Until the Storm Breaks by Nate Wilder

Author:Nate Wilder [Wilder, Nate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: River and Ash Publishing

CHAPTER 16

CALVIN

The Black Lantern pulls at me like gravity.

It’s been five hours since I kissed Maren. Seven hours since we agreed to talk later. Seven hours of replaying not just the kiss but that small smile when she admitted she wasn’t sorry either. The promise in “later” keeps echoing in my head.

I shouldn’t go to the bar. She’s working, and we’re supposed to talk after her shift. But I can’t stay in that cabin another minute, can’t keep pacing the same floor, can’t stop replaying this afternoon. The walk to the bar feels necessary, like movement might quiet my mind. I tell myself I’m just going for a beer, that I won’t even talk to her if she’s busy.

I’m lying to myself, but at least I’m aware of it.

The evening is cooling as I walk, that particular Pacific Northwest late summer shift where the heat breaks around seven and the air suddenly remembers the ocean. Part of me wants to have updates about the house situation, something concrete to offer Maren beyond just showing up. But what would I say? That Dominic is planning to demolish everything? That I confronted him and got nowhere? That I’m trying to figure out how to stop it but have no actual power? None of that helps her. It just adds to the weight she’s already carrying.

The crowd is building when I walk in, the after-work rush filling the room with familiar noise. I take a seat at the far end of the bar, away from the main traffic but with a clear view of the room. And the door to the back office. And the kitchen pass. Basically anywhere Maren might appear from.

Lark spots me immediately and saunters over. Her grin is absolutely wicked. “Well, well, well. Look who’s here.”

“Just here for a beer, Lark,” I say, fighting a smile of my own.

“Uh-huh.” She grins wider. “Maren’s in the back. But I’m sure she’ll be out soon.” The way she says it, drawing out the word ‘soon,’ suggests she knows exactly what happened and is enjoying every second of this.

“Mmm,” I say noncommittally, settling in more comfortably on the stool.

“One beer for the man who’s definitely not waiting for anyone in particular.” She’s already reaching for a glass, clearly enjoying herself.

I can’t help but laugh at that. “You’re subtle, Lark.”

“Subtlety’s overrated.” She sets the pint in front of me with a wink. “Besides, you’re not exactly hiding it well.”

She heads back to her other customers, still grinning. I take a long swallow of the Rainier. It goes down crisp and cold, just bitter enough to steady me, just familiar enough to remind me I’ve sat at this bar more nights than I can count.

I’m contemplating ordering food just to have an excuse to stay longer when Adrian walks in, a familiar-looking woman trailing behind him. Of course he’s back. Because this day needed another complication. The universe clearly has a sense of humor, and it’s aimed directly at me.

Adrian spots me and his face lights up.

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