The Stable Boy

by Stalter, Harmony

  “Yes, we do.”

  “How are you and Josh? Any better?”

  “Yeah, we are good,” I said as the heat rose to my cheeks.

  “Uh-huh, I can tell.”

  “What do you mean you can tell?”

  “Your face is a red as your dress. Claire, you know I can always tell, right?”

  “You just like to fish until I admit to something.”

  “If you would just tell me, then I wouldn’t have to set sail on a fishing expedition. I’d tell you.”

  “I know you would.”

  “So, then just tell me. It would make your life a lot easier,” she said with a grin.

  “Like I said, we are good.”

  “You slept with him before coming to get me didn’t you?”

  “Maybe, maybe not.”

  “Don’t maybe not me, you did, I can tell. You should be sleeping with him as much as possible. God knows if I was you, there would never be any work getting done.”

  “Oh jeez,” I laughed. “I am surprised any work gets done at your house at all.”

  “Me too.”

  “You are so wrong,” I said as we pulled into Vanessa’s driveway.

  “I am just keeping Bob happy.”

  “I think it is more the other way around.”

  “Most likely, but it is not like he doesn’t enjoy it.”

  “That is true,” I said, climbing out of the truck. Angelica, Stacie, and Susie were already there. We walked in. “Hey, ladies.”

  “Hey,” they all said.

  “Are we all set to go?” asked Vanessa.

  “We are ready,” Alison said.

  “Good, let’s go,” said Angelica. We all climbed into Vanessa’s van. Alison sat in the front passenger seat. I took the first passenger side seat. Angelica sat next to me and Stacie and Susie sat in the third row. “I really like that dress on you. It looks beautiful and so do you. There is something different about you today.”

  “Thank you. When we went shopping, it was the first thing I saw and fell in love with it. What do you mean different?”

  “I don’t know. You look happier than you normally do.”

  “I am. We are about to see Christian. Who wouldn’t be happy?”

  “That is so true.”

  “She is right, Claire. This is the happiest I have seen you look in quite some time,” said Susie. I heard Vanessa and Alison snicker.

  “Alright, spill it. What is going on?” asked Stacie.

  “There is nothing going on,” I said.

  “Oh, I think I know what it is, but if she isn’t willing to tell you I will not spill the beans,” Angelica said.

  “Thank you, Angelica.”

  “That is so unfair,” said Susie.

  “Wait a minute,” said Stacie. “If those two are laughing up front and Angelica may know what it is, then it has to have something to do with that incredibly hot new stable boy.”

  “Oh, I didn’t even think about that,” said Susie. Laughter erupted from the front seat and next to me.

  “Claire, are you sleeping with him?” asked Stacie.

  “Don’t give her the bullshit maybe answer, Claire, just admit to it,” said Alison.

  “I don’t like you, right now,” I said to Alison’s back. “Yes, Stacie I have slept with him.”

  “Oh, how was it? What it as hot as he looks?” asked Susie. “Someone who looks like him has to be good in bed. Please don’t tell me he was disappointing. It would just break my heart.”

  “Far from disappointing,” I said. “And that will be all I tell you.”

  “She refuses to give any details,” said Alison. “I have been trying to get it out of her.”

  “That explains why she is not driving,” said Susie. “You are going to get her drunk enough to spill the beans.”

  “You got that right,” said Vanessa. “She wants all the details.”

  “Hey Vanessa, you have known Josh forever. Have you ever been with him or kissed him?” asked Angelica.

  “No, I have never had any interest in him. He was too clean cut for me. You’ve all seen my boyfriend the more bad boy they look, the more I like them.”

  “Good thing, it would have been the end of her,” I whispered.

  “That is so true. You are definitely into the biker bad boy type.”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “I heard that, Claire,” said Alison.

  “Heard what?” asked Angelica.

  “She said it is a good thing, because it would have been the end of her.”

  “Damn, seriously?” asked Stacie.

