by C. L. Rosado
“Let me go,” I snap at Gentry. “I’m out!” He releases me, and I stomp all the way out, straight to my car. I hear Gentry calling my name, but I don’t stop. No guy is gonna have me in a bar fight. I’ve almost reached my car when he grabs me by the arm and spins me around.
“Ari, wait,” he pleads.
“No, Gentry, I’ve been trying to reach you all day. If that is where you want to take refuge, I’m done,” I bite out. It takes me a minute to get my arm loose. He is drunk and isn't firing on all cylinders, but he relents.
“I don’t even know what just happened. Please…” sure he doesn’t.
Opening my door, I part with, “Leave. Me. Alone.” He allows me to go and takes a few steps back before I’m pulling out, gravel flying. I’m fuming. My hands and legs are shaking. I barely make it home before breaking down. I just don’t get how I could be so stupid. When I get inside, I call Liv. I need her to calm me down. She answers on the first ring, always having her phone in hand.
“Hello.”
“Hey, Liv,” I take in a deep breath, trying to get it together.
“Ari, what’s wrong?” she asks.
“You’re not gonna believe what just happened.” I still can’t breathe. “On my way home, I saw Gentry’s truck at Muddy Mike’s so I stopped to see why he hasn’t called or returned my texts. When I get inside, do you know what I find? I find Bea in his lap rubbing all over him.”
“No,way. I will freaking kill him!” she fumes.
“No, don’t. He was totally snockered. It’s not like we are a couple or anything. I just thought…”.
“I’m so sorry. He is a Idjit.”
Liv and I stay on the phone for over an hour. I tell her everything that went down and she assures me that she is going to take care of everything. I don’t know what I would do without her. I have never been in a serious relationship. If it were any other guy, I would have never spoken to them again. I’m not really down for the whole heartache thing. This is Gentry though, and Olivia is not going to let me walk away. I don’t think it’s an option anyway since I already feel somewhat heart broken. How did I even let this happen? Oh, I know, because he has the best smile, the best smell, and well, the best everything a girl could want. Ugh.
Chapter 10
Gentry
Waking up, the sound of my alarm blaring, and the faint light of the sun shining through my window, my groggy head is pounding. This sucks. I have a ton of shit to do today, but all I can think about is making things right with Ariana. What the hell was I thinking, getting trashed instead of going to her and letting her help me through this?
I’ve never been so attached to a woman before. I’ve never been one to give much thought about anyone, I guess, except for myself. I’m a selfish man. This girl, though, she is one in a million. I text her for the twentieth time with no response.
Momma’s doctor told us yesterday that the treatment wasn’t working. He could continue with different treatments, but the likelihood of them working were very slim. Without even asking me, she made the decision to stop treatment to cure her cancer, instead opting to start the process of keeping her comfortable. I have no idea how I will make it through this. Not sure I even will if I don’t have Ari at my side. I try Liv next, hoping she can shed some light on how to fix this. I doubt Liv is awake yet, so I decide to text her before hauling myself outta my bed and getting to work.
Me: Give me a call when you’re up
I’m just making my way to the barn when my phone starts ringing.
“Mornin’, Liv, I screwed up” is how I answer.
“Don’t I know it! What the hell were you thinking, Dill Weed?”
“ I have no clue I just need to fix it.”
“I will help under one condition.”
“Anything!” I tell her.
“Tell me why the hell you would be with Beatrice King? Why?”
“Honestly, Liv, I don’t remember a damn thing about even running into her there. I went with Momma to her appointment. They are stopping treatment. There isn’t anything more they can do. I went into that bar thinking I would just have a few cold ones and call Ari once I could think straight, but apparently I had a lot more drinks than I intended. Bea had taken my phone from me and turned it off.” I only know this because an old friend from high school filled me in after Ari took off. “I wasn’t ignoring Ari. Please let her know that. I didn’t even know who was on my lap I was so out of it. Jack drove my truck home. He was there with friends.” Jack is one of our ranch hands and the newest that lives on property.
Over a week goes by before I hear from Ari. Liv explained to her everything, but she said she needed time to process everything. Basically, she needed to see if all my baggage was something she could deal with. She texted me this morning.
Ariana: Hey, Stranger
Me: Hey…
Ariana: How R ya?
Me: Better now, just barely tho
Ariana: Yeah…
Me: I’m sorry
Ariana: I know :/
Me: I need to hear your voice, see your face, I’m dying…
Ariana: Liv says you have company coming in. How’s your Mom?
Me: Yeah my buddy is coming down this weekend. Momma is good today.
Me: Can I stop by later?
Ariana: I have a session 2night. I will text ya when I’m done.
I busy myself with the daily demands of the ranch, willing the time to go faster. I wait all day, she never calls, and I decide she just isn’t ready. I’m screwed.
