Adrift: The Complete Novel Read Online Free

over their drinks. A fat man behind the bar looked up at the sound of the door opening.
    “Hey, Johnny. What can I get for ya?”
    “Kelly in?”
    The owner hesitated, assessing Johnny mood.
    “She’s in the back.”
    “Get me a shot of Jack and a Bud, then go get her.”
    The owner put down the dish towel and moved to fill the order, Johnny taking a seat in the middle of the bar, keeping his gaze on the obese bartender.
    “You know, you really should lose some weight, Wally,” Johnny jabbed. One of the other patrons snickered.
    The owner’s face colored, but he chuckled nervously. “I know, I know. The wife’s been telling me that for years.” He set the shot glass in front of Johnny who took it and drank it, slamming the tiny glass down. “I, uh, maybe I should get back into the gym. Remember those days? You and me on the football field?” He handed the beer bottle to Johnny, hand shaking slightly.
    “That was a long time ago, Wally. What’d you play anyway? Towel boy?” Another snicker from the drunk patron.
    “Nah, hell. I was on the O-line with you, remember?”
    Johnny nodded, sipping his beer. “Why don’t you go get Kelly?”
    A minute later, a skinny girl with sun-streaked hair, jean shorts hugging her slight form, walked in from the kitchen. “Hey, Johnny,” she said tentatively, avoiding his eyes and the bandage on his nose.
    “I need to have a word with you out back,” Johnny said, pointing his bottle at the young girl who looked no more than twenty years old.
    “Uh, I’ve got prep work to do in the kitchen. Let me ask…”
    “Don’t worry about Wally.” Johnny smiled. “It’ll just take a minute.”
    Kelly looked around for support. Wally had stayed in the kitchen. The customers pretended not to listen. She was all alone.
    “O—kay.”
    Johnny pounded the rest of the beer and tossed the bottle behind the bar. “Next round’s on me, fellas,” he said to the others, one who looked asleep, but grinned at the offer.
    Johnny led the way and opened the back door for Kelly, patting her rear as she passed. She knew better than to flinch. 

    Chapter 6
     
    After helping Hollie dispose of the dead coyotes and various random farm chores, I showered and headed to the kitchen for dinner.
    Fried chicken, greasy and steaming, sat waiting expectantly. “Dig in,” said Hollie, still tending the stove. “I’ve got collards coming too.”
    I didn’t wait, starved. I’d polished off two succulent thighs before Hollie sat down, bringing the ham hock seasoned collard greens with him. As before, we closed our eyes for a quick blessing.
    “You know, I really should be paying you for helping me out,” Hollie remarked, taking his first bite of chicken.
    “I think I’m the one who owes you. How about we call it even?”
    Hollie nodded, not saying anything while we devoured a good portion of the food. “How long are you planning on staying? I mean, I’m not saying you have to leave, just curious.”
    I’d been thinking the same thing. It wasn’t fair taking advantage of his hospitality. “Not long. I’ve got some places to visit.”
    “Home?”
    I shrugged, not wanting to think about visiting family. That could wait, despite my mother’s pleas. She wanted me home. I wanted to be anywhere but.
    “Do you think it would be okay if I borrowed your truck after dinner? I wanted to drive over to the bar and apologize.”
    “Sure, but you think that’s a good idea? Might run into the Laneys again.”
    “I’ll take my chances to make things right. Can you give me directions?”
     
    +++
     
    After helping with the dishes, I climbed into Hollie’s pickup and headed out to the main drag. It took me just under ten minutes to get there. There weren’t many cars in the lot as I pulled in, taking a moment to do a quick appraisal of the area.
    Nothing looked familiar when I stepped into the bar. I must’ve been really drunk that first night. The bar stools were nearly full, but only one of the