by Ali Parker
“I hate to break it to you, but from that smile she’s wearing, I think she’s into old men.” And as soon as the words left my mouth, she jumped up, her ample breasts bouncing behind her shirt as she threw her arms around Kinsey’s neck. I glanced to Mason who narrowed his eyes and stood like he wanted to walk right over and mark his territory.
“I’m going to find out.” He crossed the room headed her way, and as she turned her smile softened into a bashful grin.
“She’s beautiful.” Lauralee nudged me and stared after my brother and the goddess Abigail.
I curled my lip and shrugged. “Whatever. She’s not the prettiest girl here.”
Applause filled the room as the singer who replaced my brother finished her set. I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not and felt confident it wasn’t as it died when she promised to be back later in the night for some slow songs. Moans filled the room, and she scurried away to the bar for a drink and into the arms of a husky man who might have been her husband.
The jukebox cued up, and a few people got up to dance, barely filling the small dance floor. Lauralee sipped her beer and then nudged me, pointing out that my brother and Abigail had joined the others on the twenty by twenty floor.
Luke cleared his throat, and I glanced up to see him motioning toward Lauralee. Did he want me to ask her to dance? Yeah, not going to happen. I didn’t dance, and Lauralee learned that lesson years ago. He widened his eyes as she stared across toward the others and then he sat up in his seat and gave me a challenging look.
“Would you like to dance?” He extended his hand toward Lauralee and her face lit up like a jack-o-lantern.
She stood and glanced at me, not in an apologetic way, but in an “I’ll be right back” kind of way. I shot daggers at Luke as he took her hand and pulled her out to the dance floor.
She was beautiful when she danced, and as Luke spun her around, her face lit with excitement I hadn’t seen in quite some time. When the song was over, I figured they’d come sit with me awhile, but they kept right on at it, warming up I suppose.
“What’s it like watching your wife with another man? And your brother at that.” Ella clicked her tongue at my ear, and I glanced to see her leaning in over my shoulder.
“I don’t know. I’ll ask David.” I shot her a look as she lowered her ass in Lauralee’s chair and scooted it closer.
“So, when did you two tie the knot? I wasn’t aware that the infamous slut of the Dawson family was off the market.” The waitress came over before I could set Ella straight, but she waved her away. “No thanks, honey. I’m not drinking these days.” She patted her flat stomach, and I wondered if she was suddenly worried about beer bloat.
As the waitress scurried away to the next table, I leaned back in my chair to prove how unfazed I was. “Where did you hear that rumor?”
“From your brother and your bride. About the same time they were threatening me, might I add.” She glanced at the couple who were still bounding around the floor in deliberate motion. “Is it true?”
“What does it matter? Besides, I hear you were doing your best to agitate. Like always.” She plastered on a smirk and didn’t deny the accusation. Instead, she seemed to like the way it fit.
She snaked her arm over and locked it with mine. “You are the one who called me, remember?” I wasn’t about to move and give her any reaction, but I wanted to jerk my arm away so hard she’d land on her ass.
“A phone call would have sufficed.”
“Well, lover, I’m here now, so why don’t you tell me your interest in my property.” She ran her other hand up my arm, and I checked to see if anyone noticed. Luke and Lauralee were busy twirling around most impressively, and Mason was still luring his goddess.
“I heard it was for sale, but I know the storm did some damage. I am interested in buying it and want to know if you’re selling it as is or if you intend to do all the work it needs and then sell it.”
“Well, I’m not interested in sinking more money into it, but I want a fair price.” She met my eyes and flashed me a devilish grin. “You know, I may need to wait awhile before I make any decisions. Something’s come up recently that could change everything.” She did that little pat on her stomach that I’d only seen pregnant mothers do, and I finally caught on to what she meant. My face went numb as every ounce of blood drained to my toes.
“Are you trying to tell me you’re pregnant, Ella?” I glanced across to Mason who seemed happier than he’d been in his entire life as he laughed and spun his girl.
