by Naomi Niles
“You fucker,” Vic snorted as he grabbed me in a light chokehold. I laughed and fought him off as the boys cheered us on. That was why we came to places like this in the first place. They made us feel normal; they allowed us to feel irresponsible and carefree. For a few moments, we could forget the jobs that defined out lives and be normal guys hitting on hot girls in crowded bars.
“You know who’s top dog around here, don’t you, Bull Frog?” Vic said to me, his tone slick with teasing.
“Oh I think everyone knows who that is, and it sure as hell isn’t you,” I replied.
“That sounds like a challenge to me,” Vic said, raising his hands in the air. “I think we should settle this once and for all.”
“You’re on buddy,” I said. “What do you suggest?"
“An arm wrestling match.”
I laughed. “Let’s go.”
Instantly the boys got their glasses off the little round table in front of us and Vic and I got into position. We had these little top dog challenges probably once a month when Vic got hammered and decided he could take me on. A couple of minutes later, I claimed my inevitable victory as the boys cheered me on and patted Vic on the back.
“Damn it,” he growled. “Next time I’m gonna take you down.”
I winked at him. “Keep trying buddy, keep trying.”
I bought Vic another pint of beer to balm his fourth consecutive loss and moved towards the bathroom. I was headed back to my table when I caught sight of her. She was staring at me with blatant desire and that was something I just couldn’t ignore. The alcohol had worked its way through my body and the buzz it had given me had also sparked other desires. I changed course and walked straight for her.
“Hi,” I said. “Can I buy you a drink?”
She smiled. “You can.”
She had a sexy body on her, made more obvious by the skin-tight dress that she wore. Her dark hair fell to her shoulders and her eyes were heavily made up. I bought her a drink and sat down beside her. She angled her body towards me and made direct eye contact as she sipped her drink. I knew she was trying to be seductive, but it was coming off a little comical. It didn’t matter; she didn’t have to be my friend. She just had to be willing.
“My name is Elise,” she introduced.
“I’m Dylan,” I replied.
“You’re a big guy, Dylan,” she said after it was clear I wasn’t going to force the conversation.
“I guess so,” I replied.
“I saw you over there with your buddies,” she continued. “You guys look like Marines.”
“Navy,” I told her.
“No way,” she as he coal rimmed eyes went wide with excitement. “No wonder you’re so buff.” As she spoke, she reached out and cupped my bicep. “Are you even flexing?” she asked.
“No,” I replied shortly, trying to keep the boredom from my voice.
“Wow,” she said. “That is so amazing. You are so hot.”
“Thanks,” I replied, hoping that my tone would encourage her to change the topic. She seemed completely oblivious, however, and I sensed that this wasn’t her first drink of the night. “I was here with a bunch of my girlfriends.”
“Where are they now?” I asked.
“Around,” she answered vaguely. “I wanted to stay here and talk to you.”
I wanted to put an end to the conversation as fast as possible so I moved in a little closer. “Why talk when there are more fun things we could do?”
She stared at me for a second and then she giggled as a blush crept up her cheeks. “I’ve always wondered what it would be like to be in a Navy base.”
“Let’s go to your place,” I said abruptly.
“Oh,” she said looking a little taken back. Then she smiled in excitement. “Ok, let’s go to mine.”
“Come on,” I said as I pulled her from her seat. She followed me until we got outside, then slowly, she slipped her hand around my arm. There was nothing romantic about the gesture. She just wanted people to see that she was with a big, strong Navy guy.
I shook her off gently as I flagged down a cab and then I helped her inside. I wasn’t sure if she was shaky because of the alcohol or because she just wanted an excuse to knock into me.
“It must be so, so exciting to be a SEAL,” she went on once we were on the road. “You must have such interesting stories.”
“A few,” I said evasively.
“Like what?”
“They’re classified missions,” I replied. “I can’t really share them with you.”
“Oh, of course,” she said as her eyes went wide and I could almost imagine how she would describe me to her friends the next day. “You must be so brave.”
I shrugged.
“You must have been all over the world,” she went on.
“More than most,” I nodded.
“Wow; I’ve always wanted to travel.”
“It’s not really travelling for me,” I said patiently. “It’s work.”
“Of course it is,” she nodded. “You must go through so much training.”
She didn’t seem comfortable with silence and I certainly wasn’t interested in the conversation, so I leaned in and kissed her. That succeeded in distracting her and she practically jumped on top of me, her hands grasping at the back of my neck. I heard the cab driver clear his throat, but I ignored it. This was what I needed: a warm, willing body on top of mine.
I could feel the stirrings of my hard on just as the driver pulled to a stop in front of a block of large apartment buildings. “Come on,” she said exiting the cab in a hurry. I paid the driver and followed her into the building. The moment we were inside her apartment she jumped on me, kissing my neck and sucking on my ears.
“You’re so fucking hot,” she said breathing heavily. “I’ve never been with a guy as hot as you.”
