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

Chapter 39

EDEN

“Eek! You were so good, Jolie!” Toni and I meet Jolie in the office of the bar after her set tonight at the bar. It was the first time that I’d heard her perform, but Toni heard her on New Year’s and said she was great. I pull her in for a huge hug and Toni throws her arms around the both of us.

“I’m so glad the two of you were here. I didn’t think I was going to be that nervous, but once we got on stage I thought I was going to throw up.”

“Well nobody would have known,” Toni kissed Jolie on the cheek. “You looked flawless and sounded like a little pop star angel!”

“I agree that dress is so hot. If only I had the body to wear something like that. Thanks, Joey…”

“Whatever, you look absolutely amazing always,” Jolie swats her arm in my direction. “And Joey, huh?” She caught my use of his nickname and not the full name I almost always use.

“I’m trying to out for feel. I realized that I always called him Joseph because Caleb was so insistent that he needed to sound proper,” I replied with finger quotes around the word proper.

“Ugh, fuck that guy,” Toni said with a snarl.

“No kidding. Are you okay? Cade came and told us what happened. Did he really try and pay Fletcher off?”

“Yeah, half a million dollars,” I answer with an eye roll.

“You know what?” Jolie speaks up, “Fletcher should have taken the money, pretended the break up with you, and then the two of you could have run off somewhere.”

“Well shit, that’s a great idea. But I can’t leave you two, you’re my best friends.”

“I mean, for half a million dollars I’d forgive you,” she shrugged.

I laughed and pulled the two into my arms again, “I love you both so much.”

Jolie and Toni had to go back to work, but I decided to hang out at the bar for the rest of the night. I originally planned on going home, but after everything that happened, I decided that I wanted to stay and spend a little bit more time with Fletcher. I knew Joey was in safe hands with my parents and they always encouraged me to stay out.

The crowd had died down a bit since the performance was over, but it was still pretty busy so I sat at the end of the bar and watched Toni and Fletcher work. When he finally have a free moment, he sauntered over in my direction with his trademark smile greeting me. “Hey, beautiful. I’m going to wrap a few things up and then we can head out early. Do you want me to get a final drink for you?”

“I’ll take a mojito if you’re offering.”

“Of course. Give me just a second.” I watch Fletcher as he puts together my cocktail. I can’t help but notice the ways his forearms flex when he’s mulling the mint and how confident he is when he’s pouring the liquor. He slides it in front of me and like usual I pay him with a kiss.

“Your payment is so great, I don’t even worry that I don’t get a tip.”

“Well maybe if I play my cards right, I’m the one that can get the tip.”

His smile grows wide and he grabs the back of my neck and pulls my ear close to his mouth. “Drink up, baby, because not only are you getting the tip, but I’m giving you the whole damn rod.”

I bite my bottom lip and just stare at him as a pool forms between my thighs. He keeps his eyes on me the entire walk back to the office to finish some bookkeeping for the night. Less than a half-hour later, my drink is empty and he is standing behind me with my coat. I barely get mine on before he’s pulling me out into the back of the bar and to his truck.