Second Chances in New Port Stephen - Chapter 33

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Second Chances in New Port Stephen - Chapter 33

Eli apparently had no such compunctions. “Loving this look,” he said, loud enough for the
harness guy to raise his bottle of beer in a salute of thanks.
The bartender, an older white guy with a head of silver hair topped by reindeer antlers, finally
turned to them after depositing about a million shot glasses into a bus tray. “What’ll you have?”
he asked, pointing at Nick.
Eli sidled in front of him and pulled out some bills. “A club soda with lime for me—put that in
the usual cup, would you? Not a kiddie cup. And—Nick, what are you drinking?”
“I can get this.” He reached for his wallet. It felt weird making the sober guy pay for his drink.
Not to mention, Eli was currently unemployed. He didn’t need to waste his money like that.
“Buying one round is the least I can do. You’ve been driving me around this town all week.
Come on, beer? Wine?”
“I would not order the wine,” the bartender said, already dispensing club soda into a cup.
“Bud Light, please.” Nick had seen Leather Guy carrying a blue-labeled bottle, and it was easier
to order something he knew was on offer than go
through the rigamarole of asking what was on tap. He doubted this was the kind of place that
carried local craft brews.
The bartender uncapped a bottle and placed it in front of Nick in less than an eyeblink. “Four
dollars,” he told Eli.
“Seriously?” Eli left a five and a single on the bar top. “I keep forgetting how cheap alcohol is
down here. At these prices, I might take up drinking again.”
“Ha ha. Very funny.” Nick took a swig of his beer. It tasted like almost nothing.
“Let the addict have his fun, okay? It’s the only buzz I get anymore.” Eli lifted his plastic cup of
soda water, lime jauntily plopped among the ice. “Thanks for bringing me here, friend-o. It was
just what I need.”
Nick tapped the neck of his bottle to Eli’s cup. “No problem.” He was not going to call Eli friend-
o, not for a million dollars. Maybe if he played his cards right, they could move out of friend

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territory and get somewhere less restrictive. All Nick needed to do was show Eli how chill and
comfortable he was in an environment like this, and then Eli would see that it was possible to
pursue… whatever it was they had between them.