When We Go Back Again (Mason Brothers Book #1)

Chapter 26

FLETCHER

“So you’re a pretty quick learner, Jolie. Either that or Toni is a great teacher and I don’t want to give her TOO much great.”

“Toni has been great. In fact, everybody has really welcomed me in and I appreciate it. This job is a life changer for me.”

Jolie had been training with Toni for the last week while I’ve been taking some time off of the bartending portion of my job and focusing on the business aspect. I decided to come in today so I could work with her and make sure she’s settling in just fine. There were a few important things to go over with her before we got busy this evening. I had her practice some popular drinks and even worked in the back on the kegs and she seems to be catching on.

I finished drying the glasses from her test drinks while she was cutting up lemon wedges to prep for the night. “So how did you find that we were looking for somebody? I doubt Cade put an ad anywhere past the surrounding towns.”

“I was in Denver taking a bartending class and Cade happened to be there. We started talking and he told me about his bar here.”

“You just jumped on it like that?”

“I’ve been living in Boulder my entire life, I was just ready to move on, you know?”

“Yeah, I get that. I’ve actually lived here my entire life and there was a point in which I was going to leave, but I’m glad I didn’t in the end.” I smile, thinking about Eden and Joey and how I would have been so mad if missed the chance to be with her had I moved away. “So you didn’t leave anybody at home?”

“Nobody that important. I mean, my family, but even them I’m not that close to.” She plastered on a fake smile, the kind you give when you don’t want to share much more. If she had walls up I wanted to respect that.

“Well, one thing you should know about the Mason Jar is that we are one big family. Just ask Toni, she can’t get rid of us now.”

“She did say that you all had each other’s backs.”

“That’s for sure.” I send her off to get some of the tables set for dinner and I make sure all the glasses from the night before were cleaned and ready for service. I hear the door open and Jolie’s friendly voice welcoming them in.

“Hey there! Take a seat wherever you want.”

“We’re here to see Fletch!” I recognize that voice and step out from behind the bar. Joey sees me before I get a chance to say his name and he starts running over to me and lands in my arms. 

“Oof! Whoa kid, you almost knocked me over.”

He laughed, but went in for another hug, “Sorry, I just got excited. How is your day going?”

“It is going a lot better now, but what are you two doing here?” I take Joey’s hand and we walk back over to Eden who is still standing with Jolie. I give her a kiss on the cheek and then introduce them. “Eden, this is our new bartender and waitress, Jolie.” 

“Hi, Jolie! You’re from out of town, correct?”

“Yep, born and raised and Boulder.”

“Welcome to Glenwood Springs! I’m Eden and that bundle of energy is my son Joseph. He’ll tell you to call him Joey because mommy dearest is the only one that hasn’t gotten the memo.”

“So are you the one that was Fletch’s high school sweetheart and then moved back home?”

I groan, “Geez, what hasn’t Toni told you about us?”