8 Second Decision

by H. J. Bellus

  We watch as the duo walk away toward his house, and every once in a while I see Challis throw her head back in laughter and can almost bet on the stories that he’s telling her.

  “I’m going to marry that girl.”

  The words drift around in the barn, and I watch as both of my brothers’ jaws drop.

  “You’ve known her a whole whopping two weeks, and most of the time you two have wanted to kill each other,” Maverik says.

  “Don’t you have to be boyfriend and girlfriend first?” Marvel asks.

  “Two wild hearts have crashed together, boys, and I’m going to make her mine. Just watch me.” I pat them both on the back and walk out into the Texas sun feeling happier than I’ve ever felt. Even with the stress stemming from our ranch and the threat of Challis losing hers, life has never felt sweeter.

  I take long strides across the gravel road to meet Challis as she bounds back down Granddad’s sidewalk and catch her before she hits the dirt road. I pull her in with both arms and then grip the back of her head.

  “You make me happy, Verde.”

  “Verde?” She wrinkles her nose at me.

  “Your nickname from me.”

  “Care to explain?” She rubs her nose into mine.

  “Your green eyes are fucking gorgeous and are the first thing that attracted me to you, and Verde is green in Spanish.”

  “Wow, you’re so deep, Champ.”

  “Shut up and kiss me.”

  And like a well-oiled machine, our lips seal together and melt into a kiss. I nudge her back until her ass hits the top of the fence lining the property. She sinks her tongue deep into my mouth, nearly causing me to rip off all of her clothes, but then her phone goes off.

  “Sorry.” She pushes back off my chest. “It’s Tori.”

  I have to take two steps back, shoving my hands through my hair trying to tamp down my fucking raging hormones.

  “I have to go work at the bar tonight.” She steps up to me and winds her arms around the back of my neck and jumps up into me. Her actions surprise me, but I’m quick enough to catch her ass in my hands.

  “Not if I kidnap your ass.”

  “Merek, I have to, just for tonight, to give Tori the night to train the new help. She was nice enough to let me go to give this a try.”

  “Are you talking us or riding ponies?”

  She takes a moment to respond. “Well, both I guess.”

  “Want me to drive you in?”

  “Naw, I got the green beast over there, but you could come in for a drink or two.” She drags her tongue along the seam of my lips.

  “You better stop, or I’ll march your ass right over there to my house and take you.”

  She waggles her eyebrows at me. “Tonight, Champ, you can have all of me.

  Chapter 10

  Challis

  A goofy ass grin covers my face all night as I pour cold beer and mix up cocktails, but I can’t help it. I’ve tried to wipe it off a time or two and plaster on a poker face, but it just keeps creeping right back on. I know it’s a mixture of the way Merek makes me feel alive again and the sliver of hope that I just might pull off getting the ranch back forever.

  I can’t help but picture Lola’s face as I hand over the check and sign the final papers. I know I’m stooping down to her evil ways, but a girl can only hope.

  “Coors, please.”

  I look up to see a familiar face sitting on the other side of the bar, and he must pick up on my confusion of trying to place him.

  “Preston. Met you out at Silver Star today. We’ll be working together the next three months.”

  “Oh, yeah, sorry. It’s been quite the day, and, honestly, I’m exhausted.”

  “Me too, and you’re still working.”

  “Yeah, just for a couple more hours.” I push over his frosty mug. “Want a tab?”

  He relaxes back on the barstool and shoots me a sly grin. “Yeah, I think I do.”

  “You got it.”

  “So, how did you get hooked up with Silver Star Ranch?” he asks.

  I keep filling orders and try my best to keep up in conversation with the chatty man. “I know the Slatter boys from serving them in here.”

  Preston is quite the charmer with his golden blond hair and very, very thick accent. His skin is olive, and, well, his damn muscles speak for themselves, bulging from his white t-shirt.

  “I see. I just moved in from Oklahoma and live to ride. So you can say I landed the perfect gig.”

