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  Susan has other thoughts about it. She thinks I should help run the company because it’s my birthright, her word, not mine. Yet another thing I love about her, she has told me this only once. When I told her how I felt, she claimed that she would always support me in what I decide. Just thinking about her principles when she’s here and aware, motivates me even more to do what I can to help her.

  “Jordan, you still there? It’s your turn.”

  I step up, realizing I really need this drink, ordering for my dad and myself. We walk back to the table and all three women are looking at me expectantly. What the hell? I take my spot next to Susan and lean in, asking, “What was that all about?”

  She giggles and answers so softly that only I can hear her, “This engagement thing with David and Bree has opened the flood gates. They actually asked me if we’re already engaged.”

  My eyes go wide but she grasps my cheek and reassures, “Don’t worry, babe, I didn’t give you up.”

  I lean in and kiss her beautiful mouth, letting my lips linger a moment longer than necessary. When we part, I look into those eyes and know that she’s totally here in this moment. I’m thankful for that. Maybe we won’t have any more episodes tonight.

  The waitress comes to take our orders and I look across the table at her dad to gauge his mood. I need to speak with him tonight about his daughter. I can’t talk her into this alone. I’m going to need their help.

  Chapter Two

  Kimber

  I stare into the mirror in the bathroom and splash cold water on my face. It’s obvious in the circles under my grey-blue eyes that I haven’t been sleeping well lately. I rush to my room to change into the uniform I wear most nights, cut off shorts and a black tank with green fluorescent letters splayed across the front advertising The Ugly Duckling logo. I rest a moment on the edge of my unmade bed and reach down to slip on my purple Converse. It would feel so good to just lay back and fall asleep.

  My mom’s shrill voice echoes through the house, “Hurry, girl, you’re gonna be late and then where would we be?” My sentiments exactly, where would she be if I weren’t working my ass off to pay the bills that just keep piling up?

  My feet seem to move of their own accord, taking me through the kitchen, where I find my mom sitting at the table staring off into space. I lean over to kiss her cheek and my eyes move to the cigarette burning awfully close to her fingers. I reach out and grab it, putting it out in the ashtray, almost overflowing with butts. I scurry to empty it, noting that one of these days, I’m going to come home and find nothing here but a pile of ashes from her lack of attention.

  “Bye, Momma, I love you. Don’t forget Mrs. Bruin made you dinner, it’s in the fridge.”

  I turn to make my way out the door. She doesn’t respond, she never does. Why do I even bother?

  I make my way to the small, white Jetta sitting in the drive-way. It needs so much work, not to mention four new tires, maybe some time when there aren’t a million other things to pay for. I climb in and caress the dashboard, silently praying that it gets me to and from work tonight without any problems.

  That wasn’t the case last Saturday night. I had to hitch a ride with Derek, another bartender that I closed the bar with. It wouldn’t have been so bad except for the fact that he has been trying to get into my pants for the past year. He can’t take a hint, which is completely annoying. Don’t get me wrong, he’s not half bad, with shoulder-length blond hair and big brown puppy dog eyes. He is rather tall and lanky, more on the skinny side, not really my type. All that aside, I’m just not attracted to the guy. He thinks if he keeps at it, I’ll give in or something.

  A red light forces me to stop and the engine starts sputtering. Oh no, please no, I need to work tonight. We need the money. The light changes and my foot quickly finds the gas. The car lurches forward, almost seeming to consider whether it wants to go or not but it hangs in there. Finally, I swing into the half-full parking lot. In an hour or two it will be totally packed, this is the big weekend hot spot. Tonight being Sunday, it will still be packed. Nobody in this godforsaken town has anything else to do.

  The double wooden doors greet me in the routine I repeat over and over six nights a week. Someday, I’ll have a degree and be able to do something else. But until then this is my home away from home.

  My tired hands push the door inward and my eyes adjust instantly to the dull lighting, typical of any bar. My theory, I call it the ugly theory, if the lighting is low and the beer is flowing, they really don’t see who they’re going home with. If the lights were up to full brightness, they would realize how ugly everything really gets as they drink more. Yes, I must persist in making up stupid theories to keep myself going.

