CHAPTER 3: PATRICK

_ HELLO COWBOY _

Streams of sun filter through my pub, casting warmth on the polished bar and the worn wooden tables. This is my home. I live, breathe, and invest every ounce of pride into my pub. One thing is clear though, no one will come in here and be disrespectful or make it a free-for-all. They will have me to contend with. I'm already in a mood, and today better not be the day I turn feral on tourists.

I grab a cloth and begin wiping down the counter. Scowling, I glance at the rowdy group of football fans already filling the space. Bloody football, this isn't football. [grits teeth] It's only one weekend, Patrick. Their money is just as good as any.

I mutter curses under my breath as I finish slicing the garnishes, trying to ignore the cheers and jeers of the early fans glued to the screen.

Lili and Zander strolled in carrying snacks and a warmer full of chicken wing dip – whatever that is – If it's spicy this Scotsman is not interested. I like tasting my food thank you. Zander gave his wife quite the passion-filled sendoff then Lili is rounding the bar.

[Lili] "Mornin', Patrick!" Her gaze immediately becomes inquisitive. "Why the long face?" The gears are turning in that artistic mind of hers and can see right through my mood. "Ah, cheer up, mate. Something tells me there will be someone special in the crowd today, I can feel it." She nudges my shoulder as one of our favourite songs, I Will Follow You Into the Dark plays at the bar. I scoff.

[Patrick skeptic] "Amongst this rowdy bunch of football fanatics? I beg to differ." Lili chuckles, eyes sparkling.

[Lili] "Hey now, just keep an open mind. Love can find its way in the most unexpected places." I remain unimpressed.

[Patrick] "We will see about that." I roll my eyes but crack a smile. Lili has a way of seeing the silver lining even in the gloomiest of days now that things are coming together with her art career and love life. I can never be mad at her.

As the morning flowed, I find myself caught up in the chaotic rhythm of the pub – pouring pints, serving snacks, and trying to drown out the incessant chants of the football fans. It's enough to drive me mad. And what is this I hear the mafia fans enjoy breaking tables? I can't fathom why they find that to be entertaining and they damn well better not try it here. I'm raging for a fight and will take my aggression out on ‘em before kicking them out of my pub. That will make me feel better.

[Lili] "We have raised over three thousand pounds already for the Rainbow Youth charity!" Lili can't contain her excitement. "Both the Bucks and Vipers fans are coming together!" I glance around the pub's interior and wonder to myself how this small group has donated so much.

The Rainbow Youth charity is an organization to help the LGBTQ+ youth feel better connected to their communities, lend guidance for them and their guardians, and ensure they know they have support. As someone included in the LGBTQ, it's humbling to see so many give back.

[Patrick] "That Buck's player –Dawson? This is his charity?" I could care less which player supports the charity as long as they reach their goal. Our Rainbow Youth deserve it.

[Lili] "Aye. CJ and I spoke back in Buffalo about how I admire all he does for the community and his fans." She leans in, her cheeky side coming out to play. "CJ is bold and quite easy on the eyes, [Even more cheeky] and he's single. You should chat him up ."

[Patrick scoffs] "Oi! Come off it. Yer aff yer heid, woman!"

[Lili teasing laughter] "Ahh. Ya wee sook[softie]! Yer face is lookin' like a well skelped arse! [blushing]"

I am not blushing. This woman enjoys pushing my buttons.

[Patrick] " Fer fuck's sake ! There is'ne enough time to war with ye today. Mark my words, I'm gonna get ye back fer that, lass. Ya ken?" She knows I damn well I mean it, too.

[Lili sly] "How ye tempt me, Patrick." She takes to setting her station the way she likes then steals some of my garnishes when my back is turned, the heathen!

A kitchen staffer arrives from the back with a warmer full of fried Buffalo wings. Lili and her husband didn't hold back when saying they were bringing Buffalo to London. I of course tried one and have to say, it was delicious.

[Lili] "Chances are good we will see CJ this weekend. I might've mentioned my mate who owns Tally's is looking fer a fun time with a Yank." My brows draw together.

