He wanted to run after her. Hell, he probably should have, but once again he was struck with fear and uncertainty- the same fear and uncertainty that made him leave so long ago. With a frustrated sigh and turned back towards the bar to try and calm down the mess that was transpiring at Jimmy’s bar. Turns out Val was right, and she had no sign of stopping. As soon as Raymond came in he heard her scoff. “Wow, didn’t run away this time, good job, Ray!” She shot at him, “Leigh, come on-“ Jimmy started, but she spoke up again. “Stop trying to defend the two, Jimmy! For fuck’s sake he’s done nothing to keep you as a friend. He’s just here because he feels guilty about Austin.” She took another sip of her drink, and Jimmy gently took it from her grasp. “Yeah, not a good time for that.” He looked at Ray with a look of apology, but also another glance. Raymond had been pretty good at reading facial expressions after his years acting, and he could tell that some of the things that Ryleigh was saying, Jimmy agreed with. He couldn’t blame them. 

“Leigh.” Raymond began.

“Oh no, not this time! You always got what you wanted by giving us your puppy dog eyes, I’m not falling for it now, Raymond Chase! Especially since you’ve only gotten hotter and taller since you left us for Hollywood!” It seemed the alcohol was taking effect. 

Raymond sighed and shook his head. “I’m not doing this right now. Can you grab her some water, Jimmy?” “Gonna run away again Ray without saying anything? Or are you actually going to be around?”

“Leigh, you’re drunk, I’m not going to talk to you—“

“Oh, more excuses from you and Val, big shocker!” She shot back, which made Ray’s blood boil. She always had to edge things on. She seemed just as feisty as she was when she was younger.

“I’ll see you when you’re sober.” Ray waved her off, tired of not getting anywhere with her, plus she didn’t want to start a fight with her in that state. As he turned and started for the door, she called out again. “There he goes! Running away from it all! Hey, when it’s time for Austin’s funeral are you going to run away for another ten years or just not come back at all?” Ray stopped and turned, visibly angry now.

“Fine, Leigh. Fine. Let’s talk. This is what you wanted, right? For me to be here, so we can all talk and figure this shit out? Then let me talk! I get that you’re hurting about Austin. I get that you’re angry with me for leaving, but Val has been here with you every goddamn second of the grieving too. You’re not angry with her. You’re angry with me for packing up and not looking back. She’s grieving, just like you. She’s hurting, and angry, and confused with all this shit and it doesn’t help that she has to deal with comments and back handed remarks to things that she’s trying to move on from!” Ray shouted. “What happened between Val and I is between us, but I’m the one who left. Not her. So hate me, resent me, throw things at me, whatever… just stop pushing away Val and help her through this like we all used to. I’m here now. And you might not believe me, but I’ve missed ya’ll so much and want… to try and work it all out. If you’ll let me.”

It was silent for a moment, until Ryleigh stood up and walked towards him. “You have no idea what we’ve been through these past ten years… Fuck you, Ray.” And with that, she stumbled out of Jimmy’s bar. He turned to follow after her, but Jimmy stopped him with a quick whistle, holding up her keys. “She’s stumbled her way home more than once, Ray… You said your piece for now. Just let her think on it.” Jimmy looked around and then down at his watch. “Wanna help me set up?”

———————————

It was a nice change of pace for Raymond to work again like he used to. Ever since he made it successfully in Hollywood he’s had people do almost everything for him, which he hated. He missed working on cars for the older folks in their town during the summers with Austin and Jimmy. He missed helping his dad, the local handyman in the town, with random requests and favors. He missed the feeling of going to the lake house after a long week’s work of school and other jobs to relax with his friends. As he pulled out a case of beer from the cooler he smiled faintly at the thought of going back there… but now he wasn’t so sure if anyone would want to go. Not only did he fuck up with Val, but he seems he made a mess of the conversation with Ryleigh, but helping serve drinks and maintain a bar with Jimmy took his mind off of it.

It was only a matter of time before people realized that Raymond Chase, hometown delinquent and Hollywood star was serving drinks at the bar. It brought in a pretty big crowd with a lot of people he hadn’t seen in years asking how he was. He liked reminiscing on old stories that they had, laughing at how much of a wild child he was, and every now and then was asked if he had seen Val yet. He hid the pain and nodded, and went to “grab some drinks” in the back whenever the older women gossiped that she was seeing someone now. 

“You’re not bad at this… sure you’re not all prissy and snobby like those folks out in LA?” Jimmy yelled out to him over the music and talking in the bar. “When I left I went to Atlanta first. Bartended for some bar for a couple years before acting really took off.” Ray explained. “Well don’t expect to be getting paid! I will say, though, this place hasn’t been this busy in a very long time.” Ray looked over to see the excitement in his eyes. Raymond slapped a hand firmly on Jimmy’s back and gave him a warm smile and nod. He knew Jimmy would never say it, but he was thankful for Ray helping out, even after all that was said and done this morning. “I missed ya, Ray.” He said before turning his attention to new patrons. 

“I missed you guys, too…” Raymond softly said, thinking about Austin, Ryleigh, and Val… and how he was going to get fix all of this.