No More Lies

by Sandy Appleyard

  “You don’t date much?” A strong, good-looking guy like this, you’d think he would be out on dates every night.

  “Na, hardly ever.” He waves. “I don’t get out much when I’m on the ranch. Went on a date about two months ago.”

  “Did you sleep with her?” I ask, digging for juicy gossip, as is my usual practice.

  “Now, that’s getting awfully personal, don’t you think?” Kurt asks, trying to act like he’s not offended and just being shy, but I can tell that he’s getting irritated. “Why don’t you try relaxing, huh? You seem to be worked up a bit.”

  My shoulders are in knots, now that I think about it.

  “You don’t have to act all…nervous around me. I am who I am, and I accept you for who you are. There’s no need to put so much pressure on yourself.”

  Just as I’m digesting that suggestion, the hostess takes us to our seats. Kurt gestures for me to go ahead, displaying his gallantry once again. Clint was a bit like that. Most Texan men are pretty polite and healthy-mannered. There are the odd bozos, but usually I can weed those ones out pretty fast. Kurt pulls my chair out for me, and I smile my thanks as I sit. He picks up his menu, and I notice that as the hostess walks away, he doesn’t check her ass out, even though she’s hot. Hell, I’d even sleep with her. Kidding.

  Picking his menu up, Kurt looks over at me. “What do you think…you want to order that pint or not?”

  I shrug. “Up to you.”

  The waitress comes around, just as attractive as the hostess, but Kurt keeps his eyes trained on hers, not on her cleavage, which is very obvious. “We’ll take a large order of wings and a pint of draught, please.” Kurt says to her.

  “Certainly.” She all but curtseys.

  As she walks away, I speak from behind my hand. “Wow, the chicks in this place are hot!”

  He smiles at me. “Are you a male trapped in a woman’s body or something? You like wings, beer, pool, and women.”

  “I have four brothers.” I say, as if that statement requires no further explanation.

  “Ah,” he nods once. “I suppose if I had all sisters, I’d be very in touch with my feminine side at that rate.”

  “I get along way better with men. Always have.” I add. “Laura is the only exception.”

  “You known her a long time?”

  “Since before high school. She was married to my brother, Quentin.”

  His face changes. “Oh, so you’re technically her sister-in-law.”

  “That’s right. We stayed close as ever, even after Quentin died.”

  He gives me a soft look. “Yeah, sorry about that. That must have been rough. I can’t imagine losing any of my brothers.”

  “Thanks.” I give him a tight-lipped grin, the same one I use whenever anyone mentions my dearly parted brother. “I was closest with him, too. It hit me hard.”

  “And you’re okay with Laura being with Grayson?”

  My tone is matter-of-fact. “I’m the one who pushed her to make a move with him.”

  “Really? How come.” His interest is piqued.

  “Gosh, Kurt. It’s been ten years.”

  “And you think your brother would approve of my brother?”

  “Absolutely.” I say without a doubt.

  The waitress brings us a large plate of wings, loaded with gooey sauce layered on top. She sets the pint, extra napkins and two frosted glasses beside the plate and bids us adieu.

  “Smells great.” Kurt comments before placing a napkin on his lap.

  I pour us each a glass of beer and we dig in. Before taking his first sip of beer, Kurt raises his glass. “Care for a toast?”

  I raise my glass. “Sure.”

  His look is expectant, and then he chuckles. “Did you have one in mind?”

  I bark out a laugh, and his face turns pink. He’s so adorable. “Okay…hmm…here’s to first dates.”

  “To first dates.” He says in agreement, clinking his glass to mine. We take a sip, and I note that I’m not the best beer pourer, because the froth on the top of both of our glasses is rather thick. He gets a moustache, as do I. “Got quite a head on that.” He comments, wiping his mouth.

  I wipe mine. “I don’t have much experience pouring it as I do with drinking it.”

  “Well, I don’t have either, sweetheart, so don’t sweat it.”

  We nibble the wings in silence, wiping our hands and mouth intermittently. The waitress comes by and asks us if we would like to order anything further. I order a side salad, and Kurt orders a club sandwich.

