Hey, in that moment I believe she became my hero too. The girls informed me Mayor Alwood resigned the next day, and he and Jessica left town while Mrs. Alwood ran and was elected mayor. She is doing a great job and has started a revitalization project for downtown that seems to be attracting several different businesses. Seems a blow job has done wonders for the town of Twin Oaks.
After several more margaritas and more local gossip, we think it would be a great idea to take this impromptu party to the Twisted Oak, which is conveniently located across the street, so we don’t have to drive. I’m feeling slightly, or somewhat, tipsy and frisky so I call Tyler, of course.
“Hey, babe! Whatcha doing?”
I’m only a tiny bit drunk, so I feel safe I won’t make a complete idiot out of myself, or I should say that’s my hope.
“Well, hello! I’m at the diner getting something to eat with Justin and Tucker Wilks. What are you up too? Wait, is that you crossing the street going into the Twisted Oak?” I grin and turn to wave in the direction of the diner.
“Maybeee … I might have had a couple of drinks with some girls I work with, and now we’re moving our little party over to the bar. Come over when you finish eating.”
I hang up with the thought that I really want to kiss Tyler. I believe tequila may make me horny. I wave to Mitchell as I walk into the Twisted Oak, and I join the rest of the girls, who have decided to have more tequila in the way of shots. I can’t believe two weekends in a row I will have to be driven home. At this rate, I’m well on my way to becoming a party animal.
“MaCee, I was nervous about you comin’ to work at the hospital. You and Cameryn always innimmahh, inmimmidated … intimidated me in school. I was worried you were gonna to be a biatch, but you’re actually pretty cool.” Jordan’s speech is becoming slightly slurred and rather loud.
I sling an arm around her shoulders and grin at her. I’m surprised she felt this way but can see how she may have gotten that impression. Cam and I tended to stick together, and we didn’t let many others in. We were part of a fairly large group in school, but most were only casual acquaintances—except maybe Justin. He has this way of weaseling in.
“Well thanks, Jordan, I think. I’m sorry we made you feel that way. We tended to just schtick together, plus I had a lot of shmuff going on with my dad dying and my mother actin’ so weird. I’m glad I’ve made a better impression this time around, and hopefully, we’re going to be friends.” It appears her speech isn’t the only one slurring.
She reaches over and gives me a hug, and I know the alcohol is making us a bit more touchy-feely than we normally would be.
“I think we’re well on the road to bein’ friends. I like you, and your snarky sense of humor works for me.”
Oh yeah, I definitely see us on the road to a solid friendship. She’s smart, funny, and today I noticed we tend to feed off each other with our sarcasm. I can see us hanging out together.
Tyler, Justin, and Tucker show up, and let’s just say the party takes a turn for the worsy, or better, depending on how you look at it. It’s a wonderful girl’s night turned coed party, and that damn Mitchell brings out the karaoke machine again.
After a few hours of shots, very bad drunken karaoke, and me seeing how far I can push Tyler with my slow “dancing”, the guys decide it’s time to call it a night. Tyler collects me, while Justin gives Jordan a ride. Tucker fills in for Conrad since he’s out of town and drives Rachel and Hannah home. Boy, has Tucker filled out since school. I remember him being tall but skinny as a rail. He told me the police academy helped him build his “guns”.
Tyler brings me to my house, and I lean over to kiss his neck. Damn, this man is fine, and he smells so good I could eat him up. He turns toward me, and I capture his lips. He deepens the kiss, and I move across the seat to climb onto his lap. I bury my hands in his hair as he fills my mouth with his tongue. I love the way he kisses and groans as he devours me with his mouth. If he gets me this hot with just a kiss I can’t imagine how good the sex is going to be. I feel his hands on my ass as I rub against his hardness before he pulls back. I pout at him and try to lean in for more.
“Oh no, you don’t. I will not take advantage of you, and I want you to remember all our kisses or anything else we decided to do.”
