It's About Time (GMW - Joshaya)

Chapter 70

Maya's POV (present time)

I went over to the bar to order myself a beer. I was gonna need a buzz to make it through the rest of the evening. And who knows, maybe if the buzz is good enough, I'll get up the courage to civilly talk to Josh about everything.

The bar was so overwhelmingly crowded it seemed as though the bartender would never get to me. 

"So that's Lucas Friar?" 

My friend senses kicked in and I began to eavesdrop on a nearby conversation at the table behind me.

I peeked over my right shoulder quickly to see a fiery redhead and the distinct voice of Eric Matthews. I think the redhead is Rachel, but it's a little hard to tell since I have really only met her a handful of times. Most of those times being this week.

I leaned back on my heels to hear the conversation a little better.

"I can't believe how big he got." 

It was definitely Rachel, I noticed her voice this time. 

"Are you gonna talk to him?" Eric asked in a serious tone. 

Now they really got my attention because it wasn't often that Eric was serious. 

"Hi miss, what can I get ya?" the man at the bar tapped his hand in front of me to get my attention again.

"I, uhh--I'm still thinking. Come back to me in a minute," I managed to say while still trying to listen to Eric and Rachel's conversation.

"I don't know, Eric. It's been years. I don't wanna mess up everything he's ever known. And besides, that was never part of the deal," I could hear her biting her nails.

Out of the corner of my eye I watched Eric grab the hand from which she was biting her nails. 

"Rachel, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. He's over 18 and independent, he has a right to know you, Ashley, and Peyton, and you guys have a right to know him."

Who the hell are Ashley and Peyton? And why do they want to get to know him?

"I'm not sure. Maybe I should just stay under the radar this weekend and just go back to New Jersey. This could be an exponential disaster, especially if his father finds out," Rachel sounded concerned.

"Have you decided on what you want?" the bartender slapped a napkin on the bar top.

"Yea, uhh just get me whatever beer you have on tap," I thought off the top of my head.

"Coming right up." 

"Lucas is a good kid, like I've told you every time I've called to update you on him. He has always been really accepting and kind. Just like you," Eric paused. He grabbed Rachel's other hand.

"Here you go," the bartender placed the drink in front of me. I took a large sip as Eric continued to talk to Rachel.

"I doubt he would act any different with you. You may not have been the mom that raised him, but you're still his mom," Eric consoled her.

I literally spit out the beer and sprayed it all over the bar top. A few of Riley's distant relatives turned to face me. 

"It's more bitter than I expected," I lied to those around me.

Her relatives continued to look at me as though I had ten heads, so I just smiled and turned the other way, taking a large gulp of my beer.

Rachel is Lucas's mom? What about that crazy but sweet, health freak that bought us muffins for that project back in seventh grade.

I chugged a little more of my beer and hung out by the bar a little while longer in hopes of hearing more. 

"And What about Jack? You guys are gonna be spending a lot of time together the next couple of days. Do you think you will get the guts to tell him you still have feelings for him?" Eric said.

"Are you kidding me? Are you trying to kill me this weekend?" Rachel laughed."I'm a double divorcee with 2 daughters and a son who doesn't know I exist. Do you really think that's a selling point to rekindle an old romance."

"It is if he's still hopelessly in love with you, then yea. It doesn't matter what your story is," Eric spewed his philosophical  mumbo jumbo.

"Do you think he is still in love with me?" she asked hopefully.

"Will I ever stand a chance with you?" Eric responded. Rachel hit him on the arm. "Oww! I was only kidding. I'm happily married.. this time its a real woman, not a moose," he laughed. "And despite the fact that she's not a moose, we still don't need counseling. But yea. I mean we have remained friends after all these years. I think it's safe to say that I know my two friends well enough to know that there will always be something there between you guys. You just have to make the move because Jack will always be a little bitch."

The two of them laughed and hugged. And as I saw them push out their chairs to get up, I strolled away so that they would not suspect that I was listening.

I can't believe everything I just heard. I definitely didn't expect this when I woke up this morning.