by Tammy Coons
“Aren’t you tired of that scene?” Alex sat down next to him. “Sally, can I get a Jack and Coke?” Sally gave her a quick nod.
“I’m a dude, remember?”
“And a man whore,” Alex mumbled. Ryder laughed.
Sally sat down her drink. “$3.50.”
“I got it.” Ryder handed Sally the money and gave her a wink. Sally didn’t make eye contact with him. She came back with his change, her face red.
“Before you got here I was close to nailing that chick. She said ‘I go on break in an hour’. You always were a cock blocker,” Ryder teased.
“Don’t start that shit. I just know the people here. If you want an STD, go for it.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time.” Ryder knew he was getting under her skin.
“And stay away from the whores from Muscello. They are bad news, home wreckers to say the least.”
“Cock blocker,” Ryder mumbled and took a drink from his beer. Alex punched him in the arm.
“Stop calling me that.”
“Maybe I should hook up with Stella. She seems very interested.” Ryder watched as Alex rolled her eyes.
“Stella is my friend, but…” Alex paused. “She has issues. She is trouble.”
“I like trouble.” Ryder wiggled his eyebrows again. Alex sighed next to him. Ryder, sensing her tension, nudged her. “Don’t worry. I won’t get involved with her. I’m just joking around.” Alex nodded. He downed his second beer and ordered another.
“Don’t you think you should pace yourself, lush?” Alex raised her eyebrow and placed a hand on her hip.
“I got this, Mom.” Ryder gave her a glance. “So what’s up with Corbin?”
“Oh no, she is too nice of a girl for you. You don’t need to poison her.” Alex stared him square on.
“Poison her?” Ryder laughed out loud.
“You know what I mean, she has a lot on her plate right now.”
“Like…?” Ryder gestured for Alex to continue.
“For one, a boyfriend.”
“Serious?”
“He gave her a promise ring about two years ago, so I guess it’s serious.”
“OOOOh, a promise ring. Who the hell gives a promise ring?” Ryder shook his head. “He sounds like a major douche.”
“He is a major ass. Before tonight is over Corbin will be crying alone in her room. It is the same shit every weekend. Her trying to track him down and him ignoring her.”
“I would be more than willing to console her.” Ryder clicked his tongue.
“Seriously bro, if you fuck with her…” Alex punched him in the arm again.
“I’m just kidding, geesh.” Ryder rubbed his arm. “I’ll be right back. Need to piss.” He slid off the stool and made his way to the back. On his way there he made sure to make eye contact with the giggling ladies. He gave them his infamous crooked smile and wink. They all blushed.
ALEX WATCHED RYDER walk away, she knew she couldn’t control him and was worried that he was going to fall into his old ways. Just a year earlier Ryder had been on a downward spiral. He had landed in jail due to a DUI, wrecked his prized custom Harley Davidson and almost died due to the accident, and to top it off, had been kicked out of his band ‘Infected Whiskey’. Life had never been easy for Alex and Ryder, but they had always somehow managed to get through the worst. Alex was so relieved when Ryder contacted her a month ago asking for a place to crash for awhile. She finished her drink just as Ryder exited the bathroom. He stopped at the giggling dipshits table and began conversing with them. Alex watched Ryder work his flirting magic. She witnessed it many times over in her life. As Ryder would say, “So many women so little time.” She watched Ryder turn to her, she crossed her arms in an attempt to imply are you done, and he shot her a small smile and shook his head. Her look seemed to work because he made his way back to her.
“Cock blocker,” he said aloud with a huge grin. He tipped his beer up and gulped it down. Alex jabbed him in the stomach just as he took a huge drink, making him spit beer everywhere.
“That sweet move should turn your new fan club away,” Alex said standing. She grinned.
“You are such a bitch,” Ryder laughed as he wiped his chin.
“You know it.” Alex exited the bar and Ryder followed.
“Do you have any food at your place? I’m starving.”
“You are always starving,” Alex replied. She stopped walking and turned to Ryder. “I am glad you are here.”
“Don’t get all mushy, sis.” Ryder mussed up her hair.
