by Abby Brooks
Gabe shakes his head as he kills the engine. “I still can’t believe I’m bringing my pregnant fiancée to a bar on a Friday night.”
“I can.”
“Yeah?” Gabe pauses. “Because this seems like an ordinary thing couples do?”
“No. Not that, silly. Because you’re the kind of man who would do anything for the woman he loves. I only had to mention there was a cover band playing tonight and boom. You knew I’d want to be here.”
“Either way, let’s not mention it to Jim, okay? Call me crazy, but I don’t see this helping me stay on his good side.” Gabe unbuckles his seatbelt. “How long do you think I’ll be on probation with him, anyway?”
I unbuckle my seatbelt and swing open the truck door. “If I had to guess, probably ten years. As long as you don’t do anything he doesn’t like between now and then.” I wink. “Now let’s get inside before they start playing.”
Gabe meets me in front of the truck and leads me to the rough wood doors with the horn-shaped handles. He pulls the door open and stands back as I enter the dusky room, filled with the hustle and bustle of waitresses and customers. A little tingle of excitement runs through me as the door swings shut behind us, devouring the slice of sunlight on the floor.
“Welcome to The Saddle, you all sit wherever you like.” A tall woman with a wide smile waves a hand towards the tables clustered around the stage. “I’ll be ‘round to check on ya in a sec,” she says on her way to the bar.
I turn to Gabe. “Can we sit up front, next to the dance floor? Please? Pretty please, with sugar on top?”
“Your wish is my desire.” Gabe puts his hand on the small of my back, his fingers splayed wide, the firm contact a clear reminder of his presence behind me. As we sit, the band takes the stage and I actually bounce up and down in my seat with excitement.
“So, what did you say they cover again?” Gabe asks.
“A little of everybody, I think. I really hope they play ‘Benny and the Jets’ at some point though.”
Our waitress arrives as Gabe begins to speak, cutting him off. “What can I get you two?” she asks with a flip of her blonde hair.
“Just a Coke for me.” I place my hand flat against my belly, as if doing so will shield our little nugget from the dangers of the big bad world.
Gabe notices and smiles. “Same.”
With a curt nod, the waitress disappears in a puff of perfume. I lean in to be heard over the opening strains of “Tainted Love.” “You can drink, you know. Just because I can’t, doesn’t mean you have to ruin your night.”
Gabe grazes his thumb across my cheek, then tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “If I’m with you, Doll, the evening is far from ruined.”
“Well, as you know, flattery will get you everywhere with me. So please feel free to elaborate.”
The explosion of the chorus swallows Gabe’s laughter, and I tap my foot to the beat. As the evening progresses, couples find their way to the dance floor. I watch them, chewing on the tip of my straw, smiling despite myself.
Gabe leans in. “Dance with me.”
“Who? Me?”
“No. The woman sitting behind you.” Gabe scoots his chair back. “Yes you, silly.” He stands, offering me his hand.
“It’s about time you asked.” I take a final sip of my Coke and place my hand in his. He leads me to the dance floor just in time for one song to end and a slow song to start. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me close, humming along to “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.” I nuzzle into his chest and sigh as we sway in time to the music. He rubs the small of my back, his fingers grazing the top of my ass. I sigh, my body turning molten as my heart soars with joy. After all I’ve been through, it’s almost too good to be true, to be here, Gabe’s ring on my finger, our baby growing inside me.
“I wonder,” I breathe, then clamp my mouth shut against the words.
Gabe leans down. “What, Doll?”
“What would have happened if I’d trusted you back when we were kids? Would I have skipped all the bullshit I’ve had to live through and just gotten to where we are now?”
“Depends. Where do you think we are now?”
“Happy,” I say. “We’re happy. Getting married. Starting a family. Slow dancing to Bob Dylan. Pretty much everything we always talked about.”
“I hated to lose you back then. But I deserved to. I was too much of a selfish asshole to see what I had. As much as I hate to think of what you’ve been through, you were right. I had a lot to learn before I deserved you.”