  Becca runs up to me as soon as I settle behind the bar. “Kimber, hey girl, guess what happened last night?”

  Oh boy, I can only imagine, more like who happened last night. My ugly theory rings most true with Becca, I’ve seen it in action. She’s absolutely adorable with her five foot frame of about one hundred pounds, small green eyes, and long brown hair. But that’s the problem, she sleeps with anyone that pays her a compliment.

  “No, Becca, no guessing. How about you just tell?”

  She laughs and comments snidely, “Guess you didn’t sleep that well last night. Well, I did, and not by myself.” See, I called it, never by herself. I try to be the supportive friend and intervene in her trysts but she doesn’t listen. I’m not sure I would listen to me, either.

  She stands there waiting for me to ask. I sigh, “Okay, Becca, who is the lucky guy?”

  She gushes, “It was Tyler and I think I’m in love.”

  I frown at her and look intently, “Really? Because that’s what you said last week about, oh what was his name, oh yeah…I don’t remember because you say that every week, Becca. Really?”

  She shakes her head. “I don’t care what you say, Kimber, this is the one. Maybe you just need to get laid and your panties wouldn’t be in such a tight wad.”

  Okay, so I give up. Project Becca Intervention, is a total failure. I can’t get my own life together, why in the world should I try to help her?

  “Sorry, Becca, really… I do hope this is the one. But I’ll say what I say every time, be careful, girl. There are some creeps out there and I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

  She smiles, suddenly back to her cheerful self. “Do you want to hear about him?”

  This is what’s so funny about this girl. I always warn her about being cautious, but she never seems to get hurt. I wonder how she does it. If I knew the secret I wouldn’t still be reeling over the one that got away, as I like to call him.

  “Spill it, girl.” I check my watch and add, “Make it fast, I have to get ready for the rush in an hour.”

  ***

  An hour later, just as I called it, we’re slammed. I can’t even focus on the mess that is my life for the sheer fact that I’m so busy. Unfortunately, I’m stuck closing with Derek once again. Every time we pass each other behind the bar, he grabs my ass or whispers something inappropriate in my ear. Isn’t that workplace sexual harassment or something? I just ignore him. Past experience proves that the more attention I give him, the more encouraged he seems. Idiot.

  A band sets up on the makeshift stage and begins playing. I can’t keep track of which band is which anymore. We seem to have a different one each weekend, garage bands at their finest. Becca strolls up and squeals to me as I make her drinks at the service bar, “Do you see him? See the drummer, that’s Tyler.”

  I ignore her, pretending like I didn’t hear her but she persists. “Kimber, did you hear me? Tyler is up on stage, check him out. He’s so sexy.”

  Yeah okay, that’s her dumb response about every guy that passes through this place. I glance up to appease her and spot the drummer. Typical, long haired, big and bulky, no shirt, ripped jeans, probably in his late twenties with nowhere to go in life but here. Oh boy, who pissed in my drink tonight? I put on my best smile. “Oh Becc
a, nice.”

  She nods and grabs her drinks but before she turns, she suggests, “Hey, maybe I can set you up with one of the others. The singer seems pretty cute.”

  Oh God, really! I glance over just so she’ll leave. The singer actually isn’t too bad. He scans the audience as he sings some catchy upbeat song I’ve never heard. His gaze lands on mine and he winks. I quickly look away and catch Becca staring at me, smiling.

  “Shit, Becca, you already said something to him, didn’t you?

  She giggles. “Guilty.” I roll my eyes and turn away, because if I don’t, I’m liable to say something and hurt her feelings.

