Page 108 of The Other Side of Green

“I’m not sure I’ll ever get enough of this. If I’ll ever get enough of you and your touch.” Her fingers reached up to rake through my hair.

“I think that’s the point. The day you think you’ve had enough it’s not worth doing anymore.”

“So when I’m eighty and your eighty-six, we’ll still be doing this? You’ll still want me?”

She had a point. “Yeah. Although, maybe we’ll have to take up crosswords together too. I may not have the stamina for much else.”

She turned with a giggle, squeezing her arms tight around my chest. I kissed the top of her head. Lyra still lived in halls, but she belonged here with me in Evan’s spare room. I didn’t even give a shit it was Evan’s spare room—just that we were together.

“We should get back into the bar," I sighed, not ready to let her go. “You were only supposed to be getting bourbon.”

She picked up a couple of bottles and then took a breath. “Jack, can I ask a question.”

“Always.”

“Have you spoken to your mom?”

I stiffened next to her.

“Jack, you need to call home. You can’t leave things the way you did. Imagine how your mom must be feeling?”

My stare widened. “How she’s feeling? What about me? Lyra, my entire life is a lie.”

“You aren’t the only one, Jack. It’s that place, it corrupts people.”

I shook my head and glared at the ceiling. “Lyra, it’s not that straightforward.”

“Tell me. You can’t keep it all to yourself.”

Truth was I didn’t want to tell her. We hadn’t discussed anything at all to do with her missing dad situation, but the truth could make things so much worse for her.

“You aren’t telling me for a reason and what’s worse is that you think I’m too stupid not to know.”

“I don’t think you’re stupid at all.” I caught her hand and pressed it to my lips.

“So talk.”

“You can’t force me, okay?” I snapped.

“Jack!”

“Come on, let’s get to the bar.”

“Sure.” Her expression closed and she stormed through the door.

* * *

The atmosphere the next couple of days didn’t improve. Saturday’s were busy at the best of times, but we had a local band on stage who had pulled in their own fair crowd.

“I think Eddie is having a meltdown on the door.” Evan pointed to where Eddie had the door open, but still had a line of people snaking down the road.

“There’s no way they’re all getting in. You might as well go out there and tell them it’s a full house.”

“Me? It’s your bar.”

“You’re the manager,” I snapped back.

“Jesus, what is with you?” Evan stared down at my drink. “Thought you didn’t have alcoholic genetics anymore.” He arched an eyebrow like he wanted to be punched.