“Well, I am a few days late. I’ll know in a few days.” She smiled and leaned in closer. “I called out your name as he filled me up.”
“You’re the devil.” I shook my head in disgust and suddenly all the blood was back in my head, and it was about to explode.
“I’m the devil who might be carrying a member of your family. And even if I’m not, I’ve got something you want.” She played with the front of her blouse. “Maybe we can work something out. Your wife doesn’t have to know.” She reached up and stroked the strands of hair that had escaped my cap around my ear.
My teeth clenched. I didn’t know whether to be pissed at her or my stupid brother for not using any protection. “Don’t touch me.”
Her chair screeched against the floor as she stood. “Fine, but I’ll be in touch. Congratulations on your nuptials.” She rolled her eyes and sauntered away taking time to glance back at me and wave her fingers in a flirty goodbye.
Mason stalked up to the table alone once Ella was well across the room. “What did she want?”
I pegged him with a hard glare. “Tell me you wrapped it up with that girl. Tell me you weren’t a fool and knocked her up.”
His face turned green and raised his hand gesturing for me to keep it down. “I did, I swear. She’s full of shit.”
“She isn’t drinking and says she’ll find out Monday. You better think about what you’ll do and what you’ll say to Mama and Daddy. Not to mention, David. And why does she think I’m married?”
His mouth turned up at the corner, and he glanced out at Lauralee across the room.
“I’ll deal with it. Hey, it looks like Luke is trying to steal your girl.” His eyes widened, and I glanced around him as Luke motioned our way. They were playful together, all smiles, and then Luke flashed me a wink before leaning in and kissing her cheek. She giggled and tucked her chin to her shoulder and then he took her in his arms and spun her around. “Ohh, he kissed your girl. You should break his legs for that one.”
“They’re only fooling around.” The words made sense, but it didn’t stop me from wanting to hit my baby brother for putting his dirty mouth on my girl. “Nice change of subject, by the way. You better think about what I said.” I sipped my beer, and he did the same. I shouldn’t be too hard on him. Lord knows if Ella was with child, Daddy was going to be rough enough. “How’s it going with Abigail?”
“She’s nice so far. Real fun girl. She’s going to work here. That’s what she was talking to Kinsey about. Starts next week.” He motioned to the waitress and then turned his attention back to me as the song changed and Luke and Lauralee finally returned to the table. “You’re in so much trouble.”
“Yeah, haven’t you heard it’s not polite to kiss another man’s wife.” I slid a glance to Lauralee who went red in the face.
She was still trying to catch her breath from the dance workout. “Mason said it.” She glanced across the room toward the last place I’d seen Ella and made a face. “What did she want?” She raised her brows and studied her nails. She was mighty cute when she was jealous.
I wanted to point out the fact that she didn’t correct him, but I let that go. They’d had their fun, and if we were lucky, we wouldn’t get her stirred up again. She was like a demon, speak her name and she appeared. I checked over my shoulder to make sure she was still haunting the other patrons and thankfully she was. Unfortunately for her, I glanced over about the time she sneaked a sip of her fr
iend’s beer and turned away before she saw me look. Lying hussy. “She wanted to talk about the business we didn’t get to discuss earlier.”
“The land? Is she still putting it up on the market as scheduled?” Her eyes lit with hope, and I swallowed a hard lump thinking about all the trouble that could postpone the deal.
“She’s thinking about it.”
The waitress placed another round on the table, and I wasted no time finishing the beer I held and put it on her tray. She winked, flashing me a crooked smile and then hurried away.
“Will you let me know what you find out? As soon as you find out.” She tossed back her bottle and took a long pull before Luke nudged her.
“Round two?” He raised his brow and flashed a big grin as she took his hand. Before I could respond, the two were headed out to the floor, and I was left with Mason who sat nursing his beer and staring dreamily across the room toward Abigail who chatted with the waitress and Lucy.
