The Ranch at Havenwood

Chapter 1: Blaine

The sign in the window read "OPEN" in flashing neon lights, but I hesitated at the translucent glass door. Toby's Bar and Grill was the only place I knew to go right now. I took a breath and held it before exhaling and opening the door. As soon as I entered, I spotted Jace. He was built like a linebacker and impossible to miss. He tended to attract the ladies, and today was no different as there were two regulars clinging to his every word. I took a seat on the other side of the bar, closest to the jukebox that hadn't worked in at least twenty years and stared absentmindedly at the old western paraphernalia that lined the walls.

I knew when Jace finally noticed me, as he said, "Hey man! Where 'ya been?" He excused himself from the overly enthusiastic blondes as he made his way to the cooler underneath the near side of the bar. I nodded to my best friend as I cracked open the cold drink that he slid across to me.

"Rough day riding ponies?" he asked.

"This heat is gonna be the death of me," I said before letting the cool wetness of the soda soothe my throat.

Jace chuckled. "You've lived here your whole life and still aren't used to Georgia summers?"

"Used to it doesn't mean I like it."

"Leave work outside boys," said Kelsey. I rolled my eyes at Jace's tiny twin sister and her signature line. We heard it every night. Jace smiled, "What else should we discuss oh dear sister of mine?" Kelsey shoved her brother jokingly. I huffed a breath before staring at the counter.

"Wanna pour me a double or should I fix it myself?" I asked without looking up. I felt more than saw the twins freeze, their laughing banter immediately halting. When neither moved, I quickly grabbed the closest liquor bottle and poured a double shot, downing it immediately. As I went to refill the shot glass, Jace snatched the bottle from my hands. I flipped him off as Kelsey grabbed a damp cleaning rag and walked towards an empty table.

"I'm gonna go clean up after those teenage hooligans that just left. Holler if you need me," she said. She was only a few feet away when Jace started in on me.

"Bro, what's goin' on?"

"Don't know what ya' mean," I said, looking around the bar. Anywhere other than his questioning look seemed to be a good place. The crowd was still small, not usually getting busy until closer to eight. Still two hours to go at least.

"Bullshit," he said. "You quit drinking for a reason. Somethin's wrong, so spill." I played with the napkin stand in front of me, nervously avoiding Jace's watchful eyes.

"What are we, two teenage girls?" I stood from the bar stool I had claimed, planning to walk out of the bar, regretting having come in to begin with. I'd changed my mind on needing to talk.

"Don't do that man. Don't downplay. You know what liquor does to you, and you're in here doin' double shots on an empty stomach. Talk to me," said Jace. I took a few steps towards the door, still set on leaving when Jace spoke again.

"Talk to me or I call Declan to come babysit." I internally groaned at the threat of my brother and grudgingly returned to the stool. "You'll thank me tomorrow," he said while placing a jar of peanuts and a glass of water in front of me.

I voiced my frustration by grumbling, "Jump off one roof at sixteen and they baby you for eternity." Jace gaped at me.

"What about the motorcycle through the barn door at nineteen? Or the time you tried to go skydiving off the roof of the barn that same week? Or how 'bout the time you jumped on that stud colt and nearly-". I interrupted his tirade of my drunken endeavors.