Chapter Five
Twister
The longer we stayed in The Badger’s Den, the more the place filled up.Not packed, but steady.Locals came in and eyed our crew with a mix of curiosity and caution.We weren’t being loud yet, but we took up space, and people noticed.
Rev nudged me from two stools down.“Hey, Prez, either order some damn food or we need to find somewhere that serves more than whiskey.”
I turned my head and spotted Tempi behind the bar, moving fast but smooth.Her dark hair was pulled up in a messy knot with tendrils escaping near her neck.Her tight black ribbed tank top and jeans fit like they were made just for her curves.She had a sharp look in her eye that made it clear she didn’t take shit from anyone.
I cleared my throat and leaned forward.“You got food here, doll?”
Tempi didn’t miss a beat.She reached under the bar, pulled out a laminated single-page menu, and slid it toward me.“May not be a lot, but it’s all fucking delicious.”
I picked it up and gave it a scan.
Fresh Cheese Curds.Deep Fried Cheese Curds.Soft Pretzel with Beer Cheese.Loaded Nachos.Fries.Disco Fries.Wisconsin Cheeseburger.Cheese Curd Bacon Burger.Grilled Ham and Cheese.
I let out a low whistle.“You guys like cheese around here?”
Tempi rolled her eyes as she dried a glass.“You’re in Wisconsin now, Twister.Cheese and beer are king.”
I chuckled and looked over the menu.Yeah, it wasn’t a huge menu, but every single thing on it sounded good.Bar food done right.
“How about you surprise me with enough food to feed all of these assholes?”
Tempi pursed her lips and gave the crew a look.“You just want apps?”
I shrugged.“Do ten burgers, but cut them all in half.Throw in some curds and fries.Mix it up.”
I was footing the bill like usual, but I wasn’t looking to drop a few hundred on dinner.We still had to pay for drywall, a new back door, and a fuck ton of other things.
Tempi gave me a short nod.“You got it.Britta!”she called over her shoulder.“Got a big order!”
From the kitchen doorway behind the bar, Britta hollered back, “On it!”and disappeared through swinging doors.Tempi rattled off a list of food, and Britta said ‘aye’ to each thing.
Tempi got back to work.She checked in on a table of regulars, poured a few beers, and cracked a joke with an old guy in a Packers cap who seemed to be part of the furniture.I sipped my whiskey and leaned on the bar as I watched her move.
She didn’t rush.She didn’t panic.She justworked.Like this was hers, because it was.I respected that.Admired it, even.
I’d worked my whole life to get to that place.To own something and to build it brick by brick.That’s what the clubhouse was going to be, and I dared anyone to take it from me.
Britta started passing plates out from the kitchen pass-through, and Tempi brought them over one by one.Cheese curds, fries, a tray of pretzels with beer cheese so thick it clung to the spoon.
“Food’s up!”she called.
The guys swarmed the bar like it was a buffet at a bachelor party.Sully and Nugget grabbed cheese curds, Hodge immediately claimed the pretzel plate, and Plug damn near elbowed Cord for the disco fries.
Tempi slipped down to my end of the bar with her arms crossed as she watched the chaos unfold.
“More?”she asked.
I looked down the bar.The guys were tearing through everything like wolves, and it was only a matter of time before they started licking the plates.
“Another round, doll.”
Tempi turned and hollered toward the kitchen.“Same again, after the burgers come out!”Then she turned back and leaned toward me with her hands braced on the bar.“Another whiskey?”
I nodded and slid my empty glass toward her.
