Page 52 of Wrapped in Winter
“Well, look who it is!” Jack and Lief walk in and grab seats next to me. I’ve met them in passing, but never hung out besides the day at Lily’s party.
“Hey guys, how are you doing?” I shake hands with them both, Lief lingering a moment longer than Jack.
“I see you’ve been banished to the bar while they have girls night, huh?” Jack inquires and knocks on the bar-top for Cole.
I pull from my beer, draining it and signal Cole for another. “Yes, I stopped by the house and found out your wife was coming over. Lily seemed excited to hang out with your son.”
He smiles and nods to Cole as he approaches. “We’ll have what he’s having.”
“Throw in three shots too,” Lief answers.
I look at Lief but he just stares at the television. Cole grabs the beers and shots and Jack continues. “Yea, Joey and her have fun together, believe it or not. They’re both too young to know the difference between girl and boy toys so they just enjoy making ruckus. So how are you liking our little town of Wintervale?”
I nod. “So far so good. A lot different from where I came from.”
“Florida, right? I heard you guys just left it all and drove until you hit mountains.”
I chuckle. “Something like that. Hey, do you know what I haven’t seen? A barbershop. Where does everybody go to get their hair cut around here?”
“There’s a great place one town over in Oak Valley. The guy who owns the shop is a retired Marine. His name is Axel, and he’s a bit of a grump. No one knows much about him. He doesn’t talk, but he does show up for work every day and gives a good cut at that.”
We’re silent for a bit, just watching the game and drinking. Cole makes his way over and Jack asks, “How’s things going with January?”
I see Lief pass a glance to me but then he looks right back to the television.
“Pretty good. We’re just getting to know each other.”
“Did you get to know her well in the bathroom?” Jack nudges me.
“Bro, come on. You want to talk about my sex life in front of her brother?”
“So you have a sex life?” He presses.
“Jesus, Jack! You’re as bad as the girls right now.” Cole says.
“No, I’m as bad as Meadow. And I know you know it, too.” He points at Cole, clearly loving that he can get a rise out of everyone here.
“Enough.” Lief grumbles out. “I don't need to hear about my sisters and whatever they’re doing.”
Jack laughs and throws his arm around him but Lief shrugs it off. “Oh, come on, don’t be miserable because you’re the only one not getting any around here.”
“Fuck you.”
Jack snickers some more and I shake my head at these two. “She makes herself complicated, but she’s not.” He says it quietly like he doesn’t want to upset Lief. I know he can hear him but he doesn’t jump into the conversation.
I shrug. “I’ll give her all the time she needs. I’m just trying to let her know I’m here, and ready to help when she wants it.”
“If I know anything about January it's that she doesn’t want help. She’s hardened herself to everything and everyone around her and puts in extra effort to make sure they all know she can do it on her own. And don't get me wrong, she can, but she shouldn't have to.”
Lief looks at Jack. “Since when are you sticking up for my sister?”
“I told you, bro. I’m a changed man and that includes being nice to your sister.”
He huffs a laugh. “Makes one of us.”
“She’s also one step away from letting it fall down around her.” Jack grabs a shot, sliding the other two down to me and Lief. We all take it, I feel this conversation getting heavy and Jack continues. “She tell you she ran from this place years ago?”
“Jack.” Lief gives out a warning. There’s something off with him tonight, too.