“I could take her,” she said between laughs.
“Damn straight you could. Hell, you could take me and I’m like twice your size.”
Her laugh deepened, and she flexed her small bicep then faked a snarl. “And don’t you forget it. Next time you mess up it’s not going to be Jake pummeling you into a bloody pulp. I’ll happily take my turn.”
My laugher sputtered off and shame crept back over me like a shroud I couldn’t seem to shed.
“Sorry.” She grimaced and her laughter sputtered out. “Force of habit.”
“It’s okay.”
“No.” She shook her head. “Jenna is right. I have to find it in my heart to forgive you. I mean, you have been an incredible friend for the majority of my life.”
“Yeah? You really think you can forgive me?”
“I’m going to try, Matt. I promise I am.”
I basked in her words, feeling the tug of hope in the center of my chest. “All that I can ask and more than I deserve. I missed this, Jo. Us. Just hanging out.”
“Yeah,” she said on a sigh. “I suppose I did, too.”
Angie arrived with our beers and slid mine in front of me with a seductive grin. “Just let me know if you need anything at all.”
Jo’s groan rolled out of her full pink lips before she shoved her bottle of beer between them to stop it.
“Thanks, Angie.” I took my beer and turned away from her as quickly as I could, hoping it gave her the hint. Tonight was about Jo... and only Jo.
“Anything at all.” She winked again.
Nope. Still didn’t get the hint.
“So,” I said, changing the subject. “I have news.”
“Yeah? What kind of news?” Jo asked.
“I got a job offer today. Down at the Sister Bay Marina. I’ll be renting boats and jet skis.”
“Seriously?”
“Yep. Ran into Ted Anders when I went fishing there today. Remember him?”
“Yep. Jill’s dad, right? Your old fishing buddy.”
Noise buzzed around us, so I leaned in closer. “That’s the one. Well, he’s managing the boat rental and needs a body who knows their way around boats.”
“You certainly fit the bill.”
“Yeah. I think it will be good. I called my boss in Baileys Harbor today and gave him the news. Turns out I got lucky and there are a few people lined up who want my job, so I can start by the end of the week.”
She angled her torso toward me, and I fought the itch to drape my arm around her. “That’s awesome, Matt. Driving to Baileys Harbor every day is a serious pain in the ass. That’s why I left the Blue Ox for JJ’s.”
“Exactly. And now I can spend my days on the water and fish when it’s slow.”
“That’s pretty perfect for you. Lucky you went fishing today.”
“Right?” I grinned. “Who knew it would land me a job instead of a fish.”
“What’s your plan for the winter, then? Don’t they shut down by Fall Fest.”
“They do, so I’m not sure.” I swiped a hand along the back of my neck. “I mean, I know your place is only temporary, so I guess I’ll figure out where I’m moving to full-time and then figure it out from there.”
“Always swinging like a monkey from one career to the next.”
“I know.” I took a sip of my beer, then sighed. “When am I going to realize I’m not twenty-one anymore, buckle down and find a permanent job?”
Jo shrugged. “Eh. How many of our friends do we know who went off to college, got the ‘dream job’ and are absolutely miserable cooped up inside, sucking down lungfuls of stale air?”
“A lot.” I laughed.
“Exactly. You were one of them. But you realized office life wasn’t for you, so you went after a life that would make you happy. I think that’s something to be proud of, not ashamed of. Most people aren’t brave enough to give up the security of a nine to five to find happiness. To go against the normal standards of society and do what makes them happy. You’re brave. Be proud of that.”
My focus started to waver as the intoxicating sensation of her sliver of forgiveness weaved through me. “Wow. Thanks, Jo. That means a lot to me that you don’t think I’m just a lazy, meandering bum.”
