“He went to sing the national anthem, ma’am.”
“She even calls youma’am, Susie.How precious.You better tell that boy to keep this one.She doesn’t seem like a bitch.”
I’m officially in the twilight zone, caught between two ladies who clearly have a lot of history, and I’m fresh out of words.
“As long as Boone likes her, we’re happy for him.”It’s not exactly a ringing endorsement from Mrs.Thrasher.
She takes a seat, and Boone’s dad comes up the steps with four Bud Lights.
“Where the hell did Boone go?”
“National anthem,” his mom says, repeating the answer I gave her.
“Really?I’m surprised.He didn’t want to last time.”
“Well, we all know why that was.”
It has to be because of Amber.I want to ask, but it’s not my place.
Mr.Thrasher hands me a Bud Light.“Knew that girl was a diva from the minute they pulled up, and she screamed and practically climbed Boone to get away from Buford.”
“Oh, shush.She’s in the past and we can all be happy about it, but we don’t need to bring her up every five minutes.We don’t want to make Ripley uncomfortable.”
“It’s fine,” I say.“I know this whole thing must seem a little fast—”
Of course, Boone’s brother chooses that moment to return to his seat with his wife and son in tow.
“You think?He’s barely been single for five minutes before he shows up with you.He’s always rushed into shit.Remember when he used his fake ID at the Army recruiter’s office?”
Boone’s dad speaks up.“I rushed your ma.Proposed on the second date.Took me until the fifth to get her to say yes.Ain’t nothing wrong with going after what you want.”
“Still, I think he needs some time to sort his shit out.”
I don’t know what possesses me to add my two cents to a conversation that clearly doesn’t need my input, but I do anyway.“Boone seems to know his own mind.”
Grant’s skeptical gaze skewers me.“If he does, then you certainly won the jackpot in the lottery of life.He better get a damn prenup.”
Even though I should expect it, the venom in his words catches me off guard.“Are you serious?You think I’m trying to hook up with him for hismoney?”I try to keep my voice down, but the accusation makes my tone grow shrill.
“You had a job when you hooked up with him, and now you don’t.I feel like that’s no accident,” Grant says.
Boone’s brother is kind of a dick.
“Because he decided to have an impromptu show in my bar, it got shut down by the fire marshal for overcapacity, and then I got my ass reamed and ended up losing the job I’ve had since before I was old enough to legally work.My entire future was tied up with the Fishbowl, and after your brother’s help one night, I ended up homeless and unemployed.”
Grant’s brows dive into deep slashes.“What the hell are you talking about?”
“You want more?I took a job working for a friend who let me sleep on her futon.I was back at work behind another bar as fast as I could get there so I could earn some money, because I sank my entire savings into keeping my family business afloat.So don’t tell me I’m looking to Boone for a handout.I was pissed that he arranged for me to get this weekend off because the tips are better on Friday and Saturday, and I’m missing out on a chance to hopefully save up for a deposit on my own place.”
Mrs.Thrasher tilts her head and shakes a finger at her son.“Grant, what have I told you a million times?You know better than to judge.”
He crosses his arms.“Let’s just say after that last one left him hanging when he was gonna propose, I’m a little protective of my brother.”
“Good.That’s great.But I’m not a damn thing like her.I’ve worked my ass off, and even though I don’t have jack crap to show for it right now, I will someday.”I infuse all my determination in my words.
“I like her,” Boone’s dad says before he takes a swig of beer.“She’s feisty.She’ll keep Boone on his toes and stop him from getting too impressed with himself.”
Mrs.Thrasher opens her mouth to say something else, but the announcer’s deep voice booms through the speakers.