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All week, I thought about the girl I’d picked up off the side of the road. Her long tan legs in those tiny white shorts and ridiculous sandals. Her sea-green eyes starred in my dreams every night, since. But like an idiot, I didn’t get her name or phone number or even where she was going. I guess I’d been out of the dating game for far too long.
A knock sounded at my door, and Todd, my supervisor, stuck his head into my office.
“How are the prototypes going?” He invited himself in and sank into the only other chair in the room.
I looked at my screen, back at him, before shrugging.
“That good?” He laughed. “A bunch of us are going to the bar after work. You should come, too.”
He was more of a squishy teddy bear than a ruthless slave driver. I hesitated, spending a night out at the bar wasn’t something I usually did. There were too many chores to be done at the ranch. Fences needed to be mended and hay to cut. A sigh escaped as I rocked back in my chair.
“What about your wife?” I asked a smiling Todd.
“She’s coming, too. That new country band is going to be there, so it’ll be the place to be tonight. You’re coming.” He exclaimed before dancing down the hall, whistling a country tune.
My desk clock showed 4:35 PM, only twenty-five more minutes until the end of the shift. This prototype needed to be done by Monday so that the welders could start fabrication. The image whirled around on the screen as I tweaked it a little here and there. But, the girl with the green eyes kept interrupting my thoughts. Did she get where she was going? Will I ever see her again? The image was still rotating when the factory bell chimed. With a sigh, I saved it and sent it to the next person as I wasn’t getting anywhere with it.
Todd stopped at my door and waited. “Come on Pete, let’s go. I’m not letting you off the hook this time. The ranch will be there in the morning.” He knew I was more likely to duck out on him to go work on the ranch than to spend my night dancing to the latest tune. He blocked the doorway with his body until I grabbed my keys and wallet.
“Fine,” as I followed him to Cowboy’s Bar.
#####
THE BAND WASN’T SUPPOSED to show up for at least another hour, but the bar was already packed when we arrived. Todd ordered both of us beer and chicken wings as I leaned back against the bar to scope out the place. A few people dressed up but most came straight from work: factory workers, ranchers, and those that worked in the city. It was Friday night and everyone was looking for a good time.
“Told you everyone would be here.” He said as he leaned in close to me to be heard over the crowd.
He waved out into the crowd, and his wife appeared. She hugged and kissed him before wrapping me into a warm, comforting hug. Her citrus scent filled my nostrils as my face collided with the top of her head. She was as squishable as her husband.
“I am so glad you came,” she said.
Then, she caught a glimpse of someone she knew and off she went again. Our order of wings came in, and I was munching on one when the door opened. The noise of the bar died before a couple of catcalls rang out. Someone yelled, “Dee is home!” She was dressed in a red dress that showed off her black hair, but my attention was caught by the beauty next to her. It was the girl from earlier this week, definitely over-dressed for a country bar in a black dress and silver heels. Dee smiled and high-fived a bunch of guys as per usual Dee; while, her friend followed close behind. The green-eyed girl was scanning the crowd. Our eyes met over the heads of all the people. I raised my glass to her, but she looked away.
“Dee came home for this one. The band must be good.” Todd mumbled around some chicken. I nodded and pushed myself up off of my stool.
“I’ll be back.”
MY MISERY, AND BENNY, kept me company in Delilah’s apartment as she worked at the hospital all week. I divided my time between her couch and my bed in her second bedroom and taking Benny for slow walks around her neighborhood, thinking about all the decisions I’d made in my life so far. By the time Friday came around, Delilah was ready to have some fun.
“Come on, mopey, time to get up.” She pulled the quilt off of me, and I shivered as the air-conditioned air hit my skin. “You can’t lay on my sofa for the rest of your life. Let’s go do something fun!”
I moaned into my pillow. Why can’t she just leave me alone! I slowly opened my eyes to see Delilah standing over me with a water bottle flicking large drops at me.
“Okay. Okay. I’ll get up.” I swung my legs over the side of the couch, as Delilah practically bounced in place.
“Whoopie! She has finally decided to leave her cocoon!”
The floor felt weird to my feet, my legs were wobbly from disuse, and empty cans of Ready-Whip and chocolate wrappers fell out of the couch and onto the floor.
“Into the shower.” With a giant shove, she pushed me to the bathroom. I brushed the hair out of my face, but it was sticky with ice cream.
“Ugh... I am a mess.” In the mirror, I caught a glimpse of the bags under my eyes. I looked like warmed up French fries.
