Ruined by You (5 page)

“Did you two sleep well?” Grandma asked. Sarah and I both nodded. “Sit down, sit down,” she urged. “Breakfast is almost ready.”

Mom kept her eyes on me as I slumped into the chair next to her. Sarah sat across from me, and I was jealous of how awake she was, already.

“Have a good night?” Mom asked, her eyes studying me intently.

“It was a lot of fun,” Sarah said, excitedly. “It’s nice having a girl to go out with, for once.”

Mom’s eyes shifted and she studied Sarah for a beat. “As long as you two were safe,” she said.

“They were with Huck,” Grandma said. “He wouldn’t let them get into any trouble.”

Mom breathed a sigh, but smiled. “So, tell me all about it,” she said. “Your first night at a bar.”

“Well, we ended up not staying out very long,” I said. “There was a little mix up involving a full glass of water and my blouse.”

Mom’s eyes rose, and she almost laughed. “You’ve got to watch out for the drunks at the bar,” she said.

“You’ve also got to watch out for the crazy red heads who are just too clumsy for their own good,” I sighed.

That time she did laugh, and it made me feel good. We smiled at each other, and I was happy that she wasn’t upset that I had been out at a bar. It wasn’t long ago that she would have been furious.

“We also have some good news to share,” Sarah said. I looked at her, confused. She gave me a reassuring smile. “We were talking to Scottie, and he thinks that he might be able to help Maggie with a summer job.”

“That’s great news, dear,” Grandma said as she cracked and egg into a pan.

Mom’s face folded over in confusion. “Who’s Scottie?” she asked.

“He owns the Saloon,” Sarah said, excitedly. “The bar we went to.”

A twinge of panic crept into me when Sarah said the last part. I could see the lines in my Mom’s cheek as her lips pinched together, tightly. She might have been all right with me going to the bar, but there were still limits.

She gave me a hard look. “Maggie, you can’t work at a bar. You’re only eighteen.”

“I don’t think it’s for a job at the bar,” I said, quickly.

“But you’re going to be working for the owner?” she asked, her palm making a confused gesture.

“He’s a wonderful person,” Grandma said, over another egg.

“You know him?” Mom asked.

Grandma shrugged. “He’s done a lot for Green Falls since he came to town,” she said. “And if he’s got something for Maggie, there’s no doubt that it’ll be good for her.” She looked over at Mom, and gave her a warm look. “I think
you’d
like him,” she said, with a mischievous grin.

I scrunched my nose, not wanting to think about what she meant.

“I never would have guessed you would be friends with a bar owner,” Mom said.

“Don’t judge a book by its cover,” she said. “He came to town a few years ago with dreams and money,” she said. She set out a few plates on the counter, and started heaping food onto them. The smells were driving me wild. “He opened the bar, first. Then, there was that music thing…”

“The Battle of the Bands,” Sarah chirped, quickly. Grandma gave her a warm nod.

“And after that was the new Boys & Girls Recreation Center,” she said.

She grabbed the full plates, and ushered them over us. My eyes widened as I saw the eggs, bacon, and biscuits set in front of me. “Eat up before it gets cold,” she said.

Grandma didn’t have to tell us twice. Sarah and I both grabbed our forks and dug in. After spending days on the road, Grandma’s home-cooked breakfast was exactly what I needed.

Mom watched us eat while she considered what Grandma had said. “So you have an interview with him for some job?” she asked. “Did he say what you’d be doing?”

I shook my head. “I’m sure we’ll talk about it today,” I said, after swallowing a huge bite.

Her back straightened. “The interview is today?” she said.

“We didn’t have any other plans, did we?” I asked.

Mom’s head tilted to the side, and she shook her head. “It’s just so sudden,” she said. She considered it for a while longer, and I was worried that she was going to make up some reason that I wouldn’t be able to go. But, she didn’t. “I’m happy for you,” she said. “Just remember, be polite, speak when spoken to, and be yourself.”

“It’s not a big deal, Mom,” I said. I took a few more bites.

“What are you two doing today?” Sarah asked.

Mom glanced up at Grandma. “We’re driving into the city,” she said. She smiled. “We have a fun day of sight seeing and shopping planned.”

