Tequila & Tailgates (A Country Road Novel - Book 2)

by Andrea Johnston

  Sure, I’ve dated and had my fair share of short-term flings, but nothing serious has ever come of those relationships. It’s difficult to get serious about a girl when you’re constantly comparing them to another. And, the fact that I only date ladies who are the opposite of everything I want makes not getting too involved a little easier.

  As far as everyone in my life is concerned, I am happy just as I am. And, for the most part, that’s true. I like the life I’ve built: a successful business, a nice home, great friends, and a close family. When my mom and sister comment on my relationship choices, or lack thereof, I tell them I don’t have time for a relationship and change the subject. Or compliment them. Compliments always distract them.

  There’s just one little snag with that response. That snag comes in the form of a petite brunette with soulful green eyes, a personality the size of the Grand Canyon, and a passion for life that has me in awe daily. Of course, she’s argumentative, frustrating, and often infuriating. But damn if she isn’t perfect.

  And my best friend’s sister. Although, that little fact isn’t as much of an issue as I thought it was a few years ago. Now that Ben is engaged to Ashton’s best friend, the opportunity to confess our history and not get punched in the face is prime. I just don’t know how I tell my best friend that four years ago, I shared a night with his little sister that to this day has yet to be matched.

  Hell, I haven’t talked to anyone about that night except Owen, and that conversation wasn’t intentional. Ashton and I haven’t even talked about it. Instead, we’ve simply pretended it never happened. I’ve sat back playing the role of longtime friend while I watched her grow up and become more amazing than she already was. She, on the other hand, has taken to treating me like the black plague.

  It’s been easier to tell everyone, including myself, that I don’t do relationships, am not interested in the white picket fence, and don’t see that changing anytime soon. Lies. I’m absolutely a family man and love nothing more than the one night a month I get to spend with my niece, Hope. My sister, Julia, and her family live a few hours away and while it’s not always convenient, I knew the minute I held Hope in my arms I wanted to be an important part of her life.

  Julia still insists I’ll give up on the uncle weekends eventually, but I’ve assured her that nothing will be more important than my family and, so far, I’ve kept up my end of the bargain. I called Julia yesterday to let her know that Ashton was staying at the house and make sure she was okay with Hope still coming for her visit this weekend. Threatening bodily harm if I tried to cancel, she is fine with Ashton being here; it isn’t like she’s a stranger. Julia isn’t any sweeter in this pregnancy than she was with the first; her threats of bodily harm are the norm.

  Julia also let me know that Hope is in full princess mode and is refusing to wear anything but her dress-up clothes and is now referring to herself in the third person. She’s five.

  I know it’s around lunchtime at the elementary school Ben teaches at and he’s on his lunch break. Grabbing my phone, I send him a text about our plans tonight. We talked yesterday and he said he was sure he and Piper didn’t have plans and he was good for a few beers out. But, since his world basically revolves around his new life with Piper, a little confirmation never hurt anyone.

  Me: You’re not pussing out on us tonight, are you?

  Ben: Not planning on it, are you?

  Me: Me? When have I ever passed up a night out?

  Ben: Good point. I’m not staying out late. I want to work on the upstairs a little more. I need this house done already.

  Me: If only you knew a good contractor.

  Ben: Yeah well, I’m about ready to call in favors.

  Me: Just say when.

  Ben: Will do. Meet you at the Road around 8?

  Me: Sounds good. Tell Piper hi.

  Ben: She says hi and you better be nice to her best friend. (I’m okay if you give her best friend a taste of her own snarky medicine)

  Me: Haha. It’s all good. I barely see her but tell Piper I’m always nice. See ya tonight.

  Ben: K

  I set my phone down and turn back to the mountain of paperwork on my desk. I really need to run that ad for an office manager. Hours pass before I decide to call it a night. I have a while before I meet the guys at the Road. We’ve been going to Country Road, or the Road, for years. Honestly, since before we were legally allowed in there. Of course, now that I’m older and own my own business, I feel bad that we put the owner, Bud, in such a position. Damn we were a bunch of selfish jerks.