  “Awesome. Nice chatting. I have to go work the floor now.”

  I sneak away from the bar before the chatty man can ask another question. I’d love to tell him I’m with Merek, but am I? What do I say…well, I’m lined up to screw a Slatter tonight, so I’m taken? I mean, most women simply say 'I have a boyfriend'. But that’s something I’ve never really had. When I start to think of all the logistics, my giddy smile vanishes and my mind is bogged down.

  Thank God this job is pretty much robotic in the fact I could do it with my eyes closed. I take orders, fill orders, clean tables, and then repeat the steps. Every single time I step behind the bar, Preston has a question or some funny comment, and even as annoying as he may be, at least he’s keeping me company.

  I check my phone and then remember I don’t have Merek’s number, and he doesn’t have mine yet. Probably a good indicator that we both suck at the boyfriend/girlfriend thing. Then my mind takes a wild ride thinking about all the women he’s been with, and I wonder for the first time if he’s ever been in a serious relationship at all, or even for that fact been with one woman over a long period of time. The only good thing coming from checking my phone is the fact there's one hour until last call.

  “Hey, little lady, you look a little lonely.” Arms wrap around my midsection as a breath tickles the flesh of my neck. I crane my neck to see Merek’s gorgeous face all up in my business.

  “Hey, you can’t be back here.” I whirl around in his arms.

  “What they going to do, fire you, Verde?”

  “That name is dumb. You can do better.” I roll my eyes.

  Merek dips down, kissing the tip of my nose. “What was so damn intriguing on your phone?”

  I plant a kiss on his lips before talking. “I was going to text your ass but then realized I don’t have your number, and then I started wondering about stuff.”

  “What kind of stuff?” He tilts his head in a genuine fashion.

  “Like about your past and girlfriends and if you’ve been loyal to a woman.” I chose to lay it all out on the line for him and wait for his reaction.

  “If I answer no is this over between us?”

  “If you lie then it’s over between us.”

  “Then no, I’ve never had a real girlfriend or been loyal to any girl for that matter.”

  The fear covering his face as he is honest with me actually melts my cold heart a bit.

  “Thanks.” I kiss him quickly, biting down on his bottom lip and then spin him around and slap his ass. “Out, I have to work. I’ll bring you a drink in a bit.”

  He rounds the bar and rests on the end of it watching me work and I try like hell to pretend I don’t see him. After a few moments go by I give up and turn to him. “What?”

  “So, you’re not mad at me?”

  “For?” I raise my eyebrows.

  “Being honest with you.”

  “Actually, I’m not. I’m relieved, because I suck at relationships and apparently you do too, so we might just work out.”

  I watch all of his muscles relax as he walks over to a table to join his brothers. I’m used to waiting on Maverik and Marvel, but having Merek join is something new. Watching the three of them come together to save their granddad’s ranch and essentially their heritage, gives me hope there’s good in this crazy ass world.

  “Hey, cutie, I’ll take another cold one.”

  I look up to catch the beer Preston sends sailing my way across the bar just in time before the mug sails over the bar on
to the floor.

  “Whoa. My name is Challis, and I don’t expect to be called anything else.”

  He holds his hands up in a defensive posture. “Sorry, just thought since Merek was friendly we all could be.”

  “Excuse me?” I take a step closer to him and point my finger at his nose. “You have no fucking right to treat me any way. I’d kick you out right now, but seeing that we have to work together the next three months, I’ll let it go this time.”

  Using too much force, I flip back the Coors handle and let the beer flow into a new frosty mug. The desire to spit in his beer is overwhelming, but I fight it when I hear someone call my name.

  “Challis, I’m dying of thirst over here.”

  I look up to Merek, who has his arms raised up holding his cowboy hat. I just flash him a grin and then feel the cold amber liquid run onto my hand. I hand Preston his beer and don’t exchange a word with him before heading off to grab three longnecks for the brothers. I take the opener with me, trying to escape being around the creep Preston any longer.

