Randall and I had been friends since high school. He was a good man, and steady jobs weren’t a dime a dozen in Skagway. There were tourist jobs, which brought a lot of people from the mainland, but day-in, day-out jobs that paid the bills throughout the winter were harder to come by.
“Tell Randall to leave it in Juneau and that there’s no hard feelings.” I had a few contacts I could call. Chazz was Randall’s boss. That asshole would not pressure me to come crawling to him.
As Create walked to the front, he said, “Will do. Do you know what’s going on?”
“A sister with a vendetta.”
Crete shook his head. “I saw the newsletter. People have been talking about it all day in the bar. It’s rubbing them the wrong way after the dinner Chazz threw for Mayor Richards two nights ago.”
“I would imagine. Tell Randall to stop by for dinner on the house. It’ll be good to catch up with him.” We’d tried to meet up a few times, but our schedules seemed to conflict.
“Will do.”
People in our town were loyal. Chazz Hennington was still considered an outsider by many. And Chazz’s latest move would spread through the town, alienating him more.
Crete walked away, and I cracked my neck. I should have kept my mouth shut to the Twiner sisters. This blowback was the last thing I wanted to deal with. I leaned against the wall to think this through.
My liquor came from Juneau. It had to be ferried to Haines first and then to Skagway. I loved my town, but it was hard as fuck to get stuff there. The delivery company I used was owned by Chazz. Fucker. There were rumors that Reeser, a longtime friend, was interested in expanding his warehouse business. I would call him, see what his thoughts were. If not, he might be able to recommend someone. With winter around the corner, delivery companies were doing their peak business. It was hard to get space unless you had a standing appointment.
I walked back to my office, thinking about solutions. Lex probably didn’t want to hang out on the couch, so I’d take her somewhere more private, get her settled, and then come back here to get everything straightened out.
Chapter Seventeen
Drake
As I stepped back inside my office, Lex sat up.
“Is everything okay?”
It was best to keep it straight and simple. I wouldn’t want her to keep stuff from me. “The delivery company I use won’t pick up my liquor in Juneau.”
“Who do you use?”
“Hennington Express.”
That said it all, and Lex’s face dropped. “Oh no! Drake, I’m so sorry. I’ll call Raquel and try to get it sorted out.”
“No, that’s what she wants. I’ll find a way to get the liquor, and anything else I need, delivered. Hennington Express isn’t the only game in town.” I could tell there was a lot of turmoil within her. I framed Lex’s face with my hands. “I mean it. I brought this on myself. It’s fine; I’ll get it worked out. I’m not worried.”
And I wasn’t. But man, it irritated me. Now, I had to sort this out instead of being with Lex.
As she searched my eyes, I hoped she saw that I meant what I said. She looked at the clock. “We can meet at your parents’ later.”
There was no way I’d let her just leave by herself. If she really wanted to go to my parents’, I would either drive her or follow her out there. However, there was another option, so I threw it out there. “Or we can stay at my place tonight.”
It would be a hell of a lot easier. Lex hardly had to think about it. “Your place.” She took a step forward. “I need to get my stuff out of my truck.”
“You got your stuff today?”
Lex blew out a long breath. “Yes. I got a random text when I was leaving your parents’. Teagan put my stuff on her front porch if I wanted it.”
“What?” Who does that?
Lex shook her head. “Yeah, she did. And she won’t return my calls or my texts. I have no idea what’s up with her.”
We’d have to deal
with Teagan later. She was still the same self-absorbed person I’d always known. “Let me walk you upstairs, and I’ll go get your stuff.”