  Country Road is also the bar where Ashton works, which means I may see my roommate. I’d like to just know she’s doing okay. Hell, why do I need to wait to see her to find out?

  Me: Hey stranger. How’s it going?

  Seconds pass and all I have in response are those three little bubbles dancing in the screen. Finally, my phone indicates a message.

  Ashton: It’s going.

  Me: I haven’t seen you much this week so I wanted to check in.

  Ashton: All’s well, thanks.

  Me: Are you mad?

  Ashton: Nope.

  Me: Okay. So this weekend is my night for Hope, is that still cool?

  Ashton: Sure, I love Hope. I work tomorrow night so I won’t be around.

  Me: Oh. Are you working tonight? We’re all coming in.

  Ashton: Nope.

  Me: Well, see you later then.

  Ashton: See ya.

  She may say she’s not mad but her responses say something else. Of course, just when I was thinking we’d crossed a line back to being more like friends than enemies … guess I was wrong. On my way home, I call my mom to check in. Her and my dad are loving retirement living and being full-time grandparents. I pull up to the house and see Ashton’s little green car is parked in front of the house leaving the driveway for me. A mischievous thought crosses my mind and I vow to poke a little fun at her about that car today.

  I walk into the house and it’s quiet. No singing tonight and definitely no roast cooking. I can hear Ashton in her room and decide instead of teasing her as planned, I’ll start dinner. Bending over to unlace my work boots, I get a whiff of myself and determine a shower is the priority over food.

  Once I’ve showered and shaved, I throw on a pair of lounge pants and pull my phone from the charger where I left it. Confirming I have no messages, I make my way to the kitchen and see Ashton at the stove.

  “Hey, Ash.”

  “Hey,” she replies without turning toward me. I open the refrigerator for a bottle of water. Turning as I twist the cap from the bottle, I note her staring at me while still stirring whatever is on the stove. It smells amazing. I note her eyes lingering on my chest. Shit, I forgot to put a shirt on. Living alone, I never worry about being clothed.

  “My eyes are up here, Sunshine,” I tease while snapping my fingers near my face. A blush takes over her cheeks as she turns her back to me.

  “Whatever, I was trying to read your tattoo.”

  “Sure, you were. You’ve seen my tats plenty of times. You know you’re just mesmerized by my amazing pecs.”

  “Oh good Lord, Jameson! Get over yourself. And to think I was being nice and going to leave you some dinner. I should take it all with me.”

  “Dinner? Now you’re talking. Whatcha making?” I ask as I set the bottle of water on the counter and turn toward the hall. “And, you know I’m teasing. I’ll go put a shirt on.”

  I don’t wait for what I’m sure is a sarcastic comment about my half nakedness and grab a shirt from the laundry basket on my bed. Returning to the kitchen, I find Ashton emptying a pot of something into the sink and take the opportunity to peer into the pot left on the stove. Pasta sauce.

  “You might as well get plates, Manwhore.”

  Grumbling under my breath, I knew it was too good to last.

  “What are you mumbling?”

  “I thought we were past the name calling?”

  “Yeah, well you called
me ‘Sunshine’ and you’re going out tonight, I assume there will be Manwhoring.”

  Ignoring her explanation, I grab our plates and utensils and set the table. I hate to break it to Ashton but I “manwhore” a lot less than she thinks. In fact, I’m currently in the middle of what is easily becoming a historical dry spell as far as dry spells go. Of course, part of that dry spell is respect for Ashton while she’s living here. But, much of the reason for my lack of companionship is that since that woman moved in here, I can’t jack off in the shower without thinking of her. The mere thought of bringing someone else home while she’s down the hall isn’t even an option. Thinking of it now makes me hate myself. Like I’m cheating on her, which is ridiculous.

  Regardless, it’s a Sahara Desert-like dry spell.

  “Not that it’s any of your business,” I start as she sets the bowl of pasta and garlic bread on the table, “but, I don’t ‘manwhore’ as you call it. I may meet a nice woman I want to spend time with but it’s not as sordid as you make it sound.”

  “Whatevs, semantics. Just please keep your women in your own room, will ya?”