I look up at him with my best impression of his devilish grin. “And you think you deserve me now?”
“Not for a second. You are so far out of my league it’s embarrassing. But I hope you don’t notice until you’re sporting my last name.”
I slap Gabe lightly on the chest and am working on a witty response when he leans down to kiss me. All responses, witty or otherwise, fly out of my head and I lose myself to the music, to him, to us. The song ends, and Gabe pulls back, smiling. “I hate to stop, but if we don’t, one of these fine people will probably be offended by what they see.” He pinches my ass and I know he’s right.
He leads me back to our seat and excuses himself to the men’s room. The moment he’s out of sight, a man pulls out Gabe’s chair and helps himself to his spot, as I try my best not to choke on the stench of body spray radiating from him.
“Hey, gorgeous,” he slurs, the lights overhead reflecting in his lacquered ginger hair. “I saw you come in.”
I sit back and cross my arms. “Then you must’ve seen the man I came in with, the one whose seat you’re occupying.”
“I don’t see him now.” He looks around the table. “A man who’s willing to leave a fox like you all alone, doesn’t appreciate what he’s got. Name’s Red, what are ya drinking?” He signals the waitress. “I’ll buy you another.”
“Not interested,” I say as the waitress arrives.
“Another of whatever she’s drinking.” He indicates my empty glass.
The waitress frowns. “Coke?”
“Sure. As long as you add a healthy dose of rum to it.” The creep laughs.
I place a hand over my glass. “Really, I’m set.” I shake my head at the waitress.
Red yells over the music. “What she means to say is thank you.”
“No asshole…” Gabe’s voice comes from behind me. “What she’s trying to politely say is…get the fuck out of my chair.” I sigh with relief. Gabe thanks the waitress who happily excuses herself and moves as far away from whatever is about to happen as she can.
“This is your chair, huh?” Red scoffs. “Don’t see your name on it.”
Gabe uncrosses his arms and points. “My chair. My woman. My table.” He brings his hands to my shoulders, softly rubbing them. “Last chance to leave before I prove my point.”
Color drains from Red's face. “Fine. Whatever,” he says as he scoots his chair back. “Up close, she’s not nearly as hot as I thought. Enjoy your Coke.” He lifts his lip in disgust and does his best to saunter away, but looks more like a dog with his tail between his legs.
“You good, Doll?” Gabe crouches beside me.
“Yeah. I’m fine. Irritated, but fine.” I force a smile.
“You shouldn’t have let him sit down.”
“He didn’t exactly wait for an invitation.” I roll my eyes. “And when I told him I wasn’t interested, he didn’t pay it any attention. What is it about me? Why does no one ever pay attention to what I’m saying?”
“Well, call it a hunch, but I think that guy was born with a blind spot for warning signs from women. I know the type, and they only respond to one thing.” Gabe winks. “I wouldn’t take it personally.”
He’s right and I know it. Besides, that guy was so far in the bag, I could have been waving a sign and blowing a rape whistle and he wouldn’t have taken the hint. But it rubs me the wrong way. I am sick and tired of having everyone else’s wants and needs override mine.
“What is it, Doll?” Gabe leans closer to be heard over the music.
I shake my head. “Nothing. It’s silly.”
“If it bothers you, it’s not silly.”
I shrug. “I’ll get over it, I’m sure. Besides. This is hardly the time or the place to talk about something important.” The band starts up a new song and the crowd cheers, proving my point. I force a smile and bob my head to the rhythm but Gabe’s not having it.
“Come on.” He stands. “Let’s get out of here.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Gabe
Meredith has something on her mind and I can’t stomach the thought of sitting here while she pretends to have a good time. Not when something is so obviously bothering her. I pay the tab and tip our waitress before leading her through The Saddle. A blast of summer air hits me as we step into the night. After the cacophony of noises in the crowded bar, the relative silence offered by the empty street is a welcome change. The door slams behind us as an evening breeze blows, cooling my face.
“We didn’t have to leave on my account,” Meredith says as I strain my neck looking for oncoming traffic before I back out of the parking spot.