  “Yes,” I said.

  “Is he the type of guy that kisses so good your knees buckle?”

  “Oh yeah.”

  “Damn, you are free not to drink if you don’t want to. That is all the info I needed,” Alison laughed. We all laughed.

  “You know if he is kissing her like that, the bedroom is just as good or even better,” said Susie as we pulled into the parking lot. I smiled.

  “Just by the look on her face, you know it is,” said Angelica as we climbed out of the van. “Do you all want to grab a quick bite across the street before we commence to drinking?”

  “I will, I am starving,” I said. Vanessa looked at the other girls.

  “I think we could all eat,” she said.

  “Well then, let’s go.”

  “I could eat a horse,” said Alison as we made our way across the street. The little café was called The Thistle Café. We have all eaten there many times. Maggie was not only the owner, but she was also a waitress. She loved serving her customers. Her stark white hair was always pulled in a bun at the top of her head. We walked in to the practically empty café.

  “Well if it isn’t my favorite bunch of ladies,” Maggie said.

  “Hi Maggie,” we all said as she came over to us. She grabbed a hold of me and hugged me hard.

  “Claire, it is so good to see you again. I heard what happened and I am so sorry.”

  “Thank you, Maggie.”

  “You’re welcome. So, are you ladies going to see Christian Kane tonight?”

  “We sure are,” I said.

  “He does come in here before his shows to grab a quick bite. I’ll make sure they take their time in the back making your food so you get to see him,” she said with a wink.

  “That is why we love you, Maggie. You are always looking out for us,” laughed Angelica.

  “Yes, I am. Speaking of the little devil, his bus just pulled up. I will go put your order in,” she smiled. She was walking to the kitchen when we heard the front door open.

  “Maggie, how are you this fine day?” asked Christian.

  “I am wonderful. How are you?”

  “I am doing great.”

  “That is great to hear. I want to introduce you to some of my best customers.”

  “Okay.”

  “Ladies, meet Christian. Christian this is Stacie, Susie, Angelica, Vanessa, Alison, and Claire. They will all be at your concert tonight.”

  “Nice to meet you all. You all look very lovely.”

  “Thank you,” we all said.

  “You’re welcome. Now I expect to see all of you up front and singing along.”

  “I am sure they will be. Go take your seat I will bring you your sweet tea.”

  “Thank you, ma’am,” he said walking over to the counter. We all watched. Maggie turned to us and smiled. She went behind the counter and poured Christian a glass of her tea.

  “Yeah, it is a definite. Josh looks like him,” said Alison.

  “They have the same eyes and jaw line,” I said.

  “I can see someone has studied his face really close.”

  “Causing ones knees to buckle will give you an opportunity to do that,” I laughed. The girls erupted with laughter. Maggie and Christian gave us a look and smiled. Christian’s food and ours came out at the same time. We ate, paid our check, hugged Maggie, and walked across the street to get in line. Christian came o
ut shortly after we did.

  “Ladies, I will see you inside,” he said with a smile.

  “Yes, you will,” said Alison. Christian blushed as he walked past.

  “Alison!” I said, half laughing at her. All the other girls were laughing. “Can you at least wait until you had your first drink before you start flirting?”

  “Where is the fun in that?”

  “Oh jeez,” said Susie. “We are in trouble tonight.”

  “And you two think I am bad,” said Angelica.

  “Having hung out with you both, Angelica you are nothing compared to Alison,” laughed Vanessa.

  “Looks like I need to take some lessons.”

  “You just hang out with me all night. I’ll show you how it’s done.”

  “Oh my God, I don’t think the bar can handle two of you, Alison,” Stacie laughed.

  “We are about to find out,” she said, as the bar opened its doors.

  The crowd streamed in one by one. We entered and went straight to the bar on our right. We saw our favorite bartender working, David. He saw us and smiled.

