Stuck With You

23: An end and a beginning

*FIVE YEARS LATER*

"Don't steal another drink. I mean it." Raylen ordered, giving me a sharp, pointed look.

I set a hand over my heart. "Ouch. You really think I would dare do such a thing?"

Raylen rolled her eyes. "You're hilarious, Rylee. I don't know how anyone deals with you."

I smiled, remembering someone that used to keep up with me. "It takes a strong person, that's for sure." My eyes landed on the bracelet at my wrist. The metal wasn't as shiny as it used to be, but it was still in good condition. Even though I wore it every day.

Raylen grabbed her purse and keys. "I'm heading out. Since I closed up yesterday, you can tonight."

I waved her off. "Get out of here. I think I can handle it."

"If anything is missing, it'll be my head, so please don't take anything."

I nodded. "Okay, fine, I won't. I promise."

Raylen smiled. "Good. I'll see you tomorrow. Don't day dream about your mysterious guy too much." She left the bar without another glance.

I turned on some music and danced along with it as I wiped down the bar and cleaned up. It was always so peaceful here after closing.

I became a bartender when I became old enough, and it was actually a pretty fun job. Mixing drinks was fun, but that wasn't the only reason it was fun. I had fun acting like a bouncer.

I trained and worked out after what happened senior year with the Black Bands, and now I could really kick some serious ass. So whenever a guy would get rowdy or particularly handsy with a girl, I would take care of it. That was the funnest part of my job.

Tonight, my mind went back years ago to a certain someone. I didn't think of him that much. I didn't really have the time to since I was busy and always going. But there were times when it was quiet, when I was alone, that Kason Brooks would appear in my mind.

I no longer lived at the old motel, I had my own nice apartment in the city. But I still had his car. I would always think of it as his. I didn't know if I would ever get the chance to return it to him.

I straightened up the bar, and smiled as I set a bottle of vodka in the shelf. I hadn't had vodka since that night I got drunk so long ago. But every time I saw the drink, I thought of that drunken night. It was a blurry memory, but a good one nonetheless.

The door of the bar opened, as I continued tidying up. "Sorry, we're closed. There's a sign out there."

"Girl, you are not pushing me out."

I turned around with a bright smile. "Anne! What are you doing here?"

She came up to the bar and plopped onto a stool. "Jackson is watching the kids for the night, so I went out and acted like a crazy teenager again. I just decided to drop in and see how my bestie was doing."

I leaned against the bar. "I'm glad you thought of me. How are the twins?"

"Crazy, as usual. I swear, they're only two and it's like they're already powerful." Anne smiled. "But I love them. And Jackson is so patient with them. It makes me love him more."

I laughed. "And in high school I was joking when I said you two were going to get married."

She laughed softly. "Yeah. It's crazy how things change."

I nodded. "Life is like that, I guess." My eyes landed on my bracelet.

Anne saw where I was looking. "You still have that. Do you still have the letter too?"