“I’m serious, that bike accident almost took you away.” She thought back to him lying in the hospital bed. Tubes and wires had him hooked up to a bunch of machines, and his face. It was so bruised, he was barely recognizable. As if reading her mind, Ryder wrapped his arm around her shoulder and gave her a squeeze.
“Stop it.” He shook her playfully. “I need food, woman!” he added in caveman like tone. Alex couldn’t help but laugh.
“You are so stupid,” she managed between laughs. Ryder gave her another squeeze.
CORBIN LAY ON her bed, tears pouring down her face. What if the rumors were true? She had been hearing them too. Her heart ached in her chest and her stomach churned. She loved Rob with every fiber in her body. When they first started dating in high school, everything was great. He was very attentive to her needs and wanted to spend as much time as possible with her. Now, it was nothing but a chasing game. She, wanting to see him on a daily basis and he wanted to hang out with his friends. She wiped her eyes picked up her cell phone and plugged in Rob’s name. Taking a deep breath she typed,
We need to talk. She hit send.
About???? Was his response.
Us. A single tear slipped down her cheek.
I will try to stop by later.
Corbin shook her head. She threw her phone down on the bed. She wiped her eyes and blew her nose. She told herself that she was done with him, as she did most every weekend. She was so tired of trying. She looked at the small diamond ring on her finger and thought back to the day Rob gave it to her. It was her 21st birthday. He had shown up to the apartment drunk. He shoved the box in her face and vowed his undying love for her and made a promise to marry her. Now two years later that promise remained unfulfilled. Corbin twisted the ring and then slid it off. Tears welled up in her eyes. She placed the ring in her jewelry box and shut the lid. The ring was a heart breaking lie that she no longer wanted to be a part of. She lay back on her bed and stared at the ceiling. Her thoughts then drifted to her Mom. Her Alzheimer’s had gotten much worse and now when Corbin visited her, she had to explain who she was. It saddened Corbin deeply because her Mom had always been her rock. Corbin yearned for the days when they would sit and talk for hours. Feeling tears again, she quickly wiped them away.
“Honey, I’m home,” she heard Ryder announce. Her mind shifted from Rob and her Mom to the image of Ryder in his boxers and the way his hair was messed up. She began twirling her hair and let her mind drift off to naughty places. A knock on her door interrupted her fantasy.
“Entrez.”
Alex peeked in. “I am going to Royce’s to pick up some stuff for tacos. Do you need anything?”
Corbin shook her head. “’Kay. I’ll be back in a few.” Alex closed her door. Corbin waited to hear the front door shut and then stood and opened her door. She crossed the living room and into the kitchen. She opened the fridge and began scanning the items inside. Beer, a half-gallon of milk, and some cheese sat on the shelves. She pulled out a beer and popped the top.
“Alex, are you out there?” Ryder called from the bathroom. Corbin paused mid sip.
“She went to the store,” Corbin replied.
“Shit. Can you grab me a towel?”
“Sure.” Corbin grabbed a towel from the hall closet then knocked on the bathroom door. Ryder opened it a crack, steamed poured out.
“Thanks,” he said from the other side. Corbin went back into the kitchen. Her mind flooded with thoughts of R
yder naked in the bathroom. She started to feel guilty about thinking of him that way and willed herself to stop. But as soon as he exited the bathroom the thoughts hammered away at her. He was wearing only a towel. His long hair dripped water onto his chest. She watched a drip run down his chest and into the V.
“Thanks for the towel,” Ryder said. Corbin brought her attention to his eyes then nodded, struggling to find her voice. She felt her face redden. Ryder walked towards her. He stopped just inches in front of her. She looked at the floor, afraid he was going to kiss her, but she wanted him to. She looked up into his eyes. He reached behind her and pulled open the fridge. He grabbed a beer and cracked it open. He stayed just inches from her. She watched him take a gulp from the can, even the way his Adam’s apple bobbed as he drank turned her on. Corbin wanted to touch him, taste his kiss. She opened her mouth to speak just as Stella walked in.
“Holy shit, Ryder. You should just walk around like that all day, every day,” Stella remarked. She placed a hand on his back side. Ryder moved away from Stella, looked at Corbin and rolled his eyes. Corbin smirked back.