“Yep, get in and then I can make you beautiful for a night out on the town.” She said as she shut the door.
I stepped into the hot stream and shower seemed to melt all my heartbreak away, at least for the moment. The dead space in my chest turned into a dull ache. It felt glorious to have the spray soaking my knotted hair and rolling down my back. The steam fogged up the glass panes as I closed my eyes. I rested my pounding head against the cool glass. How wonderful. I took my time enjoying the shower; when all of a sudden, a hand sneaked in and shut off the water.
“I’m not done!”
“Come on, Mel. I don’t have all night.”
Delilah thrust a towel at me. She was already dressed to go, wearing a flowy red dress and black pumps. Her thick black hair was straightened down her back, and she turned back to the mirror to color her lips red. I stepped out of the shower to see a tiny black dress and my fabulous silver heels hanging in the corner. Oh, how I loved those shoes. I shimmied into the little black dress that closely sheathed my curves and slipped my feet into the glamourous heels as Delilah curled my hair and painted on my make-up.
“How do you feel?” A cloud of hair spray engulfed us causing us to cough.
“Almost normal” I smiled at her in the mirror.
#####
DELILAH DROVE HER LITTLE car like a bat out of hell through the late afternoon San Antonio traffic as Benny curled up in the back seat. She wove in and out of traffic on the highway like she was in a video game. I gripped the handle as she swerved to avoid a particularly large moving truck.
“Try not to kill me,” I muttered through gritted teeth.
“Not a problem,” she cut back into the lane we were in previously as Benny’s sleeping form slid across the back seat.
Pretty soon, the city fell away to sprawling acres of scrub brush and cacti. It was pretty, even peaceful, as the miles flew past. The vibrant sunset streaked purples and pinks across the sky.
“Where are we going?” I swiveled in my seat, my thighs sticking to the leather as my dress rode up. I pulled down the dress and checked my curls in the mirror.
“I’m going to show you a good time in my hometown, Sunnydale.” I groaned but she ignored me. “There’s this awesome band playing tonight.”
“Really, Sunnydale?” I asked. She smirked but kept her eyes on the road. “Couldn’t we find a place to go out in San Antonio?”
She popped in a CD and cranked up the volume. She sang along to the songs that I didn’t know as I stared out the window watching the barren landscape roll by. She drove for what seemed like forever until I saw the Welcome to Sunnydale sign flash in the headlights.
“This band is really good. Plus, we’re going to stay at my parents’ for the weekend so we don’t have to drive.” She winked at me and I tried to smile back at her. “They’re going to love having Benny with them.”
She turned onto a side street and drove up to a yellow ranch style home. In the driveway, her older brother leaned against the side of a black Mustang. He had his arms crossed and a black baseball cap was pulled down close to his eyes. After she parked in front of the garage, Delilah was out of the car in a flash to hug her brother, He picked her up and twirled her around.
“It’s about time you made it home,” he said in a low voice as I opened my door and stepped out. Benny jumped out after me and promptly sniffed all about the yard. The tip of his tail wagged from side to side while he made little snuffling noises.
“Damien, you remember my best friend, Melanie Baker.” She grabbed my hand and drug me to him.
He towered over me with broad shoulders that bunched with muscles under his T-shirt. I remembered Delilah saying that he was a Marine, and it showed as he stood there with his hands behind his back and feet wide. I extended my hand to shake and he surprised me by enfolding me into a bear hug.
“Nice to see you again.” He said, gruffly. He stepped back and walked towards his car. “You girls coming?”
Damien drove silently to the bar as Delilah chatted away in the front seat. Once in a while, she turned around to engage me, but I didn’t have much to add.
Finally, we pulled up to the bar and she stopped talking. Instead, she bounced in her seat like an excited five-year-old child. The parking lot to the bar was packed. He drove around the lot twice, looking for a spot.
“I’ll just drop you off here,” his voice rumbled as he pulled up to the front door. “I’ll go park down the street.”
We got out and joined a long line of people waiting to get in.
“This is going to be so much fun,” Delilah whispered.
