Rum & Ginger by Eon de Beaumont

Author:Eon de Beaumont [Beaumont, Eon de]
Language: eng
Format: epub

THAT EVENING after Ben finished closing up T.C. McFlannigan’s, he met Derek at the B&V. Derek was already sitting at the bar with two drinks in front of him when Ben walked in. Ben hailed him and took the stool next to him at the bar. Derek pushed one of the drinks in front of Ben. “First round’s on me,” Derek said.

“Thanks.” Ben accepted the glass and drank. “So what’s up?”

Derek shrugged. “Nothin’. I just bummed around the house mostly. I was going to go into work for a bit, but eh. You?”

“Just work. Fatties and bitchers mostly.” Ben drank the smoky amber liquid. He didn’t usually go for Scotch, but this had an interesting citrus note. “Another night in the trenches.”

“Amen to that, brother,” Derek said with a salute. “Heard anything from Chance?”

Ben sighed. “Yeah. He’s texted me about twenty times and called at least ten.”

“Not answering him?”

“Not yet. I just don’t think I’m ready.” Ben shook his glass to hear the ice clink on the side.

“Afraid he’ll be able to talk you into taking him back?” Derek asked, then swallowed the last of his Scotch. He raised his hand for another.

Ben stopped him from getting his wallet out. “I got this one.” Ben wasn’t too surprised when Brodie appeared to refill Derek’s glass. “Hey,” Ben said.

“Hey,” Brodie answered. “Same?” he asked Derek. Derek nodded, and Brodie grabbed a bottle, pouring Derek’s drink. “How about you, Ben? Rum and ginger?”

“Please.” Ben watched as Brodie mixed the drink with a little flourish.

“Thirteen,” Brodie said as he placed the drink on a napkin in front of Ben.

Ben pulled a twenty from his pocket and handed it over. “Jesus. Ten-dollar Scotch?” he asked Derek.

“I like good Scotch. Life’s too short. I might as well enjoy it while I can.” Derek sipped his drink, closed his eyes, and smiled. “Ah.”

“That’s a fair point,” Ben agreed and pulled the stirrer from his drink before he brought it to his lips.

“So are you going to answer my question or what?” Derek asked.

“I don’t know. I guess in a way I want him to talk me into coming back. But I honestly don’t think he would. He’s more content to let life happen to him and roll with it. So, yeah, everything’s still too raw at the moment for me to talk to him.”

“It’s so weird to hear one dude talk about another dude like that,” Derek said, shaking his head.

“You asked,” Ben reminded him.

“True.” Derek sipped his Scotch. “Do you hate him?”

“No. Strangely enough, I don’t. I think I’m still pissed at him, but I can honestly say I don’t hate him.”

“Still love him?” Derek’s question surprised Ben. For thinking it strange to hear Ben talk about Chance in this way, Derek was sure asking pointed questions.

“In a way, I suppose. I think once I stop being pissed at him, we can probably stay friends. I mean, he probably knows me better than anyone else. And I definitely know him better than anyone.”

“You’re lucky. I know you guys weren’t married or anything, but I hate Jennie.

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