  A high pitched whistle rings from the other end of the bar, distracting me from Becca. I turn, ready to let someone have it. I am not a dog at anyone’s beck and call, but I spot the culprit down at the corner where the L turns to meet the wall, closing the bar off from patrons. A wide smile spreads over my lips at the sight. I nod at her, finishing the drinks I’m making for the customers in front of me. A few minutes later I’m hugging my big sister Jenna over the bar. She is true to form, short black bob, nose pierced, and tattoos sporadically placed on her arms and shoulders. Her sheer pink tank showcases a black bra underneath and a regular customer next to her is looking at her shirt with googly eyes.

  “Hey girl, where have you been?” I already know the answer. She can’t stand to stay in one place. She reminds me every time she comes to visit that I would do the same if I were smart.

  She smirks. “Can’t a girl get a beer around here?”

  I trek back down to the tap and pour a mug. Derek leans in, too close for comfort. I can smell cigarettes on his breath. “Hey, is that your sister? Can you hook a brother up?”

  I back up and laugh it off. “Uh, no! And when did you become a brother?”

  I turn on my heel, having no patience for him tonight. My sister is concentrating on her phone, as I place a mug down in front of her.

  “Hey, my car’s not doing too hot, I might need to catch a ride home,” I confide.

  She looks up from her phone, suddenly interested in what I’ve said. “No, Kimber, you know I can’t go there.” Her face first registers fear, then sorrow. I knew she wouldn’t want to help but my other choice is Derek, definitely not an option, or Becca, yeah, no again.

  “Okay, sis, just stick around, please,… just in case my car doesn’t start.” She ignores me, her attention diverted to the phone again. I’m not even going to ask why she’s home. She strolls back through town sometimes. I like to think it’s to check up on me and make sure I’m surviving but I’m not completely convinced.

  I make my way down the bar to help Derek out and notice he’s staring at Jenna. He seems enamored with her. His attention is diverted from me. Great, let my sister be the focus for once with this guy.

  The night speeds by. Around midnight, the owner of this fine establishment, Jared Duck, yes his last name is actually Duck, makes his nightly appearance. He’s short and round with a red and grey goatee. Tonight he’s in typical form with a black cowboy hat and a chambray button down stretched so tight that the buttons are straining against the material. He usually stays holed up in his back office until the crowd thins out. Twelve is a little early for him. He strolls down the outside of the bar and through the tables, greeting regulars and schmoozing new customers. Once he makes it to the end where my sister is deep in conversation with the dude who was thinking about trying to cop a feel earlier, I hear her call out to him, “Jared, how about letting Kimber sing tonight?”

  He turns and a creepy smile, usually reserved for the ladies, crosses his face. I silently curse her. This is my rent and food ticket, and eventually my way out of here. If she jeopardizes my job, I’ll kill her. Jared strolls over casually and places his arm around the bar stool she’s sitting in.

  “And why should I do that?” His voice is definitely the one he reserves for the ladies. I’m not going to stand by and let this old goat hit on Jenna, but before I can make it down there, Derek places his hand on my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks.

  I hiss at him, “Derek, come on. I’m not in the mood.”

  He lowers his face closer to mine and says softly, “Just let her talk to him. Trust me, I won’t let anything happen to your sister.” Something about his tone strikes me as odd. This is not the usual playful and carefree Derek. I turn and watch as my sister flirts away, laughing with Jared as if they just shared a joke.

  After about ten minutes of stewing while serving customers, I look up and watch as Jenna and Derek exchange a look and a nod. What? When did this happen? Just an hour ago he was asking me to hook him up and now there’s an inside joke I’m not a part of, I’m stewing even more.

  Around one o’clock with only an hour left, the band is breaking and Jared makes his way up to the stage. I’m still pissed that my sister would flirt with my creepy boss. He’s like fifteen years older than her, at least. I’m rinsing mugs out and placing them in the tray to be washed when I hear his deep voice call me up to the stage. My hands fumble, causing a mug to slip. It shatters into the sink. Shit! Derek comes up beside me. “Don’t worry about it, go on.”

  I look up at the stage, frowning, but my face quickly changes when I see my sister sitting up on a stool center stage with my guitar. How’d she get that? As if reading my mind, she holds up my keys and nods behind me. I turn and Derek is grinning ear to ear.

