Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 119454 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119454 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
“How long is happy hour?”
“Stop playing with me, Axel.” She chortled. “You didn’t arrive in time for happy hour, and you know it, but that answers my question. Why don’t you like her? I think y’all would be a cute couple! Oh wait… are you with someone? Jackie said you and Tonya broke up, so I thought—”
“What are you, a secret service bar detective and tavern Cupid? No, I’m not dating anyone, but I’m still not trying to get to know your friend. By the way, your brother has been dodging me like a bill collector. Where the hell is Legend?”
Melanie rolled her eyes. “Axel, he just got out of prison a few months ago.”
“What for?”
She grimaced and crossed her arms. “You know what for. What it’s always for… Anyway, Mama is all upset about it. Last time I spoke to him, I told him he needed to get his shit together, and that getting involved with all of these crazy people he hangs with is going to ensure he ends up dead. You know he doesn’t like people telling him what to do. He’s hardheaded.”
He couldn’t disagree with that. “So, your guess is as good as mine as to where the hell he is. Legend is not talking to me and mama, either.” She shrugged. “I wish he would talk to you, though. You and Caspian were his best friends… he listened to you. He respected you, and Legend respects few.” An expression of sadness washed over her. “Back to English.”
“Naw, not back to Spanish, Italian, or English.”
She cracked up at that, but he was serious.
“Come on, Axel! As soon as you walked in, all eyes were on you, and she was one of the pairs! I know you’ve been going through some mess, too. Everyone needs someone to lean on. I don’t know why I want y’all to go out so bad, but I just do. It’s a gut instinct.”
…And my gut tells me that you’re full of shit. You’re up to something, Mel.
He looked across the room and saw English still speaking to the same dude.
He thinks he’s taking her home tonight… What an idiot. She’s not going any-damn where with him, and definitely not letting him hit it. I know her type. She’s just using him for a little conversation since she’s finished with drinks. She wants to set it up so she can use him later in the week or month when she’s lonely and wants someone to take her to a fancy restaurant, or out shopping so she can run up their credit card.
“She’s just talking to him to pass the time. She really wants to talk to you,” Melanie interrupted his thoughts.
“So what? Look, Mel, I can see you’re a caring friend, but I’m a grown ass man and this is all very childish to me. I don’t need to be hooked up like we’re in high school. She’s not my type, and that’s all right. It’s not even that serious.” He shrugged. “What’s on sale tonight? Any drafts half off?”
“She’s a really amazing woman, Axel. I saw how you looked at her, too. You think she’s beautiful, don’t you?” He refused to answer. Besides, that wasn’t the point. “She had a bad break up and is still—”
“Triple nope.”
“What? Why?!”
“That sounds like a headache. So not only is she irritating, but she also has baggage. One way airplane ride to drama-ville. I’m not catchin’ any flights or feelings for a nutjob. I’m good.” He turned back around and picked up his cigarette out of a nearby ashtray. Laughing, Melanie jerked on his arm, forcing him to face her.
“I’m going to text you her number. Is it the same as it was?”
“Don’t waste your time. I’m not calling it.”
“You’ll call. I think you two just got off on the wrong foot. Not your type?” She rolled her eyes. “She’s exactly your type. Anyway, I just want to tell you that I’m so proud of you, what you’ve made of yourself. You stepped in and helped me when Legend couldn’t. Our daddy wasn’t in our life much, Light bill. Paid. Even when you barely had money yourself. You fixed my doors in my apartment after the break in, when that good for nothin’ landlord wouldn’t help me. I’ve watched you over the years. People look up to you. You’re a born leader, and… I want you to be happy. If anyone in this whole place deserves happiness, it’s you and English.”
“All these compliments tryna butter me up. You’re up to something.”
“I might be, but I’m right about her being your type. She’s your type. Say it with me.”
“You don’t know my type. You’re my friend’s little sister, Mel.”
“What are you talking about? I was around y’all all the time.”
“You barely saw us because we were always out in the street or over someone else’s house. Now you’re in here trying to boss me around and treat me like a Tinder app,” he teased while a new dart game was being set up. “Don’t you have work to do? Some drinks to make and serve?”