Peck arrived last night, and we went out to catch up over some drinks. I have missed my boy. It’s good to have him here, helps me to get my mind off of things with my mom and with Ari. He knows everything going on with my mom, which is why he is here. We haven’t been friends long, but he is by far the best friend and the closet thing to a brother I have ever had. He is a player and is quite familiar with digging himself outta some holes. Hopefully, he can help me win over Ari. He could talk the panties off of a nun, so to say he is a smooth talker would be stretching the truth. After listening to me whine he suggests,
“How about you ask your cousin if she and her girl can have dinner with us tomorrow or something. I would love to meet them both.” The devilish grin he is sporting let’s me know it won’t strictly be for my benefit.
Liv, doesn’t disappoint. She gets Ari to join us all for dinner. I’m pretty sure the two if them eat every meal together, so that’s good. I never thought I would count on Liv as much as I do. Ari is her normal kind self throughout the night, never letting on to the distance between us. It’s made me crazy, but Peck said not to make it a thing if she wasn’t. Here’s the thing: I’m not willing to lose her. I don’t just wanna be friends although I would settle for that if it’s all she is giving. I’m not sure if Liv and Ari planned it or not, but there was never a chance for us to talk alone. I’m not sure how long I can do this without forcing her to talk to me.
Chapter 11
Ariana
“That was awkward, Ari. You gotta talk to him at some point and tell him something. He seemed like a lost puppy all night. I get you have to think things over. I totally support you if decide all things Gentry are just too much, but he has a lot on his plate already. You’re my best friend, and I love you, but shit or get off the pot,” Liv says giving it to me straight.
“ I know, Liv, I will, but I haven’t ever met a man like Gentry. I got swept away so fast. It’s not who I am. Then I see him with that whore. I mean, I was shattered. I realize what happened wasn’t what it looked like, but my mind has to process it.” I feel so defeated. I know he is dealing with a lot, but damn it still hurts. I would never do that to someone, or would I? I haven’t been in his shoes. I’ve never been through anything traumatic or life altering. I have both my parents, I’ve never faced death and had to find my way back. “I will talk to him, ok.”
The next morning I text him and let him know that we are good, and I would love to hangout soon.
3 days later…
“What are we doing tonight?” I ask Liv.
“Let's go to Andy’s for the karaoke night!” Liv squeals
“Alright, but I'm not singing with you,” I say.
“That's fine. Gentry will!” she exclaims.
“What? He sings?” I question. Gentry's sexy meter just went up a few more notches.
With a wave of her hand, Liv says, “If he knows what's good for him he will.”
She sends him a text to let him know the plan for the night. His best friend Peck is up from Florida. He is a hottie, too. Peck is a surfer boy all the way, with bleached blonde hair that just reaches his chin, suntanned skin, and baby blue eyes. I'm pretty sure Liv has the hots for him, but she is acting like that's not the case. I know her, though, and all the signs are there.
Me, on the other hand? I'm hardcore crushin' on Gentry! I mean, who wouldn't be? He is a walking, talking, up in your face, GQ magazine cover. From his chocolate brown hair with a subtle wave to his espresso-colored eyes that make you want to dive feet first into their depths. Three days worth of scruff always lined his chiseled jaw. He represented Adonis reincarnate, all the way down to his flip flop shod feet.
Keeping it simple, I put on my favorite sheer, razorback tank with a silk cami underneath with a pair of skinny jeans, finishing it off with some heels for height. I’m a nervous wreck about seeing Gentry.
Liv is singing, so she has gone all out with her attire tonight, wearing a skin tight black halter dress and sky high, strappy heels. We look on point if I do say so myself.
Liv and I are just about finished getting ready when the door bell rings. While Liv finishes putting on her face, I get the door. There he is in all his masculine goodness. Smile wide on his face, taking my breath away as usual. He is wearing a light blue button up, untucked with the sleeves rolled up, it hugs his muscled arms and chest, and of course low slung jeans hanging from his hips. God, I have missed this man. I swear his cologne is doing crazy things to my brain. Before I can inspect any further, he clears his throat, bringing my attention back to those beautiful brown eyes that I swear see straight into my soul.
“Hey, Ari, you girls ready?" he asks.
"Yes, Sir, Liv's just finishing up,” I respond breathless.
"I'm ready. Let's get this night started,” Liv says coming up behind me.
We grab our things and head out the door. Liv and I hop in the back while Gentry gets in the driver’s seat. Peck is in the front, as well, and lets out a whistle. As we close our doors, he adds,
"You girls are looking sexy as all get out tonight. You two trying to get me and my boy in a fight?"
"Thanks, Peck,” I say. “No, please, no fights on our behalf.” Gentry pulls away from the curb and heads towards Andy’s.
We can see that the sports bar is packed as we round the corner onto First Street. We make a group decision to park a few lots down and walk. Normally Andy’s isn’t so busy, but they have just started doing a Karaoke night, and apparently it’s drawing a big crowd. Gentry parks his car and turns off the ignition. We all file out of the car. Adjusting her clothing-if it can be considered as such-Liv runs her hands down her sides to get the fabric of her painted on black dress back into position. Righting herself, she stands tall and inhales the night air before saying,
“Let’s get this party started, Beeches!” Just as she is about to start her strut, Peck comes up behind her and smacks her rear end hard as he passes. Liv yelps loudly on contact and rubs the affected area.
