Up to the Challenge

“I didn’t know myself until yesterday. I’m going to tell her today.”

“But why? I don’t understand,” Will said. “You’re supposed to be here for six weeks until your dad recovers. You can’t just walk away now.”

“Will, I don’t have a choice.” He wished he did. “And no offense, but I don’t have to justify my actions to you.”

“You sure as hell have to justify them to Sid. What are you going to tell her?”

That was the million dollar question. “I’m going to tell her I have to go. She always knew I wasn’t here to stay. I’m just leaving a little earlier than planned.”

“A little?” Will’s eyes flashed. “Weeks, Lucas. And don’t talk about her like she’s something you can toss away. She’s a person, not a used-up pair of socks.”

He’d had enough. “Can you run this bar or not?”

“I said I can.”

“Then we’re done here.”

He opened the door and motioned for Will to exit, but she didn’t move.

“Don’t hurt her,” she said. Three words that sliced him in half.

“I won’t,” he replied, but something told him the promise would be difficult to keep.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Thanks, Daisy. I can take it from here.” Will tied an apron around her waist, mumbling under her breath.

“What’s wrong with you?” Sid asked, loading the drinks onto her tray. “O’Hagan give you flack about quitting?”

“No,” Will said, jerking a knot in her apron strings. “My former employer is not the problem today.”

Sid watched her struggle with the strings another ten seconds. “Come over here and let me fix that.” She squeezed her tray between her knees. “If it’s not O’Hagan, who is it?”

At that moment, Lucas stepped through the kitchen doorway. The dull ache that had been sitting in Sid’s chest since taking the phone message the day before flared to life. As it did every time she looked at him, knowing he wouldn’t be around much longer.

The apron secured, she glanced up to see Lucas and Will exchange an unfriendly glare.

“What’s up with you two?” It wasn’t like Will or Lucas to be outright hostile, especially to each other.

Another brief hesitation and Will finally said, “Nothing. I’m good.” Grabbing a rag from beneath the bar, she asked, “How about you, Lucas? You got anything you want to say?”

The tone of her voice made it clear nothing was something.

“No, Will,” he ground through a clenched jaw. “Thanks for asking.”

She’d definitely missed something, but preferring to let the pair work out whatever spat they were having on their own, Sid turned to go back to the floor and nearly ran into Beth.

“Hey,” Beth said. “You guys look crazy busy in here.”

“You think?” Sid asked. “What was your first clue?” Now she was doing it. “Sorry. What’s up?” Realizing the time, she added, “Aren’t you supposed to be at the art store?”

“Unlike here, that place is dead,” Beth said. “But Lola is there.”

Sid blinked. “Lola who is in New Orleans?”

“Was in New Orleans. They came back a week early.”

“Seems a lot of things are happening early around here,” Will mumbled, loud enough for everyone around to hear.

Now Sid caught on. So Lucas had told Will before he’d told her. She supposed Will did need to know since he’d be dumping the bar in her lap.

“Will,” Sid said. “I need to see you in the back.”

“Why not,” Will huffed, throwing her rag on the bar. “Maybe I’ll just work from the office today.” Then she marched into the kitchen.

Before Sid could follow, Beth caught her arm. “Wait. I came to ask you and Lucas to come to breakfast at Patty and Tom’s place tomorrow morning. Can you guys make it?”

Sid looked over to Lucas, who shrugged. “I don’t see why not. What time?” he asked.

“Nine.” Beth gave Sid a hug, then pulled back, eyes beaming. “Okay. See you later.”

As Beth practically waltzed through the front door, Sid turned back to Lucas. “What the hell was that about?”

“I don’t know,” he said, moving glasses into the chiller. “But you’ve got Will waiting in the back.”

“Shit.” Sid left her tray on the bar. This was not going to be fun. “I’ll be right back.”

When she stepped into the office, Will was sitting behind the desk, jaw tight, arms crossed. Sid shut the door.

“I know he’s leaving,” she said, seeing no reason to dance around the issue.

Will stood up. “You what? He said he hadn’t told you yet.”

“He hasn’t.” She’d realized during their dinner the night before that Lucas’s leaving had always been inevitable. If she’d fallen too hard too fast, that was her own fault, not his. Lucas never made any promises about sticking around. She’d known what she was getting from day one.

“And you’re not mad?” Will asked, leaning on the desk. “You two have been playing house for weeks and now he’s just leaving without any warning? Doesn’t that piss you off?”

What Sid felt was far from anger. But then she’d always been forgiving of Lucas. Clearly to her own downfall.

“It’s been two weeks and we both agreed this was a temporary, casual fling. The temporary part was supposed to last a few more weeks, but he was always going to leave.”

“But he—”

“He what? He made me feel special? He made me giggle?” Sid sat down in the chair behind her. “The man made me giggle, Will. Do you know how many times in my life I’ve giggled?”

Will looked like she was considering her answer. “I’m guessing not many. In fact, I’m trying to imagine it right now and can’t do it.”

“Exactly.” She shook her head. “I can’t ask him to stay here. Opal said I should fight for him, but Lucas doesn’t belong here. He’s meant for bigger things than Anchor can give him.”

Will squatted in front of Sid’s chair. “Anchor can give him you. Or you could go with him. Not that I want you to leave but—”

“I could never live in the city. I hated Miami with a passion. All those people and the noise.” She exhaled, shoulders falling in resignation. “Besides, I’d only embarrass him at those fancy dinner parties Curly talks about. I don’t think greasy work boots and profane T-shirts would be acceptable attire.”

Will rose back to full height. “So he won’t stay and you won’t go. Man. This is a cluster and a half.”

“That’s one way to describe it,” Sid said, dragging herself out of the chair. “Just cut him some slack, okay? And don’t tell him I know.” She opened the door. “He’ll tell me when he’s ready. At least I’ll be prepared when he does.”

By the next morning, Sid was ready to shout the words, “I know you’re leaving!” The strain of keeping it in, pretending she didn’t know, had her shoulders aching. She may have even been grinding her teeth in the night, considering how badly her jaw hurt when she woke up.

Lucas had looked ready to tell her several times. When he set the homemade pizza on the coffee table. While they were doing the dishes. As he handed her a cup of coffee that morning. But every time, he seemed to tense, flash an empty smile, and keep silent. Why wouldn’t he just tell her already? How long was he going to wait?