Worries
You spent a lot more of your time getting ready for your evening activity; drinks at Gus’s. It was always busy on Fridays, so you wanted to look your best.
You took the time to apply makeup carefully, staring a long time at your own reflection in the mirror. You thought of Sebastian and how he’d treated you at your door. At the time, you were completely stunned, unable to form a coherent thought. But now, you realized who his behavior reminded you of. Your last boyfriend. The reason you weren’t dating right now.
Your last relationship had started to become toxic. He had acted the same as Sebastian. Then, once he had you where he wanted, it had quickly become even more than that. Aggressive fights, violent tendencies, nights spent on your bathroom floor crying.
That wasn’t a form you were looking to jump right back in. You decided you needed to confront Sebastian whenever the moment was right, and needed to find the strength to let him know you wouldn’t be treated like that.
You picked out your best outfit and favorite pair of shoes. If you were going to tell off a toxic boy, you were going to do so looking your best.
You silently dared Sebastian in your head to say something rude or possessive. You knew what you wanted to say already, should the time come. Knowing Sebastian, it probably would.
Nevertheless, you headed to the Saloon in your best outfit.
Upon entering, you saw the usual Friday crowd. Willie was sitting adjacent to Leah and Elliot. Clint was in the back. Robin and Demetrius were giggling over their table. Emily was hurriedly getting glasses from behind the bar, to which Gus quickly poured in more liquor.
Harvey waved at you from the bar, and you smiled back.
“Gus, can I have a seven and seven?” You asked.
“Sure can.” He said.
“What are you drinking?” You asked Harvey, pointing at the black liquid in his shiny glass cup. He swirled it around, the ice clinking against the side of the glass.
“Rum and coke.”
“Spiced rum?”
“Gold.” He said.
“Gross. I only like it spiced.” You smiled as Gus handed you your drink.
“Grown-ups don’t drink spiced rum.” Harvey smiled, taking another small sip. As he hunched over the bar, you saw muscles bulging out from the inside of his white shirt. You felt a blush reaching your cheeks as you realized Harvey was kind of ripped. You imagined him lifting you up and swinging you around, and quickly shook your head to get rid of the thought. Bad Y/N, you thought. Keep it clean.
“You’re the authority on grown-ups?” You asked.
Harvey smiled back at you through his hazel eyes that were partially obscured by his glasses. You realized he was pretty grown-up, or at least seemed like he had it more put-together than most of the other adults in this town. “I am, actually.” He agreed.
You laughed at his joke. “Well if anyone was, I would trust it to be you.”
Harvey tipped his glass at Gus, signaling he wanted another one. As Gus picked up Harvey’s empty cup, he looked at you curiously.
“Y/N, have you seen Shane tonight?” Gus asked cautiously. Clearly he wasn’t wanting to ask, but as you looked around you realized the Saloon’s most loyal patron was missing in action. “I would ask Marnie, but she’s away for the weekend. She took Jas with her…”
“I don’t know why you’d ask me that, but no.” You said. You pretended to be indifferent in front of Harvey, but Shane’s lack of appearance at the bar had you a little concerned.
“Ah, Shane.” Harvey muttered, setting his glass down on the bar. He stood up, taking his jacket from the back of his bar stool and shoving it on. “I better go check on him.” Harvey took a $20 bill out of his wallet and put it on the counter.
“Why? Is it serious?” You asked, your voice betraying your concern.
“Things told to a doctor are confidential.” He said.
“I’m coming with you.” You said without thinking, rising to your feet.
“You’re friends with Shane, hey?” Harvey asked curiously.
“I wouldn’t go that far, but I do know he struggles…” You said, thinking of the beer you shared over the moon a while ago. You thought of Shane on top of you, and how quickly he ran away, saying he was a bad person. You knew enough of Shane to know he wasn’t totally mentally stable.
“I guess I can’t stop you. Shall we?” Harvey asked, gesturing for you to walk in front of him.
You started walking out of the bar, looking at your feet against the shiny hardwood. You left out the front door, Harvey following you closely. As soon as Harvey shut the door behind him, it swung back open again.
Sebastian. He was standing there, on the front steps to the Saloon. He slammed the door, and approached the two of you.
“What the hell, Y/N? You leaving with him?” Sebastian asked, approaching you.
Harvey quickly stepped in front of you. “I’m sorry, is there a problem here?” He asked in a calm and deep voice.
“Yeah there’s a problem if you’re trying to leave with her.” Sebastian said.
“Sebastian, this has nothing to do with Harvey. I am leaving the bar, and it remains none of your business.” You stepped forward, feeling powerful, and almost like you were talking to your ex-boyfriend. “Me and you are not dating. We never were. You need to stop treating everyone else who I even glance at as garbage.” You said, stepping forward. You looked into his brown eyes, which were growing wide in disbelief. “You are not my boyfriend, and from the way you’ve been treating me, I’d barely even say we’re friends at this point.” All of these words came tumbling out, one after the other, like you couldn’t stop, but you finally took a breath.
“I think it’s time for you to go.” Harvey said, once again stepping in front of you.
Sebastian looked at you, then at Harvey, and rolled his eyes. “Of course we’re not dating.” He said. He glanced at you for another long moment, sighed, and walked back into the saloon.
You sighed with relief, your chest pushing out a huge waft of air. It almost made you double over.
“Hey, hey, it’s alright.” Harvey said, throwing his arm around your shoulder. “He’s gone.”
His arm was heavy on you. Comforting. Once he realized he had touched you, he quickly removed his arm and backed up. “Um… I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright.” You smiled at him gratefully. “So, should we go check on Shane?”
“Are you sure you’re alright? We can sit down for a minute, or…”
“I’m fine.” You said. “Let’s go.”
~
Harvey and you walked down the long path to Marnie’s house. He asked you a few more times if you were alright, but you didn’t fault him for that. It seemed to come from a place of caring rather than judgment.
Finally, you reached the house, and held in a deep breath while Harvey knocked on the door. “Shane? You home?” He called. When no answer came, he jiggled the handle, which opened the door.
Harvey tentatively led you into the house, his steps creaking across the floorboards. Marnie’s counter was just ahead, and atop it was a note.
Harvey gingerly picked up the note and read it, shaking his head. “Come on…” He said.
“What does it say?” You asked.
Harvey handed you the small piece of scrap paper. On it, in chicken scratch writing, was a note from Shane.
“Gambling in the city.
Maybe I’ll never come back. Who knows?
-Shane”