9. Jack

Chapter 9

Jack

I ’m sitting at The Range Bar and Grill with the bartender, who is a newer arrival here in town. I think this may be a good spot to sit as he doesn’t know my story, unlike everybody else in this town. After Joey and I finished our game at the library, I dropped him off at Courtney’s house. She seemed a bit frazzled and wasn’t giving me much conversation. Instead of pushing, I knew to leave her be for the night. When she’s stressed, she works through things differently. She folds inward and tries to sort out her emotions. I know this is her working through her feelings about me showing up early, and I also know I can’t help her work through those feelings like I used to. When we were together and she would get in her head about something, I used to sit with her on the couch and rub her shoulders, massage her back and neck. It seemed to take the stress away, and she was able to think clearly. Now, I am the source of that stress and there is nothing I can do to relieve it at this moment.

I told her to call if she needed something and promised Joey I’d see him tomorrow. But it’s not enough. I need more time with both of them. I couldn’t go back to my hotel and sit alone in those four walls again, so I’m taking a risk and coming out tonight.

I slide into my seat at the bar as he asks, “What can I get you?”

“I’ll have a scotch on the rocks.”

He raises a brow, takes in my button-down shirt and dress pants, grabs a glass and grabs a bottle from behind him. “You're obviously from out of town; are you here on business? There's a nicer bar over at the Wintervale Resort.”

I laugh and drop my head. “I know, I was there last night. But I need something a little simpler tonight.”

He pours the drink and slides it in front of me. “There’s nothing simple about this place.” His tone makes me raise my eyes to his. I feel like he knows me. “I haven’t been here long, but I’ve heard a lot of stories about this town. It’s amazing how fast any type of news, new or old, flows through the gossip chain.”

“Tell me about it. I moved away from here over ten years ago and I still hear it all.”

He stands with his hand on his hip and the other on the bar. “Just so you know, you’ve been here for a handful of days, and every one of those days I’ve heard a story about you, Courtney, and your son, Joey.”

I shake my head. “Yeah, sometimes I forget how quickly gossip moves. So you probably think I’m an asshole too, right?”

The bartender extends his hand. “My name is Cole, and from one asshole to another, yeah, I kind of think you are.”

We both chuckle together. “So what’s your story then? Are you the new resident asshole since I left?”

“Oh no, you secured that title by not coming to see your son more often.” His tone is as off-putting as his words, but I deserve it. FaceTime calls and yearly visits don’t make me a father. And it is a shitty thing to do on my part.

I gulp down the scotch, letting it burn, and slide my glass in front of him, tapping the rim. He fills it again and slides it back.

“So how long have you been here?”

“Oh, just about three months now. I kind of stumbled through here, not expecting to stay, but here I am.”

“Three months isn’t a long time. Are you looking to leave again?”

“I was. But something caught my eye.”

A slow smile spreads across my face. “What's her name?”

The bartender drops his head, shaking it side to side. “Meadow. She’s a handful, but she struck me like lightning the first time I saw her. My buddy and I left our hometown looking for something completely different. Something about this town sucked me in, so we stayed.”

I furrow my brows. Meadow. The only Meadow I know is Lief and January’s baby sister. “Do you mean Meadow Nilsson?”

He rolls his lips inward. “I’m surprised it took you this long. Small town and you don't know the gossip?”

I feel like a jerk because no, I don't know. The rest of the town not dishing the local gossip to me isn’t a surprise, but Leif and Courtney not telling me this feels like I'm pushed out just that much more.

I shake my head. “No, I haven’t heard. To be fair, my only concern is Joe and Courtney. But I will say, Lief and I are tight.”

“I know, man. I actually thought you were coming in here to set me straight.” We have a laugh together and he pours me another scotch. They're going down way too easy tonight.

“I’d never tell you who to fall for or not to fall for. Just make sure whoever it is wants you back.” I’m showing my hand, but the scotch is telling on me tonight.

“She’s a bit wild, but I don't mind. My buddy Drake said I could use the shakeup in my life.”

I smile. Courtney was a bit wild too. Until I dulled that part of her. She was always down for anything. We used to ride these back roads on snowmobiles during the winter and during the summer, we’d take the horses from Limitless Ranch and ride all day. She was carefree until we decided moving away was the best thing. And even then, she supported and did whatever I needed.