“I am going to get dressed and when Alex gets back, I am cooking my famous tacos for you beautiful ladies.”
“You can cook in a towel, or an apron, or nude,” Stella flirted.
“That’s how burns happen, in all of the wrong places.” Ryder winked at Stella and then left the room.
“Damn that man is so hot.” Stella fanned herself then turned to Corbin. “Do you want to go have a few drinks with me tonight?”
“I think I am staying in.” Corbin knew that Stella’s out for a few drinks would end up in an all night drunk fest.
“Oh come on!” Stella whined. “Listen, I am sorry about what I said about Rob. It just pisses me off that you sit here and pine for him while he is out doing whatever. Just two drinks. I am buying.” Corbin heaved a sigh. “Just two drinks and then I’m coming home.”
“Yay!” Stella clapped her hands. Ryder reentered the kitchen fully clothed. Stella turned to him, “Hey, sexy. Care to join us for a couple drinks tonight?”
“Who’s us?” he asked. He began drying his hair with the towel.
“Me and Corbin,” Stella replied. Ryder removed the towel, his hair was a wild mess. He looked to Corbin and she shrugged.
“Are you going to Rebels?” he asked. He went into the bathroom and came out with a hairbrush. He began raking it through his tangled mess.
“Sure,” Stella shrugged.
“Good. Alex already informed me I had to be there tonight.”
“It’s a date!” Stella squealed then left the room. Ryder stopped brushing and shook his head. A small smile played on his lips. Corbin couldn’t help but chuckle.
THE MEAL WAS filled with constant pleas from Corbin’s roommates for her to translate different words into French. Ryder seemed to hang onto every word she spoke. After his comment of how sexy she sounded when speaking it and after devouring too many tacos, Corbin excused herself and ran a bath. She poured some bubble bath in and then eased into the warmth. The day’s events filled her already busy mind. She couldn’t get Ryder out of her mind. She loved Rob deeply and felt guilty for even thinking about touching Ryder. She blamed all of her pent up dirty fantasies on the lack of her sexual life. She and Rob hadn’t fallen into the sack for almost two weeks now. He claimed to either be too tired or too busy. She had tried everything to get him excited, but nothing worked. She was tired of trying. So tired. She closed her eyes and tried to relax but the ache between her legs wouldn’t relent. She ran her hands over her arms and then her breasts. She trailed her hands down to her thighs and then up her inner thighs. Her breath hitched in her throat. Just as she reached between her legs, a knock on the door snapped her back to reality.
“Hey, can I come in? I need to brush my teeth,” Alex asked from outside the door.
“Oui,” Corbin muttered. She soaped up the loofa. She felt herself blush again.
“Sorry,” Alex replied.
“It’s ok,” Corbin sighed.
“So you , Stella, and Ryder are coming tonight?”
“I guess. You know Stella. Once she has the party mode going on she doesn’t leave you alone.”
“Oh yea, I just hope we don’t have to make a trip to Muscello to bail her ass out of jail.” Corbin laughed. The bathroom door opened and Stella sauntered in. She stood in the doorway.
“Which shirt should I wear?” She held out two tops that were same design only different colors.
“Could you shut the door?” Corbin covered her boobs. Stella moved into the bathroom and shut the door.
“Wear the red one,” Alex said through a mouthful of toothpaste. Stella turned to Corbin.
“Yes, Stella, the red one.” Stella nodded then walked out the bathroom, leaving the door wide open.
“I got it,” Alex said. She pulled the door shut then finished up. Corbin watched as she primped her hair and applied lipstick.
“Are you almost done?” Corbin asked, raising her eyebrow.
“Almost.”
Corbin sank back into the water. “I swear, every time I get in the shower or tub, you and Stella sense it .I am going to call the landlord again to get the damn lock fixed.”
“That’s because we like to check you out,” Alex teased. She turned to Corbin and blew her a kiss.
“Get out.” Corbin picked up the shampoo bottle and playfully tossed it at Alex. Alex dodged the bottle and opened the door.
“Shall I leave this open?” Alex teased.
