I went into the bedroom, threw my wrinkled maxi dress over my bikini then met Fox outside.
“Fox.”
“Yeah?”
“I don’t enjoy being a bitch all the time,” I said softly, almost reluctantly. “I’ll work on it.”
Fox reached over, gave my thigh a gentle squeeze then put the car in motion. I didn’t know what to focus on first. The way my legs turned to jelly under his touch or the fact that I’d let him do that without saying a word. The worst part was that I hated it a little when his hand moved back to the steering wheel.
Fox used his key to unlock the side door to Annette’s Catch and I followed him inside. When we emerged through the swinging kitchen doors that led to the restaurant, I immediately recognized Annette from yesterday. Her blonde hair was pulled in a ponytail and she wore the same heavy mascara and eyeshadow. Immediately, I noticed that she and Fox had the same color eyes. It quickly dawned on me that she was the Annette in Annette’s Catch, and Fox’s mother. It was amazing how well my brain functioned when I was sober. A state of mind I’d been trying hard to avoid since I arrived on the island.
“There he is!” Annette called out from behind the bar as she placed bottles into the cabinet against the wall. Her smile brightened when she saw me standing next to her son. “Harley? Is that you? How are you, darlin’?”
“Mama, you know Harley?” Fox asked, throwing a confused look between us as we stopped in front of the bar.
“’Course I do. I made this girl the best damn bacon and egg sandwich she’s ever had in her life.” Annette looked at me expectantly with a huge grin. “Am I right?” she asked with a wink. I nodded and smiled back at her.
“It was delicious,” I answered and then turned to Fox. “I came here yesterday morning.”
“Yeah, I also heard you left here last night drunk off your ass. I will never understand why you young people do some of the things y’all do.” She tsked and turned back to the cabinet to finish her task. “I also heard that my very own second son caused a scene.” She looked over her shoulder and said, “Best believe I’ll be talkin’ to him.”
“Oh, no harm was done, Annette. Fox was there,” I offered with a shrug.
“Well, even still. A child that I have raised will not behave that way.” She huffed and shook her head. “I swear sometimes that boy doesn’t have the good sense God gave a rock.” I looked over at Fox who was shaking his head at me to leave it alone.
“So, Mama, we’re going to head over to the dock in a little while. The shipment is coming today.”
“Oh, that’s right.” She spun around quickly and snapped her fingers. “I’d better call Hal to remind him. Can I get y’all something to eat?” I started to decline, but Fox spoke up before me.
“Sure, whatever is easy, Mama.”
“Alright, be back,” she said as she scurried into the kitchen. Fox lowered his voice so that only I could hear it.
“One thing about my mother is that she likes to take care of people so just let her. If you’d said no to her offer, she would have taken it personally and I mean real personal.”
“Oh, okay. Thanks for the warning.” I looked around uncomfortably before climbing on the bar stool next to him.
Together, Fox and I sat at the counter in silence and waited. When Annette returned a few minutes later she was carrying two plates of scrambled eggs, bacon, buttermilk biscuits and a pitcher of orange juice. I hadn’t realized just how hungry I was until I put a fork full of food and my mouth. Everything was so delicious, and Annette stared on looking pleased.
About halfway through our breakfast, Hal came shuffling in and didn’t appear to be very happy. His chocolate brown eyes were still a little heavy with sleep as he rubbed the scruff on his jaw, looking as if he’d hadn’t been awake long.
“Sorry, Hal honey. I forgot all about the shipment,” Annette said sweetly as she handed Hal a hot cup of coffee. When Hal reached for it, Annette tugged it back. Hal r
eached for it again, this time with a hint of amusement in his eyes, and again Annette tugged the cup back. They both smiled at each other and Hal bent to place a kiss on Annette’s lips. After a quick peck, Annette slapped his hard chest and shooed him off.
“Alright, enough of that. You remember Harley, don’t you?” Annette asked and tilted her head in my direction. Hal looked at me and smiled.
“Yes, I’m her best bartender friend.” He chuckled, and I felt my cheeks warm with embarrassment as I remembered the ass I’d made of myself.
“Sorry about that, Hal. I was having a rough day,” I said sheepishly, which was new for me. I didn’t normally embarrass that easily. Maybe it was because the people I usually spent time with were beyond feeling shame, so it was a habit I’d picked up.
Annette went into the kitchen and returned with a breakfast plate for Hal that was piled high with food. Hal was a big guy, tall and muscular so it made sense that he ate a lot. Once we were all done with our breakfast, Hal stood and slapped Fox on the back.
“Ready?”
“Yeah,” Fox answered and took one last drink of his orange juice then stood. “Harley’s going to come with us.” We both got up and followed Hal to the exit.
“Thank you for breakfast, Annette.”