7. Jack

Chapter 7

Jack

“ T hanks for coming. It’s good to see you in person and not through that little square on the phone.” Lief greets me as I approach him at the bar. We shake hands and he pulls me in for a quick hug.

“Anytime, man, It’s been a while.”

“It has. But nothing changes around here.”

“Small towns rarely do.”

Lief and I are at The Range to grab a drink and go over the numbers for Dress Me Up. I also have a few ideas I want to run by him. I leave a twenty on the bar for the bartender, grab the two beers we ordered, and walk to the back booth, sliding in to sit. The place is just about empty, but it’s nearing the end of a workday, so I expect to see a crowd soon.

“You catching a lot of shit?” Lief asks as he settles onto the bench seat across from me.

“The usual. I should be used to it and expect it, but each time, the rudeness takes me by surprise. These small-town people are not very friendly.” I chuckle.

“Well, they’re not friendly to you , but yeah, there’s always a bit of uptick in the gossip chain before you get here for Christmas. People just love to have something to talk about that takes their mind off their own problems.”

I wave my hand around, dismissing the whole conversation. “So tell me about the shop. Why the lull?”

Lief lets out a big sigh. He has the world on his shoulders, and I know it. It’s not easy being the only son, and I know the pressure put on him when he had to step up and care for his three sisters and mom. He was the man of the house then but barely a man himself. “Costs went up a lot with the last delivery company we were using. We just made a switch and are saving almost half, but I’m afraid it’s going to affect the timeliness of when we receive the merchandise.”

“How so? Where are you shipping in from?”

“Surrounding states. January’s been checking consignments and bulk stores. But you know we specialize in one-of-a-kind stuff, so it’s been hard finding items that are different and reasonably priced.”

“One of a kind for Wintervale is different from just one of a kind. People in town are not looking to see if their sweater is being worn in Texas.”

“I know that. But the tourists seem to want eccentric items, and we’re not finding them. Lingerie is still the highest income. And surprisingly, wedding attire is second.”

“Small towns love love. And when you’re stuck inside five months a year, there’s nothing to do but fuck and get married.” He laughs at my simple explanation.

“I just don't know if it’s enough to get us out of this hole.”

“How much?”

“Where we were last time you helped.” He looks at me before dropping his eyes, and I whistle .

“Damn.” I shake my head. I could easily dig him out of this hole tonight if he’d let me, but I won’t offer that and belittle him. I know he’s proud and wants to work for it. He’s also got to learn how to manage things when it’s rough, otherwise this cycle will never end. “That happened quickly. Are you sure there’s nothing else going on?”

“Not that I can see. I do the books. I see what comes in and out. Having January double check means everything's adding up. The buyers just aren’t there.”

“So you stick with what is selling. I’ve got a few connections, we’ll reach out and see what they can offer us. When the weather breaks, we’ll take a road trip and check the surrounding stores.”

He raises his brows. “You’re coming back in the spring?”

I shrug, pushing my coaster around on the table while I gulp down my beer. “I’m actually thinking about staying.”

Lief begins to choke on the sip he just took, and I guffaw at him, shoving napkins his way. “What are you talking about, Jack?”

“You know what I’m talking about.” I shake my head and quietly ask, “How’s she doing?”

His eyes meet mine, and I know he knows exactly what I'm asking. He shrugs. “She’s handling life. The town has made her into a saint, even though she doesn’t feel it. She left too; I’m not sure why she gets the pass.”

“According to Miss Trudy, I lured her away from here. They probably blame me for January too. I’ll be the bad guy, it’s okay. At least the town doesn’t hate her.”

“They don’t hate you either.”

“I don’t know. Trudy seems to.”

“Trudy doesn’t like herself,” Lief cackles .

We laugh a moment, and then I grow solemn. “I asked her to try again.”

“No shit!” His surprised eyes meet mine.

“I’ll never get over her, man. She’s been it for me since I was twelve. And she’s got my son. I’m a dumb motherfucker for letting her slip away.”

“What’s your plan?”

“There is no plan. I need to figure it out while I’m here. You calling me actually set some plans in motion. Now I just need to get the logistics down.”

“So you asked her but have no idea how to execute it? That’s not the businessman I know.”

“Isn’t that my way though? Fake it til you make it.” I smile. “I have until Christmas to pull the divorce papers back.”

“Pull them back? Jack, what are you talking about?”

“My lawyer drew them up, we signed them, but I told him not to file them.”

“Does she know?”

“No.”

He sits back against the bench seat, shaking his head. “This is a risky game you’re playing, Jack!”

“I know.”

“So all this time, she’s been thinking you’re divorced.” He lets out a sigh before finishing off his beer. “Not a good look, brother.”

“I was hoping she’d change her mind.”

“But you didn't do anything to help change her mind.” He keeps shaking his head, and it makes me mad. “I know Courtney; this is going to make her irate.”

“I know it is!” I yell a little loudly. I run my hand through my hair and take a deep breath. “I couldn't let her go, okay? I couldn’t let it end. I had to keep working, had to keep going until I figured it out, and now I'm here. Now I'm going to beg because I can’t do another Christmas like this.”

“So what happens next?”

“I do my best to get her to see we’re better off together than apart. If she says no, I’ll accept her decision and call my lawyer and tell him to put them through once and for all.”

“How you’ve gotten away with half the shit you’ve done in your life is beyond me.”

“Let’s just hope she sees it my way.”

“You’ve always gotten everything you've wanted, Jack. But she's your kryptonite, and I get it. I hope it works out. For my own selfish reasons, I’d really love you here. It doesn’t feel right that you’re the one who never came back.”

I nod, feeling the same way. These people are all my family, and I need them in my life.