  Glaring at Derek, I mutter, “Traitor,” and make my way up to the stage.

  Jenna hands me the guitar and whispers, “Knock ’em dead,” before stepping down.

  I scan the crowd and push my nerves away. This is my element, music, everything I do has a song attached in my mind. The performing in front of a crowd, well not that. That part is totally out of my comfort zone. I feel my stomach turn over at that prospect so I close my eyes and focus on strumming the chords as beautiful music fills the room. I open my eyes for a minute to find the microphone and quickly close them as my nerves rise again. My voice doesn’t betray me, though. I choose a tune I wrote called, “Making Me Love You.”

  “Daylight and my mind wanders,

  always, wanders.

  Nighttime and it still roams,

  always, roams.

  You, you’re making me love you, making me love you, making me love you.

  What can I do when it’s you?

  All day and night, you.

  I don’t want it but it’s you making me love you.

  You, you’re making me love you, making me love you, making me love you.

  No matter the time always loving you,

  always loving you.”

  As I play and sing the last verse, I open my eyes. The small crowd that is left in the bar begins clapping and whistling. I smile, savoring the moment. Jared steps up to the stage and takes the mic as I step away.

  “Let’s give our very own Kimber Maguire a round of applause.”

  Everyone claps again. It warms my heart that my sister did this for me. The little things mean the most.

  Jenna meets up with me as I place my guitar behind the bar and begin to serve more customers.

  “Hey Kimber, was that good or what? You’re such a natural.” I smile suddenly at a loss for words. This never happens to me.

  A smooth voice comes up behind her and agrees. “I was definitely taken by surprise. You’re really talented.” My mood is suddenly killed. Ugh, Becca, I’m gonna wring your neck. The singer from the garage band I don’t even know the name of, is flirting with me.

  I ignore him and turn to Jenna. “Are you going to hang out or what?”

  “I’ll hang out. That’s kind of why I’m here.” As she finishes a hand comes up and rests on my shoulder. I glance over and see a smirk on Derek’s face, not directed at me, but my sister. What the hell is this?

  Before I can freak out, she explains, “Kimber, a month ago I was at a party over in Gatlin. I saw Derek there and we just hit it off. We’ve been talking since then. This is the first weekend I could g
et away to come and visit.” I’m flabbergasted. I think my mouth is hanging open.

  They both laugh at my reaction. Shit, I’m never going to get rid of this dude if my sister is dating him.

  I look over at Derek. “But you were just asking me to hook you up like you didn’t know Jenna.”

  “I was just playing with you, Kimber, I’ve known Jenna since middle school. We were in the same class.” Well damn. The joke’s on me, I guess.

  I glance down and check my watch, two o’clock. My attention is elsewhere now. They can sort this junk out. I have a date with my bed very soon. Before I get very far though, Jared calls down the bar to me. I walk cautiously toward him. This night is turning into something out of the Twilight Zone.

  When I’m directly across from him, he asks, “Would you be interested in performing on Friday nights? I think we need one night with someone people can come back to see regularly.”

  I’ve suddenly lost my voice. What? Perform each week? Oh wow!

  “I’ll pay you two hundred for the night,” he says before I can even respond.

  I nod because that’s all I can do. Sing and play every Friday night, how did this happen? I turn to see my sister beaming at me with Derek’s arm around her. I’ll ignore that part for now because this is a small dream come true and I’m going to bask in it.

  Chapter Three

  Jordan

  I spot my chance halfway into dinner. Dan excuses himself and heads toward the restroom. Not the ideal place to confront him about his daughter and her problems, but I have to try. This might be the only time he’s alone tonight. I stand quickly while Susan is engrossed in a conversation with my mom. As I turn to follow her father, their voices suddenly fall silent behind me. Damn. I was hoping they wouldn’t notice. Now she thinks I’m going to talk to him about asking her to marry me. I don’t bother to look back. I just trudge on, hoping this conversation goes well.