Page 19 of Real Sexy
“I’m so sorry, Frisco.I had no idea.”
He lifts his pint glass to his lips and chugs the beer, smacking the bottom against the wood when he finishes.
“Yeah, well, shit happens.But you got talent, and the fact that you’re wasting it slinging drinks pisses me the fuck off.Now I’m gonna stay perched on this fucking stool all night and get hammered.My babysittin’ abilities are gonna be impaired, but if shit goes down, I’ll definitely be ready to throw some punches.”
I’m still absorbing all his words, and one stands out at me.Babysitting?
Boone.
“He asked you to come keep an eye on me?”
I don’t even have to say his name for Frisco to nod.We both know exactly who I’m talking about.But why?A rush of confusion blows through me, and I have to ask it aloud.
“Why?”My question produces anare you frigging stupidlook from Frisco, but no response.There’s another subject I need to bring up, but right now isn’t exactly the best time.Then again, I can’t let it lie any longer.“You know it wasn’t personal, me turning you down when you’d come into the Fishbowl, right?”
Frisco’s grip on his drink tightens.“Yeah, your rule lasted about thirty seconds after you met Boone, but I’m a big enough man not to hold it against you.”
“I know I owe you an explanation, but I really can’t—”
He holds up his other hand, and I go silent.“You don’t have to explain shit to me, Rip.You win some, you lose some.That’s how the game goes.Now, I’m ready for another beer.”
He shoves his empty glass toward me, and I can’t bring myself to keep pushing.He’s already torn up and raw from his confession about his sister, and I’m just adding insult to injury.
I retrieve the pint.“Your usual?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll get you another.”
“Much appreciated.”
I flip the tap and let the glass fill with Bud before sliding it back in front of him, keeping my fingers wrapped around it when he tries to take it from me.After a beat, Frisco meets my gaze.
“I’m truly sorry for everything, especially about your sister.It’s not fair.I know exactly how much it sucks to lose someone before their time.”And because my emotions are flowing tonight, I add, “My mama sang.She wanted to be a star too, but Pop wouldn’t let her step foot onstage after they got together.That’s probably why she liked all those celebrities coming into the bar back in the day.I think it was her way of living vicariously through them because she’d never get the chance herself.I’ll always wonder what would have happened if she’d left Pop and gone out on her own, instead of ...”
I trail off as understanding dawns in Frisco’s eyes.
“If Pop had known I could sing and had any ambition in that direction, he would’ve been even more cruel than normal.I think I knew that, even as a kid.So I buried it, because it doesn’t make sense to have a dream when you know there’s no chance of it ever coming true.”
Frisco’s expression softens.“You’re not under your old man’s thumb anymore, and you can’t know whether it’s gonna come true or not until you try.”
I blink away a few drops of unexpected moisture gathering in the corners of my eyes.I refuse to call them tears.
“You’re right, but at the moment, the only thing I need in my life is reality, not dreams.I need a paycheck so I can get my shit together.Maybe when I’m not sleeping on my best friend’s futon anymore, I’ll let myself do a little dreaming.”
“Fair enough.Sorry I snapped at you, Rip.It’s a tough subject for me.”
“I understand.No apologies necessary, Frisco.I’ll keep the beers coming.”
I move down the bar to take more orders, but in the back of my mind, I’m stuck on the fact that Boone asked Frisco to watch out for me.When’s the last time anyone cared enough to do something like that?
It doesn’t matter.It’s not happening.
But I can’t deny the warmth buzzing through my veins.
11
Ripley