She chuckled, another layer of darkness evaporating from her expression. “Not at all. People are always asking me when I’m going to get a ‘real job’, and I just smile and laugh. When I tell them I make more in four days bartending than most of them make in a week, even with their college degrees and fancy jobs, it shuts them up pretty quick. Not to mention I have almost every day off to enjoy the sunshine, three months off every winter when we close down, and a lot of fun most nights... well, when I’m not getting my ass kicked. I love bartending. It suits me. I wish people would get that and not think it’s my ‘fallback’, or something I’m doing because I don’t have another option. I’ve got plenty of options. Just none that are a better fit for my life.”
“Right?” I sighed. “People don’t get that there’s a lot more to life than making six-figures sitting in a stuffy office. Some things in life are worth more than money. I may float between careers, but at least I’m not dreading going into work every day and counting the hours until I can leave. I like what I do, until I don’t... then I pick something else.”
“You get bored with jobs easily. Your need to be challenged regularly. So why lock yourself down to one thing and be miserable for all your days just because you ‘should’? I think it’s good you change it up.”
Her ability to recognize my values felt like someone punching the gas on my emotions, flooding an ache into my limbs. An ache that wanted more Jo. “I’m glad someone understands my need to keep life interesting.”
“You’ve always been that way. And I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all. It’s just who you are.”
Of all the people that had come and gone from my life, none understood me better than Jo. It was part of why losing her friendship had torn my soul to shreds.
“Thanks, Jo. That means a lot. But I do think I should try to find a career I can enjoy and stick with for more than a few seasons.”
“What about being a handyman? You’re so good at it. And it’s always something different.”
“You know, I’ve been trying to figure out how to do something with that. I love puttering around with different projects. Maybe after I’m done with your cabin, I’ll look into how one becomes a professional putterer.”
Jo laughed, and this time it came out more naturally. “Professional putterer. I like it. Maybe we can make that your business name.”
Holding my hands out like I framed a sign, I grinned. “Matt’s Professional Puttering Services. It has a ring.”
Pursing her lips, she shook her head and laughed. “I take that back. No one will ever hire you.”
Feigning my disappointment, I swung a fist through the air between us. “Damn. I’ll keep working on it.”
As I watched her struggle, the air between us crackled with all the words that remained unspoken. I held my breath, waiting for her to regress back into her anger, but then she surprised me. “And about my cabin. I don’t actually expect you to do all that work on it.”
Scoffing, I sat back. “Are you saying you don’t trust me to turn your crappy cabin into a kick-ass beachfront getaway?”
“No.” She lifted an eyebrow. “I’m saying that I was wicked pissed at you and wanted you to suffer if you insisted on living with me. Since I’m working on this whole forgiveness thing, I just want you to know I don’t expect you to basically give me thousands and thousands of dollars of free labor.”
“Well, too bad. Because I’ve got my heart set on fixing that place up. So, don’t try to stop me.”
“Only if you’re doing it because you want to, and not because you think you have to.”
“Jo,” I said, my smile sliding away as I looked into her eyes. “I want to help you fix up your place. You deserve an awesome place to call home, and I am s
o very grateful you opened your other room to me. Even when you hated me.”
A smile played across her lips. “Okay. But only if you’re sure.”
I nodded. “I’m sure. And I’ll try to do my work when you’re bartending, so I don’t drive you bananas.”
“Deal.” She lifted her beer in a toast, and I paused, realizing the significance of the small gesture.
A peace offering. A sign of friendship. A sign of her forgiveness. The ringing of our bottles together echoed deep in my soul, and I let loose a grin so wide I worried my face would rip.
“Deal.”
As we sat there for an hour sipping our beer and listening to the music, Jo continued softening toward me, her knee-jerk insults diminishing with each interaction. Seeing her smile again, and having it directed at me, felt like the first day in spring after a long winter. The first rays of sunlight illuminating a dark, grey world. I’d known I had missed her... God how I’d missed her, but even I hadn’t processed just how much until tonight. There’d been a hole in my heart when she’d vacated it, and I hadn’t realized until now just how big that hole was. I was surprised it’d managed to keep beating with the few slivers she’d left behind when she’d walked out of my world. But tonight, with each smile, each laugh, a little bit of my heart returned.