Lauralee seemed to be having a blast, and I guess I should have been happy about that, but part of me sat sulking. We hadn’t come on a date so I couldn’t blame her for not staying up my ass the entire night, but I’d hoped to have some time with her. I watched my brother with his smooth moves, dancing like a pro as Lauralee held her own. I didn’t know how they did it. I couldn’t dance to save my life, and if I tried half the fancy spins my brother was doing, I’d end up puking on her shoes. Nope, that sawdust floor wasn’t for me.
I tried to imagine me and her dancing, but it wasn’t nearly the picture before me. And then the song turned slower, and Luke headed back to the table alone.
“She needed a break,” he said motioning to the restrooms. I turned to see her ducking through the door. “You should ask her to slow dance, man. There’s nothing to it, you stand close and sway.”
“No thanks. I wouldn’t want to take away your date.” I flashed him a teasing grin and turned up my beer.
“Comfort zone, man. Step out of it for a bit. You might like it.” He rose from his chair and hurried across the room toward Kinsey. The old man’s face lit up as he approached and they shook hands. He was right, but I felt like an idiot trying to get out there with everyone looking. I glanced at my phone. Katie’s number stood out in my short list, and I considered what we had talked about. I owed Lauralee the very best, but I couldn’t help but doubt my ability to give it to her. As she returned to the table and slid her chair in close to mine, I had to try. Comfort zones be damned.
Chapter 28
Lauralee
My head throbbed as I squinted at the computer. All that dancing and beer had caught up to me. I hadn’t been thrown around a dance floor that much in all my life. Luke was an excellent dancer, but his two-step was much more upbeat than mine, and I had to hang on for dear life and work my legs to keep up. It was great in the moment, but I paid for it.
The only way the night could have gotten any better is if it had been Ted twirling me around, but that had never been his thing. Which was okay, I suppose, but it put a real damper on my fantasy. Once the dancing was done, I sat down with him and his brothers, and we reminisced about the old days and all the silly pranks we’d pulled. I’d forgotten half of them and couldn’t believe some had happened so long ago. We had grown up so fast it seemed, and I remembered in those moments it seemed we’d be young forever. Even Bailey had shown up and gotten in on the fun, but I think his influence is what had me pounding back the beers with the boys.
Ted laughed more than I’d seen him in years, and I was glad we’d had the night to hang out and not worry over everything between or not between us. The friends thing really sucked, but it was working to keep us civil. I thought he might be bothered when Ella spilled the beans about the whole “wife” thing, but he seemed to take it well. I often wondered what, or if, he ever thought about us together that way, but his reaction didn’t give me any clues. At least he hadn’t shied away or made a face at the idea. The whole incident with her embarrassed me, but I couldn’t let her come marching in acting like she owned the place. Not that I did, but I could tell Mason needed a hand. It wasn’t like he could get aggressive with a woman. Not even that one.
I couldn’t believe she was the owner of that land, and I hoped that Ted would let me know how it all turned out. I wondered if she’d even consider selling it to me now. I’d probably blown it for sure, but I had to try. I could always build another house like Ted had said, and repair the windmill, which wouldn’t take much considering the blades had landed not far from the structure. Instead of a remodel, I’d have to rebuild. The idea of being able to make the house anyway I wanted was appealing. I could face the porches different and put the main entrance on the side facing the drive. God, I hoped I could get it. It was nice of Ted to go out of his way to—why did he go out of his way? My brain put on the brakes as something sank in. Why did Ted contact her for a property I’d told him I wanted to buy? Did he think he could get in ahead of me? Maybe he thought since there was so much damage he could get a great deal. Especially since he’d slept with the owner.
It was a bitchy thing to think, but I couldn’t help it. I suddenly thought Ted might be up to something. When I’d asked him to let me know what she said, he almost seemed reluctant. No way. I couldn’t think that. It was my dream for years and he’d never shown any interest in the land and could have said so if he was. Besides, other than the creek and the old road, the farm was separated from the Dawson place by my family farm. Why would he want it? Not for the business, it wouldn’t make sense. The farm wasn’t big enough to be much more than a homestead.