“Let’s” he states, turning his head to look back at her with a big grin plastered on his face as he takes the lead.
Gentry laughs and shakes his head as he passes us, making his way to his friend. I can tell this is gonna be a night for the record books. I silently look to the sky, searching for a full moon. Once we have all made our way through the door, we head for the bar to grab some drinks. One of my favorite things about this place are the bartenders. They remind me of Tom Cruise in the movie Cocktail. We wait for our turn and order our beers, then Liv and I head to find a table. After finding one fairly close to the stage considering the crowd, Liv and I take our seats and wait for the guys.
“Omg, can you believe the nerve of Peck?” Liv questions.
“Honestly, yeah. The sexual tension radiating between the two of you is unmistakeable,” I tease, “I think you like it and him a lot.”
She waves her hand to dismiss the notion before shushing me.
“Quiet! Here they come,” I just giggle at my friend.
The bar is alive with chatter as the guys approach.
“Shots all around,” Peck shouts as he stands before us. “You know what they say— liquor before beer, never fear.”
I shake my head, “ I can’t handle the hard stuff, plus someone will need to drive us home.” I am hoping my reasoning will work,but instead I’m ignored.
“Oh, no freaking way! Drink up, Buttercup! We can walk home,” Liv states firmly. To drive the point home, she shoves a shot in my direction. Great. This is going to be interesting. We all grab our fireball shots and salute one another. The burn as it goes down almost has me choking, so I take a quick swig of my Dos Equis to squash the fire. (pun intended).
“I’m gonna grab us some song books,” Peck says.
I take this time to look around at what a change they have made to the place. It’s kinda cool, actually. They have placed genre centerpieces on each table. Most tables are filled with people looking through binders loaded with songs to choose from.
Turning my attention back to our table, I watch Gentry as he converses with Liv. It’s been a little bit since he and I have hung out, after the whole Bea thing. I have kept my distance, not wantin’ to get attached to him if he is a player or something. Losing interest in his cousin’s blabbing about what song she wants to sing and making him sing with her, he looks to me. My God, he is easy on the eyes
“ So, how are things?” I inquire with a smile, trying to make small talk.
With a shrug of his shoulders and dip of his head, he slowly brings his attention back to me.
“Good. Things are good. What about you?”
“Great. I just started a new job doing some freelance photography for a home builder, and while it’s not everything I want, the pay is great and will allow me to continue with my regular clients as well.”
“That’s awesome. Sounds amazing.” We continued making small talk as we watched different people brave the stage. It’s a little awkward just because we are in a weird place and due to the Bea incident. This is the first time we have been out together since. I can’t wait for it to be behind us. A few minutes later, Peck slides into his seat next to Gentry. Conversation flows easily among the four of us as the DJ calls different singers for their turns. While some chick croons about a big black horse and a cherry tree, Liv says,
“Ari and I need to use the ladies room,” which is code for we need to have a talk. I know this because she didn’t ask me if I needed the restroom; she just included me in the statement. Looking back to the table as we head to have our little pow wow, I notice Peck leaning forward to whisper something into Gentry’s ear that causes him to smile and shake his head. Geez, he is sexy when he laughs, and I get butterflies in my tummy every time the noise hits my ears.
“What’s going on? What was that about?” I ask as we walk into the tiny box that is Andy’s ladies’ room. Liv and I shift in order to make room for both of us in the small space, and when we do, we both jump. It never fails that when we try to squeeze in here together, we set off the motion censored hand dryer, inevitably scaring the crap out of us. The two of us bust out laughing, as usual. I look around the familiar room, noting the years worth of dust and grime as well as the old condom machine that still supplies the ever eager patrons with protection from their drunken sexcapades. I giggle as I read the warning on the back of the door that states, “If you are pregnant think before you drink.” Seriously! I turn back to Liv to find ou
t why she hauled me in here besides from the fact that she really did need to tinkle.
“Well, I know it’s almost my turn, and I need a pep talk, not to mention, you and Gentry are being so generic that it is making me crazy. It’s like dinner all over again.”
“Olivia Ann, you know you will rock that stage. No worries! You got this! I don’t know what you want me to do about Gentry. I do know I won’t play games. We will work it out; we just need some time. Be patient with us.” I tell my pushy friend.
A few people attempt the stage, progressively getting worse. We have heard everything from Weezer, Queen, Bon Jovi to Ike and Tina. Oh, and one really good cover of The Rolling Stones (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction. Three different guys sing about Sara, Angie and Valarie, before the DJ calls Liv.
Peck, Gentry and I all hoot and holler as she takes the stage. As the violin starts, I know exactly what song she’s chosen: “At Last” by Etta James. It’s Liv’s favorite, and she is absolutely amazing. Reading my thoughts, Peck says,
“Man, she can sing. Wow…”. He turns to look at us as she finishes, “Just wow!” We all stand and congratulate her on her performance once she arrives back at the table.
As we sit back and watch the train wreck in front of us, I can't help but wonder where the heck the guys wandered off to. They went to the restroom a while ago, and guys never take as long as us girls. Looking around, I notice them at the bar, throwing back some drinks.