Memphis

by Kelly A Walker

  "No shit, Sherlock. We've tried dating different people and for one, the girls never get along, and two, they always try to monopolize our time so we can't see each other. They don't understand, even if we aren't blood, we're brothers, and no one is going to separate us. God, I sound like a girl right now." Cain and I laugh at Jasper. He does sound like a girl, but we also do it to ease some of the tension in the room.

  "I get it. It's a risk and it may not payout in the end. But what if it does? We've tried this before and until she decided she'd had enough, it was working. Both of you grew up around my grandparents so it's nothing new to us. Sharing a girlfriend or in the future a wife isn't that taboo. My Meme and grandpas, all four of them, have been married for fifty years. Just because Memphis may not know about this lifestyle doesn't mean she will automatically turn her nose at it. We may be surprised." I try to reason with them. My grandparents are the happiest people I know. They told me, Jasper, and Cain back in high school that we would end up like them. None of us believed them, but they were right. Jasper and Cain are my brothers and we just work better together. We aren't into each other like that, but separately, we suck as boyfriends. Put us together, and three of us make the perfect guy. I'm gone early in the mornings, usually before the sun rises, Cain works late and is known to stay at the restaurant working until the sun rises. Jasper is the only one of us with normal hours and he doesn't abide by them, but something tells me if we added Memphis into the mix, he'd do better about getting home a lot earlier. "What do you guys think? Should we go through with the plan and if we agree that she is the right one, we lay it all out there?"

  Cain is the first to break the silence. With a grin on his face, he answers exactly how I knew he would. "I'm in."

  "Jasper?" I ask my undecisive brother. "What do you say?"

  He pulls the hair tie he keeps on his wrist, we try not to make fun of him for it, and pulls his hair back into a ponytail at the base of his neck. "Fine. I'm in. But,” he takes a deep breath, “let me go on record and say that I still think her staying here with you alone is a mistake. Maybe Cain and I should move in for the week."

  I grab a pillow off my couch and chuck it at his face. "Go right ahead, Jasper. You can sleep on the couch or the floor." Cain starts laughing at the look on Jasper’s face. There's one thing Jasper will not do, and that is sleep on anything that isn't a bed. He's a drama queen about where he sleeps. I'm shocked he’d even consider staying over here. I only have regular mattresses at my house. Jasper? He goes for those expensive beds that move up and down. I never have understood that mess.

  "Fine. I can stay home, but I will be working half days some that week so I can come by and spend some alone time with her. She needs to get to know us one-on-one as much as she does us as a group."

  "I agree," I say, nodding my head.

  "So," Cain asks, "we're all in? We're going to spend as much time as possible with Memphis in the hopes of starting a relationship with her?"

  "Looks that way to me. Tanner?"

  "It's going to be an interesting three weeks.”

  I hope she's ready.

  "Well, hello little lady."

  I do a small curtsy to Cain as he raises his invisible cowboy hat. "You look mighty fine, Cain. Mighty fine." Dressed in a pair of tight blue jeans, his signature plaid button up shirt with his sleeves rolled up, and brown cowboy boots makes him look even more delectable than ever.

  Cain leans over, pushing a piece of flyaway hair behind my ears. "Like what you see, Memphis?"

  Knowing my face is beet red, I chuckle to cover up the embarrassment of getting caught staring at Cain and proceed to push him out of the door. "Come on, cowboy. I have a feeling I'm going to need a drink, or two tonight to deal with the three of you and your egos."

  "After you, sweet Memphis. Tanner and Jasper are meeting us there."

  "I thought Tanner was supposed to be picking me up tonight. Not that I mind you doing it, but did something happen?"

  "Nah, we flipped for it and I won," he answers with a smirk and wink. These guys are going to be the death of me, I swear.

  Cain walks me to his Mustang, opens my door and closes it for me. "Such a gentleman," I tease him when he gets into the car.

  "Always. Are you looking forward to tonight? I notice you have on your dancing shoes."

