Clallam Bay (A Fresh Start #2) by L. C. Morgan Read Free Book Online Page B

divorce proceedings and money problems by the time we pulled up along the pier. When we got out, I tipped him well—it was the least I could do—then reminded him about the parent/teacher conferences on Tuesday before trying to slide the side door shut.
    “Just give it a little nudge and it’ll latch on its own.”
    The three of us stood outside the van, watching as the door slowly slid shut before Alyssa and Amber took off. I waved then ran after them, all of us heading for the rundown shack at the end of the pier. If it weren’t for the colorful Christmas lights and chili pepper strands, we probably wouldn’t even have known it was there.
    The music from the jukebox made the wood boards shake under our feet. I could feel it in my chest once we stepped inside.
    “I thought you couldn’t smoke in public places. Isn’t it against the law or something?” Amber yelled over the noise of the crowd, fanning smoke out of her face.
    Alyssa leaned closer to shout in her ear. “It’s privately owned. So, anything goes.”
    Amber and I followed Alyssa up to the bar to order our drinks and some cheese sticks for yours truly. I kept my eyes straight ahead but my mind on something else entirely. I wondered if he was here. Who he was with. If he would be going home with them tonight. Why he even asked us to come if he would be going home with someone else. I really needed to rein in the crazy.
    Once our order was up, Alyssa found an open table close to a small stage in the corner and we all took a seat.
    “Looks like they play live music here.” Amber looked over her shoulder at the stage. “You think they will tonight?” she asked then took a sip of her drink.
    Alyssa shrugged. “I hope so.”
    “Me too.”
    As Alyssa and Amber both swayed to the music and daintily sipped at their drinks, I dug into the cheese sticks, nearly choking to death when Alyssa slammed her glass down on the table. “What the hell? What is she doing here? Did you invite her?”
    Amber stretched her neck to see over Alyssa’s head. “Ooh, do we not like somebody? Who? Who is it? Point her out to me.”
    Alyssa pointed at Sonia who was standing just inside the door. I waved her over to our table while Alyssa wasn’t looking. She waved back then pointed to the bar. I waved in understanding just before Alyssa turned to face the table again.
    “Is she coming over here? She better not be coming over here. Were those hand signals for us?”
    To keep from having to own up to initiating the hand signals, I shoved another cheese stick in my mouth and gave Amber a look before Sonia started heading our way.
    Alyssa pouted while I introduced the other two. I kicked her foot in warning to be nice when she tried to tell Sonia there was only enough room for three. When Sonia’s fiancé Jason brought a chair over for her to sit on, we all finally got to meet him.
    “You can sit with us too, you know. There’s plenty of room.” I eyed Alyssa and dared her to argue.
    “Oh, that’s okay. I gotta go set up the stage. Me and some of the guys are playing a few sets tonight.”
    Amber grinned from ear to ear. “Oh, good. We were just saying how we hoped there was going to be some live music. What do you guys play?”
    “A little of this, a little of that,” he said distractedly, waving at someone somewhere across the room. The hairs stood up on the back of my neck when I felt that someone walk up behind me.
    “Hey, man. Good to see you on solid ground.” Jason held out a hand and I felt an immense heat on my back when Coll reached over me to shake it. “Ladies, I leave you in good hands.” Jason took off for the stage and Coll pulled up a chair beside me. I smiled up at him as he sat down.
    “Hey, this okay? Me sitting here with you?” he asked, his breath hitting my cheek, he was so close.
    “Yeah.” I nodded. “Yeah. It’s fine.”
    Noticing my discomfort, Amber engaged Coll in some casual conversation about fish and what all being a fisherman