Spurs & Stilettos

by Johnson, Ashley

  He sits up pulling me into his lap and kisses my forehead as he replies, “We’re two people who are crazy about each other, despite the short amount of time. . That’s what we are Hope. And I’d like to think we’re going to be something amazing one day. I want to make you mine. I believe with all my heart we can make this work.”

  I smile. That’s all I can do. “Who said I was crazy about you?”

  “Hey! Play fair!”

  I laugh placing my hands on his sides in an attempt to tickle him. He jumps trying to avoid me; apparently I’ve found his ticklish spot. He manages to grab my hands and pushes me back onto the bed and hovers over me lightly kissing my neck. I’m in so deep. I can easily see myself falling for him in the future. Karlee would’ve loved him; she loved anyone who made me happy.

  “Hey Wesley, do you have to ride tomorrow?”

  “No, I don’t need to. I was probably going to run home for a night and make sure my ranch is still standing.”

  “You live on a ranch?” My eyes widen as I ask.

  “I do. My grandfather left it to me in his will when he passed. It’s where Bandit and I lay our heads when we aren’t on the road.” I smile on the inside. Karlee would have given him two thumbs up.

  “Well, I know we hardly know each other and it’s probably way too soon, but would you like to maybe come with me to my parent’s for my birthday dinner? I swear it won’t hurt my feelings in any way if you say no,” I’m rambling and I am forever grateful when he interrupts me.

  “Are you done talking yet, sweetheart?”

  “Yes,” I sheepishly reply.

  “Well then here’s my answer, I would be more than happy if it means I get to spend a little more time with you.”

  I calculate the whole plan in my head. He can follow me home although I’d much rather ride next to him and he can leave his truck at the apartment and then we can ride together to Mom and Dad’s. I want to warn them, but Karlee always liked surprises and I’m feeling a little bit like her right now.

  “Promise? Please don’t say it if you don’t mean it.”

  “One thing I want you to never forget about me is I always keep my word, especially when it comes to you.” Gah, he always says the right words to melt my heart. After one week, my heart is slowly starting to become his. How is this possible?

  I can’t think of a better way to show my gratitude other than to wrap my hands around his neck and kiss the hell out of him. And I do. He’s hovering over me again, my heart dangling in front of him, waiting for him to take it. He positions himself at my opening but suddenly moves to grab a condom. After sliding it onto his hard cock, he completely owns me, thrusting in and out making sweet love to me. With every passionate kiss that he gives me, I crumble a little more as I begin to lose myself and that’s when it hit me like a ton of bricks. Wesley Tyler just stole my heart.

  Chapter 11

  Memories can be good, but they can also be bad. I have many good memories but the bad still surface even today. The last thing I remember after making love to Wesley was falling asleep not long after in his arms. His arms make me feel safe but not even the safety of his arms can keep the bad memories away. It feels just like it was yesterday. Karlee and I had a blast at the rodeo; I made a mental note to thank Brad when I got home for agreeing to let me go with her on our anniversary. I can still smell the arena and the food coming from the concession. I can see the contagious smile on her face as we climb into the car getting ready to head home. I see her telling me it’s ok to go to sleep, that we’ll be home soon. Little did I know, I’d be going home alone.

  “No!” I scream. I can feel my arms flailing around but my eyes stay shut. “No, no, no!”

  “Hope, baby I got you. You’re ok. Open your eyes for me.” Wesley says quietly.

  My eyes jerk open, tears immediately spill down my face. Those memories were nothing but a bad dream and it seemed so very real. So real, I felt I could reach out and touch the metal of the car.

  “What happened?” I ask looking around the room to see where I am. I’m lying next to Wesley, his arms are holding me tight. I feel safe again.

  “You must’ve had a nightmare but you’re ok now.”

  “It was so real,” I say between tears. “It’s like it was happening all over again. The tree and Karlee, she’s gone.” My sobs are thickening and I can’t speak anymore. I hate that I feel weak in this moment but I know I’m safe.

  “I got you Hope, its ok. Everything is ok, I’m here.”

  He continues to hold me like he didn’t just witness me completely have a meltdown and just a few short minutes later I’m able to fall back asleep.

  ********

  Today I’m 25 years old. Today I feel like I can smile again thanks to Wesley, my cowboy, my knight in shining armor or whatever you want to call him. He doesn’t bring up my meltdown and I don’t bring it back up either. My duffle bag is packed and I’m in a pair of jeans and a casual t-shirt. My birthday dinner isn’t too big of an ordeal. Mom most likely will cook a roast and hopefully have a chocolate cake with Funfetti icing. That makes me smile just thinking about it.

  “Happy birthday sweetheart.” Wesley whispers against my ear. I shiver instantly thinking of last night with him.

  “Why thank you.” I blush trying to stay composed which is very hard to do with him around.

  Morning came way too fast and because of the drive we have to make, we don’t get much time alone. I can’t be late for my own birthday dinner. Mom and Dad will kill me.