  “Damn, now that’s service.” Merek slaps my ass.

  “Stop.” I swat away his hand.

  “What’s wrong?”

  I don’t want to cause trouble with my new job before it practically starts, but I also don’t want Preston thinking I’m just fresh meat on the crew for the taking.

  “See that guy at the bar?”

  Marvel cranes his neck. “Yeah, that’s Preston. He’s on our crew. Worked with Challis and I today.”

  Merek clutches the back of my thigh. “What about him, Verde?”

  “He’s a dick, that’s what. Saw you nuzzling up to me and thought he could treat me the same way.”

  My fear comes to life as Merek stands from his chair. I manage to push him down with the hand just holding a beer opener.

  “I told him off, but you need to keep your hands off of me until my shift’s over.”

  “He’s fucking fired,” Merek says.

  “No, he’s not.” I slap him in the back of the head. “I’m a big girl and can handle my own stuff. I’m just saying less touching right now and as far as that goes during work on the ranch as well.

  “I agree,” Maverik pipes up.

  “See, I’m always right. First thing you need to know for this relationship to work out.” I bend over and pop off the tab of each beer and then kiss his forehead before I walk off.

  “What the hell?” he yells after me. “You just totally contradicted yourself.”

  “I’m always right.” I shrug my shoulders.

  Chapter 11

  Merek

  “I’ll break his fucking legs if you don’t let me fire him.”

  “Cool your jets, Merek. With Challis’s looks he won’t be the last guy to pick up on her,” Maverik says.

  “No shit, I need to buy her a gunny sack to wear.”

  “She does have nice tits.” Marvel tips his beer back.

  His words cause me to choke on my own beer. For years, I’ve worried the boy was going to be playing for the wrong team, but clearly he has a fascination for my girl’s tits. Did I just use the phrase ‘my girl’? And by damn if it didn’t feel good.

  “Touch her tits and I’ll beat your ass, Marvel.”

  We all bust up in laughter at that comment, and I fucking shake my head at the conversation we are knee deep in and the feisty cowgirl I’m falling in love with.

  “Talked to Saint on the way over here.” My attention focuses in on Marvel. “He’s agreed to pay us in three installments at the end of each month instead of at the end. How do we want to handle paying the hands since they think the money is coming at the end anyway?”

  “We have to give them something to live on. It’s not their fault our dad went and fucked up shit.” Maverik slams down his beer.

  “Guys.” I set my hat on the table and run my hands through my hair and contemplate on how much to tell them about Challis’s situation. “I’ve promised the money to Challis within forty days.”

  “You what?” They both say in unison, and even ol’ Jake perks up from underneath the table.

  “She’s in a bind and needs it. We are going to hit local rodeos on the weekend. She’s in a tough spot, guys.”

  And that’s all I’m willing to share with them.

  “Let’s get real here, Merek.” Maverik turns to me. “You’ve fallen a bit in love, have a hard-on for this girl, and expect us to fork over money to her when we are in a hardship as it is.”

  “Yeah, fuckface.” Anger boils up in the back of my throat. “Like I’d ever ask that. I’m going to put my personal money in for you guys to pay. She can never know it’s coming from me. Then in the end when Saint pays up, you’ll just pay me back.”

  “Why don’t you just give her the money?” Marvel asks.

  “Because she’s stubborn and prideful,” Maverik answers for me. “I’m fine with that, but when she finds out the truth you’re on your own, Merek.”

  “Deal,” I say. “But she can never find out.”

  “What happens when she hears the other workers talking about money?” Marvel asks.

  “I’ll handle it. Plus, she’s going to be pretty much on her own working the money colts that we need spot on.”

  “Mark my words, Merek, you are going to fuck this up.”

  “Thanks, Maverik.”

  I scan the bar searching for Challis and catch Preston staring at something pretty intent. And when I find out what he is staring at I instantly see red. Challis is bent over serving a table a large tray of drinks.

  “Excuse me.” I push back from the table and settle my hat on my head.