  “Sweetheart, trust that there is nowhere else they’d rather be.” The most unlady-like response grumbles from Ashton. I hear her muttering but can’t make out the words. I assume that is a good thing at this point.

  “So,” I begin, trying to change the subject, “where are you off to tonight? You’re all done up.”

  “I’m not ‘done up,’ I have on jeans and a T-shirt for goodness sake. I’m just meeting up with some friends is all.”

  “Friends? What friends? We’re all going to be at the Road tonight.”

  “Yeah well, I do have other friends. I need to get going. I’m going to take this with me into my room while I finish getting ready. Can you clean up?”

  “Sure. Um, so be safe wherever you’re going. Where are you going anyway?”

  “This little place called Nunya.”

  Nunya?

  “Don’t look so confused, buddy. Nunya as in nunya business. Have fun tonight.”

  And just like that, my opportunity to tease Ashton about her little car passes as she leaves the room, her bedroom door opening and quickly closing. Other friends? Ashton doesn’t have other friends. Hell, I barely have other friends. I’ll have to ask Ben if he knows about these so called “friends.” Besides, there aren’t many places for her to go around here other than Country Road and, if she’s driving to another town, that doesn’t seem very safe.

  This girl gets me wound up in knots. Her cavalier response and return to the name calling frustrate me. But, it’s the attitude and evading of my question that has me fighting feelings and emotions I have no business having. The fact that she’s keeping something from her friends, me specifically, is frustrating.

  It’s not jealousy, it’s frustration. Jealousy is a strong word and one that I don’t throw around willingly. Jealously means there are feelings and I don’t have those. No, this is not jealousy, that would have me more confused than I already am.

  “Now we’re talkin’,” Landon says, rubbing his hands together like he’s plotting and nodding toward the door of Country Road.

  Standing in the doorway is a group of four women. From where I’m sitting, I can see that one of the ladies is wearing a tiara of some sort and a bright-pink sash. That usually signifies twenty-first birthday or bachelorette party. Either way, it also means single ladies. Normally, I’d be the first to call dibs, but tonight I’m not feeling it.

  When Ben got here, I pulled him aside and asked if he knew who these alleged “friends” of Ashton’s were and where she’d be going tonight. He laughed and said that he was pretty sure she had a dad and I wasn’t him.

  Then he reminded me that she’s an adult and maybe she had a date and didn’t want the third degree. Yeah, I didn’t much care for that answer. Considering I’m not ready to have the conversation with myself about why Ashton on a date pisses me off, I obviously can’t tell Ben that. It’s not like I haven’t seen her on dates before; something about the idea of that today has me ready to kick someone’s ass.

  And, I’m not a fighter.

  I’m sure if my sister was here, she’d say I was jealous.

  I’m not jealous, I’m concerned.

  Like a good friend.

  “Pink top,” Owen calls out at the same time Landon says, “Yellow dress.” I guess they’ve called their dibs.

  “Oh, Jameson, you’re getting slow in your old age. Sucks to be you, buddy.”

  “Fuck off, Landon. Maybe I’m just maturing and don’t need to call dibs like a teenager.”

  “Whatever, you’re just bummed that Yellow Dress and I are going to light up the dancefloor with our undeniable attraction for one another.”

  “Jesus, you guys are ridiculous. I’ve never been happier to be in a relationship,” Ben declares while standing up. “I’m going to break the seal and then I’m getting another beer, anyone want anything?”

  “I’ll meet you at the bar,” I respond, rising from my seat, leaving Owen and Landon to their own devices.

  Before I can make it three steps toward the bar, one of the waitresses that I’ve spent a few nights with eyes me and makes a quick turn toward my direction. Putting on a smile that isn’t the usual “let’s get together after your shift,” I prepare for the offer I know is coming.

  “Hey, Jameson. Can I get you something? A beer? Shot?”

  “No thanks, Beth. I’m heading up to the bar. I want to talk to Taylor a bit. See ya around,” I respond as I continue my walk toward the bar

  “I’m off in a few hours, want to do something after?”

  “Not tonight, sweetheart.”

  “No biggie, see ya around, handsome.”