“Alex…” Corbin placed her face in her hands. Alex laughed then shut the door. Corbin pulled the plug in the tub then stood. It was then when she realized she forgot to grab a towel. “Shit.” She groaned aloud. She cracked open the door and peeked out. No one was in sight.
“Can someone get me a towel?” Seconds later a tattooed arm shoved a towel through the cracked open door. “Thanks,” Corbin croaked.
“Just returning the favor,” Ryder said. Corbin momentarily thought about ripping the door open and pouncing on him, but her senses came too as she heard Stella begin asking Ryder about how she looked. She told herself that there was no way someone like Ryder would be interested in her. She slathered herself with lotion then wrapped the towel around her body. She cursed herself for not bringing clothes into the bathroom. She grabbed the door knob and opened the door slowly. She heard Stella still barraging Ryder with questions. She hoped to just slink through the kitchen but as soon as she entered, Stella stopped her.
“Do you want to do another hit?”
Corbin turned to her. She clung tightly to her towel. “Nah, I’m good.” Ryder was sitting on the counter, his eyes seemed to be taking her in as he licked his lips. Corbin dropped her eyes to the floor then hurried to her room.
“Holy fuck,” Corbin said, once she closed the door and sat on her bed. Her heart thudded in her chest. She took some deep breaths and a few minutes to gather herself. With a shaky hand she began applying her makeup. She slipped on a pair of jeans and an off the shoulder top. She finished the outfit with a pair of brown boots. She checked her reflection in her full length mirror took a deep breath and made her way to the kitchen. Alex was washing the dishes and Ryder was drying them while Stella sat at the table painting her fingernails.
“Need some help?” Corbin asked, as she approached Alex and Ryder.
“I think we got it,” Alex replied.
“You look nice,” Ryder said, looking her up and down. Corbin watched Alex elbow him.
“Thanks,” Corbin pulled at her shirt.
“Don’t forget about what I said earlier.” Alex shook a spoon at him. Ryder saluted her. Corbin wondered what she was talking about.
“The first time I seen her in clothes that fit her I about shit my pants, and I don’t go that way. But… if I did… I am so jealous of her rocking body. If I had all that going on, I would never hide it,” Stella blurted. Corbin turned to her and crossed her arms. “I’m sorry. You know how I get w
hen I am high. I can’t ever shut up.”
“That must mean your high all of the time,” Alex quipped. Stella flipped her off. Corbin took a seat at the table. She watched Alex and Ryder talk back and forth and joke around together. Corbin’s two brothers had moved away from River Junction soon after their dad died. That left Corbin alone with her already sick mom, and too many bills to pay. Corbin took care of her mom for about a year by herself, then after no longer being able to, and having to sell the family home, she opted for her to go the Friendly Manor. It was close to home and she went to see her every Sunday.
“Gotta get to work.” Alex dried her hands.
“See you in a few.” Ryder waved her on. He took a seat at the table too. Corbin fidgeted next to him.
“What time are we leaving?” Corbin asked.
“As soon as my nails dry.” Stella blew on her nails. Ryder shook a cigarette out of his pack and lit it. He offered one to Corbin.
“No thanks.”
“She only smokes when she is wasted,” Stella informed.
“Oh, another one of Corbin’s secrets revealed.”Ryder took a long drag off his cigarette. Corbin tucked her hair behind her ear.
“You ain’t heard the half of them, right Corbin?” Stella laughed.
“Stella, please shut up!” Corbin groaned.
“Maybe after tonight a few more of those secrets will come out,” Stella continued on. She nudged Ryder.
“Are your nails dry yet?” Corbin covered her face. Stella continued laughing.
“Yep! Let’s roll!”
“Oh God, help us,” Corbin sighed.
ONCE AT REBELS, they took seats at the bar.
“Big place.” Ryder looked around the bar. The stage was in the back, three pool tables were lined up in the middle and tables were scattered about. Two guys in cowboy hats were playing pool. Ryder jumped up and dug a quarter out of his pocket and placed it on their table. The cowboys gave him a nod then continued on with their game.
“Let’s do a shot!” Stella shouted. “Hey Alex, I’m dying of thirst here!”