  I look down at my older white Chuck’s. "I don't really dance, and I figured if I was going to give it a shot, I didn't want to kill or maim myself trying to do it in heels. Better safe than sorry, you know?"

  "I hear ya. You look good tonight. I meant to tell you that when you opened your door.”

  My choice of outfit was simple for tonight. I pulled out another dress I had brought, this one in teal with ruffles from my waist to the mid calf. A simple silver necklace, faux diamond studs in my ears and my comfy Chuck’s and I was ready. "Tell me about the Juke Joint. What can I expect from my first honky tonk bar?"

  Cain looks over at me once we stop at a red light. "Well, darlin', it's going to have country music you can boot-scoot to, cold beer, peanut shells on the floor, and a mechanical bull if you're feeling especially dangerous tonight."

  I bust out laughing. The thick southern accent he's using on top of his normal one, is almost too much. "Did you say boot-scoot?"

  "Of course. You don't know how to boot-scoot? What kind of southerner are you?"

  "Cain, I'm not a southerner," I deadpan.

  "You talk like one. Most of the phrases you use are pure south."

  "That would be my momma. She was from here, you know. Born and raised in Memphis. She kept a little bit of her accent and she was always using those sayings. I picked them all up from her."

  Cain reaches over and grabs my hand, giving it a squeeze. "I'm sorry to hear about your momma, Memphis. She sounds like she was a real fine lady."

  "She was amazing. Thanks, Cain."

  "For what? I didn't do anything."

  "You asked about her. No one has bothered to ask me anything about her since I’ve been here. I told Arthur she was gone, and that was it. It was as if she never existed and didn't deserve to be talked about. My momma deserves to be remembered. So, thank you, even if you didn't know what you were doing."

  Cain shuts off the car and I see the casino they were telling me about for the first time. It doesn't quite look like any casino I've ever been to. The racing dog streaking across the sign is definitely throwing me off. "I thought we were going to a honky tonk bar. This place has a dog on the sign."

  Cain chuckles. "It's a dog track, too. You can gamble in the casino, watch the greyhounds race, and even place bets on the horses during their season. It's like a one stop shop. The bar is inside."

  Before I can question him any further, my door is pulled open and I hit my head on the roof when I jump up. "Dang it, Tanner. You scared the heck out of me. A little notice next time would be appreciated."

  Tanner leans in to unhook my seatbelt, then pulls me out of the car. "I missed you this afternoon."

  "You saw me three hours ago."

  Tanner sighs at me. "I know. Let's not go that long again, ok."

  "Stop hogging her, jackhole." Jasper comes over to stand at my side, looking down at me. "Memphis, it's been too long."

  I just can't even with these three. "You two are a mess. Are we ready to get our boot-scootin’ started or what?"

  Jasper doubles over in laughter. "Did you just say boot-scoot? You've been with Cain too long. We may have to start limiting your time so you don't start to sound crazy like him."

  I disentangle myself from Jasper and Tanner and step over to Cain, taking his hand in mine.

  "You're just jealous, Jasper." I look up at Cain. "Escort me in, please?"

  With a wink to the other two, Cain leads me into the massive building. He wasn't kidding about playing slots. I hear bells ringing, people cheering and laughing. We must be close to some restaurant because the smell is amazing. Cain must notice me sniffing the air, because he leans down and then poin
ts his finger to our left. “Over there is the entry to the buffet. I believe it's steak night, which is what you're smelling."

  "If the Juke Joint has food that tastes half as good at that smells, I'm ready. I hope y’all brought your big wallets, because I'm starving."

  Cain pulls me by my hand toward the back of the building, past slot machines, poker and blackjack tables, and the biggest game of Wheel of Fortune I have ever seen. I am definitely getting in on that action later. He stops us in front of a neon blue sign that says Juke Joint. I can hear the country music through the door, and what sounds like stomping feet. Cain opens the door for me and we walk in and over to a sign in station. After giving the attendant our number and Cain's last name, which I learn is Smithe, she seats us at a darkened booth near the back. The bar is packed and the dance floor is full of people doing some sort of dance together. I don't know much about country line dancing, but I'm willing to bet this is what Cain was referring to as boot-scootin’.