  Wesley plants a kiss on my cheek before softly kissing my lips. It’s time for us to begin the drive back to my and Amber’s apartment. I think it’s best if I call her and at least warn her plus I want to know about her date. I drive away first looking in my mirror to make sure he hasn’t changed his mind, but he’s right there behind me sending the butterflies straight into my chest.

  Amber answers on the first ring, I’m surprised she’s awake right now. “Happy birthday Hope! Did you get lucky last night?”

  I roll my eyes as I transfer the call to my Bluetooth in my car. Once I’m sure it’s connected I respond, “Thank you and I don’t kiss and tell.”

  “That’s so a yes. Was it good? Tell me hot cowboy sex is good!”

  “It was better than good; it was amazing, life changing; whatever you want to call it.”

  “I KNEW IT!” she shrieked. Her voice came over the speakers in my car a little too loud and I winced trying to adjust the volume until she stopped.

  “And, he’s following me right now. I invited him to my birthday dinner.”

  “Did you really? I’ll be there too.”

  “I already know you will, if not, I’ll drag you there. So quit beating around the bush, how was your date?”

  “Eh, it was alright. I had fun but I’m just not ready yet, I guess. Or maybe he wasn’t the right one.”

  She’s too harsh on these guys. She’s always been and always will be. If they don’t pass the test, she throws them out on their ass and moves on with her life. I should’ve taken a page from her book a long time ago.

  “Well, I’ll see you when we get to the apartment. Get our bras out of the bathroom please.”

  “Will do ma’am. See you soon.”

  I can’t lie, I’m excited about today. I know that Mom and Dad are going to like Wesley. Amber already approves. Every few seconds, I check to make sure he’s still behind me and he is. Seeing him behind me is what is keeping me calm right now. As we enter San Antonio, he’s a little closer to me to be sure he doesn’t get lost. We park and immediately he’s outside my car door opening it for me, leaning down to give me a kiss. What a kiss it is. I’m talking hands in each other’s hair like we haven’t seen each other in forever.

  “I missed you.” He smiles.

  “You’ve been behind me the whole time!” I laugh, grabbing my bag and placing the strap on my shoulder.

  I knock lightly on the door before barging in, in case Amber is walking around naked. I fe
el jealous thinking about him seeing her in even a tank top and shorts but I know he wouldn’t be affected by it. I don’t like this jealous feeling, it’s way too new to me.

  “Amb, we’re here,” I call out, as I throw my keys on the counter and begin to make my way to my room. I drop the bag immediately and Wesley scoops me up into his arms cradling me like a baby. I kiss him fiercely wanting him to take me right here and now but Amber is lurking somewhere.

  “Where are you?” she calls out. Dammit, I knew she was close by.

  “In my room, we’re coming.” Wesley doesn’t set me down, instead carries me out to the living room. Amber bursts out laughing at the sight. She can laugh all she wants, I’m comfortable like this.

  “Well check you out missy. Hey, Wesley.”

  “Hey Amber.” He winks. “Nice to see you again.”

  She continues to smile watching Wesley and I intently before winking at me and sealing her approval.

  The whole five minute drive to my parent’s house has my stomach in knots. I don’t like to go home too often anymore. I can’t stand to see the memories of Karlee, but I know it’s not fair to Mom and Dad who have to constantly be surrounded by them. As I park in my normal spot, I stare at the spot next to mine where she used to park her car. No one has parked there since she’s been gone and probably never will again.

  “Well, last chance to run Wesley. We’re here.” I laugh trying to lighten my mood.

  “I’m all in sweetheart.” He brings my hand to his, kissing my knuckles.

  Amber parks behind me, honks her horn just to be a bitch. I flip her off as I exit the car drawing in a deep breath. It’s my birthday, I can do this.

  I walk straight through the dark brown wooden door and the aroma of roast immediately hits me. I smile knowing I was right. The foyer looks the same to me, the same table with a different arrangement of flowers sits in the middle and just beyond that is the staircase. Up those stairs are all the memories I am not ready to revisit.

  Wesley squeezes my hand smiling as we walk through the living room. He chuckles as he looks at a few throwback pictures of me. Shit, I didn’t think about this, especially the one from seventh grade where I’m full on metal mouth.

  Dad is carving the roast while Mom puts the finishing touches on my cake. The Funfetti icing is on it and I feel like a little kid again. I notice my dad has a little more gray in his hair than before, he always blamed his gray on me and Karlee. He said we caused him to age prematurely. I sneak up behind the two and wrap my arms around both their necks.

  They both turn around surprised pulling me into a sandwich hug. “Happy birthday baby girl! It’s so good to see you.”

  “Thanks mom, oh I’d like ya’ll to meet someone. Mom, Dad, this is my friend Wesley. I invited him today if that’s ok.”

  Mom’s face lights up as she steps forward to give him a hug. Dad firmly shakes his hand smiling and when he sees Wesley’s belt buckle, he had to ask. “You rodeo son?”

  “Yes sir. I do a little bareback bronco riding.”

  “A little?” Amber scoffs, “He’s a two time title winner. Don’t let him fool you Mr. Trahan.”