“Oh, this isn’t about you.” I flip on a turn signal and maneuver through the streets. “This is about me and that little nugget in there.”
“So, leaving had nothing to do with the jerk who couldn’t take a hint?” Meredith draws her eyebrows together, making a face that says she doesn’t believe me for a second.
I bring my finger to my lip. “Did that happen tonight? I’d already forgotten about it,” I say with a smile. “No, I got hungry. And If I’m hungry, I figure he must be too.” I point at her belly. Meredith laughs and shakes her head, before settling her gaze on the dark sky outside her window.
“Okay, fine,” I say after a few moments of silence.
Meredith turns to me, confused. “Fine, what?”
I feign frustration. “Jeez, you’re as bad as Chet, hounding me until I crack.”
Meredith cocks a brow. “You do understand I have no clue what you’re talking about, right?”
“Okay, if you’re twisting my arm, maybe I also wanted to go someplace where we could talk about what’s bothering you.”
Meredith smiles. “Oh, right. My bad. I’m sorry I didn’t drop the issue. I know what a nag I can be when I sit quietly and count the stars through the window.”
I park in the lot next to Belle’s and kill the engine. “Hungry?”
Meredith rubs her belly. “Well, like you said, if you are, he must be.”
She rests her head on my arm as we cross the lot. When we reach the door, I pull it open and stand aside, allowing her to enter. “Okay if we take the booth in the back?” I ask the blonde-haired girl working behind the counter.
“Sure thing.” The waitress nods.
I place my hand at the small of Meredith’s back. “I assume our booth is alright with you?”
“Is it ours now? Officially?” She turns and winks as we walk to the back. “We should look into getting a plaque to commemorate it. Or maybe cordon the area off with velvet ropes. You know, as a reminder to others that it’s reserved for us.”
I roll my eyes, but am relieved to see her looking at least a little happier than before.
Meredith leans over the table when we sit. “Who is that? I don’t recognize her.”
“Who? The waitress?”
“Shhh. Yes.” She nods.
I rest my hand on hers as I lean in to whisper. “I’m not sure, I’ve never seen her before. But why are we whispering? She’s on the other side of the room.”
Meredith sits back and smiles. “Oh, see I thought you were on a first name basis with all the women in town.”
Following her lead, I sit upright. “Really? That you couldn’t whisper?” I shake my head. “No. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen her before. Besides, what is she, twenty?” I smile. “I hadn’t made it that far. I was still working through girls in their mid to late twenties.”
Meredith is not amused. “This is your idea of talking about what’s bothering me?”
My smile falls. “Right, too soon. I see that now. Anyway...” I clear my throat. “I’ve never seen her in here before.” I open my menu and pretend to study it. “Here she comes,” I warn as the waitress approaches.
“Evening,” she says around her chewing gum. “Can I get you started with some drinks?”
Meredith smiles at the girl. “Good evening. I’ll just have a glass of water, thanks.”
“And for you?”
“Coffee for me, thanks—decaf if you don’t mind.”
“Sure thing. I’ll be right back.”
When the girl is out of earshot, I close the menu. “You shouldn’t let that jerk at the bar get under your skin—if that’s what has you upset, I mean. A guy like that, he’s got issues that have nothing to do with you.”
The young girl returns to our table, struggling to balance a large tray with two glasses of water and a cup of coffee. I notice her nametag as she sets the glasses in front of us. “Brooke, is it?”
“Yes sir,” she says, surprised. “How’d you know that?”
I smile and indicate the white tag on her shirt. “Took a chance.”
“Oh right.” Her cheeks flush with embarrassment. “Sorry, I just started this week and it’s my first night on my own.” She places the tray under her arm while she digs in the pockets of her apron for her pen and notepad. “Are you ready to order, or do you need a few more minutes?”
I look to Meredith who nods. “I’ll have a slice of pie. Apple if you have it.”
“We have Dutch apple. That alright?”
Meredith’s eyes dance. “That is definitely, alright.”
“And for you?” the waitress asks as she jots the order.