  When we finish eating, Kurt pours himself another glass of beer, and offer to pour me another, but I decline. “Sure?”

  “Yes, I’m sure. I don’t want to start running off at the mouth.”

  He leaves the remaining beer in the jug on the table. The waitress comes and removes our plates, asking if we would like anything else. “No, we’re fine for now.” Kurt says, effectively asking her to leave us alone for a while.

  “So.” He says, looking at me. He’s taken his napkin off his lap and placed it on the table.

  My mouth turns up into a quirky smile. “So…what?”

  “You feel like a round of pool?”

  “Soon.” I say, and then I get an idea in my head. Part of my whole seduction routing. “You want to play a game first?”

  He’s intrigued. “What kind of game?”

  “Give me your hand.” I say, looking at his arm.

  He sets his hand on the table, and I pull it towards me, palm up. The veins in his arms, I don’t know, they’re very sexy. His fingers are like sausages; strong and hard-working. Fingernails are freshly clipped. The warmth from his skin heats mine, but I motor on. “Close your eyes.” I tell him. He lifts a brow at first.

  “What are you going to do? Take a blood sample?”

  “No, silly.” I wave. “Just…close your eyes.”

  With an errant sigh, he closes his eyes.

  “I’m going to climb my fingers up your arm, but you have to tell me before I reach your elbow, to stop.”

  “Before you get to my elbow.” He confirms.

  “Yes.”

  “Okay.” He licks his lips, waiting.

  Using my index and middle fingers, I walk my digits up his arm, softly grazing the skin along. I’ve had this trick done to me before by a guy, as part of his whole seduction plan, not like he needed one with me, and I’ve been using this trick ever since. Works every time. Kurt’s hand is close enough to touch me, as I walk my fingers slowly up the inside of his arm. The challenge is that it feels like your fingers are traveling quicker up the arm than they actually are, and the person being challenged usually calls out that you’ve reached the elbow, long before you actually have. It’s kind of neat.

  His smile is telling. “I see what you’re trying to do there, girly.” He chuckles.

  “Just…shut up and tell me when you think I’m about to hit the inside of your elbow.” My tone is playful.

  “Alright.” He relents. With a tantalizing little chuckle, about ten seconds later, he says. “Okay, stop. You’re there.”

  Without moving my fingers, I tell him to open his eyes. My fingers are at least two inches from his elbow. He looks at me, impressed. “Very cool.”

  “You think so, huh.” I bite my lip, wondering how much progress I’ve made.

  He sees the look on my face. “I’m still not sleeping with you tonight.” His tone is slightly chiding, like he’s a parent telling his child that they’re not getting that treat tonight, and it won’t matter how much begging is done.

  “Damn.” I curse, snapping my fingers together in feigned disappointment, even though I am disappointed.

  “But that was a cool game, I must admit.”

  “Fine.” I say flatly. “Let’s get out of here. What do you prefer…pool or mini-golf?”

  “You decide.”

  Chapter 6

  Kurt

 
I’ll admit, the date didn’t get off to a great start. Lisa is so hung up on getting me in the sack as quickly as possible, and it’s a bit of a turn-off for me. That kind of girl I’m never drawn to. Casual sex isn’t my thing. Like my brother Grayson, I’m kind of an old-fashioned type of guy. She seems to calm down a bit when I’m straight with her, though, and the ‘I’m not sleeping with you’ banter quickly becomes a comedic junction, tucked into our overall conversation.

  As we drive to the pool hall, Lisa calms down and loosens up. She gets it. I’m not into her that way yet, and tonight is about getting to know each other and having a little bit of fun. The way that a first date should go. Once we round up the pool cues and set the triangle on the table, the gloves seem to come off. Lisa is very competitive. A trait she likely gets from having so many brothers. In truth, she whips my ass in the first round of pool. I mean, I’m not that great to begin with, but she just takes over, and wins by a landslide.

  “Do you dare to have another round?” she asks, and the dare is very apparent in her voice.