All I could do was nod my head. The line moved slowly until we finally made it into the bar. It was dark and lit by neon lights. Music pumped around the large space, competing with the sound of cue balls being hit and darts thumping into boards. Delilah stepped into the room with whistles, catcalls, and people yelling at her. She high-fived and hip-checked our way over to the bar. It seemed like everyone was in cowboy boots, jeans, and button-up shirts. I was overdressed in my little black number and silver heels. What had Delilah been thinking to make me wear this? Embarrassment heated my cheeks as people stared at me. I didn’t want to be here. It was too crowded, too loud, too country. After pushing through a crowd of people, we made it to the bar, and Delilah ordered us drinks. An intense gaze bore a hole in my back, causing my shoulder blades to tense. I swung around to see who it was. Over the heads of the crowd, I met his eyes. The man that had helped me with my car. The one that had been in my dreams every time I fell asleep. The man whose name I didn’t know but owed a debt to. He was taller than I remembered and his sandy brown hair was in disarray as he ran his fingers through it. He lifted his glass to me. What to do? What to do? I couldn’t acknowledge him. I always land myself into trouble that way. I just try to be nice, but men read way more into it. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him lean over and say something to the short, squat man standing next to him. Then, he started to move through the crowd. Toward me. I had to get away. I didn’t want to face him. I quickly looked around; Delilah was up against the bar, busy laughing at someone behind me. I moved toward her to get her attention when my foot hit a wet spot on the floor. The next thing I knew the world was flying through the air and the crowd parted as I landed with a thud in the wet sticky puddle. A large tanned hand reached down for me and grasped my one hand not covered in slime. I felt a jerk as my world righted itself. I stood on my own two feet hanging onto the sandy-haired man’s elbows, practically nose to nose. My chest constricted and my voice froze up. I couldn’t think, much less form any words. His pearly whites flashed as he smiled down at me.
“Are you okay?” He asked in a low and musical voice. I tilted my head to hear him better, my breasts touched his chest. My heart pounded so hard I worried he could hear it. His pulse pounded at the base of his neck. I swallowed and tried to get words out but ended up nodding instead.
“Oh no! Mel, are you okay?” I turned to the side to see Delilah peeking over his shoulder. The room began to spin again as I sagged against his hard chest.
“She must’ve hit her head,” the low timbre voice said.
“I don’t think so. Let me see her. Mel, can you hear me? How many fingers am I holding up?” I rolled my head towards Delilah’s voice. She waved her fingers in front of my eyes.
“Four, I think I just need to sit down.” I smiled weakly at her, my voice sounding weird to my ears.
“Let’s sit down over here.” When he grasped my elbow, my skin tingled where his hand rested. He guided me over to a booth in the corner and Delilah followed behind. I slid across the seat with my now wet dress sticking to the vinyl. He sat down opposite from me and Delilah sat next to me trying to catch a server’s eye.
“Pete Thompson.” His eyes crinkled as he smiled at me and extended his hand over the table.
“Melanie Baker,” I reached across and shook his hand. Tingles radiated across my skin as his palm met mine, and his smile widened. My breath caught at the beauty of his face and at that moment the world seemed to stand still.
“Mel, how about some onion rings?” Delilah’s voice startled me, breaking whatever connection there was between us.
“Yup, sure.” I glanced at my hands as the server hurried away to get our food and another round of drinks.
“So, Pete, how’s your grandma doing? I haven’t seen her in a while.” As Delilah pulled him into a conversation, I was able to check him out freely, at least more than I did last time.
His sandy brown hair went every which way in a sexy sort of mess, a deep tan colored his skin, crease lines formed at the corners of his eyes and mouth, and his brown eyes flashed every time he spoke. He was tall and broad-shouldered. He was wearing a grey button-up shirt with Pete stitched across the breast pocket. It stretched across his chest muscles and biceps as he reached for an onion ring. I briefly wondered what he would look like without his shirt. My mouth started to water so I grabbed a hot onion ring from the plate that was placed on our table. Delilah’s sparkling laugh interrupted my private thoughts.
“You didn’t say it was Pete that had helped you out.” She playfully punched me in the arm.
“I didn’t catch his name.” I stammered around a mouthful of food. Pete met my gaze as I looked up from my plate and smiled. My cheeks heated, and my stomach twisted.
MELANIE QUIETLY SIPPED a beer as Dee took over the conversation. Sometimes, Dee had so much energy that it made my head spin. I glanced at Melanie, but she looked like she was off in another world. Her pretty green eyes were distant and little frown lines formed on her brow. All of a sudden, Dee jumped up.
“I just love this song!” She exclaimed and hurried out to the dance floor.
Melanie’s trance wasn’t broken. I tapped my fingers on the table in time with the music. She raised her eyes to mine and a small smile graced her face.
“Would you like to dance?” I motioned to the dance floor with a nod of my head.
“This really isn’t my kind of scene.” She grimaced. “I don’t know how to do any country dances.”
I laughed. “Well, I’m a pretty good teacher. All you got to do is hold my hand.” Something flickered across her face. “It’s just one dance. We aren’t going to get married.”
