After That Night
Set after the events of Season One. Because I loves me some Wade. This chapter is really just to set the scene. More to come!
Disclaimer: Do not own, never will (sadly).
Wade Kinsella was having a bad day. No, no, make that a bad week. A bad year, even. Ever since Zoe Hart came to town. In those shorts.
"Wade, you're scrubbing that bar to within an inch of its life!"
"It's fine, Shelly, this thing hasn't been cleaned properly in years" he replied. "Besides, I could use a distraction."
Shelly sighed behind him. No one knew for sure but everyone had pretty much guessed that something had happened between him and Zoe. Rumours had been floating round town for weeks, about Zoe and George, then neither Wade not Zoe making it to the wedding (even though they lived so close and Sheriff Bill said he'd got them home in plenty of time), then George calling off the wedding and Lemon not leaving the house and Zoe and – uh. The whole thing was a mess. Ever since the damn thing had been called off Wade had been working almost every day and even in between shifts took to attacking the old pine trappings of the Rammer Jammer with double strength polish. The place had really never looked so clean. The jukebox was fixed, somehow the pool table no longer tilted to the left and the chairs had even been arranged in matching pairs, something that Shelly suspected had a lot to do with not wanting to accidentally bump into someone on the plantation. Pretty soon he was going to run out of odd jobs. Now that would be interesting.
Zoe Hart came in with the Mayor as often as ever but somehow Wade always found an excuse to be out back. Mostly George got the same treatment – after the first time they had come face to face, it seemed safer that way. Shelly had never seen someone's eyes burn as hard as Wade's had that night. The whole bar had come to a stop – tension like a knife. She sighed again, still watching Wade. She had gone to school with both George and Wade, two grades below them. Time was she and her friends had all had crushes on them, going to every football game, cheering whenever either of them caught the ball and downright squealing if either boy had scored. They had been so charming together! People heard tell of how George helped Wade out with his grades and how Wade responded in kind, not so subtly helping George edge out from under his father's shadow with his carefree – though sometimes downright dangerous – approach to life. If there was ever anyone who knew about not wanting to be like your father, it was Wade Kinsella. Seeing them like this…it wasn't right.
"Shelly, I can hear you sighing behind me. I appreciate your concern but I am fine."
"I know. But, if you change your mind, I'm here. I could cover your shift tomorrow if you like?"
"Nah, I like being busy," he said, still scrubbing intently at some non-existent mark on the bar. He turned his head slightly and half smiled at her. "Thanks for the offer, though. It's appreciated."
"You're welcome." She smiled sadly back and meandered out from the bar towards the entrance to collect glasses. "Uh, Wade?"
"Mmm?" he replied absently, still not looking up.
"Zoe's coming. With Lavon. For dinner, probably." She stood, peeking out of the window even as she spoke. "You know, I can probably handle the dinner rush by myself tonight. Barely anyone's in after all." She turned around, only to see Wade flash a her grateful smile and disappear out the back. Somehow she suspected that the leaky veranda roof would be fixed by the time she left tonight.
"Hey guys, how are ya'll doing tonight? I can bring you a menu so, uh, sit yourselves down, any drinks?" she said extra fast, trying to cover-up the fact that she was dying to know what had happened. Shelly saw Zoe's eyes flit toward the bar before coming back to rest on her. Was she imagining a slight look of disappointment?
"Uh, a beer for me Shelly, and Zoe? Water?" Lavon smiled at her whilst not so subtly prodding Zoe in the ribs.
"Mm, water please, thanks Shelly." Zoe smiled at her.
"Alright, coming up!" Shelly turned and walked briskly back to the bar. She was just pouring Zoe's water when suddenly the doors opened and she looked up. Twenty, probably thirty men poured into the bar at once. Was that the Mobile football team? This night was supposed to be quiet! Shelly practically growled in frustration. Wade had better be grateful for this.