My head pounded with a steady throb behind my eye and I was leaning back in my chair when Ted came in. “You feeling it too, huh?”
“Yes. I don’t think I’ve ever drank so much. How about you?” I wanted to ask him about the property, but with my headache, I wasn’t in any mood for a confrontation.
“I’m good. I didn’t overdo it. You, however, seemed to be in a race with Luke and Mason. I was glad Luke finally let you rest long enough to spend some time with me.” He took out his phone and threw it on the desk, then he lowered himself into the chair beside me and glanced at the computer.
“Sorry about that. I hope you didn’t mind us dancing.” I turned to the computer and began typing.
“Why would that bother me?” He chuckled like it was the silliest thought in the world to be offended that his baby brother and I had danced together. And I suppose it was. Luke was practically my baby brother as well, and I remembered babysitting him a time or two when we were younger. Somehow the four-year difference didn’t matter much now, but his mother thought at eleven years old, I was capable of wrangling her baby boy.
“Right.” I didn’t know what else to say. We were friends, and it wouldn’t matter if he didn’t like it.
“David’s coming in Saturday. He’s bringing Sarah with him. I thought of taking them out to dinner, but I don’t know where to go.” He paused a minute and then continued. “Well, where is a good place?”
“I don’t know, what does he like?” I found it off that he’d be taking the couple into town for dinner because he and his brother David didn’t always get along that well.
“Well, I don’t know. What do you like?” His tone was off, and I wondered if he was trying to ask me to go along.
“Why would it matter what I like? Do you know what Sarah likes?”
“I thought you could help me out by telling me what you like, is all. So?” He put his hand on the back of my chair, and after a moment I realized he was still waiting for a response.
“Anywhere but the steakhouse. I like that Italian grill place on the other side of Perryville. They have a pasta with shredded fajita that is to die for.” My stomach growled thinking about it. He dropped his hand from my chair and fiddled with his phone. “I bet Sarah will like that place.”
“That sounds good. Hey, look at this flower growing in Mama’s flower bed.” He pushed his phone my way, and I glanced down to see the bea
utiful rose.
“That’s gorgeous. You know my mama gave her that cutting.” I went back to my work.
“Oh yeah? I didn’t know. So what kind of flowers do you like?” He shrugged, and I wondered if he’d finished his work.
“I don’t know. Roses, daisies, pansies. I’m not picky. Why, are you buying Sarah and David some flowers too?” I was starting to wonder about his line of questions. It was as if he was planning a date and I wondered if I should play along. I got a fluttering feeling in my chest.
“I’m just making conversation,” he said with a defensive tone, and then he turned his back to me and glanced out the window as a loud engine sounded outside. “There’s the truck. I better get out there. He’s pulling in the damned drive.”
He hurried out the door, and I flinched as it slammed. What was with him today? He seemed so damned full of energy which was good, I supposed, because he had a truck to deal with, and for once I was glad to see him busy.
About twenty minutes had passed when I heard a sound that ended up being from his phone. He had left the thing on the desk beside me, and I leaned over, straining my neck to see. There was a flag by his text icon, and I couldn’t help but wonder who would be contacting him. I remembered he’d told me he rarely used the thing and I thought it might be his brothers out in the field or perhaps David. I decided to give it a peek, just in case I should bring it to him, or perhaps I’d do the latter and mind my own business. But then it happened again, and the screen changed, the name Katie appearing before my eyes.
My mouth popped open, and I was sure I made an audible gasp. I grabbed the phone and opened the text before I could think it through.
What I found sickened me: “I’m so glad you called. It sounds terribly romantic. I’m in, Friday sounds perfect.” I mumbled the words as I read them and couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Ted had a date with my best friend. The world suddenly seemed off its axis and tears flooded my eyes.