“No. Way!” a familiar voice echoed behind us and we spun in our seats.
“Hey, Andrea,” I said, giving a little wave to one of our high school classmates.
“Jo? Matt? It is you!” She pushed through the crowds and tossed an arm around each of us, pulling us in for a group hug.
Her high-pitched squeals caused me to grimace.
“Oh my God, it’s been years!” she continued, and her squeals got louder while her grip tightened.
When she finally let us go, Jo and I exchanged a quick glance. No doubt her thoughts mirrored mine. We’d never been close with Andrea in high school, yet she was acting like we were all the best of friends reunited after ages apart.
“Honey! These are my friends from high school, Matt and Jo.” She pointed to us while she gestured to the little man in glasses who followed through the crowd she’d parted. “This is my husband, Allen.”
“Nice to meet you.” He extended a hand, and I shook it.
“I can’t believe you two still hang out together. Honey, Jo and Matt were best friends since like...” She looked between us. “Well, forever! And I guess some things never change, because here they are all these years later and they’re still besties! I love it!”
Jo and I shifted in our seats, an awkward glance passing between us while she chewed on her lower lip. Last year that observation would have been accurate. Tonight, I was just grateful to be this close to Jo without getting an elbow to the face.
“Andrea and I are up visiting for a week this summer,” Allen said. “We live in Dubuque now.”
“That’s right.” Andrea grinned. “Met this handsome stallion in college and we moved there a few years ago. But I told Allen it had been too many years since I’d been home, so we hopped in the car and came up. And here you both are... and nothing has changed. Just love it, love it, love it!”
“Yep. Nothing changed at all,” Jo said, sliding another glance my way.
“Just the same old Jo and Matt,” I added, glad Jo was playing along and not dishing that I’d banged Jake’s fiancé, broke up the band, and was just now tonight poking my head above water.
“Well, it has been so fun seeing you both. I’ve got to show Allen all around town, but I’m sure I’ll see you two around before we head back next week. Small towns and all.”
“Looking forward to it,” I lied.
“Nice to meet you, Allen. And good to see you again, Andrea.” Jo forced a smile.
With one last awkward group hug, Andrea said goodbye. Jo and I blew out a mirrored breath of relief and spun back to face the bar.
“She hasn’t changed at all.” Jo laughed. “You’d think she was still leading the pep squad with all that energy and excitement.”
“Does she ever not smile? Ever?” I shook my head. “It must be exhausting always being that perky.”
“No fucking thank you.” Jo shook her head.
“Agreed.” I lifted my beer and Jo clinked hers against it. “It’s so weird we saw her. I was just looking at a picture of us in the yearbook from her fourteenth birthday at Nicolet Beach. Do you remember that day?” I asked, the memory flooding back to me like it was yesterday.
“You mean the birthday party when her parents rented the entire beach, pretty much brought in a freaking carnival, and had that big band come and play? Oh yeah... I remember. My fourteenth birthday consisted of a couple of cards and some cupcakes.”
“That day was crazy. Everyone was there. Not so much because we liked her, but the party was off the hook.”
“Oh my God!” Jo almost spit out her beer. “That was the day we went jet skiing, and I flipped you off the back.” Her eyes squeezed shut while she tossed her head back and dissolved into laughter. “You flew so far!”
Her laughter was contagious, and I joined it while I remembered the moment vividly. “No warning. No ‘hang on’. No nothing. You just gunned it and cranked it left, and I did a full-on air-show for everyone watching at the party. Man, that hurt!”
“So funny!” She continued cackling at my expense, but her genuine smile eased my pain.
“Says you... the one who didn’t get a face wash in front of the whole eighth grade class.”
“Ahhh, the good old days. That was fun. I don’t think I’ve been jet skiing since that day.”
“Probably a good thing, considering you almost killed me.”
