Can't Love Christmas

Five

Ash didn't expect to find herself at the pub on Saturday night, but she felt lonely and her mom suggested she go out in a conversation earlier in the day. Sometimes, just being around people made her feel better.

There was a hockey game on, so the pub was pretty busy, but Ash took a seat up near the bar. Three staff were working, and Ash stuck to her spot in the corner, nursing her drink while she watched the game.

It was the first intermission when someone slid into the seat beside her. "For someone who's been watching the game fairly intently, I can't actually figure out who you are cheering for."

She turned to look at him. He looked to be about 30, with his long hair tied up in a bun. "Well, if you noticed that, you weren't watching the game very closely."

"You caught me. I was a bit distracted by the very pretty lady sitting all alone at the bar."

Ash snorted. "Smooth."

"I'm John." He held out his hand, and she shook it. "Ash."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Ash. So, do you come here often?"

"Not overly."

"Well can I get you a drink?"

She held up her half full drink. "No thanks, I'm good for now."

"Do you mind if I sit here? My buddies are giving me a hard time and it is much nicer to talk to you."

"Well what will you do if I start giving you a hard time?" Rowan chose that moment to walk past with a tray of food for the table beside them with a smirk on his face.

"Hmm, just for that sass, maybe I should give you a hard time." Ash could feel the innuendo wash over her skin, and it prickled. She narrowed her eyes at him, but didn't respond while he grinned at her with a wink. Rowan returned with a scowl on his face, and Ash directed her attention back to the television. John backtracked. "I'm just teasing."

"Maybe I'm reconsidering letting you sit there." Ash was careful not to let any emotion pass her face. She glanced at Rowan who was puttering around the bar beside them, and thought she heard him snort.

"Scout's honour," he threw up the scout sign, "I'll be on my best behaviour." 

Ash redirected her attention to John. "What do you do for a living, John?"

"I work up in the oil sands."

"Spend a lot of time in camp then?"

"I do, yes. It's not as bad as it sounds. But I have a great house when I'm back in town."

"Good for you." She took another sip of her drink.

"What do you do?"

"I work at the pharmacy."

"Oh! Are you the new girl?"

She frowned. "What defines new?"

"That explains why I haven't seen you before. Our tourism business isn't huge, but I wondered if perhaps you were just passing through."

"Nope. This is home now."

"Well, then I propose a toast! To the newest pharmacist in Miska!" They clinked their glasses together, and Ash muttered "not a pharmacist" before taking a sip.

The second period started and they directed their attention to it. They chatted casually through it and Ash found herself relaxing with his attention split between the game and her. It wasn't until she finished her drink and he offered to buy her another that she remembered what he'd hinted before, and tensed up again.

"I appreciate the offer, but I'm driving home, so I really shouldn't."

"We can share a cab if you change your mind."

Ash's mind reeled. It had been so long since she had attention from a guy, and she didn't know how to respond. "Actually, can I get a coke?"

"Sure."

John waved Rowan over, who approached with his trademark scowl. "I'll have another beer, and she'll have a rum and coke."

"Just a coke actually." Rowan's eyes slid to her and she gave him an unsure smile. He nodded, but his expression didn't soften.

Ash and John spoke throughout the remainder of the game, while her responses dwindled down to single words, and John's expanded on his various achievements and expensive possessions. He spoke about his new jukebox for at least fifteen minutes without any input from Ash. Ash began counting the number of times Rowan's scowl relaxed when he wasn't interacting with a customer. She only got to two by the end of the game, when the female bartender walked up and leaned close to her and John.

"Hey Ashtyn, I really hate to ask this, but do you think you can give me a ride home? I'm off in ten." Ash didn't question how the bartender knew her name; it wasn't the first time and wouldn't be the last someone knew her before she introduced herself.

John answered for her. "Sorry, Mandy. I think Ash is going in the opposite direction from your place." He slid his arm along the back of her chair, and Ash felt her heart beat faster. Alarm bells sounded in her head. This was not the kind of guy Ash was going to re-enter the dating world to be with.

"No. I don't think I am."

John leaned close, and she felt his words on her neck. "She lives on the opposite side of town from me. I was going to show you the jukebox we talked about."

"Sorry. Not tonight. I've got to get home. Early morning tomorrow." Ash slid from her seat and caught Rowan smiling as he cleaned the bar top. "Mandy?"

John stood and leaned one elbow on the bar beside her. "Maybe we can do this again sometime?"

"Didn't you say you were going back to camp on Monday?"

"Yeah, but I'll be back in a couple weeks."

"Hmm. We'll see what the universe says. Bye John." She turned and walked away, catching Mandy's eye as she headed down the hall to the bathroom.

When the door opened a few minutes later and Mandy slipped inside, Ash let out a breath. Mandy spoke immediately. "Sorry if that was weird. Rowan told me your name. It didn't look like you wanted to leave with him. I don't actually need a ride anywhere."

Ash sighed. "Oh thank god." Then, realizing how that sounded. "Sorry, I don't mean to be rude."

"But you don't know me and don't want to give me a ride home? I know. I get it. I wouldn't do it either."

Ash laughed. "Sorry, we haven't like, officially met. I'm Ash." She reached out her hand. Mandy grasped it. "Mandy. A pleasure to meet you. Do you want me to walk you to your car? You can pop out the back door if you'd like, too."

"That would actually be amazing. Thank you."

"it's nothing." Mandy waved off her gratitude. "We're big on safety here. Also, if you ever feel stuck or anything here, just order anything with the word angel in it and someone will help or interfere or whatever we can do. Angel shot is the most popular, but my personal favourite was someone who asked for a Fallen Angel."

"Good to know. Thank you."

"Anytime. Now let's get you out of here." They walked out the back and the lot looked clear of any of the guys who had watched the hockey game. "I know this might be out of turn, but for what it's worth, I've heard John's jukebox isn't as impressive as he makes it sound. Also, he's not very good in bed."

Ash laughed. "Well, sounds like I dodged a bullet then! Thanks again." She ducked into her car and waved at Mandy in the mirror as she drove home.

By the time she got home, Ash was ready to swear off men. John wasn't even overly attractive. There was an emptiness to him that he covered with expensive items and big talk, but Ash figured dating someone in the oil patch would only set her up for heartache in the end.