This causes me to frown. I’m a little foggy as to why we aren’t at his house. For some insane reason he wants to me to respect him in the morning, and all I can think about is how much I want to see him naked tonight.
“I don’t get to stay at your house tonight?” I whine as he shakes his head at me.
“No, babe, too much temptation. Besides, you can walk in tonight and I’m sober.” He leans down and kisses my forehead and moves me off his lap, then hops out and runs around to my side of the truck to open the door.
“Damn sober man. I should have tried harder to get him drunk.” I sigh and climb out of the truck making sure to slide my body down his.
He takes a sharp breath of air and pulls me closer to him as if he can’t stop himself. I look up expecting him to kiss me, and he looks like he wants to and is working hard to resist the urge.
“Damn, so tempting. You’re dangerous, and it’s time you went in. Tomorrow night, babe.” He turns me toward the house and slaps my ass as I walk off, pouting over my shoulder at him.
I almost run into the door due to my inattention to where I’m going causing Tyler to laugh as he gets in his truck to drive home. I go inside and watch out the front window until I can’t see his taillights anymore. When I turn around my mother about scares the shit out of me. She’s standing right behind me watching Tyler leave also.
“Holy crap, Mama! You scared ten years off me!”
She grins, making me wonder if my family is not quite right. I mean, is it normal to enjoy scaring the ever-loving crap out of your children? I hiccup and try not to weave as I stand there. I’m really not in the mood for a lecture on being drunk, but so far, she hasn’t said anything.
“Who was that? Is it the same young fellow you’ve been talking to all week?” How has my mother known I’ve been talking to someone all week? “Don’t look at me like that. You’ve been smiling at your phone as if it held the secret of life, and I’m not stupid.”
Oh, so I’ve been rather obvious. I don’t even try to stop the stupid grin from forming on my lips.
“Tyler Dixon, I met him at the cotillion and we’ve started talking.” I don’t want my mother to get involved in my budding relationship, but how do I tell her this without starting World War Three?
“Is he Alan Dixon’s mysterious son I’ve been hearing about? Everyone in town was shocked to find out Alan was married and had a grown son. Talk about not knowing anything about someone. The town gossips really dropped the ball on this one.” She’s walking into the kitchen and opens the fridge to hand me a bottle of water. Dang, Mom is being cool about the fact I’ve been drinking.
“Yeah, he’s the one. Look, Mama, I really like him, and I don’t know how things are going to work out, but do you think I could just handle it on my own?”
She gives me a confused look as if she’s never tried to run my life.
“Darling, you’re a grown woman now. I understand that, I’m just so happy you’re home. I promise not to mind your business.”
I look at her doubtfully, but she seems sincere. I hope we’re turning a corner and can truly be this way. I’m loving being home and want to continue enjoying it.
“I’m happy to be home too, Mama. I want us to start fresh and not have the problems we had in the past.”
My mother gives me a tight hug and then turns me to head to bed. She doesn’t say anything else, but I notice her wiping her eyes and I may have to wipe mine too.
Chapter Six
MaCee
Where is Tyler? I thought he was only going to be a few minutes
late, and it’s going on thirty. He sent a text earlier and said he would be late due to some unexpected work thing, and I can’t seem to stop from continually looking for him. I am beginning to annoy myself. We went on an actual date last Saturday night and he brought me home all proper without too much making out, then we spent Sunday afternoon hanging out with friends again. I’ve worked all week and had a paper due last night, so I haven’t seen him since Sunday and am missing him something fierce. I don’t even bother to take the time to analyze this—it just is.
Somehow, we seem to have subconsciously agreed we’re waiting to have sex. Usually, I’m not one to jump into bed with someone, but I really want to with Tyler Dixon. The chemistry is off the charts, and just looking at him can get me hot and bothered, so I can just imagine what the actual deed is going to be like. But for some reason, we’re taking it slow. Even so, it doesn’t stop what I do late at night in my bedroom, alone. I may have gotten myself off last night listening to him call me beautiful on my voicemail. He has such a sexy voice. Now I’m really ready for him to get here and hope I don’t embarrass myself by yanking him behind the bushes and forgetting the party going on at my house.