  That’s exactly why hooking up with Beth on occasion isn’t a bad thing. She’s not clingy and she’s not interested in trying to make me her boyfriend. The same can’t be said for other ladies around town, which is why I try to limit how many of them I see more than once. Damn, I do sound like a manwhore.

  Taylor makes eye contact and I hold up two fingers to indicate two beers and he nods in response. Taylor’s a good guy but I still don’t know much about him. What I do know is limited and superficial. He’s a few years older than us, moved to town about five years ago, drives a Harley, and doesn’t seem to have much of a social life outside of work and the occasional card game at my house.

  “What up, man? Thanks,” I say in acknowledgment and grab my beer from him. Ben approaches as I take my first drink and grabs his own beer.

  “Not much. Hey, Ben,”

  “Hey, Taylor, do you know anything about what Ashton does on her nights off?”

  “Dude, Jameson, let it go. She’s fine.”

  Taylor looks at each of us with hesitation. I’m not sure if that means he knows something or he’s concerned Ben and I are going on the offense. Either way, the hesitation is obvious before he answers.

  “Not really. I know she likes having at least one weekend night off a month and that’s about it. We don’t really talk about life outside of her insisting she should be referred to as a mixologist and not bartender.”

  “Sounds like my sister. See, J. She’s fine.”

  “I don’t know how you can say that. No one knows where she is. She said she’s with friends but what friends? We’re all here except for Piper, who is at home.”

  “I can say that because one,” he holds up a finger, “I’m her brother and if anyone is going to be worried about her, it’s me. I’m not. So, you need to let it go. And two, my sister is a lot of things but she’s not stupid. She’ll be fine.”

  I nod in agreement. Yeah, Ashton is smart and I don’t believe she’d put herself in danger, but it’s the nut jobs out there that I don’t trust. None of this is sitting right with me. It’s not safe for her to just be out driving around late at night and none of us knowing where she is. I slam my beer down on the bar and pull out my phone.

  Me: Are you home yet?
/>   What seems like minutes tick by and I look at the time. I need to be up early to meet Julia to pick up Hope so another beer isn’t an option. I pull my keys from my pocket when my phone notifies me of an incoming text.

  Ashton: Nope.

  “Hey, Jameson?”

  I hear Ben say my name but I ignore him to type a response.

  Me: Where are you?

  Ashton: I’m out. Is something wrong?

  Me: Yeah, you shouldn’t be out alone. I’ll come get you.

  Ashton: I don’t think so. See you tomorrow.

  Me: Don’t be stubborn. It’s late. I’ll come pick you up.

  I wait. No response. Sliding my phone into my pocket, I turn to walk away when I remember Ben is there. Standing with his arms folded across his chest, he looks a little intimidating. I mean, if I was easily intimidated.

  “What?”

  “What? Jameson, what the fuck is going on?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Ben. I’ve got to be up early to meet Julia. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “You’re not leaving until you tell me what the hell is going on with you and my sister.”

  How do I explain this to Ben when I have no idea why I’m reacting this way? Running my hands through my hair, I sigh, a heavy sigh that forces my head back and chin up to the ceiling. I’ll go with the truth. He can handle that. Lowering my arms and mocking his position, I cross my arms across my chest and widen my stance. It’s a little of a defensive stand with an offensive tone. I know this but I do it anyway.

  “Nothing is going on with Ashton. I just,” pausing, my arms drop to my side and Ben follows suit, “I don’t know, man. She’s living with me now and I just feel protective is all.”

  “You sure?” I nod. “Look, J, you’re my best friend and yeah you’ve been living the single life, but if you have a thing for Ashton, I’d be okay with that.”

  “What?” I must have heard him wrong. I’m not sure I’d want my sister dating a guy like me.

  “Look, I’m in no position to pull the ‘don’t date my sister’ card on you. Piper and I wasted so much time when we should have been upfront with Ashton. Yeah, sure, there were other things going on, but in the end, we could have ruined each of our relationships with her. So, let’s get it out there. You and Ash have this weird tension between the two of you. If something happens, I won’t stand in the way.”