Flipping Hearts

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 Jack's POV

Peyton sat next to me in the back of Danny's Lexus SUV and as roomy as it was, I felt cramped. I wanted to jump out the back door. I could feel pressure from Danny to let loose but all I wanted to do was to sit with Peyton and talk with her more than anything else. From the moment I realized who she was at the airport, I found myself sneaking looks at her. Like she used to do to me twenty years ago. The quiet girl who once blended into the walls, had grown into her skin, and damn if I wasn't a little impressed with the woman before me. Not that my judgment could be trusted, after all, I thought my ex wife, Lisa was a sweet, unassuming lady who wanted nothing more than to make a life with me. I had to shake the thought away. That part of my life is over.

I enjoyed watching Peyton give Danny hell, because nobody ever got away with that back when we were kids and not now as adults. It made me wonder what was behind those sharp bites she took from him. As kids, I always felt bad for the mousy girl Danny would would push out of the living room so we could watch raunchy movies and sneak beers. Sometimes, I would jump in, inviting her to have a seat next to me on the floor. The way her face lit up at me made me feel like a super hero and made Danny grumble about stupid sisters that, "would pay for this shit later."

I couldn't say why, but the energy coming from the compact woman next to me, energized me and I liked it. Her eyes, so much like Fern's, sparkled in the waning daylight as she and Lila chatted about the triplets. Large expressive chestnut colored eyes darted around as Danny drove us to the town's only bar called the Tavern.

I noticed my old friend looking at me in the rear view mirror, his brows furrowed in worry. I gave him a nod and smile that I hoped told him I was doing okay. I hated that Danny was trying to take on the role of big brother for me. All I need is to figure out what to do, then I can get on with my life. I wanted to say this out loud, instead I looked out the window.

After so many conversations regarding my return, I knew he was thinking if we revisited the stomping grounds of our youth, I would magically regain the vim and vigor that was once an integral part of me. I wasn't so sure that man lived inside of me anymore.

Lost in my thoughts, I heard my name and snapped back to attention to see Danny pull into the Tavern's graveled parking lot.

"Danny's been dying to thump his chest with you all week." Peyton smirked, as she exited the SUV while she hummed the chorus of the old Bruce Springsteen song "Glory Days" just loud enough for me to hear. I felt a smile tug at the corner of my mouth at her joke.

Feet crunching on the gravel, I realized the only thing different about the old bar was the sign had been repainted. The single paned windows, with frames the same color of chipped blue paint as the building, still looked like they would fall out if the battered junkyard doors were slammed too hard. Everything looked the same as it did when Danny and I would ride our bikes up to these very doors, to spend our junior high summers crushing cans for old man Donovan. Every garbage bag we filled with crushed cans, he gave us our pick of three bucks, or a greasy cheeseburger. It was my first experience with employment, discovering the key to getting what you want by showing up and doing a good job.

Danny slipped his arm around Lila, causing me to meet Peyton's eyes, as if to say, "See? Third wheel." That simple act of looping an arm around a woman caused a little lurch in my chest.

A group of women gathered around a high top table, hollered to Peyton to join them when we entered the dimly lit bar. I inhaled taking in the oddly comforting smell of stale beer, old cigarette smoke and burned pizza, I remembered from my youth. If I dared to mention stopping at a neighborhood tavern in LA, Lisa would berate me for my 'hick roots'. I joined Danny and Lila at the bar, ordered myself a beer and hoped Peyton wasn't abandoning us in favor of the loud women.