by Marie Savage
“A glass of wine would be lovely, thank you,” she replied as she looked around his beautiful kitchen in amazement.
Hud pulled out a bottle of a nice zinfandel he’d bought on his visit to Napa. He usually saved it for special lady friends, but lately that well had run dry. He opened it and handed her a glass.
“Luke, Samuel Adams?”
“You know it,” Luke confirmed as Hud popped the top off the bottle and handed it to him before opening another bottle for himself.
“To good friends,” Hud toasted as they clinked their beverages together.
Hud and Luke started grilling the steaks, while Aimee Jo helped out by preparing a salad. She knew the two wanted some alone time to talk guy stuff, and she enjoyed doing the domestic stuff, especially in this gorgeous kitchen. She watched the two of them outside. Luke failed to tell her how good-looking his friend was. Of course, she wouldn’t expect a guy to say such things. It shocked her, though, that he was alone in this gorgeous house. Were the women in Indio crazy? Or was he like Luke and afraid of commitments, she wondered.
“She’s seems to be a nice girl and very pretty,” Hud told Luke as he handed him a beer.
“Yeah, she’s pretty awesome,” Luke said as he watched her from the glass doors, enjoying herself in Hud’s kitchen.
“Uh oh,” Hud said, popping open his beer.
“What?” Luke said, looking back over at his friend.
“You’ve fallen for her,” Hud teased.
“Have not,” Luke said, blowing him off.
“I think you have. I saw you walk up with her, holding her hand, smiling every time you see her.”
“So? I’ve done that with other girls.”
“Sure about that?” Hud asked.
“I’m sure. I’m never an asshole to a girl I’m with,” Luke confidently declared.
“Didn’t say you were asshole to them, but you never give them the attention in public that you seem to be giving Aimee Jo.”
“You’re ridiculous.” Luke once again blew off his statement as he watched to make sure Aimee Jo wasn’t listening. He could hear her singing along to the music they were playing outside. It warmed his heart to see she was making herself at home so quickly.
“And you, my friend, are in love,” Hud once again teased him, as Luke looked back over at him.
“Look, we’re just having fun. She’s a great girl and I’ll admit that she may be the best girl I’ve ever hooked up with, but she has her plans, and I don’t plan on changing mine. We both agreed to just go with the flow and say goodbye in a couple of days.”
“Whatever you say,” Hud said, raising his beer.
The three of them sat on Hud’s backyard patio by the pool. The sun was setting and the stickiness of the day was finally easing off. They laughed and talked for hours as they enjoyed a delicious grilled steak dinner. Aimee Jo enjoyed the banter between the two friends, and she got a better glimpse as to why Luke seemed to be so anti-relationships. His friend, who was obviously single, was the ultimate bachelor.
As the evening wound down, so did the conversation. Luke had gone back to the truck to get his guitar so Aimee Jo could sing to them. Both of them sat in awe of the talented songstress as she played a few country oldies. She ended her performance for the night by playing the song she had written.
“You don’t have any words to your song?” Hud asked.
“No, not yet.” Aimee Jo smiled as she laid the guitar down on the chair next to her.
“You are very talented. I’m sure you will do good next week.”
“Thank you. I hope so,” she said before looking over at Luke, who hadn’t said a word for a while now. He was sound asleep.
“Yeah, I think he zonked out about the time you started playing your little tune there.” Hud chuckled before drinking his last swallow of beer for the night.
“He has driven so long these past few days. I have a feeling he was tired even before he picked me up.”
“Long haul will do that to you. It’s great money, but you have to be careful not to let yourself get burned out. He’ll be better after a couple of days rest,” Hud said just before he kicked Luke’s chair to wake him up. He looked over at Aimee Jo to see that she wasn’t too happy about him doing that.
Luke’s eyes opened wide and he tensed, gripping the arms of his lounge and looking over at Hud, ready to kick his ass.