  “If you want to.” I say honestly.

  “Care to make a friendly wager?” She ventures.

  I bark out a laugh. “I can only guess just how friendly that wager is, and based on how you just beat my ass, I’d say I’m about to lose my shirt…literally.”

  She shrugs. “I’ll play with one hand tied behind my back.”

  “Yeah, right.” I whine, like she’d actually do that.

  “I’m serious.” She scoffs.

  “Forget it. Just rack ‘em up. No bets or wagers.”

  “I’ve got to tell you, Kurt. You’re a bit of a stick in the mud.” She says, feigning a warning tone. “How old are you?”

  I tell her.

  “Well, then I’ve got some years over you. Which would explain why I’m not nearly afraid to take leaps as you are.”

  That’s fair. “Okay. What’s your point?”

  “Have you ever dated an older woman?”

  “Can’t say that I have.”

  “Do you have any issues being with an older woman?” I ask him, with a level-with-me sort of look.

  “You’re not that much older than me.”

  “Old enough.”

  “Age is just a number, Lisa. As long as you’re not old enough to be my mother, I’m fine with it.”

  She seems satisfied with my answer. I watch her rack the balls up. “You want to take the first shot?” she asks, and suddenly I wonder if were still talking about pool, based on the sultry way she asks.

  She’s starting to get under my skin. When she bends over the pool table, her body is angled perfectly so I can get a decent peak down her top. I’ve tried to divert my eyes, but it’s difficult. As she leans over the table, I check out her fine ass. I know that this is all part of the plan. She’s so used to putting on such a show that she probably doesn’t even realize that she’s doing it. When I’m starting to evaluate the date, and think that maybe Lisa and I are just too different for each other, and with her being so forward, that maybe she’s just looking for someone to warm her bed tonight, she surprises me.

  Some big, burly guy approaches. Lisa smiles at him like she knows him. “Burt. What are you doing out in this neck of the woods?”

  He smiles back. “Just out meeting up with some friends, hoping to shoot some pool outside of town for a change.” Looking her up and down, he asks. “You with someone?”

  A ‘v’ forms between her brows, and then she gestures to me. “He invisible?”

  “Sorry, man.” Burt says, bending forward to shake my hand. “Burt Brown. Lisa and I go way back.”

  I’m sure you do. “Kurt Thomas.” I don’t explain my acquaintance with Lisa. After the way he checked her out, I’d say that he’s wishing that I were invisible.

  He starts talking to her like I’m not here. “So, what are you doing here?”

  “Playing pool, what’s it look like?” she’s talking to him like he’s as stupid as he looks.

  “You busy later?” he asks, his tone suggestive.

  “As a matter-of-fact, I am.” She’s being firm.

  He can’t take a hint. “Well, do you want to give me a call tomorrow or something?”

  Placing the cue abruptly on the table, she crosses her arms. “Look, Burt. I thought I made it clear to you the last time that I’m not interested. I’m on a date, with a very nice man, who I’m sure isn’t appreciating me talking to you. Have an ounce of tact and get lost.”

  That did it.

  He lifts his arms. “Okay. Take it easy.”

  She ignores him and picks up her cue, giving it a smattering of chalk. Burt looks her up and down as I glare at him. “Take a hint, partner.” I say curtly, since he’s not stepping away from her.

  “Was I talking to you?” he asks, his chest puffing out.

  I put my cue down. “I was talking to you. Have you got a problem, buddy?” My voice is calm and cool, which I can tell is pissing him off.

  “No, I have no problem.” he takes a step towards me, looking at me as his head turns from side to side, as if I can’t understand him unless he’s animated.

  “Then you should leave the lady alone, like she asked.”

  His voice raises an octave. “I don’t think that’s any of your business, asshole.”

  I scoff, smiling. “There’s no need for language. Just kindly leave the lady alone.”

  “Something funny, dickwad?” he asks, coming a step closer to me.

  “Hey, Burt. Take a hike. Lose the testosterone attitude.” Lisa says, stepping between us.