I found her couch and threw her down on to it, hoping the impact would shut her up. She laughed when she landed and reached out for me. I pulled my shirt off and got on top of her; her eyes were bright with expectation. She unzipped my jeans and pushed them down, and then she stuck her hand down my boxers. “Your dick is so big,” she said, and I wished I could tell her to just stop talking.
I pushed my jeans to the floor and my phone fell out of the back pocket. I ignored it and concentrated on removing her bra. Her breasts were large and rounded and I bent my head and took a nipple into my mouth as she moaned loudly. I could feel her hands on my back; she was digging her nails into my skin, but I didn’t mind. This was what I was after: the mindless, chaotic pleasure of sex. She was warm, willing, and vocal. I pushed myself inside her, anchoring myself against the couch so that we wouldn’t fall.
The flashing of a bright light turned my attention to my phone on the floor. I couldn’t see who had called, and at that particular moment, I really didn’t care. I reached down with my right hand and flipped the phone over so that the light was extinguished. I turned my attention back to the woman lying under me and lost myself in the only rehabilitation that had ever helped.
Chapter Four
Elizabeth
The bar had filled up by the time ten o’clock came around and I was busy mixing drinks behind the counter just like Zach had taught me. Zach had finished his shift an hour ago, which left me in the company of a bunch of half-drunk men who reeked of smoke and desperation.
“Hi, Bob,” I greeted to the large man that took a seat at the bar. “What can I get you today?”
“Whisky,” he grunted.
“Hard day at work?” I asked.
“Construction always is.”
I nodded with sympathy and passed him his drink before I walked down the counter refilling empty glasses and making sure everyone had been served. At the end of the bar was a new guy that I didn’t recognize. He had soft brown eyes and dark hair and he was smiling at me as though he knew me.
“Can I get you something?” I asked.
“Gin and tonic,” he replied.
“You
’re new here,” I observed.
“What makes you think that?”
“It’s a small town,” I replied.
He smiled. “I’m passing through,” he said. “I’m on my way to Dallas.”
“Sounds exciting,” I said and immediately felt stupid. Dallas wasn’t even out of Texas. He would think I was some ignorant, small-town hick who had never been out of my little bubble.
“I suppose,” he replied without much enthusiasm and I realized that he had been to places that were probably far more exciting than Dallas.
“You live in Dallas?” I asked to cover up my previous statement.
“No, I live in New York actually,” he replied.
“Whoa,” I breathed. “What brings you to this part of the country?”
“I’m writing a book on the South,” he replied. “So I guess you could say this is research.”
“That sounds interesting,” I said as my curiosity piqued. “What kind of books do you write?”
“Books that map out the geography and history of certain places,” he answered. “They’re not really the kind of books that make best seller lists.”
“But you enjoy it?”
“I get to travel,” he said. “Half the time I’m broke after one of my trips, but seeing the world is worth it.”
He spoke with conviction, with the certainty of knowing that despite everything, he would never regret this part of his life.
“It must be,” I said mostly to myself.
“I’m Josh, by the way,” he said extending his hand to me.
“I’m Elizabeth,” I said, shaking his hand.
“You worked here long Elizabeth?”
“About a year,” I replied. “I’m a teacher by day though. Well, not really; I’m a school librarian.”
Josh smiled. “That must be interesting.”
“It’s not,” I said. “I thought it would be when I first got the job, but it didn’t work out that way. To be honest, I took the job only because I was hoping it would one day lead to a teaching position.”
“Is that what you want to do with the rest of your life?” Josh asked. “Teach?”
I considered that for a moment. “You know what? I said. “I really don’t know.”
“Hey, bar keep!” a loud voice hollered from the other end of the bar. “I need a refill.”
“I’m sorry,” I said to Josh. “I’ve been neglecting my other customers.”
I was about to leave when he leaned in and touched my arm. “Maybe after your shift we could … talk a little more?”
I was taken back and flattered, but I could feel myself closing up again, receding into my bubble of safety where nothing could touch me. “I don’t know,” I said uncertainty. “My shift ends at twelve.”
“I can wait,” he said readily.
“I wouldn’t,” I said automatically. “I’m exhausted at the end of the night.”
“How about I hang around here, and at the end of the night we’ll see how you’re feeling?”
“I … well … I guess I can’t stop you,” I said before moving down the bar to where Bob sat.
“Found a new friend, did you?” he asked pointedly.
“Shut up,” I shot back at him as I refilled his glass.
I made sure I stayed on the opposite side of the bar for the remainder of my shift, keeping a fair distance between Josh and myself. I wasn’t sure why I was so reluctant to go out with the guy after my shift. It would give me some distraction, plus I would be following Zach’s advice to get out there. I was saved from my internal debate when Heather showed up.
“Elizabeth, do you mind if I work the bar?” she asked. “I want to practice mixing drinks.”
“Sure,” I replied as I got out a fresh apron and fastened it around my waist.
I moved into the hub of the bar and started cleaning down the empty tables and clearing away empty plates and beer bottles. I found it easier to keep my mind off things when there was work to be done. I had just taken an order and was moving towards the kitchen when I noticed the door to the bar open. I glanced behind and realized that it was Paul.