[Patrick suspicious] "What are ya planning, lass?" NFL players have better things to do than to visit my pub, but I've come to learn anything is possible with her at the wheel. "Nope. Forget it. Dinnae tell me. Leave me in the dark."

[Lili] " Wait a wee bit longer and ye'll find out ." Her tone suggests an affirmation that is yet established. "On another note, I see the charity reaching thirty thousand by halftime. Care to wager on it?" My eyes widen.

[Patrick shocked] "We have ourselves a bet, then. [Scoff] Thirty thousand? How many people do ye think my pub can host, woman?" She skips to the kitchen doors, playful laughter ringing as her answer.

As the hour nears to kick-off and the place floods with football fans, I step behind the bar after assisting the bar back in restocking. A sea of jerseys is all I can make out, blue and red for the Bucks, and black and neon green for the vipers.

Lili called on Shark and his London security men in helping with crowd control and it's much appreciated. Apparently, Shark owed her a favor. Don't let the lass fool ye, she may seem innocent, trust me when I say she has a wicked side when it comes to getting what she wants.

[Lili teasing] "Hey, mate. Halftime – You, me – bottle tossing. Ye up fer it?" Lili asks whilst filling a row of twenty vodka shots. This is just like old times. I am always up fer bottles flying.

[Patrick] "I'm there, mate."

With the bar fully stocked and the two of us immersed in our element, adrenaline pumping through our veins, we are ready to face the next wave of patrons – the ones Lili mentioned may cause a ruckus.

[sigh] Here we go.

It's an hour before kickoff and my pub is damn near filled to capacity. It reminds me of the nights popular bands play and we have to turn fans away. It's a shame, but I'm not risking a shut down over a few too many patrons.

Pint after pint, shot after shot, I have'ne had the time to leave my station, and damn it feels incredible. Lili has thrown comments at me here and there about this man or that one within the crowd. My blinders are on – serve the drinks – there is no time for tittling on. Resisting temptation is one of the hardest things to maintain, second to my temper. That one tends to get me into trouble.

Someone across the pub calls my name disturbing my rhythm. I glance toward the door to find Weston, Shark's partner signaling we are officially at capacity. I send a quick ‘OK' sign with my hand then make the mistake of glancing around. There are so many bodies in here, I cannae discern who is who.

That's when I see him – a bearded man wearing a Buck's jersey and an ivory-coloured cowboy hat. I give him a quick onceover and cannae find breath. He's on the taller side compared to most standing about, making him stick out amongst the crowd. We lock eyes across the way, he smirks then heads straight fer me. Damn it!

I shake the mixed drink in the shaker then pour, serve, and hand it to the customer, all while my interest is piqued and I do all I can to fight it. Maybe I should flee to the kitchen. He navigates through those standing about, his eyes scanning the room until they lock with mine again. A smirk playes on his lips as he approaches my end of the bar. The cowboy hat shadows his face, but I dinnae miss his smirk.

Shite – Lili is working on a few orders, and it just so happens I have a momentary lull. He takes this as a perfect opportunity to saunter my way, and what I really mean is his swagger is on point.

Play it cool, Patrick. Keep your hopes low, no need to be disappointed. Ye'll have to work the rest of the evening being snippy with everyone. Who am I kidding? My way of flirting is telling someone to fuck off, or giving my best scowl as I walk away. Nah – he's probably not even into men, he's just being polite.

I glance at Lili, who's grinning like the Cheshire cat and waggling her brows.

[Lili] "Well, well, what do we have here?" I huff, trying to maintain my composure.

[Patrick] "With that hat, he seems to have lost his way." Exactly what is a cowboy doing here? It's not common to see a man wearing such headgear in the city.

The man sidles up to the bar, and I finally catch a glimpse of his face – it's rugged with a small scar on his chin. There is a dusting of stubble on that chiseled jawline, his sun-kissed skin tells me he works outdoors, and those full lips are tempting as hell. He tips his hat and flashes a charming smile, his greeting as smooth as they come.

[August] "Hey there, stud." I maintain my neutral expression, only inside, I'm giddy and unsure if I like the feeling.