The day we got married was even a spur of the moment thing. A wild, off-the-cuff ‘let’s do this’ type day. I’ll never forget it and wouldn’t have it any other way. I woke up wrapped around her, knowing she was it for me.

“What do you want to do today?”

“Anything you want.”

“Want to get married?”

She sat up, jerking the sheets from us, leaving our naked bodies exposed to each other. “You’re serious?”

“I know it’s not a glamorous ask, but yeah. How about it?”

Her slow smile spread as she ran her hand down my chest and to my cock, stroking it twice before answering. “I’ve got nothing else on the calendar. Let's do it. ”

I fell even more in love with her then and knew there'd never be another match for me like her.

“So tell me your deal, man.”

His voice pulls me back to the present. “Work is just a lot, and I’m responsible for a lot of people’s financial lives.”

“That’s fine. I get it. Everybody has jobs, but you’ve got to find balance and you need to figure that out. Listen, man. I’m not one to criticize but when it comes to kids, they don’t know what they need. That’s why they have parents to teach them. Your son needs his father, and Courtney deserves to have someone here to help her. But don’t half-ass it.”

All I can do is nod. I know I've been a shit man. I put monetary value above everything else. Yes, we need to eat and live, but what’s more important?

Time.

I continue to drink and think about all the years and time that I’ve missed. In the end, all that runs through my mind is getting Courtney and Joey back. I need to fix my family.

“Close my tab, brother, I need to get going.”

He looks skeptical. “Don’t go knocking on her door tonight, Jack,” he laughs.

I shake my head, my eyes trying to focus. “Nah, I gotta let her know.”

“I already called Larry; give him ten minutes. He’ll get you back to Evergreen Inn.”

It doesn’t even cross my mind to wonder how he knows where I’m staying. I just chalk it up to everyone knowing everything in this town. “He’s going to take me to her.”

He sputters a laugh. “You’re so gone for her. I’m glad to see it.”

Ten minutes later, Larry comes to the door of the bar. “ Fristoni!” he yells, and Cole knocks twice on the bar in front of me.

“Drink up, Jack Frost. Your ride is here,” he replies with a smug grin, and I laugh at the twist on my last name. If he only knew my heart wasn’t so frozen over anymore. Just like the dad from that old movie, I finally realize nothing matters more than time with my family.

I get into his cab and give Courtney’s address. He shakes his head but doesn't say a word.

“Larry, you're a good man.”

“Am I?”

“You are. You're the only one in this town who hasn’t judged me. Out loud anyway.”

His eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror and they twinkle with laughter.

“Larry! Tell me I'm not an asshole!”

“You're not an asshole, Jack.”

“Thank you.” I'm silent for a minute. “Do you mean that?”

He’s silent, and I watch as he drives the quiet streets of Wintervale. “I do mean it. I don’t think you're an asshole. I think you got caught up in life. But you know what? You have a second chance waiting for you right here. You know what to do.”

When he pulls up in front of her house, I ask, “Does it include stumbling to her front door?”

He laughs. “Probably not, but I'm going to sit here until I know which direction you're going in.”

I get out, making my way haphazardly to her front door and knocking on it loudly. A moment later she throws open the door with a scowl on her face, wrapping her robe tightly around her .

“What are you doing here?” she hisses at me before looking back into the house. “It's almost midnight.”

“I know. I’m sorry, I just needed to talk to you.”

“You’re drunk. I can smell it on you. We can talk tomorrow.”

“I’m not drunk,” I proclaim. When she gives me a bland look, I relent. “Okay, yes, I am, but not really drunk. I’ve been drinking, yes, but?—”

“See! I knew it. I won’t talk to you like this. If you have something to say, you can say it to me sober, not on a night of a scotch bender.”

She tries to slam the door, and I stop her by putting my foot in the way.

“Come on, Coco. We were always so good together.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“You used to like it.”

“I used to like a lot of things. But when you chose work and city life over family, I had to find new things to fill my time.”

This time the door slams shut, and I let it. I hang my head and lean against the door. She hates me.

I trudge my way back to Larry, who is waiting for me just like he said he would. I slide into the back seat, crestfallen.

“Jack, tomorrow is a new day.”

“Let’s hope she sees it too.”