"Y ou ready for this, boss?" Justin, our lead bartender, slaps me on the shoulder .
I take one last look around the transformed space. Everything looks like it's in place, but my nerves are still on edge. I want perfection. Tonight is a big deal for me .
I nod and roll my bottom lip between my fingers, hoping to calm myself. "Yeah, I think so. Ready as I'll ever be. Did the liquor arrive?" I mentally run through the checklist of things that we were still waiting on and liquor was number one on the list .
He wipes the counter, pausing to take a look around the bar area. "Everything is here, exactly as it should be. Go home and get ready. Relax for a bit. We've got everything under control here ."
He's right. I need to relinquish control to the people I hired. They are fully capable of doing what they were hired to do .
"You got it." I run my fingers through my hair and check the time. "See you in a couple of hours ."
When I get home, Frankie is standing in my bathroom, applying makeup. Not that she needs any, she's fucking perfection just the way she is .
"You're finally here." She spins around and kisses me as I wrap my arms around her waist, holding her tightly .
"Yep. Gonna shower quick before we go ."
"Everything all set over there? Do you need help with anything ?"
"Everything is under control. Your job tonight is to enjoy yourself." I press a kiss to her forehead before letting her go .
I step into the hot shower, allowing the water to ease some of the stress in my neck and shoulders. I have a lot riding on tonight between the restaurant and Frankie .
* * *
"I can't even begin to tell you how proud of you I am." Frankie beams as we pull up outside The Fault Line Bar and Grill, parking along the curb .
"This would mean nothing if you weren't here with me," I tell her, squeezing her hand in mine .
She shakes her head. "Stop," she says quietly .
"I'm serious. You always made me want to be a better man. It took letting you go for me to realize that—and now we've come full circle." I lean in and press a kiss to her lips. "I love you, Frankie. Thank you for being here with me." She smiles against my lips and rubs her hand over my cheek. "Now let's get inside before I change my mind and take you home and straight to bed ."
She laughs and my heart instantly warms. I hold her hand tightly as we walk through the front door to see the place fully packed. Everything is exactly as I imagined it would be. The low lights accent the brick walls and complement the iron and wood touches throughout the restaurant. The staff's friends and family are spread out throughout the place, sitting at tables and bellied up to the bar. The space is full of conversation and laughter, and seeing it all finally begins to calm my nerves .
Faith and Carter are already sitting at the table I reserved for us tonight, and both stand up and greet us .
"Congratulations!" Faith squeals, surprising the shit out of me when she pulls me in for a quick hug. "This place is stunning ."
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Carter give Frankie a one-armed hug and they both break out into laughter, presumably making up for this afternoon. As kids, they were always at each other's throats and then making up again. It seems nothing has changed with those two .
I feel my heart squeeze in my chest. Everything in my life feels like it's falling into place. The people who are the most important to me are here and that's what matters more than anything. One of the servers, Mireya, delivers a tray of drinks to the table and Carter reaches in, picking up the first glass .
"A toast." He lifts his glass, and Faith, Frankie, and I each grab a glass off the tray. "To new beginnings." He looks around the restaurant and then at me and Frankie. "And to second chances ."
At ‘second chances’, my heart skips a beat when I see Frankie grin, her blue eyes beaming. "To second chances," she responds to him, but she's looking at me .
"Cheers!" Faith shouts over the noise and Carter wraps his arm around her shoulder as they both sip their drink .
"Cheers," Frankie and I respond and we take a sip of our drink in celebration .
* * *
H ours pass by and I've talked to just about everybody who’s come in tonight. The feedback thus far, on everything from the atmosphere to the food and staff, have all by far exceeded my expectations. Everyone has loved everything. This is exactly what Crescent Ridge needed I heard time and again. A place that’ll bring everyone together with food and drinks in a modern atmosphere without losing the history that is Crescent Ridge .
Frankie encouraged me to spend as much time talking to everyone this evening, building relationships and making sure everyone was comfortable while she sat with Carter and Faith .
I wanted nothing more than to never leave her side, but she knew what I needed to do and promised me we’d have our time together later this evening. Looking at her across the restaurant, her eyes beaming and her head tipped back in laughter, makes my entire night. Seeing her happy is all I want in life .
As the crowd begins to thin, I make my way back to Frankie's side and sidle up on the stool next to her. She wraps her arm around my waist, pulling me to her just as I lean down and kiss her soft lips .
"So what'd you guys think ?"
Carter shakes his head and chuckles. "I never thought you'd follow through on this, but look at this place." He gestures with his hand. "You're gonna fucking kill it !"
"It's everything this town needed, Cole," Faith jumps in. "It's perfect ."
"It's not too much?" I ask, worried that maybe it's a little over the top for Crescent Ridge, regardless of the feedback I got tonight. If anyone would be honest with me, it's these people right here .
Frankie shakes her head. "No. It's rustic and homey and not overstated. The pictures of old Crescent Ridge really drive home the history of this town. You're bringing the old and new together." She grabs the collar of my shirt and pulls me down for another kiss. "I'm so goddamn proud of you," she mumbles against my lips .
"Well, isn't this fucking cute." A male voice cuts off our moment .
Frankie's head snaps away from me and Faith’s eyes widen as a tall man with salt and pepper hair sets a drink on the table .
"Ted," Frankie says with a shaky voice. "What the hell are you doing here ?"
"I should be asking you that." He smirks and takes a long pull of his drink before slamming it down on the table. "What the fuck are you doing here? All you ever talked about was what a little piece of shit town this was, and yet here you are." He looks around the table with disdain .
