Chapter 1
Sometimes a person just needs to get away from it all.
Take a moment for yourself. Recharge in a place that is new territory or familiar ground.
For me, it was the familiarity of my hometown. The second I crossed the county line into St.Nicholas Estates Florida, the nostalgia settled in.
Childhood memories settled in; from bike-riding to the local convenience stores for snacks five minutes before they closed to staying in with movies. A time long ago. A time long forgotten.
Many things had changed since I left but a few things had stayed the same. One of those things is the hometown bar. Aptly named Hometown, it was a place where everyone was welcomed. It sat on an open lot, lush green grass surrounding the property. If my memory serves me correctly there is a lake in the back where at night some daring high schoolers dive in for a late-night swim.
The Sheriff patrols this area the most. Not because of dangers. But because it's where most of everyone is.
I look up at the bar. Miraculously, it is still standing after all these years. The exposed brick exterior is a bit more faded from the passing of time. The place is basically a time-capsule.
Walking into the place is a whole different story. The first thing I notice is that the floor has been replaced. What used to be a solid black linoleum, etched with scuff marks from work boots is now a hard wooden plank of mahogany. The floor shines and gleams with the neon glow from various beer signs as I make a way across to the other side of the room.
I sidle up to the bar and rest an arm onto the bartop. I notice the bartender. Her chestnut ponytail swishing through the air with every step she takes.
"I guess it's true when they say something's never change."
I must have got her attention because she looks up at me. I know she notices me. After all, your childhood best friend returns to the town you both grew up in, why wouldn't you notice them. Especially when they are the reason you returned in the first place.
"Audrey! You're here!" Brooke turns and greets me, enthusiastically.
"I made it after all."
"Where are you staying in town?"
"I'm actually staying at the old inn on third."
Brooke's eyes widen. "Oh yeah. Funnily enough, that's Gabby's place now."
"Really?"
"Yeah. She brought it like two years ago."
"Things have changed." I say. "What about this bar? Does it still have the same owner?"
Before Brooke can answer my question she is whisked to the other side of the bar by another patron. Before she goes she sets down a chilled glass in front of beer.
I didn't even have to ask for it. She just knew instantly.
But another thing I can't keep out of my head is the owner of this place. It has to have a new owner. Just based off the new interior of the place. It is slowly being upgraded.
The floor is new. The walls are no longer chipping paint in spots. And the air smells clean enough where you're no longer choking on stale cigarette smoke with every breath.
Whoever the new owner is, they are doing a damn good job.
I take a sip of the beer in front of me as I feel my phone vibrate in my hand.
I turn it over in my hand. One missed call. I didn't even realized it rang. One unread text. I click on the message.
Matt: How's the hometown hickville treating you?
I roll my eyes. Matt Anderson is just a friend from my current place. A friend from work.
I know he isn't serious. Just a friendly jab. So I reply.
Aubrey: I made it safe.
Matt: Anyone invite you to drink moonshine around a campfire yet?
Aubrey: Lol. Hopefully soon...not.
I don't admit the part that drinking moonshine around a campfire was actually a thing back in the day. The aptly name, "Moonlight And Moonshine". It's a festival that the town used to throw together the night before Christmas. It was basically just another excuse to party.
Audrey: Honestly I just want the holidays to be over.
Matt: Growing tired of Hickville already.
Aubrey: Plus this town has a way of sucking the life out of you.
It is one of the reasons why I left.
Matt: Well, no one forced you to go there.
Aubrey: One of my true best friends are getting married. I can't leave.
Matt: Kind of a narcissistic move to get married on Christmas, don't you think?
Aubrey: I agree but it's not wedding. But she is my friend. I've have no right to complain.
Matt: You're a better friend than me.
"Sorry I'm late!" A booming voice breaks me out of my reverie and back into reality as I look away from my phone.
"No worries." Brooke greets the interrupting stranger.
I narrow my eyes at the man across the room. There is something familiar about him. It's like I know him. He reminds me of someone. Albeit a hotter version.
The person I'm thinking of was just a boy when I left. A little too tall for his own good. A little too lanky too.
Not this man. This man is all man. Like knows his way around a gym type of man. Can bench you to impress a crowd type of man.
Holy shit!
Daniel Bells.
Daniel Bells is hot as fuck now.
Maybe returning to my hometown for the holidays was a good decision after all.
