But that isn't exactly the case. We all did it. We all pitched in to make this place beautiful again."

"Aww Gage, you big softie," Jax says. "C'mon, group hug, then let's get shit done. The caterers are bringing the food in... Wait, let me check... in 23 minutes, so let's go."

Max and Jaxon were the only missing pieces to complete our group hug, as Ash and I seem to be inseparable. He seems as reluctant to let go of me as I am of him. This is a good sign. I'm gonna try my hardest to shake my tail feathers tonight, as Max suggested.

After a quick hug, we all part ways, leaving me with a sense of emptiness, as if a part of me is missing without Ash's touch. However, I have little time to dwell on it as Mr. Bossy starts shouting out instructions.

"Right then, Ash," he says, motioning for him to come along. "We'll go wait out back for the delivery. Gage, go ahead and open all the windows to let some fresh air in. Max, get the present for Gage from the truck."

"Damn, someone's bussy whipped," I say under my breath. Max, on his way to the exit, rewards me with a punch on the arm.

A few minutes later, Max walks in with two exquisitely crafted wooden stools.

"What are those?"

"What do they look like? Stools."

"Well, I know that, but…"

"I made them for the bar. I'm aware you had some on order, but I intervened and had Jax cancel them."

I'm at a loss for words. These guys continue to come through for me, time and time again.

"Thanks, I..."

"Don't mention it," he interrupts. "I meant what I said before: if you kiss me, I'll punch you."

I smirk and deftly lift one of the stools from him and set it down at the bar. He comes and stands by me.

"I have more out in the truck, but this one is specifically for Aunt P. You can place it on her side of the bar, where she always enjoyed sitting. I carved some Petunia flowers on this one's leg."

Everyone's playing games with my emotions today; what a fucking gift. Seizing the opportunity, I grab his face and plant a big kiss on his cheek.

"Get the fuck off me!" he growls, rubbing frantically at his cheek.

Laughter explodes from within me, a defense mechanism kicking in to ward off the tears that threaten to spill over because of a damn stool. Not just any stool, but one he made for my aunt so that she's always remembered.

The thoughtful son of a bitch.

Scratch that; he's still wiping his face like I contaminated him. Someone thoughtful wouldn't wipe off an epic kiss from Gage Miller.

"Dick," I snap back. "Go ahead and drop the stool in her spot. She would've loved that. She always had a soft spot for you. God knows why, since you're such a thorn in my side."

"You mean she had good taste?" he says with a wink as he walks by. "Oh, by the way," he says, "as your ‘ featherman ,' I have some positive signs to report. There's definitely a good vibe coming from Ash. We caught you guys standing so close. God knows what he sees in a shmuck like you, but there's definitely something there."

Inside, I'm doing a little happy dance while trying not to get my hopes up, but feathers will be flying tonight.

"C'mon, Big Bird ," Max says. "Let's grab the rest of the stools from my truck."

Out of all the friends in the world, I got stuck with Max. Must've seriously ticked someone off in a previous life or something. In my next life, if I'm a bird, I'll eat all the berries I can find and shit all over him!