“I’m okay with the coffee for now.” I lift my cup. “So, you say just started? Are you new in town?”
The girl smiles. “Oh no, I’ve lived here my whole life. I’m just working part time to try and save for college.”
“Oh yeah? I ask. “What year are you?”
“Huh?” The girl puts a hand on her hip as she considers the question.” Well, I’ll be a senior this fall, so—” she chews her gum “—next year. And I’m so done with high school drama. I can hardly wait.”
Are you fucking kidding me? This girl is in high school?
Meredith takes one look at my face and laughs out loud.
The waitress looks confused, but brushes it off. “Let me get that pie for you,” she says with a smile as she turns to leave.
“Twenty, huh?” Meredith giggles. “Guess it’s a good thing you’re off the market. You might have ended up in jail if I hadn’t been here,” she says, sarcastically.
“Hey. Now, in my…” I begin to defend myself, but think better of it. “Just add that to the list of reasons why I’m lucky to be off the market.” The smile on Meredith’s face tells me that was the correct response.
The waitress returns with Meredith’s pie and a pot of decaf to top off my cup. Realizing she’s interrupting, she steps back. “Just yell for me if you need anything else.”
Meredith digs her fork at the crumble topping of her pie. “It’s wasn’t the guy at the bar. I mean, he was gross, but it was more than that.” She cuts a small piece of apple away and takes a bite. “Mmm. So good. This may give the pecan a run for its money.”
“Doubtful.” I sip my coffee. “Anyway, you were saying?”
“That jerk. He was only a reminder of a problem I’ve had my whole life.”
“Okay, then I’m confused, Doll. What problem?”
Meredith sighs, sadness clouding her eyes. “I guess...” She shakes her head, frowning. “It just feels like no matter what I’m saying, or who I’m saying it to, no one hears me. Like I’m invisible or something.”
I choke on the hot coffee in my mouth. “I hear you.”
“You do. Mostly.” She licks her lips. “It’s really not a
big deal. I don’t know how I could have been any clearer with that guy. It got to me. That’s all.”
“Mostly?” I frown. “What do I do?”
“Well, you didn’t have any problem flirting with the waitress right in front of me. Until you learned she is, literally, still a child.”
“Flirting?” My shoulders roll back. “I wasn’t flirting. I was just making polite conversation. Trying to get to the bottom of her story, because you seemed interested. Completely different situation.”
Meredith stares in disbelief for a minute. About what, I have no idea.
“Okay then.” She sighs. “How about when I told you I couldn’t afford tuition at a private college and asked you to consider my needs…” She grins, satisfied she’s made her point, and waves away the topic. “But that’s ancient history. And you’re not the main culprit.”
Silence settles between us as Meredith carves off small bites of pie and I sip my coffee while I think back over my interaction with the waitress. No way was I flirting. I only asked because she wanted to low down on the waitress. She’s crazy.
“Since I’ve been back, it’s just little things here and there. Like when I asked you to stay the day I met Christy.” She trails off, her eyes dropping to the plate. “But when you add those little things to the mile-long list of things I’ve said that people didn’t hear...”
She’s got me there. I don’t remember her telling me to stay that morning. “What list, Doll? I’m still not following.”
“It’s my whole life, Gabe. Daddy still believes he knows better than me what I need in my life. He used to dictate who I could hang out with, who I could date.” She raises her eyebrows. “Except for you. I stood my ground there, but boy did I pay for it after we broke up. And don’t get me started on Mom. With her it was everything else. I fought with them so many times. But to this day, I’m not sure it ever did any good because in the end, they won. We broke up and I spent a decade stuck in a career I didn’t love.”
I look her in the eyes. “I’m sorry. I really had no idea.”
“And then, a few months before I was supposed to marry Jeff, I realized I didn’t love him. That if the way I felt about you was love, I didn’t have nearly the same feelings for him as I did with you. And he drove me crazy, with his drinking and gaming. I called Mom and told her I didn’t want to marry him. I sat there on the phone, crying. I was terrified because I knew he wasn’t the man for me, and I was desperate for advice. You know what she said?”