  “Take it easy.” I hear Maverik’s voice and can guarantee he saw the same thing just go down.

  I saddle up to the bar right next to the fucking puke.

  “Merek Slatter, what an honor.” He sticks out his hand to shake mine. “You’re a great cowboy. I ride broncs as well.”

  I look down to his buckle and see he’s wearing a high school state champ one and only smirk pitifully at it.

  “So much as look at Challis again and I break both of your kneecaps. Try talking to her and I’ll rip your head from your neck and shit down it. Any questions?”

  I never take his hand but I wait for his response. None ever comes and I don’t move from the seat, hoping to make the asshole uncomfortable as all hell.

  “You can take her. I’ve got this under control,” Tori hollers over to me. They were the only words I longed to hear and I don’t waste a second.

  In three long strides, I grab Challis by the waist, hoist her over my shoulder, and send the tray sliding onto the bar top.

  “Thanks, Tori.” I wave over my shoulder and slap Challis on the ass. Her squeals and laughter vibrate on my back as I carry her ass to the truck.

  “Merek, stop. Put me down.”

  I snag the handle to the truck and toss her in the front seat.

  “God, you’re gorgeous.”

  She lets out a huff of air. “Yeah, real gorgeous with my tits popping out and my shorts all tangled and this out of control hair.”

  “I’d take you right here and now.”

  She gives the I dare you, boy look and in seconds I pounce on her covering her body. And instead of pushing me away, she does the opposite and pulls me down into her. Her welcoming arms wrap around my neck and pull down to her until our lips meet.

  “Merek.”

  “Yeah.” I mumble down into her lips.

  “I think I’m starting to really fall for you.”

  I smile against her lips. “I’ve already tumbled off the fucking cliff for you.”

  “I don’t know if we’re good for each other.”

  I run my hand down between us until I find her core, using my hand I gently rub up and down until I feel her squirm underneath me.

  “I think we’re perfect for each other and should live this out.”

  Challis throws her head back on my leather seat and lets out a moan as I undo he
r button and zipper. I slip my hand underneath her panties and rub once again. She fights to talk between moans of pleasure.

  “Merek, we’re going to wreck each other, and you’re going to leave me for the road and one day I hope to go home.”

  I circle faster around her nub and then push two fingers inside her and feel her back arch up as she screams out.

  “Let’s do it. Be with me.”

  “I’m with you. Oh God, don’t stop.”

  Her hips try to buck up under my weight as she rides out all of her pleasure, and within moments she melts underneath me and leaves me smiling as I stare down at her flushed cheeks and bright eyes.

  The sound of car doors shutting surrounds us.

  “We have to get out of here.” Challis tries to sit up in a panic. “It’s closing time and we’ll have an audience.”

  “I might like the idea of my hometown seeing me claim you, so they’ll all back the fuck off.”

  “Merek.” She pushes as hard as she can on my shoulders.

  “Okay. Okay.” I sit up, nailing my head on the roof of the cab. “Fuck, that hurt.”

  I try to adjust my raging hard-on in my jeans and watch as Challis studies each of my moves. If she weren’t so horrified I’d give her the show of her life while she lay beneath me watching. Instead, I climb from the truck and make it to the driver’s seat only to see Challis still sprawled out with her head in the driver’s seat.

  “Whatcha doing, Verde?”

  “I’m kind of relaxed and never want to forget that.”

  I lean in and kiss the tip of her nose. “How about I remind you for the rest of your life.”

  “Promise?”

  “Promise, Verde.”

  She lifts her head just enough for me to jump up into the driver’s seat. I’ve never driven so fast back to Silver Star before in my entire life, even counting the times I outran the country sheriff and hid out behind Granddad’s house.

  I pull the ol’ Dodge up the lane—lit and framed with white fencing—which I’ve done over a hundred times before, but this time something is different and I feel it in my gut. What I’m about to do is going to change my life forever, whether it be for the worse or for the better, but I have to roll the dice and bet on the better.