  His eyes are on me as he addresses her. “Listen, Linda. I just came over here to be social, and now this loser is giving me a hard time.”

  My hands go to my sides, and Lisa’s arms cross over her chest. “Her name is Lisa, jerkoff.” I gesture with my head towards the door. “I won’t tell you again to take a hike.”

  He lifts his arm and I grab it, pulling him sideways, before he can strike me or Lisa. The manager must have been alerted of the altercation, because an official-looking man appears from the back of the hall. “Hey, you! Get out of here now!” he shouts over the din of soft music playing overhead.

  Burt is leaning over on his side. My hand is holding his hand down in such a way that he’s locked from moving. “You heard the man. Take a hike. And next time, listen the first time.” I warn.

  Burt’s face is scrunched in pain. With the hundreds of wrestling matches I’ve had with my brothers over the years, I could have had the guy in a full Nelson in two seconds, but I figured that this is way cooler given the circumstance.

  Releasing Burt’s hand, I stand up straight. The manager tells him again to leave. He dusts himself off and walks out, wounded ego and all. Lifting a finger, the manager says to me. “You be sure to let me know if he comes back in here. Thanks for dealing with him without wrecking the place.”

  “No problem.” I say, and then as he walks away and the crowd of onlookers thins, I address Lisa. “Let’s get out of here.”

  “Amen.”

  Heading into my truck, I say. “I’ll just drop you off at the ranch, so you can head home, if it’s all the same to you. I’m afraid after that, I’m all funned out for tonight.”

  “No problem.” Lisa says, like she totally agrees.

  We’re silent in the truck for a while when I decide to break the silence. “So, what’s the story with that guy, anyway.”

  “I’ve seen him a few times at the local pool hall. He’s hit on me once or twice, just the way he did earlier, but…I’m not interested in him.”

  According to…everybody…there is no such thing as Lisa not being interested in someone…except me, up until earlier today. “Maybe it’s the reputation you put out there.” I supply carefully.

  “I figured you’d say that.” She scoffs. “That what all the boys at the ranch tell you?”

  “Something like that.” I admit.

 
“Yeah, well, everyone thinks that they know me. But they don’t. I mean, I might act like that around the ranch, and maybe around a guy or two that I’ve known for years, but I’m no whore, Kurt. Sure, I like to have fun, and I’m not much for relationships, but that’s my business, and I have my reasons for it.”

  “So you’re saying that you didn’t ask for him coming on so strong? That the boys at the ranch got you all wrong? That you wouldn’t have ripped my clothes off and had me all afternoon if given the chance? Because, sweetheart, I think that’s what you put out there. And that’s the truth. Hate to break it to ya.”

  “Then how come I couldn’t even look at you up until a few hours ago, huh? You think if I was a whore, that I wouldn’t have forced you up against the wall and had my way with you weeks ago?”

  “I would never have let that happen.”

  “That may be so, but at least, if I was as easy as you think I am, I would have tried at the first opportunity.”

  I frown. “True.”

  “But you have laid out every opportunity to set the stage since the second this date started. Even after I’ve told you several times that I’m not sleeping with you.”

  “It’s the challenge, Kurt. I don’t act like that with everyone.”

  What a load of crap. “Whatever.”

  “You don’t believe me.” she states.

  “No, sorry sweetie, but I don’t.”

  She’s silent. But it’s not like she’s pissed. It’s more like she wants to cry but is holding it in. I can see her chest heaving a little. The guilt starts. “Ever been in love?”

  “Once.” She answers softly.

  “And what happened.”

  “Long story. Just…didn’t work out.”

  “How long ago?”

  “When Quentin was alive. Long time ago.” Her voice is even. “You?”

  “Thought I was once. Later learned it wasn’t real love. So, no.”

  “What’s the difference? How did you learn it wasn’t real?”

  “She wanted to get serious and I didn’t. Grayson told me that I couldn’t love her if I didn’t want to take another step with her.”

  “How long ago?”

  “Back before Kelly, Grayson’s wife, died. Like seven, eight years ago.”