“Shit,” I said to myself as I moved behind the bar and passed the order to the kitchen.
“What’s wrong honey? Joni asked as she brought a new order in.
“Paul’s here again,” I sighed.
“I wonder if he comes here for the steak or for you?” she asked curiously.
“He comes here for his own amusement,” I replied. “He likes to get under my skin.”
“Just ignore him, hon,” Joni said before she grabbed a few fresh beer bottles and headed off to a table in the corner.
“Easier said than done,” I whispered to myself.
I collected my order and moved back into the bar’s hub. On my way to the table, I realized that Josh had moved from the bar and he was now sitting at one of the high tables alone with a mug of beer in hand. He smiled at me as I passed and instinctively I glanced at Paul. His eyes were fixed on me and I realized he was trying to get my attention. I ignored him and pretended to be busy wiping down an empty table.
“Hey, Elizabeth,” Joni said from behind me.
I turned. “What’s up?”
“Paul wants you.”
I narrowed my eyes at him and turned back to Joni. “Can’t you wait on him?”
“I can,” she replied. “And I tried, but he wants you.”
“What an asshole.”
“Sorry, hon,” Joni said sympathetically. “But he’s known for causing scenes and I’d rather avoid one.”
“I know,” I sighed. “It’s fine, Joni. I’ll deal with it.”
“Thanks, doll,” she said as she turned and walked away.
Sighing, I walked straight for Paul’s table. His pale-blue eyes were fixed on me as I approached. I noticed that his blond hair was receding slightly at the top and I felt a surge of malicious pleasure at the sight. I recalled a time when he had been passably good looking, back when he played football and he thought he was going to be someone.
“What do you want?” I asked hotly.
“Aw come on, Ellie,” he said. “Why do you have to be that way?”
“My name is Elizabeth,” I said firmly. “And I’m ‘that way’ because you’re a pain in my ass. Seriously, the whole point of getting divorced is that you don’t see each other after the fact.”
“Can’t we be one of those friendly divorced couples?” he asked seriously. “You know: the kind that get along?”
I raised my eyebrows with incredulity. “Are you serious?”
“What–?”
I slammed my hands on his table and leaned in. “Do you recall how you treated me when we were married?”
He smiled as though I was making a joke. “Come on, Elizabeth; you know I didn’t mean those things.”
“Then why did you say them?” I demanded.
“You know me: when I get angry, I just—”
“Go fucking insane?” I suggested.
“I get carried away.”
“That’s a neat and tidy way of putting it,” I said. “After everything you put me through, the least you can do now is to leave me alone now.”
“You know I still care about you,” Paul said as he tried to reach for my hand.
I shook him off and stared down at him. “I wish the feeling were mutual.”
Paul sat back as his smile grew wider. “Have you noticed that there’s still all this sexual tension between us?”
I shook my head at him in disgust. “You just come in here to piss me off, don’t you?”
“I come in here for beer,” he said.
“Great,” I said. “I’ll go and get you one now.”
I turned on my heels before he could stop me and walked over to the bar. Heather came forward. “Everything all right?” she asked.
“Same old bullshit,” I said in frustration.
“He’s not drunk is he?”
“Not yet,” I replied darkly.
&n
bsp; I got the beer and went back to his table. He was looking at me with that smug smile still playing on his face and I couldn’t help but wonder what had induced me to marry him in the first place. Scared of answering my own internal question, I refocused my thoughts and slammed the beer down onto the table so that a little sloshed out onto the table.
“There,” I said. “Now drink and leave.”
Before he could say another word, I veered off in the opposite direction and tried to distract myself with work. I had to remind myself not to glance back at Paul. He might misconstrue the dark looks I wanted to send in his direction.
“Are you all right?”
I turned, realizing that Josh was still hanging around and he had probably noticed my less than warm exchange with Paul. “Oh … yeah, of course,” I replied. “It’s just, you know, difficult customers.”
“I can imagine,” he said sympathetically.
“Listen, Josh,” I said. “I really don’t think tonight is a good time.”
“I think it’s the perfect time,” he said persistently. “You look like you need some good conversation and a few laughs.”
“Do I?” I asked shaking my head at him. “What about me gave you that expression?”
“You just seem really … tense,” he said and then he looked a little embarrassed. “But still really hot.”
I couldn't help but laugh. There was something charming about him, and after the train wreck that was Paul it was easy to laugh it up with someone completely different. “I bet you say that to all the girls,” I said, enjoying the flirting far more than I had expected to.
“Well, this is the first time I ever truly meant it,” Josh said. As he spoke, he reached out with his right hand and pushed the lock of hair that had fallen onto my face. I tensed from the unfamiliar contact but I didn’t move away. It might actually be nice to spend some time with a stranger and forget for a moment everything that made my life depressing.
“Hey, buddy,” a hostile voice said from behind me. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
I turned around in alarm to find Paul staring daggers at Josh. I looked at him with incredulity. “Paul, are you kidding me? Go back to your booth.”