“San Antonio?” Sarah asked.

“Yes, San Antonio,” Grandma said. “And we’re doing lunch with my friend Judy. You remember her, don’t you, Maggie?”

I thought about it. Her name sounded familiar.

“I think so,” I said.

“That sounds fun,” Sarah said, between bites.

“We should go too,” I said, quickly. “A day of shopping sounds like fun. We can make it a girl’s day.”

“Tut, tut,” Mom said, sharply. “You have the interview.”

“I’m sure it won’t last long, we can leave as soon as it’s over,” I said.

Mom shook her head. “We have all summer,” she said. “Grandma and I want to get away and catch up with each other.”

I blew out a sigh and nodded my head. Mom studied me for a moment longer, and then looked at Sarah.

“Sarah, do you know when your parents are supposed to be back?”

Sarah shrugged between bites. “I don’t know for sure. But they’re usually never gone more than a couple weeks. We could call them and find out if you want.”

Mom scrunched her nose. “Your mom knows we’re in town. I’m sure they’ll be back before long.” She sipped at her coffee. “I can’t wait to see her again,” she added, afterward. “It’s been too long.”

I spent the rest of the morning getting ready for the interview. And most of the time spent getting ready, was spent in the shower. The steaming hot water helped to wash the grime of the night away. I let it run down my hair, and let my hair stick to my back, and tried to let it wash away all of my problems, too.

I held my eyes closed, and images of Haden flashed into my mind. I felt like an idiot, for the way I had treated him. He was trying to be nice to me, and I had blown him off for no reason. I supposed that it didn’t really matter - I was never going to see him again. In a week he would just be a memory.

Besides, in a couple months I’d be going to college thousands of miles away. I didn’t need to be getting involved with any guys--it would only make leaving more difficult.
 

Around eleven-thirty, Sarah and I jumped into her silver Passat and drove into the town. It was a very different drive in the light of day, and I got to see just how much Green Falls had grown since I was a kid. New businesses and homes had popped up all over town, and everything had a much more modern feel than I remembered.

We pulled up outside of the Saloon just before noon. The parking lot was nearly empty, and compared to the night before, the place looked abandoned.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been here during the day,” Sarah laughed as we made our way to the front door. I pulled the door open, and had to let my eyes adjust to the dim light inside.

Making our way into the bar, I saw a group of people milling around a tiny stage at the far end. There was a half assembled drum kit, and a few guitars lined up on racks. I was shocked to see that there was a tiny stage in the place--it hadn’t been visible through the crowd the night before.

“What’s going on here?” I asked.

“Scottie likes to get live bands to play on Saturday nights,” Sarah said. “It looks like they’re getting setup.”

“Do you know them?” I asked.

“Green Falls is pretty small, but I don’t know
everybody
,” Sarah laughed.

“Well, get on it,” I said, teasing her.

There was no sign of Scottie, anywhere. The place echoed with the sound of the musicians setting everything up, and I tried to imagine how loud it would be when they were playing in full force.

The door opened behind us, and light washed in from outside. Sarah and I both turned to see Scottie rushing in.

“Sorry,” he said. “Running a bit late. Have a seat at the bar, I’ll be right out.”

He said it all while looking at me as he walked past. He didn’t stop to say hello or anything, and he quickly disappeared to the back of the bar.

“That’s my cue,” Sarah said. “Good luck, don’t be nervous, you’ll do great.”

“Where are you going?” I asked, suddenly nervous.

She smiled at me. “I’m going to call Huck,” she said. “I think I owe him an apology.” Her mouth pinched shut, and she looked even more nervous that I was.

“Good luck to us both, then,” I said.

“No kidding,” she said, and she took off for the door.

Climbing onto a stool at the bar, I tried to keep my hands from shaking. I’d never had a job before. Hell, I’d never even interviewed for one. Mom always made me focus on school, and while she never told me I couldn’t have a job, she made her preferences known.

But, things were different now. I was going off to school, and there was no way I could afford it without getting a job. If I got a summer job, I wouldn’t have to work full time during the semester.

