~ stuck in motion ~

“Whoa, whoa, okay. Calm down, calm down, shh. Let’s–where’s your owner, huh?”

“I think I saw someone leave this big guy then head down the road.” She said kneeling down trying to help calm the dog.

“Don’t you love it when you order Starbucks then proceed to spill it all over your new shirt? Well, that’s how my day started.”

“It’s alright, bold roast looks good on you.” She joked reassuring him.

“Um–” Ara hesitated for a moment before he approached the stranger. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but do you happen to have a phone charger on you? My phone just died and I’m waiting for an important call.”

“Promise you’re not going to run away with it right?” Brett raised an eyebrow with a grin as she dug through her bag to retrieve the cord and hand it off to him.

“I like my sex and my coffee like Kylo Ren. On the dark side.”

Funny Montgomery, why don’t you turn that music act into stand up?

“Hey now, hey now, this is wha–” Tallon’s eyes had just fluttered open to spot the company as he strummed his guitar. “There’s nothing wrong with singing Hilary Duff,” he explained away before a comment could be made.

“Hey, hey - no judgement here.” Brett laughed and held her hands up in defense. 

“Excuse me,” Ava said, calling out for the person in front of her, closing her compact mirror. “Could you move a little?” she asked, giving the person a charming smile. “You’re in my way. I need the light.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize I was hogging the sun.” She rolled her eyes despite moving over a step. Brett never cared much for makeup except for a little mascara and she didn’t try to understand girls who made such a fuss over it.

“Okay, okay, just–whoa. Steady with it! I don’t want it to tip.”

Brett was headed down the street when she saw an accident waiting to happen. “Hey! Hold it!” She yelled jogging up ahead quickly enough to move a box that the movers would have undoubtedly tripped over. 

His eyebrows raised at the comment and then his face flushed. He vividly remembered that night with her. It wasn’t something he normally did at all but he took a risk and it paid off. Brett was the kind of girl he couldn’t help but like, she was infectious in the best way possible, and he was definitely glad he kept in contact with her. “Tomorrow sounds great. We don’t start spring practice for a while so I’m free for the next few weeks.” Sammy took a drink out of his glass and then laughed at her next words. “Right. That’s not going to happen, Brett. I look like a five year old compared to some of the guys on the team.” He had a classic baby face and that definitely did not help him much when it came to girls. “Okay good. Because I didn’t really want you to go.”

“Perfect, I’ll have to steal you away for the next few weeks while you are still free then.” She said as a smile formed on her lips. She knew that it would be easy to say these things to Sam and never actually act on them, but he was someone she wanted to spend time with. “Sammy, you do not look like a five year old. You’re a fresh face and pretty soon you’ll be kicking ass on the field anyway.” She told him with a laugh. Brett knew that he wasn’t the tall dark and handsome guy that most women were into, but that’s what she fond attractive about him, he was kind and funny, and talking to him came easy to her. “Someone else will get it, perks of owning the bar, you don’t have to worry about being fired.”

Micah smirked, feeling accomplished that he had got her attention. “I’m a financial analyst for a brokerage firm. About as exciting as it sounds.” Micah laughed, leaning forward and resting against the bar on his elbows. “Not nearly as entertaining as I’m sure working in a bar is.”

“Wow, that, does sound boring...” Brett laughed and shook her head. “I’m sorry, that was rude.” She covered herself before pointing a finger. “If it makes you feel any better, I’m actually a psychologist, owning a bar is kind of just a...complicated thing I’m doing right now.”

“I look good in everything,” he said in mock seriousness. “But yeah that sounds great, Brett. It works for me. Anytime you are ready for me.” He noticed the smirk and he decided that it looked good on her. They had only been around each other a few times but they kept in contact via facebook, snapchat and other various social media sites. Plus texting. It was good to be in the same place as her though. “Oh, my heart. I think it just broke,” he said as he held his heart. He then laughed and ran a hand through his hair. “Good. But don’t let me keep you from your customers.”

