Stubborn Hearts

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

A few moments after she thought the truck parked, Kassie heard a slight knocking on her door. She was already cleaning out the kitchen after a light meal.

“Marcus? Is that you?” She called out while moving her way to the door.

“Yes, it’s me,” she heard him answer, then opened the door. 

“Hi,” he greeted. “Have you had dinner?”

She assumed that he just arrived, seeing him in his usual plaid long sleeves and jeans.

“Yeah, just finished cleaning up.” She thought hard if there was anything about tonight that he mentioned earlier today. “Did you just arrive from work?”

“Hmmm, from the diner, yes,” he responded, while unconsciously shifting his gaze from her to the ground, then back to her. “So, I was thinking...after your encounter at the lake, maybe you’d like to go somewhere to unwind?”

“Tonight?” She clarified just to be sure.

“Yes, tonight,” he smiled, that charming and amused smile. “I know a place and I kind of work there, too. It’s a small pub where the locals usually hang out on weekends, even week nights.”

She had her fair share of night outs before but only with Nick, her ex. She was not fond of it nor at partying, and would only attend functions if they were work-related. She would consider herself as a boring type of human being who would rather spend late nights at home reading or watching a show, than be in bars and clubs. 

The fast-paced, bustling city, meetings and people at work were all that much she could handle of a noise, so bars and clubs and rowdy crowds were just a turn off.

She was wondering how the crowd would be in a small bar like he mentioned. Plus, she was curious why he had a job there.

“Really, you work there, too? Why?” Did this man know anything about rest?

“What do you mean by why?” He asked back, chuckling.

“You already have work at the diner, you volunteer as a ranger. and now, you work at a bar every night. Do you owe someone that big sum of money plus the interest?”

“No, I don’t owe anyone anything,” he answered, softly laughing. “They’re just having me there as a part-time employee, so you know, just a couple of hours.”

“Okay. So, what do you do there exactly?”

“You’ll see,” he replied, eyes twinkling. “So, do you wanna come with me?”

Well, part of her was hesitating, but that part bearing and pushing her curiosity was stronger. And maybe she needed this for a change in her routine.

“Okay, sure,” she agreed and smiled.

“Great. So, I’ll pick you up in an hour? Is that okay?”

“Yes, that will work.”

“Alright, see you in a bit.”

Kassie could not help but feel a little excitement inside...this sensation building just by the thought that she would be with Marcus again.

But she tried to suppress it as she was not sure she was ready for anything yet. 

All too soon. And besides, he was just treating her as a friend. Remember the red-haired woman?

She had enough of her thoughts and went up for a quick shower. She put on her a green, cotton turtleneck shirt, black pants and put on a very light makeup, which would just be a slight brush of pink blush on her cheeks and a lip gloss.

She was putting on her flats when she heard the truck park in her yard. Grabbing her small shoulder bag, she headed for the door.

“Hi again,” Marcus greeted her as soon as she hopped in the truck. “Ready?”

She could smell his aftershave and that same scent of misty forest air. He looked more relaxed and casual .

“Yep,” she answered smiling. 

Then, they drove slowly out to the main road. She noticed the sky was clear and was blanketed with a million stars. It was a fine night.

“Are you okay if I put on some music?” He asked after a while.

“Sure, that’s fine,” she replied, thinking that would be better than having a quiet drive. She had nothing in her mind yet as of this time.

He browsed through his phone quickly and a cool track came out of the radio speaker on a tuned down volume.

“The bar is in the town center, a few blocks away from the hall,” he offered. “You’ve been to bars before, right?”

“Yeah but not so much,” she answered while she found her right arm resting by the window.

“And why is that? You don’t like the crowd?” He glanced her way with curious eyes.

“Something like that. I prefer the quiet than the noise,” she said while looking ahead on the path they were taking. They were near the town center.

“I see. So, what changed your mind tonight?” 

“Blame it to curiosity,” she responded with a small smile.

She noticed they passed by a few late-night diners and small stores still in business at this hour. Then Marcus took a left turn into a wide alley and she could now see the bar. It was the only one with blinking lights on its name board. 

“Right. Like when were you not curious?” He quipped. “We’re here.”

While she unbuckled herself, Marcus stepped out of the truck and opened the door for her.

“Thanks,” she managed. 

Marcus held her arm as they walked toward the entrance. She could feel his hard, calloused fingers on her skin and there went that sensation again. 

She tried to turn her focus on the door and was preparing for a noisy crowd. The moment they were in, she was welcomed instead with soft chattering, giggles and laughters and clicking of glasses - it was simply a group of people enjoying the night away.

And the music playing in the background was kind of mellowed down, dissolving into the air. It was a laid back type of pub.

