“Not really. My parents are super encouraging, and they’re excited that I’m following my dreams.”
My parents were middle-class working people who raised me to hope and dream for whatever it was that I wanted. When I expressed an interest in film production a couple years ago, their attitude was Well, someone has to produce films, so why not our daughter? I used to believe that everyone’s parents were this way, but sitting here with Nick now, I realized just how naive my assumption had always been.
“Mine raised me to believe that his dreams were my dreams,” he said with a solemn expression that placed a tiny crack inside my heart.
“So, do it anyway,” I insisted as if that was an option.
“Do what exactly?” Nick looked at me, his eyes shadowed by the bill of his hat.
“Work with your brothers.”
He shook his head. “I can’t. At least, it feels like I can’t. Maybe at some point later on, but not right now. Maybe not ever. Hell, I don’t know.”
“Why not? I don’t mean to pry, but won’t your brothers stick up for you? What do they think about this? They didn’t have to work for your dad, so why do you?” I wanted to hear his answer, longed for it, held my breath waiting for it.
“My brothers never had to deal with any of this stuff. My dad’s company didn’t hit it big until about ten years ago. Both of them were out of the house already, doing their own thing. I never stood a chance with them gone.”
“So they get to own the bar and your dad doesn’t care? He doesn’t pressure them to quit and work for him?” None of this seemed fair to me as an outsider looking in.
“No. He’d never try to tell them that.”
“Why not?”
He smiled. “Because neither one of them would take it. They’d tell my dad to fuck off. Which is something I couldn’t do if you paid me.” When I grimaced, he added, “Don’t get me wrong, I want to tell him to fuck off all the time.” He shrugged. “I just can’t.”
It wasn’t something I could relate to, but I’d never been in the kind of situation he was in. It felt awful for me to disappoint my parents, so I could only imagine the kind of pressure Nick felt.
“You need your brothers,” I said and he nodded. “To help you stand up for yourself.” I hoped I wasn’t crossing a line.
When he agreed, saying, “I hate that you’re right,” I wanted to take him into my arms and hug him.
“Tell me about them. Your brothers,” I said, not wanting our conversation to end. Ever.
Nick’s face lit up again, and I wanted him to see himself the way that I did. How just the mention of his brothers or their bar made his face come alive in a way nothing else had.
“Frank is the oldest,” he said with a smile. “He’s definitely the quietest of us three. He’s an observer, you know what I mean? He got a scholarship to Arizona to play baseball right out of high school. He played until he got hurt. I always thought he’d move back home after that, but he ended up staying there. Thank God Ryan wanted to buy that bar, because otherwise I think Frank would still be there.”
I smiled too. I couldn’t help it. “That’s awesome. I bet you’re glad to have him back. So they both own the bar? Just them?”
“Yeah. When Frank got hurt, he changed his major to business management and finance. He keeps the books for the business. He’s really smart.”
“And you do all the marketing. What does Ryan do?”
A throaty laugh escaped as Nick shook his head. “Ryan, shit, where do I start? Ryan’s the biggest flirt I’ve ever met in my life. You think I’m good with girls? Ryan’s a god.”
“I can’t even imagine that.” I smiled as I tried to picture an even more charming guy than Nick.
“It’s true. The ladies can’t get enough of him. Anyway, he’s twenty-nine. He went to school down in San Diego and fell into bartending one night, filling in as a favor for a friend. He loved it so much, he never stopped. He told me once that he made more money in tips that night than he’d made in a month at his regular job.”
“No way,” I said, my tone incredulous.
“Honest. But that’s not why he does it. He truly loves it. He makes the most incredible drinks you’ve ever tasted. They’re a fucking art form. Ryan’s more of a mixologist, you know? I’ve never seen anything like it before in my life. The time it takes to make a drink, the way he uses herbs and citrus to assault your senses before the alcohol ever hits your tongue. Wait until you try one, Jess. It’ll change your life.”
Wait, what?
I tried not to choke on my excitement, but failed. Words escaped me as I pictured hanging out with Nick and his brothers.
“Are either of them married?” It was a fair question, I thought, but Nick just shook his head with a slight grin.
“Frank has a girlfriend who moved out here from Arizona with him, but none of us think he’s really happy. It sucks. And Ryan couldn’t keep a girl if he tried. He’s constantly dating, and constantly single.”
“Sounds like someone else I know,” I said, nudging Nick’s shoulder with mine.
“Hey, it’s not my fault that I can’t meet the right girl.”
I stopped myself from rolling my eyes. “That’s what you’re looking for? The right girl?”
He let out a quick laugh. “I’m just tired of dating all the wrong ones.”