Page 23 of Keeping it Local

“Uh, really? Why?” I asked, pulling into the driveway.

“I’m assuming to see you. Didn’t he say anything to you?”

My skin tingled in frustration as blood rushed to my ears. I did not need him coming here. He did this sometimes, used my mom to manipulate the situation, and even though it was mostly harmless, it really bothered me.

“He did not.” I kept my voice flat, trying not to convey too much emotion. “I don’t want him driving down. I don’t know why he insists on coming here. It’s not like we’re together anymore.”

“Well, just tell him that. If you’re not interested in him like that, I’m sure he’d understand.”

I silently groaned. “We’ve had that conversation multiple times. He wants me to take the summer to figure things out. I just need some time.”

Silence hung heavy in the air. My parents knew about the backstory with Michael since we were together all the time. He even worked for my parents, and even though we all got along when we weren’t actually dating, I knew my mom was secretly rooting for us to get together and take over the farm from her and dad. I wasn’t opposed to it, but I needed to make my own decision. I didn’t need him—or them, for that matter—forcing me into it.

“I see,” she said. “Well, it sounds like that’s something you’ll have to work out with him.”

And it was. Along with figuring things out with my parents. We hung up, and I couldn’t help but feel the heaviness about everything back home. As excited as I was about the changes I was looking to implement, I was just as unexcited about having to deal with any fallout for anyone who wanted things as they’ve always been and didn’t get their way—including Michael.

I needed time, and I was going to let myself take as much of it as I needed, despite what anyone else thought.

Chapter 11

Johnny

After Beth and I had our meet-up in the parking lot, I texted her the next day and asked if she wanted to go out after work. This was all about enjoying the summer with each other, even against all my best judgment since she was a local for now—someone I wouldn’t usually touch with a ten-foot pole.

As I walked through the house, I tried to clean up some of the dishes that were left out. The old house sat on a few acres outside of town, backing up to a small patch of woods. When I moved here, it had been run-down with torn-off shutters and overgrown trees outside. But in the last few years, I took the time to clean it up and get it looking more livable. It still wasn’t where I wanted it to be—the downstairs bathroom was still covered in mauve tile everywhere from the floor, to the shower, to the walls. But despite that, it was starting to feel like home.

I took one last look in the mirror, fixing my shirt and hat before heading out.

The drive to Beth’s house only took about fifteen minutes even though it was on the other side of town. Stepping down from the truck, I slammed the door shut and walked up to the front stoop. Beth came right out and gently closed the front door behind her.

She walked off the porch in her brown boots, dark hair curled at the ends, and a pair of dark jean shorts that hugged her hips just right. Her tank top was tucked in, and, while it wasn’t skintight, it clung enough for me to see the curves she had.

I swallowed hard. “You look great.”

“Thank you. So do you.” She pulled on her jeans a bit and stood next to me, coming up to my shoulder. “Where to?”

“Windbreaker,” I said, putting my hand on her back, guiding her to the truck. “You know the place, right?” I joked.

“I do.” She grinned at me, and I knew I was in trouble.

When we arrived at Windbreaker, it was already packed. Even though it was on the main strip, most of the time it was a lot of locals that came in. This place had been around for decades. I remembered my grandpa taking my uncles here when I was a kid. And it looked every bit as old too.

Black and white photos lined the walls, and there were about a hundred one-dollar bills stapled behind the bar. I nodded at a few of the guys I knew as we found one of the last seats on the far wall.

“I love this place,” she said.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Okay. Yeah, they do a good job here—nothing beats an old-school dive bar and restaurant.” I took a seat and held a menu out to her.

“I’m assuming you know what you’re getting already?” She crinkled her nose as she let her head fall back in a sweet laugh. “You seem like a regular everywhere.”

I shrugged. “It’s what happens when you live in a town like this. The locals know what’s up.”

“Guess so.” Her eyes lit up as Lane walked over to the table.

“What brings you two down here tonight?” Lane stared us both down, crossing his arms and raising one end of his mouth in a smirk.

“Just grabbing a bite,” I said.