Bethany Smith had her innocence stolen in the very town she once called home. The memories were too much to bear, so when her sister offered an escape-a trip around Australia with her boyfriend-Beth didn't think twice about leaving it all behind.
No...
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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."