“And in nothing.” She she added nonchalantly before breaking into a laugh. “How about tomorrow, I don’t have to be back here until seven or eight, we could go shopping then get dinner?” She offered. Being able to actually go out with Sam for a change instead of just talking felt good and Brett was happy knowing that she would have someone to go out with and distract her from the mess that was going on with her now. “Well I’ve got to protect myself, once you play your first game, half the girls in Seattle are going to be tracking you down. She joked with a small grin on her face before glancing down the bar. “Oh them? They’re fine down there.”

“I’m so sorry, really. It’s just a weird night for me, I haven’t been out much since moving here and I’m clumsy even on my best night.” Lorelai looked down sheepishly. “Although I’m sure this isn’t the first time someones broken a glass right?” 

“It’s fine you are definitely not the first, or the last to break a glass in here, I broke one myself a few days ago, besides we’ve all had our fair share of weird nights too. Here, what were you drinking?” Brett offered putting a glass down on the counter. “You said you moved here recently?”

Ghost of parents past | Brett & Andrew

Being at work was always the easiest part of Brett’s day, she never realized how much work her father put into this place until she was the one caring for it, but that old mahogany bar felt more like home than the linoleum counter that lined the kitchen of the house she grew up in did. This place was filled with only happy memories, nights when they would anxiously wait for her father to sneak off shift and take them to a baseball game, or days when tips were good and her dad would come home and wake her and her siblings up for a middle of the night pizza party to celebrate. Everything in here was a memory, from the ‘G’ that her brother had carved into the bar one night, to the framed dollar that had been hung on the wall since before she was born.

“Well, I have to be quite confident if I’m going to stand out.” Micah replied, then thanked her for the drink. “Can’t expect to get anywhere if I’m going to be like everyone else.”

She had to admit she was impressed. Being behind the bar she got no less than a dozen pick up lines from people of all walks of life, but just like he claimed, he was certainly standing out among them. “Well, it’s working...” She admitted as she stacked a few cups on top of each other.

“I don’t know if I’ll get used to it but I can try. Coat shopping? I guess I can do that with you. I figured you’d say something like ‘there’s nothing better than warming up in front of a fire while you cuddle a really cute second baseman.’ But I guess that’s only second to Seattle coffee.” He winked at her and then laughed. “I doubt I’ll be sick of you but thanks for that, Brett. It is pretty awesome.”

“Maybe you won’t get used to it, but it will at least be bearable, especially in a nice new pea coat? Yeah you would definitely look good in a pea coat.” She said not hiding the smirk that flashed across her lips. Brett laughed and shook her head at his comment. “You know, I haven’t tried that before, but it seems like a much more effective way to warm up, if only I knew a really cute second baseman.” She joked tapping her finger against her lip as if she was thinking. “Of course, I’m really glad you’re here.” She smiled.

“Just a beer for now.” Micah said. “Whatever you’ve got. I should probably try and remain somewhat coherent if I’m trying to chat up nice girls.” He couldn’t help but flirt. It was in his nature. He was bored, the young woman seemed friendly, where was the harm in having a little fun? The least he could do was try and amuse her and give it his best shot. 

“One beer coming right up.” She grinned reaching to the tap and pouring the most popular label of the night. “Well aren’t you the charmer. Most other guys need a few shots of liquid courage before they can “chat up nice girls.” She raised her eyebrows and set down the drink in front of him.

“Thank you. I was shocked when the recruiter showed up to my last game and then when they asked me to think about it…well I probably passed out.” He laughed and then took the drink in his hand. “Why thank you, Brett. I’m very happy to be here. It’s going to take some getting used to. I’m already way colder than I’ve ever been in California.” The boy bit down on his bottom lip as he looked at her. “It’s been too long. But I’m here and I expect you to hang out with me all the time. Well, as much as we both can get away that is.”

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