Ellery Mountain 07 - The Agent and the Model (MM) by RJ Scott

Author:RJ Scott [Scott, RJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-01-21T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Michael pushed open the door of the Alibi at ten thirty the next day.

“I’m sorry, we’re not open yet,” a fresh-faced young guy said pleasantly. He was mopping the floor and Michael remembered many hours of him doing the same thing when he’d worked a few shifts for Avery.

“I know, sorry. I was looking for Avery, or Travis.”

“Okay, you want I should get them?” Young Guy asked.

“No need!” Avery’s voice boomed from behind the bar. In a smooth move he slid his ass on the bar and in a patented manoeuvre he jumped to his feet on the other side. In a single stride, he had Michael in a bear hug. “You little shit,” he was saying. “You didn’t tell us you were coming early.”

Michael hugged back, hard. He’d missed Avery’s simple affection, and the fact that he could make everything seem utterly okay within seconds of Michael being in one of his patented hugs. “I wasn’t planning on coming down quite this early,” Michael deadpanned.

Avery stepped back and gripped Michael by the upper arms. “God, you look good. Skinny, tired, but good.” Then he pulled him back for another hug. “How long are you here for? Travis is at work but if you’re leaving straight away back to the city then I can get him here.”

“I’m staying a bit longer,” Michael said. “At least a couple of weeks.” Maybe more. Probably more.

“Awesome. Come sit down and talk to me, I’ll get you coffee.”

Michael slid onto a stool and watched as Avery busied himself making drinks. The sight was so familiar and it brought an easy smile to Michael’s face.

“What you smiling about?” Avery asked, then cursed when the steam caught his hand.

“Because every time you use that machine you manage to scald yourself,” Michael laughed.

“Damn thing wants to kill me,” Avery muttered. Then he slid the mug over to Michael, “But at least it makes damn good Joe.”

“Is Travis working up at the Centre today?”

“Yeah, he’s a full-time counsellor there now, as of last week.” Avery puffed out his chest in pride. “They’ve expanded again—have ten vets up there at the moment. Jason did a fundraiser, enough to get the McInnery Wing added to the place this summer.”

Michael laughed. “The McInnery Wing? They really called it that?”

“Jason didn’t want them to, but Daniel insisted. You know what he’s like about his baby. Are you going on Saturday?”

“To?”

“The thing Jason is doing for you and his friend that’s coming down to visit.”

“I guess so,” Michael hedged. Going to anything where he had to spend time thinking about Alex wasn’t on his to-do list. “Are you and Travis?”

“Yeah, it’s a big party, apparently. We’re even closing down the Alibi for a night.”

“A whole night?” Michael teased. “What will Ellery do for caffeine and beer?”

“Ha freaking ha,” Avery said without heat. “And yes, we’re going, wouldn’t miss one of Jason’s parties for anything. And seeing as you and his friend are the guests of honour, you kind of need to be there.

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