[Patrick] "Welcome to Tally's. What can I getch'e?"

[August] "Let me see... what do I want." This man's accent is quite bonnie. He scans the bottles along the back wall, runs a hand across his jaw then turns and eyes me up and down. I maintain my uninterest all while my traitorous pulse beats wildly.

[Patrick] "Ye havin' a bevvy? Or are ye just goin' to stare?" I compare his charm to the smoothest whisky I've ever had as he continued eye-fucking me with that damn smirk. He's trying to play me and I dinnae have the time, nor the patience.

[August flirty] "Just taking it all in. It's– appetizing ." Did that last word come out husky? Or am I hearing things? Fucking hell.

[Patrick mild anger] "I only serve the best here. Now, if yer not gettin' a bevvy, best move along. I have other patrons waiting." He checks for a line of people behind him and dinnae find a single one. His smirk calls me out on my lie. The urge to haul him upstairs to my flat and have my way with him is bordering on disturbing. Christ , even his laugh is stimulating. I cannae be thinking like this .

That's it. After this, I will not wait on this man fer the rest of the night. He's too tempting.

[August] "I can't decide what my tastebuds are cravin'. What do you recommend?" He has a test fer me. I should'ne be doing this right now. But I cannae help myself.

We lock eyes as he leans his tanned forearms on the bar – Christ , this man must lift weights. Tamp it down, Patrick. I scold myself and keep my face expressionless. Inside my mind is a different story.

[Patrick] "Ye can never go wrong with a whisky. But if I had to choose, a stout would be right up yer alley." He leans in closer, his voice low and tempting.

[August teasing] "Bartender knows best." His accent is smooth and laced with sin. "I'll have whatever you prefer." I brush off these feelings as I pour his pint and set it in front of him. He nods approvingly. "I heard this place has the best company in town for the game's festivities. Thought I'd check it out."

[Patrick] "Seems ye made a wise choice." His head cocked to the side as he mulled that over.

[August teasing] "I'm not so sure yet." He eyes me up and down yet again as he grabs his glass. "The man at the door said I might wanna steer clear of the male bartender –if I know what's best for me." He brought the glass close to his lips. "– mentioned he has quite a temper on him."

[Patrick stunned] "Ohh. Did he now?" Why the hell would Weston say that? He nods then takes a sip of the dark ale, gaze full of determination. "Tell ye the truth, the lad be right. I dinnae take well to shenanigans in me pub. Be wise to not test me." His response held a hint of challenge.

[August] "I've tamed a few stubborn bulls in my day. If I wasn't afraid of an animal, I recon one moody bartender won't scare me off."

What the bloody hell did he just say?

[Patrick stern] [scoff] "Aye. Yer fuckin' bold, cowboy." He licks his lips after another swig of beer as football fans chant something in the background.

[August smug] "There's no better way to be." He has no idea who he is talking to. His timbre turns seductive, and his stare is unmoving. [Seductive] "When I want somethin', I'll do just about anythin' to make it happen. I'm pretty good with my lasso." Just then excitement erupts from the viewing area as they announce ten minutes to kickoff. The cowboy stood alert with beer in hand. "It's that time already? I better find me a seat. Keep my tab open, will ya?"

He set his credit card on the bar top then is off to mingle with the sea of fans. I pick it up and glance at the name before placing it by the register. August E. Schuster . Why all of a sudden do I want to learn this man's middle name?

He's just another patron needing a drink is all. Nothing more. The way he talked about his lasso has my mind coming up with ways he could enact it. I take in a well needed breath to regain some semblance of myself then glance at my mate at the other end of the bar. Lili sent a knowing look, no doubt watching the entire scene play out just now.

[Lili] "I told ye so." She cups her hands around her mouth and shouts to the entire bar. "My mate's gettin' lucky t'nite!" A group of fans shout their praise along with her, and I dinnae miss the quick backward glance and smirk from the man in the cowboy hat sat a nearby seat.

With a shake of my head, I turn away, a small smile ghosting my lips as I ignore her and tend to the next customer.

Yet I cannae seem to get his smile out of my head.

[sigh] I'm in trouble.