I step around Frankie in a protective nature, ready to let this fucker have it if I have to .
"Leave," Frankie snaps at him from behind me .
"Ted," I say his name as calmly as I can, meeting him eye to eye. He's the same height at me, but I easily have forty pounds of muscle on this guy. He's lean and, while he may have me beat in the brains and career department, I will kick his ass into next week if he moves one fucking inch closer to Frankie .
"Who the fuck are you?" he barks, talking down to me. His angry eyes look me up and down .
"Cole Ryan, owner of this establishment and you heard the lady—leave ."
He snorts. "I don't take orders from you…or Frances." He steps closer, pressing his chest to mine. "I'm here for Frances—" I press a hand to his chest, backing him up as he continues. "And as soon as she gets her fucking head back on straight, we'll be out of your hair and this dumpster fire of a town." He rolls his fingers on the table as if he's genuinely going to wait for Frankie .
I take a deep breath, willing myself to calm the fuck down before I plant a fist through his face. I lean in closely. "She's done with you, Teddy." I pat his chest, hard enough for him to take what I'm saying as a warning. "You heard her. This is the last time I will ask you leave before I make you leave ."
He blows a huff of air through his lips and leans around me to look at Frankie .
"So this is how this is going to go, huh?" His face is pure hatred, narrowed eyes and pursed lips. "You're just going to give up a career you worked so hard for, one that I helped you build, for this piece of shit ex-boyfriend who owns a ‘bar and grill’, " he says with air quotes. "You're just going to act like the little whore you are and jump back into bed with this nobody and make another baby with him, all while living happily ever after in Crescent Ridge ?"
I feel Frankie's fingers digging into my back like she’s holding on for dear life, and Faith reaches across the table faster than I've ever seen her, picking up Frankie's drink and throwing it in Ted's face .
Vodka tonic is dripping from his chin as he lets out a low chuckle. It's then that what he said registers with me. The entire restaurant grows quiet as the remaining customers turn their attention toward us .
"What do you mean make another baby?" I turn and look at Frankie as my stomach flips and my mind searches for understanding .
His head falls back with laughter as he wipes his face with his sleeve. "Oh, this is so fucking good." He laughs harder. "Frances. You didn't tell him about the baby?” He clicks his tongue in disapproval. I have never wanted to punch someone so fucking bad .
I look over my shoulder at Frankie, whose entire body is shaking. Tears are falling in a steady stream down her face. Carter is holding back a wild Faith, who is trying to get out of his grasp .
"You fucking piece of shit!" Faith screams at Ted as she becomes more erratic. "I will fucking kill you ."
His lips twist into an evil grin and he laughs at Faith before turning his attention back to Frankie. "Frances, last chance. Come home with me." He holds out his hand as if he's reaching for her. "Your home is with me, in Los Angeles. Leave this shitty town and everyone in it in your past—where it belongs." He looks at me and smirks .
Confusion and understanding simultaneously smack me just as something inside me snaps. I don't even feel my fist leave my side, let alone connect with Ted's face, however a single punch sends him to the floor. Blood spurts from his nose as I shake my hand once before actually thinking about hitting him this time. I lean over his cowering figure and punch him again, this time my fist connecting with his jaw. Every ounce of hurt and anger I've pent up for ten years rises from within and I swing again. Out of the corner of my eye, I barely register Carter releasing Faith and running to me as Faith runs to Frankie .
I can hear Frankie’s sobs as I stand over a bleeding Ted, deciding if he's worth a fourth blow. But my anger is bubbling over, and I know if I hit him again, I'll kill him. Because I won’t stop. I'll finish this motherfucker right here on the floor of my restaurant .
Carter grabs my arm and pulls me back. "Let it go, man. Get Frankie out of here and go home ."
I shake my head and stare at the piece of garbage groaning on my floor. Clenching my fists, I force myself to take a step back .
My lungs feel like they're collapsing as I struggle to breathe. "Is it true?" I ask Frankie, my voice hoarse .
Faith has her enveloped in her arms as both of them cry, their arms wrapped around each other protectively .
"Tell me the truth, Frankie.” My voice breaks as I run a hand over my face. “We promised no lies ."
With a whimper, she nods, and my heart fucking explodes. My mind is in a million places as I look around. Justin, the bartender is ushering the last customers out the door as quickly as he can, and Carter stands waiting for me to make my next move so he can intervene. He's always been the smart one .
We stare at each other for a moment, me breathing heavily as the rage builds again. How the fuck did Ted know and I never did? How could she have kept a secret so big ?
Carter contemplates my next move and shakes his head at me .
"Make sure they get home safely," I finally grind out, nodding toward Faith and Frankie as I step over Ted. "And get the fuck out of my restaurant." For my own satisfaction, I reel my foot back and kick him in the ribs on my way out .
Fuck them all .
* * *
W ith a closed fist, I beat the steering wheel as I drive around town trying to burn off some of my anger. I'm not ready to face Frankie yet. My cell phone has been ringing non-stop for the last half hour and I finally shut the fucker off, tossing it on the passenger seat .
Normally, I'd end up at the fault line with a bottle of Jack Daniel's. But tonight I find myself on the opposite side of town, in another familiar place .
My Jeep is crawling down the narrow paved road and I kill the engine as I roll to a stop. Heartache overtakes me as my feet carry me across the neatly trimmed grass and I fall to my knees. I gasp for air as I look at the etched stone .
"God, I need your advice, Pops." And the dam of emotions breaks free as I scream at the top of my lungs .