Pursing her lips my mom slowly nodded. “If you say so. It sounds like it’s going to be a hot mess. Maybe you should take some advice from your mom. You and Jenna were just little kids when you had all these plans. Maybe you should change it up. You need to stop letting her have so much control.”

How the…? How did my mom just turn this into some damn therapy session?

Speaking through clenched teeth I said in staccato, “Mom. I’m. Doing. This. Not. You.” Grabbing the dark grey paint I walked to the opposite wall. “This has been the plan for over ten years and that’s how it will be.”

Tapping her stiletto covered foot my mom huffed. “Fine then. Do what you want, this is your place. But, when it comes out looking ridiculous don’t come asking me for help.”

My mom and I had never had a great relationship and I didn’t expect her to love this idea but she could at least respect it. “Don’t worry. I won’t ask for anything. And you’re right this is my place. Key word being, my. I will do what I want and if you don’t like it then don’t come. This is something I planned out with someone I love and I plan on carrying that out. I want her to walk in here and see that I never forgot what we planned. So, if you would excuse me I have painting to do.”

Yanking her purse off the chair she turned and stomped away. “I wish you the best on this place, I really do. But, Gage, I think you’re doing it for all the wrong reasons. It won’t make her come back to you.” My mom pushed the door open and walked out.

I wasn’t doing this for the wrong reasons. I was doing this because it had been my dream since I was little. I knew I wouldn’t get Jenna back. She told me herself she didn’t love me like I love her. Maybe one day, eventually I would accept that. Until then I would throw myself into my bar and football.

I spent all day painting all the walls grey. When I was just about finished Dylan came walking in.

Grabbing a paint brush he asked, “Need some help?”

Shaking my head I said, “Nah. Almost finished. What do you think?”

Dylan stepped back, looking around he said, “It’s dark but I like it. You’re still putting those light on the wall, right? I think that will look badass. Especially when you add in those moss ball do-dads.”

Pointing to the boxes stacked in the corner I said, “Yep. Just have to paint the ceiling silver then I can hang the lights on the walls. I found the hanging glass beads for the ceiling. Once I replace the normal lights with the light blue once it will look like water is hanging from the ceiling.”

“Your ideas sound crazy but I think I like them.” Dylan dropped his paint brush on a chair and grabbed the silver paint. “Got a ladder here or should I just use a chair?”

“In the kitchen.”

We spent the night in comfortable silence painting. It was nice having my brother by my side. For the first time in a long time I didn’t feel so alone.

“So you’re putting saltwater aquariums on the floor. How does that work? Doesn’t that require a filter?” Dylan stood staring at the large rectangular glass aquarium on the floor.

“It will all be under the floor. Since the building is on stilts I can do a lot more with very little demo needed. I always wanted aquariums in the wall but then I thought of this idea. They would serve more than one purpose. Great conversation starter, could be used as a table, and easy decoration.”

The place was coming together. The walls were painted with the lights and moss on them. The ceiling was silver and the small glass beads were hanging from it. Dylan and I had the light gray leather benches in place and screwed down. We had spent the morning putting the metallic tiles on the wall and setting up the tall bar tables.

With only one week left before opening night I was feeling the stress. I still had so much to do. I never expected Dylan to step in and help me like he has.

Shrugging Dylan said, “It will be unique. Never seen an aquarium on the floor before.”

“I want this place to feel like an ocean oasis. I had to have fish, somehow. After we get these all setup I have a guy from Saltwater Sandy’s coming out to get the water and fish setup. He said after he got everything going it would be simple to take care of.”

Dylan was starting to bend over when he suddenly stood straight and said, “Shit! What about the staff? You have been so busy getting the place ready you forgot about hiring people.”

I tried to hide my laugh when I said, “Got it covered. I hired a manager right after I got back from New York. She has been filling positions the past few weeks. I met with her the other day and all that’s left is two bartending positions. She said she had a few applications to look at and would hopefully have those spots filled by this weekend. Don’t worry little brother, I have thought of everything.”

Dylan laughed. “You really are superman, aren’t you?”

“Not quite. Now let’s get this finished. We still have a lot to do. Including naming this place.”

Smirking, he said, “Well…I have been thinking about that. What do you think about Wet Spot?”

I was still half bent over when I busted out laughing. “You know what? I think I like it. Sounds sexual.”

“Uh huh.” Dylan helped me carry the last aquarium across the floor and sit it in place.

“Wet Spot. That’s the name. While the guy from Saltwater Sandy’s is here I’m going to drive over to the tee shirt printing place and have them make up shirts for the staff.  I was thinking black shirts with silver writing. Think that would look good?”

Squinting his eyes a little Dylan was silent for a minute before saying, “As long as the girls have tight shirts I couldn’t give two shits what they look like.”

Rolling my eyes I said, “Simmer down. I’m going to call the guy to come out with the fish then run across town. While I’m gone will you set the barstools along the bar and bar tables? Then tonight we can set the silver tables by the benches.”

“Yep. Go call fish man and get your shirts ordered. I can setup a few stools.”

By the time I returned to my bar Dylan had the stools in place and had a few of his buddies helping him set the silver tables up.

“Gage Goddamn Tucker.” Dylan’s best friend, Hunter came walking across the bar.

“Hunter Shithead Landry.” I smiled as he came in for a hug.

“Your joint is looking sharp.” Hunter stepped back and looked at the now working aquarium.

“Thanks. I couldn’t have done all this without Dylan. Who knew my fuckoff brother could work so hard,” I joked.

Dylan flipped me off before lifting a table with another friend. After they sat it on the floor Dylan said, “You going to stand there and gawk or is your ass going to help?”

“I figured you little ladies could use the extra workout. I have some other shit to do.”

As I made my way down the hall to my office I heard Dylan say, “Suck dick, brother.”

I spent an hour arranging my office. Grabbing a box labeled pictures I opened it. Sitting on top was a picture of Jenna and me from my NFL draft. She had her arms wrapped around me and to anyone she looked happy, but I could see the emptiness in her eyes. She tried to be happy for me. She tried to love me. But, she couldn’t. The diamond on her finger caught my eye. She had her hand placed on my chest. Seeing this picture had my chest burning. I sat it to the side and grabbed the next picture. It was a picture of Evie and me. She was curled up in my lap, both of us asleep. That could be my life. I could have had Evie curled up with me every night if I hadn’t talked to Larkin. Why did I have to be the bigger person and give him a chance? I knew Jenna was in love with him. Of course she would choose him. I made my own bed and now I had to sleep in it. Alone.

I went through the last few boxes and ordered pizza before I walked back to the main room. I found Dylan and his friends setting the silver ice buckets on the tables with the white candles.