Beyond Words by Diane O'Key

Author:Diane O'Key [O'Key, Diane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2014-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Exchanging pleasantries with a customer, Trey boxed her mug, tucked it in the bag of books. And tried to pretend that Abby, within arm’s reach at the register, was merely a casual co-worker. That he didn’t remember clear to his bones the feel of her, the taste. Not to mention the hundred ways she touched his heart.

Just drop me into a cannon and shoot me headfirst into a wall.

He’d blown it. Big time.

Despite—perhaps because of—her response to his kiss two days ago—and she had responded, dammit—she now spoke to him only when necessary and kept her distance when possible. She’d walked to work extra-early both mornings since and refused his offer last night to drive her home. For the life of him, he didn’t know what to do.

Maybe his ‘date’ this evening with Will Tanner at Sweeney’s Bar and Grill would provide some answers.

At eight forty-five, having muscled his SUV up countless inclines and around more-than-he-wanted-to-think-about blind curves, Trey arrived at Elmo’s. Hoping he blended in with jeans and a beige GAP sweatshirt beneath his bomber jacket, he shrugged the tension from his shoulders and nodded in response to Will’s quick thumbs-up as he approached the back corner table.

Relaxed conversation underscored the short-order cook’s calls to pick up orders. Cigarette smoke swirled toward the green acoustical-tile ceiling before being sucked out the open double doors. Separating the tables from the every-stool-occupied oak bar, a pool table claimed center stage. Three strategically placed TVs blared pre-game-show stats and Collingsworth’s commentary. A sports bar was a sports bar was a sports bar.

Finger-combing his windblown hair, Trey slipped off his jacket, draped it over the back of the chair beside Will’s, and nodded to the other two men across the table.

“Tom Adams, Jimmy Jenkins,” Tanner said, “this is Trey Dalton, Abby Mathieson’s new business partner.”

“Pleased t’ meet ya,” each said in turn as Trey shook hands.

“Same here.” When the waitress hurried to their table in response to Will’s head jerk, Trey offered, “This round’s on me.”

“Right nice of ya.” Tom’s smile lit his gray-blue eyes and deepened the creases in his weathered face.

Mid-fifties, Trey estimated, silver-streaked dark hair, a shade overweight. Jimmy looked closer to Will’s age, almost bald, thin, with somber brown eyes and a two-day stubble on his pointed chin.

All four ordered beers and settled back to watch the kick-off. From the corner of his eye, Trey caught Will’s anxious sideways glance when the Dolphins returned it to the forty-yard line. Boos and catcalls echoed off the walls.

Before he could reassure Tanner he’d taken his warning about cheering for the Fins to heart, Will whipped a worn Panthers ball cap from his rear pocket and plunked it on Trey’s head.

“I got it,” he muttered. “Do I look stupid enough to tangle with this crowd?”

Most were young, many large and muscular, all clearly serious about their football. He wouldn’t want to take on any one of them, much less the whole bunch.

“See ya don’t. Like Toby Keith says,” Will drawled, “‘I ain’t as good as I once was.

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