“Hey, Sleeping Beauty, your girl’s tired. Show her to your room.” Hud stood up and stretched before turning off the gas-powered fire pit.
Luke looked around in a daze before yawning and getting up out of his lounge. He held his hand out for Aimee Jo and helped her up before pulling her next to him.
“I’m calling it a night. Ya’ll sleep tight and I’ll see you in the morning,” Hud said as he left the two alone.
“Man, I guess I’m more tired than I thought,” Luke said before yawning again.
“Come on, let’s call it a night, too,” Aimee Jo said as she grabbed the guitar and they headed inside.
They walked together to their room, where Luke stepped into the bathroom while Aimee Jo got ready for bed. She really didn’t need for him to show her to the room, because she had already checked it out earlier when Luke had brought some of their things inside from the truck. She grabbed up the sexy little red nightgown Luke had bought her.
Having only a few clean clothes left, she’d made quick use of Hud’s washer and dryer while the boys had grilled the steaks. She fell in love with house almost instantly, but was curious why a man like Hud would have this big house all to himself with no one to share it.
She then thought of Lisa, the waitress back in San Antonio. She bet she would love to live here with him. Was this the kind of life Luke wanted to live, she wondered. As if he heard his name, he came out of the bathroom, wearing only his underwear, and practically fell onto the bed.
“Luke, you all right?” Aimee Jo asked, concerned that maybe he had a few beers too many. She stepped over to the bed, where he lay on his stomach with his eyes closed and sound asleep. She smiled but was a little disappointed that all they would be doing tonight was sleeping. She reached over and softly kissed him, holding back the words on the tip of her tongue that she wanted to say at that moment. They had a few days left together, and maybe she would tell him before their time was up.
Aimee Jo got up just before dawn. She had always been an early bird, since it was the only time she had where she could write and sing her songs. Luke was still dead to the world, so she carefully tiptoed out of the room, taking the guitar with her. Maybe if she went to the backyard patio, she could play and not disturb anyone.
She stepped into the kitchen, only to see the light on and Hud making coffee.
“Good morning, sunshine. Glad to see I’m not the only one up before the roosters,” Hud said, standing at the counter in just his pajama bottoms.
“Good morning,” she said, setting the guitar down in the corner before sitting down on a barstool. She was glad she’d changed into some pajamas instead of the nightgown she’d worn to bed.
“Leaded? Unleaded?” Hud asked, holding up a coffee cup.
“Definitely leaded.” She smiled.
“Attagirl.” He smiled, pouring her a cup and setting it down in front of her. “Creamer?” he asked, stepping over to the refrigerator.
“Yes, please.”
“Hope you like French vanilla, it’s all I have,” he said as he placed the flavored creamer and some sugar on the counter in front of her.
“That’s fine, thank you,” she said as she fixed her coffee.
“I take it lover boy is still sleeping?” Hud asked as he grabbed a stool and sat in front of her.
“Yes, he pretty much passed out as soon as we got to the room.”
“Wore him out already, have you?” Hud chuckled.
Aimee Jo blushed at Hud’s teasing. She liked his sense of humor, though, and the fact that he was comfortable around her.
“So, what hav
e you two got planned for today?” he asked.
“I’m really not sure, he didn’t say. Maybe we should just stay here today so he can rest. That is, if it’s okay with you?”
“Of course, it is. I have to go to work soon, but mi casa es su casa,” he said.
“Thank you.”
Hud looked at her and was about to say something but stopped and took a sip of coffee instead.
“What? You were about to say something but stopped.” Aimee Jo called him out.
“Never mind, it’s none of my business.”
“Please, just tell me. What’s on your mind?” Aimee Jo suspected that Luke may have confided in Hud about her.
“Okay, but you have to swear not to say anything to Romeo in the other room. He would kill me if he knew I said this.”
“I won’t, I promise.”
“I was just about to say, you’re different. Different from any girl I have ever seen him with. He’s different around you. You’re changing him.”
“I …” Aimee Jo stopped, not knowing what to say.
