I See The Light (Book #3 in LA Series)

Chapter Seven

Beth's POV
Every night I sit on the curb across from Dan's hoping to find the courage to walk in there. This was night 42 and so far it was not going well.

I've got as far as the doorknob before my stomach revolts and I am choking up my lunch. I only stay an hour, because it gets quite cold this time of year.

The door to the bar opens and the local drunk Jerry walks out tumbling on his feet, nearly dropping his four-pack. His eyes widen in delight when he sees me. "Well if it isn't my favorite bartender," he slurs.

"Hi Jerry," I say to him, giving him a small smile.

He falls beside me with a groan and holds his four-pack out to me. I grab one of the beers and nod in thanks. "What are you doing these days Beth?" He asks.

"I have been working at the cafe," I answer.

"I might have to come in then," he says. "You serve alcohol?"

I laugh. "No Jerry."

"That's too bad," he mutters. We both sit in silence and sip on our beers. "Why are you sitting out here?"

"I can't go in," I admit.

Jerry nods. "I feel horrible about that night. I should-"

"You couldn't have saved me, Jerry," I cut him off. "Don't beat yourself up about it."

"You like a daughter to me," he says. "I hope that bastard rots in prison."

"Cheers to that," I murmur. We clink our bottle and take another sip. "So who replaced me?" I ask him.

"Dan didn't replace you," Jerry says. "Cameron has been doing more shifts and Dan let go of Bonnie."

I gasp. "Why?"

"She was stealing," Jerry tells me. "Taking stuff so her druggie boyfriend could get high."

"Oh Bonnie," I sigh sadly.

"So at the moment it is just Dan and Cam," Jerry states. "Dan opens and Cam closes, but Dan has been staying longer."

"That's not good," I murmur.

"They are lost without you," Jerry says. "Hey, I have been watching your brother on TV."

I smile. "They just signed him for another couple of years."

"That's great," Jerry says. "Kevin right?"

"Yep."

The door to the bar opens again and I am surprised to see Violet, my sister walking out. She was all dolled up in a blue knee-high dress, that showed off her breasts and white high heels that looked like torture to walk in.

"Oh hey Beth," she says, walking over to us.

"Violet, what are you doing here?" I ask.

"Oh just came to see Dan," she says. "No pun intended."

"I better go," Jerry says, struggling up to his feet. "See you around Beth."

"Thanks for the beer," I say.

"It's all I am good for," Jerry jokes. He started walking home and when he was a far distance away I turned and glared at my sister.

"Your hooking up with Dan?" I ask.

"You don't have to say it like that," Violet huffs.

"Having Sex? Bumping uglies?"

"Yeah We are," she says. "Beth you didn't tell me your old boss was hot."

"I didn't think you would want to hook up with him, since you just broke up with Grant," I state.

"Like a month ago," she deadpans. She quirks an eyebrow at me. "Don't tell me you like Dan?"

I laugh out loud. "What? Of course not."

I mean sure, when I first started at the bar I found him hot and would get all flustered in front of him, but then we created this great friendship that I didn't want to ruin.

"Good cause he is mine," Violet says.

"Violet, Dan doesn't do relationships," I sigh.

Violet smirks. "He might with me."

"Trust me you aren't the first girl to think that," I say. "I just don't want to see you hurt."

"I am a big girl, Beth," she states. "Have a little faith."

*

I knock on the door and move on my tippy toes nervously. A minute later I hear movement and the door opens. I met with Elle who had two braids in and missing front teeth. "Hi," she says.

"Hey, I am Beth," I say. "Is Lenny here?"

"Mummy is out in the garden," she says. "I can go grab Daddy?"

I nod and she runs off, Suddenly Detective Sebastian Hales is coming over to me carrying Elle. "Hi Bethany," he says. "Something wrong?"

"I wanted to speak to Lenny," I say.

"I told her mummy is in the garden," the little girl gushes.

"Elle, what have I told you about opening the door?" Seb asks her sternly.

Elle pouts. "Sorry daddy."

Seb drops Elle and she runs off upstairs. "Come in Beth, I will take you to Lenny."

I follow Seb out the back and stare in amazement at their backyard.

Lenny was over by the gazebo with a wide-brim hat on and earbuds in. She sees us and she yanks them out. "Beth is here to speak with you baby," Seb says.

Lenny walks over to us and kisses her husband on the cheek. Seb leaves us alone and Lenny leads me over to the deck chairs. "I just wanted to apologize," I murmur. "I feel horrible that I puked all over your shoes."

Lenny shakes her head. Lenny can't speak because her abusive dad slashed her throat. I guess it runs in the family.

"I think I am getting better," I tell her. "I didn't want to puke when I saw you just now."

Lenny gives me a sad smile. "I am sorry," she mouthed.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," I say. "You don't control your brother."

She scoffs as if to say he is no brother of mine.

"I am still struggling to go to Dan's," I admit to her. "I feel even more sick when I try to enter."

She nods. "Baby steps."

"Cole suggested his therapist to me," I say. "Since I had an episode and accidentally broke Georgie's hand."

Lenny nods in agreement.

"Elle is gorgeous," I gush. "You were pregnant with her when I left."

Lenny smiles with pride.

"Do you guys want more?" I ask.

Lenny nods. "Big family."

"That's the dream," I whisper.

Lenny raises an eyebrow at me as if to say What about you?

"I think I should stay single for now," I tell her. "Not that I had much of a dating life before."

Living in your sister's shadow will do that to you.