This party was my mother’s idea. She wanted me to have a get-together in honor of my moving back home and Lee coming in this weekend. I tried to tell her I was extremely busy, but she was insistent and took care of all the details. All I had to do was invite people. I tried to invite some of Lee’s friends along with my friends because it’s supposed to be his party also, but most of the people he used to hang out with have either moved or are married with kids. I finally just asked Justin to help out, so most are my friends and not Lee’s. I called my brother and told him it was going to be a crawfish boil, and he seemed to like that idea, although he’s late too.
Thank goodness Mama handled the details and knew who to get to take care of boiling the crawfish because I wouldn’t have had a clue. My mother is the party planner and socialite, not me. I always just showed up where I was told to be, wearing the appropriate attire.
Hannah has arrived and my, how cute is she, with her cutoffs, short tank, and funky cowboy boots. She’s so adorable and sweet, and I know she has a thing for my brother—she spilled the beans during our girl’s night last weekend—but has sworn me to secrecy. I don’t get it because, well, he’s my brother, but I really like Hannah, although I doubt he knows she’s alive. I bet after today he will, though, because she’s country hotness rolled up in cutoffs. She’s carrying a bowl of her homemade sauce because you never turn up to a party without bringing some sort of food offering to “help out”. That’s just common courtesy.
“Hey, MaCee! You look so hot! Love your shirt! Geaux Tigers!”
I have on cutoffs, a vintage LSU tank, and yellow Chucks. I believe it’s time I schooled Tyler on which SEC team he needs to be rooting for.
I watch as Hannah scans the crowd, and I lean over to whisper, “He’s not here yet.”
She looks back at me and blushes. “That obvious, huh?”
“It’s okay, I think I’m the only one to notice.”
Just then, a shiny new Range Rover pulls into the drive, and I’m shocked to see Lee at the wheel. Hmmm, that fancy Baton Rouge law firm must be paying well. I watch as my brother gets out of the vehicle and then goes to the other side to help a statuesque blonde out of the passenger side. I look over at my friend, and her face has fallen.
“Buck up and smile, he hasn’t mentioned dating anyone, so she can’t be that important.” I try to be positive, but hell, what do I know? He didn’t mention buying a new vehicle either.
“Look at her! He’ll not even know I’m alive while he’s with her. She’s dressed like a model, and I’m wearing cutoffs.” I look over at Hannah, and she’s by far the more attractive of the two with her beautiful green eyes and her long, loosely curled brown hair. She’s so adorable and doesn’t even realize it.
“You’re dressed appropriately for a backyard crawfish boil. She’s wearing white and heels, for God’s sake, and Lee is in jeans and a T-shirt, which doesn’t match her outfit at all. Totally not a couple.”
She attempts a smile, but it’s weak at best.
“Besides, she has a resting bitch face. Go get a beer and don’t let this ruin your time. Justin, Hannah needs some alcohol! Fix her up!”
Justin walks over, grabs Hannah in a hug, and leads her over to an ice chest. I walk over to meet my brother, curious about this creature he’s decided to bring to our party. I’ve already decided I don’t like her and know she won’t be a permanent fixture if I have any say in the matter. Besides, I see no food article or other gift in sight. Rude bitch.
“Lee! Missed you!” I say as I grab him in a bear hug and smack him loudly on his cheek.
He laughs and swings me around. “Missed you too, Little Bit!”
“Lee, darling, aren’t you going to introduce me to your little friend?” Lee’s date looks down her nose and reminds me so much of Melody I’m tempted to push her into the pool.
“Audra, this is my sister, MaCee. MaCee, Audra Johnson, my plus one.”
Her face relaxes somewhat, and she smiles down at me. I stick my hand out, and she does one of those weak finger-only shakes.