“You okay?” Marcus gently leaned in and asked her.

“Yes, I’m good,” she said, nodding while skimming through the crowd to more new faces. 

They were heading to the side of the stage where the bar was, manned by two bartenders, attending to waiting customers.

It was not too crowded, just enough space and tables for people to be comfortably seated.

“Hey, man! How’s it going?” She saw a man in his early 50’s greeted Marcus and slightly tapped his shoulders, then grazed her with his knowing eyes.

“Good, thanks,” he said, then glancing at her, he continued. “By the way, this is Kassie. She’s new in town. Kassie, this is Greg, the bar owner.”

“Hi, Kassie. They call me Old Greg here so just don’t shy away calling me that too,” Greg teased as she took his hands for a shake.

“Okay,” she chuckled. “Nice to meet you, Old Greg.”

“It’s a pleasure,” he responded, letting go of her hands. “I’ve never seen Marcus bring a woman here before. At least when I’m here though.” 

Spot on. She did not know how to react and she could sense that Marcus felt awkward.

Never? So he never brings his girlfriend here? Why?

“Hey, hey, that’s enough talking now,” Marcus shoved Old Greg away.

“Okay, sorry. I’ll be back inside to finish some paperwork. Nice meeting you Kassie.”

She gave Old Greg a small smile then he strode back inside the door which she figured was his office.

“Sorry about that. He is being nosy sometimes,” Marcus said when Old Greg was out of sight.

“That’s okay,” she answered.

“Hey, let’s find you a seat before I get to work,” he told her, while sweeping the crowd for a vacant seat.

“No, please, it’s fine. I can manage,” she did not like some of the stares she was getting now. Maybe Old Greg was right, or maybe they were wondering why she was with Marcus and not with his girlfriend.

Or maybe he really had no girlfriend?

A part of her was bouncing with the idea but she never let it stick in her head.

She spotted an empty table at the center back, facing the stage and pointed it to Marcus. “I’ll be right there.” 

“Okay. Drinks?”

“Any light or flavored beer will do,” she quickly answered. She always had a low tolerance with alcohol but every now and then, she bothered herself with a bottle at home if she felt like it, which was not very often.

Marcus took it from the bar himself, chatted a bit to the bartender and noticed they both glanced her way. 

She pretended she did not see it. 

“There. You should be fine with just that,” he handed her a cold bottle.

“Thanks.”

“You sure you’ll be okay? You won’t just walk out and leave, right?” 

She saw he flashed her a bit of concern but then came his playful eyes when he smiled.

“Marcus, I’m not a baby, okay?” She shot at him, chuckling. “You better start working before your boss will notice that you are slacking.”

“Fine. See you later.”

She saw him disappear toward the back of the stage, maybe changing into his uniform she thought, so she just walked her way to the table she spotted earlier.

When she was conveniently seated, she noticed some guys setting up the stage. Marcus never mentioned there was a live band tonight. 

She felt relaxed. She loved live band performances. Her decision to go out was a good thing after all.

Suddenly, she saw Marcus get up on stage, took one of the guitars from the stand, put on the straps and gently positioned the instrument to him.

So he was with the band and that was what he meant by part time. Not a surprise there though because she heard him play and he was really good. 

A few moments later, he stood at the center where the mic stand was.

“Hey, everyone, a nice evening to all,” his voice echoing in the whole room and the crowd fell silent for a while. “I hope you are having a good time so far, especially those who are new here or just found this place by accident.” 

He has a cute humor and the crowd laughed. His eyes found hers and he winked. 

She just shook her head, and she saw him grin. 

“Well, speaking of which, I’d like to specially mention a newcomer,” his slightly playful tone made her glare at him, silently telling him to stop. When he c****d his brows, not losing the grin on his face, she took a quick gulp of her beer to avoid the stares. 

She knew what was coming and she heard him call her name. Better than calling her on stage for an introduction.

“Kassie?” He was pointing his hand to her direction, and the crowd clapped and cheered. She reluctantly waved ‘Hi’ to everyone. She saw some raise their bottles to her which she returned with a nod and smile.

He continued with his little speech, “She just arrived about a week and I bet she has been enjoying it here so far.” The crowd responded with another cheer. He got a very responsive audience tonight.

“All right. So, we’ll be playing here some songs, and somewhere in the middle, we’ll be open for some requests and you guys can also jam with us here on stage. Okay? So for now, here’s Iris by Goo Goo Dolls.”

The room was then filled with music and the moment Marcus sang the first line, the women shrieked and giggled and cheered louder. His voice was mesmerizing.

When he reached the chorus, his eyes locked into mine and I could feel my heart warming up.