Jo shrugged and smiled. “You’re tough. You lived.”
“My body, yes. Not so much my pride. Everyone teased me for weeks.”
She waggled her eyebrows. “You should have held on tighter.”
The other memory I had from that day remained hidden, but now that the gates had opened on memory lane, it hit me like a brick. It was the reason why I hadn’t been holding on tight. Andrea’s parents had provided jet skis for the party, and when Jo had asked if I wanted to go, I’d said yes in a heartbeat. After she’d insisted on driving, I’d realized I would have to ride behind her. When she’d hopped on wearing nothing but a life jacket and her bikini, I’d had to wrap my arms around her waist. The minute I’d slid my hands across her bare skin, all those feelings I’d been harboring for her exploded like a bomb inside me.
We’re just friends, we’re just friends, I had chanted in my mind while she drove off with me skipping across the waves. Unable to withstand the torture of having her so close, of holding her in my arms like I’d done only in my dreams, I’d pushed myself to the back of the jet ski and let go of her... the girl that had sent my fourteen-year-old hormones into overdrive. It didn’t take long for Jo to get ballsy with her steering skills, and soon me and my hormones were cooling off in the bay after she sent me flying.
“I’m never riding behind you on a jet ski again.”
“Whatevs,” she teased. “I had mad skills.”
“Remind me not to let you teach the tourists how to jet ski this summer when I’m at work. It’s my job to make sure they have fun and get back safe. With you at the helm they’ll all end up in the ER.”
Jo laughed, shrugging her shoulders. “Fair enough.”
We both let our laughter trickle off, and silence settled around us again. But this time it didn’t feel awkward. The silence wasn’t the product of her anger, her actively ignoring the best friend she could no longer stand. This time the silence was comfortable, a silence shared between friends while they reminisced about a lifetime of memories together. Good memories.
“You working tomorrow?” she asked, and I shook my head.
“Nope. Day off. You?”
“Monday Funday for me as well.”
“Sweet. You got any plans?”
She shook her head. “Nope.”
“Me neither. I
might get started on your place, if that’s okay.”
“Fine by me. I’m planning on finding a spot in the sun and soaking up the summer rays.”
“You certainly earned it after how hard you busted it at JJ’s this weekend.”
She nodded and lifted her empty beer. “So, since neither of us need to get up tomorrow, we staying for another?”
She wanted to stay out with me. In my eyes, that was another mark of the success I was making in repairing the rift between us.
“Absolutely. You up for a round of bar dice?”
Jo grinned wide. “You really want to get your ass kicked again?”
“Let’s not forget, you do lose sometimes. If you didn’t, I’d be sleeping in my truck.” Waggling my brows, I taunted her with a smile.
“You’re on.”
We flagged down the bartender and argued over who shook first.
Just like old times.
We’re back.
CHAPTER SEVEN
JO
That smell. It tantalized my nostrils and forced my eyes to blink open. My favorite smell in the world.
Bacon.
Pushing off my blanket, I stretched and then tossed on my robe. Petunia meowed from her perch at the foot of my bed, then looked to her partially full bowl, but this time I ignored her pleas.
“Finish up what you have. Starving cats in the world and all.” I shook a finger at her, but those pleading eyes met mine and I remembered how thin she was when I’d found her. A mangled ball of fur hanging off her emaciated frame. “Ugh. Fine. But this is the last time. The last time. Starting tomorrow you have to finish all your perfectly good food before I fill it again.”
When I grabbed the bag of cat food, she chirped and hopped down, rubbing against my legs as I filled it back up.
“So spoiled.” I petted her head and then marched out my bedroom door, following my nose to the smell that made my stomach grumble.
When I stepped into the living room, Matt stood in the kitchenette pushing bacon around in the pan. He looked up, and that bright white smile stretched across his face.
“Morning, Roomster! Breakfast of champions coming right up.”
The Other Room (Door Peninsula Passions Book 2) Page 7
