Page 136 of The Bartender Special

Everyone was excited.

Dixon had even started talking about next year's parade as they were putting on their body glitter earlier.

Jack should have been excited right there with him.

Cassidy’s Place was finally getting its groove back.

Yet, Jack couldn’t help but focus on the most important part Dixon had glazed over in his excitement.

Next year, Benny won’t be here.

It only made the stone in Jack’s gut feel like a boulder.

One he knew he couldn’t move.

* * *

That afternoon Arbor Bay High's auditorium was prepped and ready for the pageant rehearsal, but with a vibe that was a far cry from the fun and lightly chaotic parade. The mood was strict, almost military-like as contestants were told where to go, what to do, and to do it just like this by Carol Robertson herself.

Still, Jack and Benny had already been stopped four different times and told—in four different ways—that Cassidy's Place had had the funniest float. The mermen had been a total hit, while the pirates who had been with them had made the float feel more like a play than a decoration. It hadn’t been the cleverest thing, certainly not the most thought out, but Jack had been pleasantly surprised at the positive reception.

Then again, Benny had put together almost everything, so maybe he shouldn’t have been surprised at all.

Jack had a feeling that Benny wasn’t just good at writing his feelings on the internet, but really and truly was great at his event planning jobs.

He liked to make special days shine?

If the party and the parade were any indication of his thoughtfulness and skill, then having him as an official planner would be something to really see.

Thinking about Benny’s job, about their future, took Jack’s already-dangling mood and dropped it farther.

And he knew Benny noticed, just like he had at the parade.

Still, he didn’t say a word.

Not after Jack’s lame excuse about being tired.

Not after he’d barely spoken to Benny since.

And why should Benny say anything more?

Why should he keep asking if Jack was okay?

Everything they had been working on for weeks was about to be done.

Benny would be able to finish his story, complete the blog, and go back to Nashville.

Jack would stay at the bar.

That’s what he’d always wanted, right?

His mood, despite his best efforts, only soured more as the auditorium filled with pageant participants, volunteers, and Golden Boy Robertson himself.

When Marcus saw them, he waved and smiled.

That easy smile.

“So, I knew logically that being in a pageant meant being on stage in front of a lot of people, but I guess it hadn't really hit me until now.” Benny’s voice was soft. He motioned out to the chairs facing the stage. “I forgot how many seats are in here. What's the thing you're supposed to do to get over stage fright? Picture the audience in their underwear? Or do we picture them naked?”