“I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. Change is good. I don’t want him to be like me—pushing forty with no one special in my life. I’m glad he met you, but I’m worried about him.”
“Why?”
“Look, I’m sure he has already said that he’s not looking for a relationship and that he is always gone. Blah, blah, blah. The reason I know he said this bullshit to you is that he learned those lines from me.”
Aimee Jo didn’t respond.
“I told him just to play the field. To find a girl at every stop. Don’t commit to anyone. Just let them know the score, have some fun, and take off. I realize now I should have never told him those things.”
“Then why did you?” she asked.
“Hell, I don’t know, to sound cool? I’ve always been a cocky SOB, but look where it’s got me.”
“I don’t understand. You have your own business, this incredible place.”
“Yeah, and no one to share it with. Being a bachelor is great when you’re young, but not so great when middle age is about to kick in.”
“So, what are you trying to say, Hud? I mean, no offense, but shouldn’t you be saying all this to him?”
“Oh, I plan on it, sweetheart, but I got to know, what’s in this for you? Are you determined to walk away from him and do your singing thing?” he asked, putting her on the spot.
“That’s what we agreed to do,” she lied. In all honesty, they’d never agreed to anything, they hadn’t really discussed it. It was just understood.
“Oh, great, so you’re just as stubborn as him,” Hud said, shaking his head.
They both sat there in silence for a few moments when Luke walked in.
“There you are,” he said, coming over to Aimee Jo and wrapping his arms around her, giving her a kiss good morning.
Hud watched his friend and knew exactly what Luke was doing. He was making it known whose girl she was, marking his territory, so to speak. He had never seen him being so intimate with a girl before. Luke was in love with Aimee Jo, whether he wanted to admit it or not. Now, all he had to do was get them both to admit it before it was too late.
Hud went off to work as Luke and Aimee Jo enjoyed the day at the house by themselves. Luke started off the morning by taking Aimee Jo back to their room, stripping her naked, and taking her into the shower with him. He made sure she got at least two orgasms of her own before lifting her sexy wet body up and onto him, so he could get his.
Then they fixed a late breakfast and enjoyed it together. As the afternoon was ticking away, they decided to take a dip in the pool. Aimee Jo went to change into the bikini he’d secretly bought her, while Luke got a few laps of swimming in. He felt energized and decided to take her out tonight. It should be safe, with no sign of the ex-boyfriend, plus he had Hud as his backup.
Luke was leaning against the edge of the pool, enjoying his beer, when Aimee Jo walked out in her bikini. He could have sworn the red garment had more cloth to it than it did. She looked hot. Too hot, he was afraid, because his friend could be home at any time. No way did he want Hud seeing her so naked.
Luke quickly leaped out of the pool and grabbed his towel, drying off. He wanted to throw her one to cover herself with.
“Why are you getting out? I thought we were going swimming,” she said as she approached him.
“I just did,” he said as he laid the wet towel down on a chair.
“I see that, but I wanted to swim too.” She laughed.
“I’m not so sure that’s a good idea,” he said, walking over to her.
“Why not?” she asked, noting the seriousness in his expression.
Luke pulled her into his arms, taking her lips with his, his tongue dipping into her hot little mouth. He remembered how she’d confessed to him a few days ago that she had never given a blow job. It was time to see what else that hot mouth of hers was capable of.
“Luke, you’re all wet.” She laughed, trying to push him away.
With one hand on her butt, he took his other hand and reached down, working his finger under the front of her bikini bottom to find her little pleasure nub. A few rubs were all it took to have her melt in his arms. She no longer minded holding on to his wet body.
“Oh, Luke,” she sighed as he stopped and removed his hand from her crotch.
“Now, so are you,” he whispered in her ear as he picked her up and carried her to their bedroom, out of sight from anyone but him.
The three of them dressed up and hit the town. Hud decided to play third wheel and not invite a date. He wanted to just spend time with his friend and not worry about entertaining a woman. Besides, it was becoming one of those been there, done her, things. He was over it. He was looking for something special. Something like Luke had, although he was too much of a jackass to admit it.