“Are you sure this isn’t some backwoods way of an engagement?”
“You guessed it,” I ran my fingers through my hair and looked down at my boot. “I should’ve known that I couldn’t pull a fast one on a city slicker.”
That, finally, got her to laugh. I reached over and grasped her small soft hand to lead her onto the dance floor. The band played an upbeat tune as the crowd traveled around the sawdust-covered area in a quick two-step. I wrapped my arm around her and moved in time with the music. Her body tensed and she glanced up quickly.
“Just relax and follow my lead. It’s not that hard.”
I stepped forward and her vanilla scent hit me, making me a little light-headed. I leaned closer to her and tried not to obviously breathe in.
“Are you smelling me?” She pulled away, slightly.
“What if I am? Is there a law against that?”
“No, it’s just a little weird.”
I chuckled and spun her in a quick turn. She tripped a bit and I drew her into my chest to steady her. It felt so right to hold her tight. She fit perfectly in my arms. Her body relaxed as the music played. Around and around we danced. I was hoping for the song to never end, but it did. The magical moment was broken as she turned to applaud the band.
“How about a drink?” I met her eyes as the crowd dispersed from the floor. The first genuine smile broke across her face and her eyes sparkled.
“I think it’s my turn to buy.”
DANCING WITH PETE WAS fun. All my troubles from the past week had disappeared as I got lost in his arms, and they were nice arms. You know, the strong muscular kind that enveloped me into a hug and made me forget about everything but being in the moment. His masculine scent awoke the butterflies that had been dormant inside of me for a long time. I had never felt these feelings before, not even when I met Vance in college. My head rested on his strong shoulders as we slowly danced to a steel guitar whining a love song. His grey shirt was rough against my cheek. We gently swayed back and forth, while the beat of his heart thumped in time with mine. When the song ended, the crowd started to leave the dance floor. Pete smiled down at me, his brown eyes sparkling. He wrapped my hand into his and led me to the bar.
“Well, that was fun,” Pete huffed out as he waved down a waitress. “How about a drink?”
“I think it’s my turn to buy.” The sweat dripped down from my hairline. “Maybe a water, too.”
“Ha, you do owe me.” He winked. We each ordered a drink and a water. The bartender slid the glasses down the rail. Delilah hopped onto a barstool and grabbed my water. She drained it in one gulp. Then, she pushed her hair out of her eyes and straightened her dress.
“That band is so good! Aren’t you glad I made you stop obsessing over Vance long enough to come out?”
Pete’s gaze swept over to me as my face turned the color of a beet.
“Gee, thanks, best friend,” I mumbled under my breath and fixed her with the darkest stare I could muster. “Do we have to discuss this right now? I’m currently having a great time.”
“Oh, lighten up, Mel. I am sure Pete doesn’t care about this at all. Right, Pete?”
“What? Yeah, sure, whatever. I think Todd needs me.” He dropped a couple of bills on the table and left. Delilah looked after him with her forehead scrunched.
“That’s odd. Pete’s usually not rude like that.” She took a sip of my drink. “Let’s go find Damien to take us home. I’m getting a little too tipsy.” She giggled and leaned over to hug me. “I’m so happy you are here!”
“How many have you had?”
“Enough,” she dissolved into giggles.
I LEANED AGAINST A pool table as Dee hugged Melanie. So, she was here to forget about her broken heart. Some guy named, Vance, huh. He must have messed up bad. Otherwise, why would a stunning girl like her leave New York? Well, that sucked. I thought she was a great girl, but I don’t do rebounds. Things end up messy and my heart did not need another heartbreak. The universe gave me enough pain and angst for one lifetime. Besides, I’ve too much on my plate to worry about a woman.
“A penny for your thoughts.” Todd sidled up next to me, chalking his cue. “She sure is pretty.”
“Who?” I glanced over to him. Todd snorted and bent over to aim his shot. When I looked back to the bar, Melanie and Dee had left. Oh well, I swigged my whiskey and cola as Lindsay approached me with her come hither smile. We had an on-again/off-again friends with benefits relationship. My head said to leave Melanie Baker alone, but my heart still wondered about her.
“Hi, handsome,” Lindsay ran her finger down my arm. “How about we find somewhere quieter?” She fluttered her eyelashes at me and thrust her chest out.
“Not tonight,” I removed her hand from my arm, “just not feeling it.” I stepped out of her reach. “Gotta go check my cows.”
“Being dumped for some cows,” she muttered as I strode to the door.