  "You want to hit the dance floor with me?" Cain shouts over the music.

  I shake my head no. "I need at least one drink in me before I go out there and embarrass myself."

  Our waitress walks up, glances at our table, and proceeds to pull her shirt down some, showing off even more cleavage than before. Can she be anymore obvious? "What can I get you fellas tonight?" Did she just try to purr at them?

  Tanner looks across the booth to me. "What do you want, Memphis?"

  I catch a sneer on the waitress’s face before she hides it. Too bad lady. I'm here with all three of them and you aren't getting anywhere near them.

  Wait.

  What?

  I can't be thinking like that. These guys are not mine. Dang it, Memphis. Stop trying to lay claim on them and for heaven's sake, stop talking to yourself. Maybe there's something wrong with my brain.

  "Memphis?" Tanner hollers my name again. "Do you want something to drink?"

  "Sorry," I mumble. "I was looking at something. Yes, please. Can I get whatever beer you have on tap?" The look of hatred on her face makes me pause and rethink my choice. "Actually, can I get whatever you have in a bottle? Top unopened please?"

  The waitress lets out a grunt before turning to take the guys’ drink orders. After she leaves, Jasper is the first to let go, followed by the other two. I don't know what is so funny. When I saw her face, I knew she would spit in my drink. I'm no idiot.

  "Damn, Memphis. That was the funniest thing. Were you afraid she was going to spit or something in your drink?" Jasper laughs at me.

  "She looked like she wanted to. I think it was Tanner dismissing her and asking me what I wanted first that did it. She would like to take one of you home, and I'm in her way."

  My comment sobers them all up and they share a look I don't understand. Cain turns his body in the booth so he's now facing me. "Memphis, there's no way any one of us would go home with her tonight. You know that, right?"

  "Of course. I would hope you guys would have better self control than to go out with something that skanky. Y'all can do much better."

  They share a look again, and now I'm getting agitated. "Memphis, we aren't going home with anyone from here. Not tonight or any other night, especially when you're here. We already decided, if one of us isn't at work, he's with you. Be prepared to be stuck with one or all of us until the moment you decide to leave us," Jasper explains to me.

  I'm pretty sure I hear Cain mumble something about not even then under his breath, but I let it go. "I already told you, none of you have to babysit me while I’m here. Even when I stay at Tanner's, I can find things to do on my own. I still need to sit down again and talk to Jim, and as much as it pains me to say it, I would like to see Arthur again. We didn't exactly start off on the right foot and I can't blame him. I don't know how I would handle it if a daughter I never knew existed just appeared out of the blue."

  Tanner leans back in his seat. "Memphis, there are things you need to know about Arthur and the Peterson Company. I know Jim offered you a percentage, but I think we should talk before you think about taking any of it."

  "Now is not the time." Jasper slashes his hand through the air. "We can do this later. Tonight is for forgetting about all that mess, letting go, and having fun."

  I tip the bottle the waitress placed down in front of me to Jasper. "Here, here. Now, who's going to be the first one brave enough to teach me a couple moves?"

  Cain laughs and grabs my hand, pulling me out of the booth. "I'm the best one for teaching you how to dance. Neither one of these jerks can two-step out of a paper bag."

  "Cain," he leans down to hear me better, "I have no idea how to two-step. I'm not sure I've even seen it done before."

  The shocked look on his face causes me to roll my eyes. Really? You would think I told him I didn't know something important. Who knew Cain took his two-stepping this serious. "Memphis." He speaks to me with a look of determination on his face. "By the time I'm done with you tonight, you will be country dancing like nobody's business. These fools out here won't know what hit them."

  I follow Cain out to the dance floor and it takes me all of two minutes to know this is not for me. Poor Cain refuses to give up, but by the time I’ve stomped on his poor foot for the hundredth time, he guides me back to our booth where Jasper and Tanner are trying hard to cover up their laughter. "It's not funny, guys. It's almost like she doesn't have a single rhythmic bone in her body. It's not normal."