He wanted to get his friend alone again and convince him not to let her go. He felt bad for putting all of this fuckboy bullshit in his head. He didn’t want Luke to end up like him.
They drove downtown to a Mexican restaurant that Hud often frequented. They were quickly seated at a booth as the hostess left chips and salsa at the table.
“Aimee Jo, would you like a margarita? My treat,” Hud asked.
Luke looked at her before shooting an evil eye to his buddy. Was his friend trying to impress her, he wondered.
“No, thank you. I had one a few days ago and it didn’t agree with me.” She didn’t want to cut the night short again by getting drunk.
Luke was relieved. He didn’t want her getting drunk, at least not yet.
“So, Jose Cuervo isn’t a friend of yours, I take it?” Hud laughed.
“No, he’s not. I’ll just have a glass of wine.” Aimee Jo giggled.
Hud watched in amusement as Luke pulled her a little closer to him. Even though Luke should know by now that buds didn’t mess with another guy’s girl, he was still acting jealous.
They finished their dinner and headed to the Cowboys, a country/western bar close by. Aimee Jo was amazed at all the people dancing and the music was incredible. They had a band and they were belting out all the latest hits. The energy in the room was incredible and she felt excited and extremely nervous.
“Are you sure it’s karaoke night, Luke? Looks to me they have a band playing.”
“They play almost every night, but at around nine they stop and people do the karaoke thing before they take over the stage again,” Hud answered for him.
“Oh,” Aimee Jo said, hoping that maybe she’d get out of singing. This was a big crowd, and she hadn’t practiced much for days. What if they booed her and didn’t like her? She looked at her phone; it was almost nine and she felt like she was about to puke.
“Are you all right?” Luke leaned over and whispered in her ear.
“I don’t know if I’m ready for this.” She looked up at him.
“Sure, you are. You’ve sang for a crowd before, you said.”
“Yeah, bu
t that was my church, this is something entirely different.” She looked around the room once again.
“Well, just make sure you don’t sing a Sunday hymn and you’ll be fine,” he joked, trying to get her to lighten up, but her hand squeezing his tightly told him she was scared. “Come on, let’s go grab a table. It’s not like you have to be the first to sing. We’ll wait till the end. Save the best for last.” He smiled, kissing her on the cheek as they made their way through the crowd.
The karaoke time was winding down, and it was almost time for the band to come back. Aimee Jo still hadn’t found the courage to go up on stage. They sat and listened to some good singers and some not so good singers. But the crowd was nice to everyone and applauded, and some even cheered them on, no matter how badly they sucked.
Aimee Jo looked at both Luke and Hud, who kept pushing her to go up there for the last hour. Not wanting to disappoint them, she smiled and got up, heading for the stage.
She already knew the song she wanted to do and was happy they had it. She plugged the song number in and stepped up to the mic. The crowd was starting to get antsy and even the band was behind her, getting ready for her to finish so they could start. She was just about to say fuck it and head back to the table, when the music started.
It was now or never. If she couldn’t handle this, how was she going to handle auditions? So, she started to sing. At first, she focused on Luke and Hud, who were whistling and smiling and cheering her on, and then suddenly, she watched as the crowd started moving and dancing to her song. Then she heard the karaoke machine turn off. She almost stopped until the guitar player motioned for her to continue as they played along with the song she was singing, not even skipping a beat.
Luke watched proudly as she was belting her heart out. The crowd loved her. The band loved her and he loved her. She was a natural, and he had no doubt in his mind that she could be a country music star. Hud had been pestering him all night to tell her how he felt, but he kept brushing him off.
Now he knew why. He couldn’t let her give up her dream, not for him. She wasn’t destined to be a trucker’s girlfriend and stay on the road with him. This was what she was destined to do. He wouldn’t let her choose between being with him and pursuing her dream.