  My parents seem thoroughly impressed, which I’m glad for. Birthdays and holidays were always kind of awkward with Brad around; he was more about himself than anything. Wesley sat there holding conversations with both my parents as if he’d known them forever. I knew last night he stole my heart but in this moment, at my birthday dinner, I know I will never get it back.

  “Let’s do presents before we eat.” Mom insists. I want to tell her I’m ok with waiting but Amber grabs my hand leading me into the living room.

  Amber notices the necklace I’m wearing and raises her eyebrow, “Is that from Wesley?” She whispers nudging me with her elbow.

  “Yes!” I’m beaming again and she smiles her approval.

  Amber hands me her gift, I open the box to find a new Coach purse. I immediately grin because I’ve been lusting after this one for a while now. I never expected her to get it in a million years. She’s already done so much by letting me stay with her. I hug her and tell her thank you before taking the gift from my parents.

  My mom hands me a pink gift bag that I open to find a photo album with a red bow wrapped around it. It’s pictures of me and Karlee, memories of our childhood. I flip through it laughing and smiling at each picture as if she were beside me. I want to turn and ask her if she remembers this one picture of the two of us sitting up in our tree house having a tea party with Barbie. But I can’t. I have to shake that feeling away so Mom and Dad think I’m fine. There’s also a gift card at the bottom of the bag for me to indulge in a little shopping. I hug them, trying my best not to cry, I love their present so much. This is my second birthday Karlee hasn’t been here for and with that album, I feel her here.

  I start flipping through the album again showing Wesley many more embarrassing pictures. I laugh out loud when I see the one of us wearing bubba teeth and dressed like hillbillies two Halloweens ago. I’m caught up in all of the memories when Dad clears his throat. “Most of the pictures we got from Karlee’s room. We found this gift with your name on it, I don’t know how we didn’t see it last year, but we know she would have wanted you to have it.”

  Mom has silent tears streaming down her soft porcelain face and Dad is consoling her as I take the small box from him. Amber is on one side of me and Wesley grabs my free hand holding onto me. I’m glad he’s here for this; he has no idea how much this means to me.

  I pull my hand away from Wesley’s as I stare down at this gift from Karlee. I draw in a deep breath as I untie the pale pink ribbon. I remove the lid to find a note sitting on top. With shaky hands I open the note and fight back tears as I read:

  Happy birthday little sister!! I know I’m early but who cares right? We’re getting ready to leave for the rodeo and I am so glad you’re coming with me! Anyways, I bought you this ring to symbolize our sisterly bond. You’re the best sister I could ever ask for!! Never forget you deserve the best and I hope when you wear this ring, you remember that. I know I was just probably supposed to write To: Hope From: Karlee, but you know me. I had to tell you a whole story so here’s the end of it, I love you little sister. Here’s to a fabulous birthday, drinks on me later!!

  Love,

  Karlee

  I look down to find a white gold ring with two hearts on it. One heart has a ‘K’ and one has an ‘H’ engraved on it. I’m a blubbering mess; my eyes struggle to find a second where they can dry. I can’t pick up the ring, I’m shaking so badly. Karlee’s present stole the thunder from everyone else; she always had that effect. I close my eyes and whisper a thank you to her and I wait for an answer that doesn’t come. Wesley reaches down picking the ring up and places it on my right hand ring finger. It fits perfectly and that’s where it will stay. I hug everyone one more time before excusing myself for some fresh air.

  All my thoughts are interrupted when I hear a voice, “Happy birthday Hope.”

  My eyes pop open to see Brad standing right there on my parent’s front lawn. What pisses me off even more is his truck is parked in Karlee’s spot.

  “What are you doing here?” That’s the question on my mind. This is not what I had planned.

  “I wanted to come tell you happy birthday.”

  “No Brad, you need to leave. Now. That’s what technology is for. Send me a text, call me or something.”

  “What? You have someone here with you, Hope?” He glares at me before whispering, “This is a joke.” Right before my eyes stands the person Brad has become. He’s not the person I fell for years ago, the one who held my heart. He’s the one tearing it apart without a care in the world. Finally I see him for who he is.

  “What did you just say to her?” Wesley interjects before I can even process what’s going on. I never heard him come outside, but I’m glad he’s here.

  “Look, why don’t you mind your own business, buddy. This is between me and my fiancée.” Brad stand
s there with his face beet red pointing his finger at Wesley.

  “I’m not your fucking fiancée Brad, this is my boyfriend and you need to respect that and leave.” I’m surprised by what comes out my mouth, but Wesley doesn’t even flinch or act like I said something wrong.

  “Boyfriend huh? He knows about all your bullshit baggage?”

  “Shut the hell up Brad! I swear to God….” Tears sting at the back of my eyes begging to come forward but I refuse to shed a tear in front of him.

  He cut me off quickly pissing me off more than I already am. He’s got a lot of fucking nerve, but I expect nothing less from him. “What? You going to take some more sleeping pills and try to put yourself out of your misery?” He’s smug, that little shit. I want to punch him in the face but I’m mortified over the fact that he’s spilling everything out right now in front of Wesley and I just don’t know what to say or do.