Everyone Has Something To Hide

Chapter Nine

Juliane heads into downtown, the square closed down for booths and carnival rides -- resembling a block party. A stage and a screen for the movie later also set up. Juliane, her parents, and Trevor walk around, having a good time and smiling in what seems like forever for herself. She looks over, eyeing Link behind a booth. She excuses herself, and walks over.

"Hey," she greets, looking around.

"Hey," he smiles, excusing himself from the workers -- teenagers he has working on the farm. "How are you doing? You look beautiful by the way."

"Thank you," she nods. "So, what do you have going on at your booth today?"

"Mostly vegetables honestly, nothing crazy."

"Hey, it works."

"You look happy," Link smiles.

"I am," she nods.

"Good, you deserve to be happy. I need to get back to the children handling my booth," he smirks. "I'll see you guys after we finish up. Should only be an hour or so."

"Hey you okay?" Juliane looks over at Trevor, sliding her hand on his thigh.

"What? Yeah, I'm fine," he smiles softly. "Now who's this guy you were talking about? Your mom's crush?"

Juliane smirks. "You've already met him, that was Link. He brings her groceries. He's relatively new in town. Mom seems to like him. He's actually a pretty good guy," Juliane says, looking down at her phone. "Turn right here," she points as Trevor turns into a modern looking bar.

The two get out, Trevor locking the car behind them and sliding his hand into Juliane's, something he hasn't done for a while. They walk into the bar, the very lively crowd overpopulating the room. Juliane sees Link and Éliane sitting at the bar.

"Hey guys," Juliane walks up, patting Link on the back. Éliane and Link turning to face the couple.

"Hey you made it!" Link shouts, getting up and giving Juliane a comforting hug -- not seeing Trevor's face. "Nice to see you again man," Link nods. "This is my business partner Éliane," Link introduces.

"Hello," Éliane nods.

"Would you like a shot?" Link offers, noticing Trevor's eyes escape Juliane and gaze on Éliane.

"A shot of what?" Juliane asks, sliding on the barstool.

"Whatever you'd like."

"Do you have Southern Comfort?" she turns from Link and asks the bartender.

"Of course," the male on other end nods.

"Do you want anything Trev?" Juliane turns, catching Trevor off guard.

"What? Oh, no but a beer is fine."

The bartender nods, retrieving a beer and popping the top before setting it down on the bar. He then grabs the Southern Comfort bottle and three shot glasses, pouring a generous amount of the brown liquid before presenting the shot glasses to Juliane, Link and Éliane.

"To the beautiful women that drive us nuts," Link raises his shot glass. Of course everyone cheers. They throw the shots back. "Hey, we are going to have a few people over for dinner tomorrow, would you guys like to come?" Link invites.

"Yeah we can do that, right Trev?"

"Yeah, that shouldn't be a problem," he nods, looking over at Link.

"So Trevor what do you do?" Link asks, taking a sip of his drink.

"I work in Finance," Trevor answers blandly, taking another sip and looking away.

Juliane rolls her eyes, looking over at Link. "I'm sorry," she mouths.

"Link huh? Is that short for something?" Trevor asks.

Link clenches his jaw. "Yeah it's short for Lincoln."

Trevor nods. "What do you do Lincoln?"

"Trevor..." Juliane sighs.

"An array of things. I like to keep things interesting."

"You from around here?" Trevor questions more.

"I moved here about three years ago."

"Alright, not the question but okay," Trevor says, taking another sip. "I have to leak, keep your hands to yourself now okay?" Trevor sets his beer down, pointing at Link and winking before walking away.

"I'm sorry," Juliane sighs. "He's not like this all the time."

"Oh it's okay. I'm used to handling assholes."

Juliane gives him a look.