A few minutes passed by while I watched the band set up. The drummer managed to get the entire drum kit setup and began tweaking it to his liking. He repositioned a few of the stands, and twisted knobs on others. It reminded me of a painter who had to make sure his colors were in a certain order. There was a beauty in the process.

“I’m starting to wonder if you’re stalking me,” said someone behind me.

I recognized the voice, immediately.

Haden was wearing a tight black t-shirt with faded blue jeans. When our eyes met, he flashed a bright smile.

“What are you doing here?” I managed, after a second.

Haden sat facing me, leaning casually into the side of the bar. He smiled at me for a long moment before he answered.

“I was going to ask you the same thing,” he said.

“I’m meeting with the owner,” I said, indignantly.

“Scottie?” he asked. “Why?”

My eyes narrowed. “For someone who’s new to town, you sure do meet people quickly,” I said.

Haden chuckled, warmly. He spread his palms out. “What can I say? People seem to like talking to me.”

This one’s trouble.

“If I’m not mistaken, you’re pretty new around here, too,” he said.

I shrugged. “He’s a friend of the family. My cousin introduced me last night.”

“The girl you were with?” he asked.

I pursed my lips together, but gave a slight nod.

“Well, I’m glad to hear
someone
was able to get through to you last night,” he said.

“Are you always this nosey?” I asked.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “Each time I see you I just want to talk to you.” He flashed another smile, and I felt my resolve wavering.

What did he mean by that? I was determined to keep my wits about me, but I could tell he wasn’t going to make it very easy.

He studied me for a second, and then his brow scrunched and he tapped the bar, nervously. “I’m not used to being blown off,” he said, rolling his shoulder.

God, why does he have to be so cute?

“I’m sure that blond would have kept you company,” I said.

I meant it to sound harsh, so he knew I meant business, but it came out sounding more desperate than anything.

A smile spread across his face. “She got about as far with me as I did with you,” he said.

His eyes focused on mine, and I noticed the fire that flickered behind the emerald green. Those eyes were dangerous.

“I’m sure there were plenty more where she came from,” I suggested.

He shrugged and looked down at the bar, then back at me. “I’m not interested in the girls where she’s from.”

His voice was soft, but he said it with such intensity that I was left reeling. I found myself being drawn toward him, despite my every effort to keep him at a distance. I’d seen what happens when a guy plays you for a fool, and I wasn’t interested in it.

I breathed a slow breath, and composing myself before I said anything else.

“You never told me what you were doing here,” I said.

Haden nodded his head at the band.

“Scottie told me I should come check them out,” he said. “A sound check is as nice a way as any to kill an afternoon.”

“You’re hanging out around here just to listen to these guys get warmed up?” I said. “Don’t you have anything better to do than hang around a bar all day?”

“Not today,” he said.

I studied him intently for a long moment while. There was something different about him that I couldn’t put my finger on. He seemed so comfortable with himself that it somehow put me at ease. But, I didn’t want to be at ease around him.

Scottie appeared from the back in a flurry. I let out a held breath when he appeared.

“Sorry about the wait,” he said. Then, he noticed Haden, and his focus changed. “Haden,” he said, sounding lighter. “Glad to see you could make it out.”

Haden nodded. “Looks like I’m still a bit early.”

“Nonsense, you’re welcome anytime.”

“Thanks,” Haden said. “Well, I’ll let you two get to it.” Before he got up, he turned and faced me again. “In case you have a little time to kill this afternoon, too,” he said, his voice soft, meant for only me. “I’ll be sitting right over there.” He tilted his head toward the other end of the bar, and then vanished in a fast walk.

My eyes tracked him to the far end of the bar, where he climbed atop a stool. He leaned back against his elbows, and focused on the band.

He doesn’t have a care in the world, does he?

I turned back to Scottie and smiled, but my thoughts lingered on Haden. I could feel the pull of him just as surely as if he were sitting right next to me. He was a puzzle that I needed to figure out. I was afraid of what might happen, if I didn’t.

* * * * *

Scottie leaned over the other side of the bar. He was at home there. He looked at me for a long moment, a smile touching his lips. It was a knowing smile, one that threw me even more off guard than I already was.