  “Well, look what we have here. Miss Claire it is good to see you, again. I am sorry to hear of the events that took place, but glad to see your beautiful face gracing this bar again,” he said pouring a round of five shots. He knew how we did things.

  “Thank you, David.”

  “Do you want a soda or coffee?”

  “Actually, I will take a beer. Vanessa is the one not drinking tonight.”

  “Really? I don’t believe I have ever seen you drink. This could get interesting.”

  “I’ll take that soda,” Vanessa said, trying to save me. He handed all of us a shot and poured Vanessa the soda. Watching us take our initial shots he smiled.

  “Now, what do you all want to drink? Tap or bottle, Claire?”

  “Bottle will be fine.”

  “Ladies? What about all of you?” he asked. Every time we came in they all changed up their drinks. He knew the shots would be consistent, but the mixed drinks or beers would be different.

  “Rum and coke, please?” said Angelica.

  “Flavored or not?”

  “Oh, flavored. Let’s go with melon.”

  “Alright.”

  “I will have the same, but with raspberry,” said Stacie.

  “Alabama Slammer,” said Susie.

  “Oh, that sounds great. I will have the same,” said Alison.

  “Alright, they are all coming right up,” he said, as Christian bellied up to the bar next to us.

  “Christian, my man, how have you been?”

  “Not too shabby.”

  “What can I get for you?”

  “A beer.”

  “Alright, have you met this bunch of ladies, yet?”

  “As a matter of fact, I did across the street. You are all coming up front, right?”

  “We will be there,” I said, before Alison could say some flirty comment to him again.

  “Nice, I’ll get that beer for you,” he said, grabbing two bottles. He popped the tops off and handed me one and gave the other to Christian. He lifted his toward me. I returned the gesture. He walked away and went to the stage to finish setting up. They all looked at me.

  “What?”

  “Uh-huh, who is flirting now?” asked Alison.

  “I was not even close to flirting. David, did you think that was flirting?”

  “I have seen flirting before and that was not it. Although, for him it may have been. Personally, I would not blame him.”

  “Damn Claire, is getting hit on from all the hot men lately. I’m kind of proud.”

  “Alison,” I laughed. “You are one messed up chick.”

  “That is why you love me,” she said batting her eyes at me. We all laughed at her. We grabbed our drinks and headed to the back of the bar where the stage was. We got in as close as possible. We were ready for it to begin. Christian took the stage. The crowd cheered.

  “Thank you all for being here tonight. Let’s get this party started. Who read the House Rules posted on the wall as they came in?” he said. The crowd erupted as the band broke into “House Rules.” We danced and sang every word. From there, he went into “American Made.” “Callin All Country Women” was next. When he went into “Something’s Gotta Give,” I nearly broke down. Often times, I felt like that. The past two years I wondered if there was something out there that would change for the better. When he began “Whiskey in Mind,” a plastered Alison took that as her cue to buy him a shot. We tried to stop her. We failed miserably. Being a gentleman, Christian took the shot cheered with her and set it down when she turned away from him. He did drink it after the song was over. The entire crowd sang and danced all night. We were sweaty and tired by the time it was the encore. He closed the show with “Let me Go” and “Thinking of You,” which had all the girls swooning. After the concert was over, most of the crowd left. We stuck around. Our night was not over. David refreshed our drinks and we headed out to the dance floor. We sang at the top of our lungs and danced like we were the only people left in the bar.

  “Is it hot in here?” slurred Alison. We took that as our cue to leave. We did not want her to begin peeling off her clothes in front of Christian. We walked over to the bar.

  “Bye David,” we said.

  “Not sticking around for last call, ladies? It is only five minutes away.”

  “No, Alison is hot,” said Vanessa.

  “Oh, you better leave,” he laughed.

  “Yeah, that is what we were thinking. See you soon.”

  “You guys have a great night.”

  “You, too,” we said. We walked to the van. Alison climbed in the back. Angelica sat in the last row with her. Stacie and Susie got in the second row of seats. I climbed in front seat next to Vanessa.

