Thea pulls her keys out of her pocket, turns around, and thanks Jared for walking her home.
She steps close to me, kissing my cheek. “Thank you. Reed loved having a full house. It was a good day, and you’re a great musician. I think I like your voice. It’s… I like it.”
She shrugs, pivots, and steps into her apartment.
“Good night?” I want her to invite me to join her, continue our conversation, or start a new one. Anything to remain close, listen to her silky voice all night, or just enjoy her company. “See you soon.”
“Good night, Matt. It was nice to see you again,” she responds, closing the door.
Jared and I shake hands, and I walk to my old Jeep. My phone buzzes, and I pull it out, hoping it’s Thea asking me to come upstairs.
Tristan:You think you’re funny, don’t you?
Matt:What happened?
Tristan:I had to drive to the Black Out because you tweeted that you’d be there tonight. Why would you do that?
I chuckle, picturing his gaze darkening while trying to give me shit for what I did. Fuck, I miss him. Instead of responding to his text, I press the phone icon. It’d be fucking awesome to hear his voice.
“Hey.” He answers his phone after the first ring.
“Was it bad?”
“Not really, but a heads-up would’ve been nice. Want to tell me why you did it?”
I explain to him what I did with the Silver Moon and that in less than an hour, the place was at full capacity. I also add that one of the bartenders and a waitress are on vacation. “I’d really like you to think about a joint venture with this, man.”
“I’ve been there, to the Silver Moon,” he says after I finish talking. “Needs a lot of work.”
“It does. It’s the bar I mentioned the other day. Think about it. I believe it would be a good investment. Maybe during your next trip to Seattle, you can take a second look at it.”
I arrive home, climb out of the car, and hand the keys to Joe. “For the next few days, I’m helping Reed with the bar, using what you taught me. How are your places doing?”
“Everything is working well, except Black Out.”
I can’t help but laugh. “You’re pissed at me?”
“Not anymore. After the crowd realized you weren’t coming, they stayed to dance and drink—that’s good for business.”
There’s rustling on the other side of the line and the latching of a door. “You’re crazy, Decker, and some nights I miss your madness.”
“Miss you too, dude.” More than I thought, but I don’t want to tell him because he’s been doing well. I don’t want him to go back to drinking because… well, I want the best for him.
I open the door to my place. “I’m heading to play the drums before going to bed. See you soon?”
“Not this weekend.” He pauses. “Good night, Matt.”
“Good night, Trist.”
ChapterTwenty-Seven
Thea
To no one’s surprise,Silver Moon buzzes with energy and what feels like a gazillion customers. All of them are hoping to get a glance of MJ Decker. That’s good for business, but still, I complain to Reed. “You should pay me double. At least give me a raise or a break.”
“You’re getting all the tips. Stop whining, T, or you’ll wait tables.”
“We’re good. Order up.” I bang the counter after I’m done, turning to the right and getting back to the customers at the bar.