  "It's her first time trying, Cain," Tanner says with a huff. "Give her some time and don't give up just yet." Tanner looks at me and I bet the fact that my eyes are about to bug out of my head is what makes him start to crack up all over again. "Or maybe not." That makes us all start laughing.

  "I'm really sorry, Cain. I want to learn to dance like that for you, but I don't think my body is meant for it. Or maybe it's just going to take a lot more practice for me to get the hang of it."

  "You're right, Memphis. You need practice, and not in some bar with a bunch of other people. We can practice at your hotel. I'll have you two-stepping and line dancing before you know it."

  Cain looks so proud of himself. I don't have the heart to tell him there is no way I'm going to learn how to do any of that. He seems so determined and excited over the idea, that I decide to let it go and try for him. Looking at Cain and seeing his smile light up his face is my undoing. Dang it. I'll give him one lesson. "Fine. I'll let you teach me to country dance."

  Jesus take the wheel.

  I’m just sitting down to my morning coffee where there is a knock on my hotel room door. I’m not expecting Cain to pick me up for another hour. Curious to who my visitor could be, I head to the door and look out the peephole. He knocks again before I pull myself together enough to open the door. Once I finally get my wits about me, I turn the doorknob to reveal Arthur. I open the door all the way and extend my arm as an invitation for him to enter. I don’t really want to deal with him this early in the morning, but color me surprised that I may actually want to hear this man out.

  “Arthur.”

  “Memphis.” He steps into the room, looking around, almost like he’s looking for something or someone.

  “What can I do for you, Arthur? I didn’t realize you were stopping by.”

  Arthur clears his throat before taking a seat at the single chair by the desk. I decide to stand, giving myself a burst of confidence I don’t really have. I can only imagine what he wants. Maybe it’s too much for his other family, my being here, and he wants me to leave? Did Gretchen run to him whining about me being with Tanner?

  “I want you to accept the offer from Jim.”

  Sitting might be a good thing, so I cross the room and plop down on the bed. “Excuse me? Do you mind repeating what you just said?”

  Arthur leans over, placing his elbows on his knees, steepling his fingers together. “I know Jim offered you a percentage of the Peterson business. I want you to accept it, then sell your shares to me. I’ll give you a decent amount for it, then
I want you to go back to Wisconsin and never return.”

  I sit on my hands to hide the trembling. I know this man did not just come here to ask, no, not ask, tell me to do this. “You have a lot of nerve, Arthur. First off, why would I ever do something like that? Better question, why do you want what Jim is offering me? Do you not own enough of your own company? Is this for your daughters?” I ask snidely. After the first dinner with him and his family I knew there would never be a chance for me to be accepted into his home, much less his family.

  “I don’t need to explain anything to you, Memphis. I only need you to accept Jim’s offer, sell it to me, and go home.”

  “Yeah, that’s not going to happen. I realize you know absolutely nothing about me, but if you did, you would understand that I can’t take anything from Jim. I don’t even know him.”

  “It doesn’t matter if you know him or not. Just take it, Memphis.”

  “Why? Tell me why, Arthur. The truth would be nice.”

  Arthur lets out an exhausted sigh and runs his hands over his knees. “The business is in trouble. I need your shares to get us out of some debt.” He stares at me like that should be answer enough.

  I blink at him a few times, trying to figure out what game he’s playing. “That was only a half, if that, answer. The truth, Arthur, or you can go ahead and see your way out.”

  With a grunt, he stands and makes his way to the coffee maker, pouring himself a cup from the pot I brewed just before he got here. I glance over to the dresser to see my own forgotten cup. Once he’s done making his drink, he turns back to stare at me again. He must think it’s intimidating. How funny. “You don’t need all the details, just know the business is in a lot of debt, and I need what Jim is offering you to get us out of it.”

  “If the business is that bad, why don’t you tell Jim and the two of you work something out? Why involve me at all?”

  I watch his face for anything it may give away. His eyes narrow for just a fraction of a second before he walks back to the chair, getting comfortable once again.