  “Alison, you okay back there?” I asked.

  “Yes, I am just hot. Can you turn up the AC or roll down a window or something?”

  “We will crank the AC, honey,” said Vanessa. “She just bought that dress. It doesn’t need to go out the window like the last one.”

  “I completely forgot about that,” I laughed. “That was a night for the record books. We had way too much fun that night.”

  “Yes, we did. David always takes care of us.”

  “He does. I am so glad we found that place.”

  “Me too. It is always fun.”

  “I’m still hot,” said Alison.

  “It will cool off in a minute,” said Vanessa. We heard snoring from the back. Alison had fallen asleep. “Thank God, at least her clothes will stay on now.”

  “Yes, they will,” I said. We all laughed. We kept quiet the rest of the way to Vanessa’s house so we did not disturb Alison. When we arrived, Stacie and Susie’s husbands were waiting as well as Rich and Josh. We all climbed out of the van.

  “We agreed that the best thing to do was come and get our women, except for Josh who just volunteered to come and get Alison and Claire. He said it was the least he could do after she allows him to stay with her,” said Mike.

  “That is very nice of you guys,” said Vanessa giving me a look. I shrugged. Josh came over to me.

  “How are you? Did you have fun?”

  “I did. I am okay, sobering up, but Alison on the other hand, not so much.”

  “Hey, Alison, are you ready to go home?” he asked, putting an arm around her shoulder.

  “Yes,” she slurred, as she stumbled. Josh scooped her up in his arms.

  “You smell nice,” she said, laying her head on his shoulder.

  “Thank you,” he said, face slightly reddening. I stifled a laugh.

  “Good night, Vanessa. Thank you for driving and offering us a place to stay.”

  “You are most welcome. Anytime, you know that. Get her home and get some sleep.”

  “I will do that,” I said, as Josh walked over to us. He hugged Vanessa.

  “Night ‘Nessa. I’ll see you soon.”

  “Night Jo
sh. Take good care of my ladies.”

  “I will. Thanks for the ride over, Rich.”

  “No problem,” he said. We walked to the truck. He opened the passenger door. I climbed in next to Alison, who had fallen back to sleep. One by one all the vehicles pulled out of Vanessa’s driveway. We were the last to leave. We rode in silence until we reached Alison’s house. Bob heard us pull up and came to get Alison.

  “Holy crap, she is actually fully dressed.”

  “Yes, she is. The minute she said she was hot we got her out of there.”

  “I thank you for that, Claire. Thank you, Josh for going to get the girls with Rich.”

  “No problem, Bob, anytime.”

  “Let me see if I can stir her to get her inside. Hey, babe, do you want to wake up for me, so we can get in the house?”

  “Am I home?”

  “Yes, you are.”

  “Okay, let’s go,” she said, sliding across the seat to get out.

  “I am going to help Bob get her in the house. I’ll be right back.” I said.

  “Okay.”

  “It is okay, Claire. I think she is stable enough for me to get her in the house.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Okay,” I said, climbing back in the truck. Josh climbed in and we waited until they were in the house before we pulled out of the driveway.

  “Thank you for coming to get us.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Did you really say that stuff to those guys?”

  “Yes.”

  “The girls know. It is okay if you want to tell someone.”

  “Really? Did they get you drunk enough to tell them?”

  “No, I kind of told them before we even arrived. Well, not really told them as much as they guessed.”

  “Am I that obvious in my affections toward you?”

  “Very, according to them.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be. Alison wanted to get me drunk enough to tell her all the explicit details of our love life, but Susie asked Vanessa if she had ever kissed you and she said no. I didn’t think anyone heard me, but I said it was a good thing she hadn’t or she would have been done for.”

  “Thanks, I think,” he smiled.

  “You’re welcome. Susie then asked if you were the knees buckle kind of kisser and I said yes. Alison said that was all the information she wanted. I can only imagine what ran through her head after that.”