Page 18 of Wild Mistake
“Amongst other things.” He grins wryly.
“Does that mean you’re free to grab a beer after work?”
“Hell, yeah.” He nods. “The Legion has their nickel pints on Wednesdays. I don’t have any plans tonight.”
“Let’s go.” My excitement builds, not only for cheap beer, but for rebuilding another relationship I’ve neglected. “What time should I head over?”
“I close up by six. Though I’m short help this week and I’ve been slammed today. It might be closer to seven.”
I perk up. “You need help?”
“Oh, it’s fine.” He shakes his head. “Restocking and mopping floors is way below the expertise of a retired Army Ranger. That, and the pay sucks.”
“You can buy me a beer.”
“I was going to anyway.”
“I’m gonna check in on Pops. I’ll be back in a few hours to help.” I back up, noticing a few customers making their way toward the counter.
“You don’t have to.”
“I want to.” I smile, the idea filling me with a sense of purpose. Something that’s been missing from my days.
“Thanks, Aiden.” He shuffles to the other side of the counter. “I appreciate that.”
“I’m happy to help.” And I am. It feels good. I lift my hand to wave before turning to walk back out to my truck.
* * *
We’rethree rounds in and my ribs hurt from laughing. I forgot how hilarious my cousin is. Reminiscing about the antics we put our parents through has us in stitches. Our fathers were brothers, so we were raised in households with similar discipline and values. Will and his brother gave Uncle Bob as hard a time as me and my siblings gave Pops.
“I wish I could’ve seen your pops’ face.” Will chuckles, shaking his head.
I think back to that day, when Tim came home with his fifth or sixth tattoo. It was the first one Pops had noticed because he couldn’t hide it under his clothes. “Yeah, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so pissed.” It wasn’t long after that, Tim left Wilder Valley for good.
“How’s your dad doing?”
“Oh, well.” That’s a difficult question to answer. “Before I left the house today, he wasn’t acting any different than I would expect a seventy-year-old man to act.” Shit. Does Will know about Pops’ diagnosis? “You know he has dementia, right?”
“Yeah.” He frowns. “It’s a real shame. Was sorry to hear it.”
“I’ve only been home a few days but from what Maeve told me, his rough days are really rough.” I don’t know if I should be thankful I haven’t witnessed one of them yet. It’s hard to believe his dementia is anything worse than a little confusion.
“I’m glad you’re back.” Will tips his glass toward me. “It’ll do you all good to have this time together.”
“Yeah, now I just need to work on getting Tim back here.”
Will blows out an exaggerated breath. “Good luck on that one.”
“I think if he knew about Pops’ diagnosis—”
“He knows.”
I shake my head. “No, Ryan hasn’t told him.”
“Yeah.” Will winces. “But I did.”
Seriously?“Am I the last person to find out about it?”