“Nice to meet you. So, darling, this is where you grew up? How quaint.” She looks around with a grimace and about that time some of Lee’s old high school buddies walk up. I see Tyler’s truck pull into a parking space, and I excuse myself to go meet him, leaving Lee and his friends behind. Tyler smiles at me as he gets out of the truck, and I walk over to kiss him hello.
“You’re late,” I accuse, and he kisses me again.
“Sorry, babe, but Cash set up a video conference with some blokes from Australia,” he says in a very bad Australian accent.
I laugh and step back as he grabs an ice chest out of the back of the truck. We walk up to the party, and I notice my brother watching me.
“Who’s the guy staring at us? Am I gonna have to show him who you’re with?” I crack up and smack Tyler on the ass.
“That’s my brother, Lee. So, we’re together? I like the sound of that.”
He grins over at me and winks.
“You bet your sweet ass we’re together. And my what a fine one it is in those cutoffs, but the shirt has me a bit worried.”
“Time for you to know which SEC team is king around here. I understand the Longhorns thing, but if this is going to work, it must be LSU any other time.” I get a scowl as he sets down the ice chest and reaches in to get a beer.
“I keep hearing the same thing from Justin. He’s constantly telling me I would dishonor my family if I back anyone else—and now you.”
“I’m just trying to protect you, wouldn’t want that hot ass to get beat on game day, and if you aren’t backing my Tigers I will be leading the charge.”
He laughs as he pulls me into a hug and whispers in my ear, “That actually might be fun.”
I laugh and turn to lead him over to my brother.
“I’m glad you’re in such a good mood because it means you won’t mind meeting my Mama today. She’s been asking about you.”
He stumbles slightly and then coughs. I prance ahead of him and join Lee with Tyler hot on my heels.
“Lee Burkett, and you are?” Lee rudely introduces himself. Tyler shakes his hand and looks at me with a glare.
“Tyler Dixon.”
I decide to rescue him from the older brother theatrics and sidle up to my guy’s side.
“Lee, Tyler is my plus one, only I’m glad he’s here unlike someone I know.” Lee looks at me, and I give him a knowing look. I lean forward and whisper where only he and Tyler can hear me. “Who is she, and why the hell did you bring her here? For God’s sake, she’s wearing a dress and heels to a crawfish boil.”
Lee just snarls at me, looking back to mak
e sure she can’t hear us. She has Rachel cornered and has her engaged in conversation at the moment, so she’s not paying us any attention. Poor Rachel.
“She’s one of the partner’s daughters, and I went out with her a couple times, now she thinks we’re a thing. Level five clinger. I’m trying to figure out how to get rid of her without pissing off the world and by that, I mean her father.”
I look at him with surprise and then start laughing. I mean, I double over laughing.
“MaCee, stop it!” And then he starts laughing too.
“Geez, this is too much. Okay, so let me get this straight, you want to break it off with her but can’t, oh, and when did you get a new ride? It’s nice but a bit expensive and showy, don’t you think?”
Lee rolls his eyes at me.
“It’s hers, she insisted we come in her vehicle instead of my truck which is too ‘redneck’.”
I groan inwardly—this is almost too easy. Shouldn’t have any problem getting rid of her. I wink at Lee, and he grins back. One thing about us Burkett siblings, we may be four years apart in age, but we have each other’s backs and we have the same devious minds. He knows, with the help of Mama, I’ll take care of everything.
“Come on, Tyler, it’s time to meet Mama. Lee, give me a few moments to introduce her to Tyler and then bring your friend in.” I grab Tyler’s hand and practically drag him across the yard to the back door into the kitchen where I know Mama and Liza are watching out the window. When we enter the room the two women are sitting at the bar drinking coffee as if they weren’t both spying out the window moments ago.
“Mama, Liza, I would like you to meet my friend Tyler Dixon. He’s Alan Dixon’s son and I like him, so be nice.” I fix a warning stare on both of them, and they just laugh at me.
Mama Knows Best Page 5