Stacked Up: Worth the Fight Series

by Sidney Halston

  “Sure. She has a good mom. Why wouldn’t she be? All I’m saying is, she needs toys.”

  Travis nodded and sat back to watch the princess movie with his friends and this new addition to his world.

  —

  Olivia reminded Penny of JL, and they hit it off immediately. Olivia was married and had a two-year-old girl and a seven-year-old boy. She had been working at Ruby’s for ten years, she told Penny; she’d started as a stripper, but, as she put it, “no one wants to see a C-section scar and saggy tits,” so she’d asked to be transferred to bartender. The woman looked like she worked out ten times a day, and Penny doubted that she looked anything less than perfect naked even after two kids, but she seemed happy as a bartender.

  A little later that evening Darlene walked in, even perkier than last time. “Hi! Yay! You started today.” She pranced up and gave both Olivia and Penny loud smacking kisses on their cheeks. “If you need anything, just let me know, ’kay?” She headed out to the floor, her bare breasts bouncing as she walked.

  “Goodness,” Penny muttered under her breath.

  Olivia chuckled. “Darlene’s good people. Not the sharpest pencil in the box, but good to the core,” she said as she wiped down the counter. “Joe told me you were a little shy. If you’re going to work here, you’ve got to try to loosen up.”

  “I’m still getting used to all of it, but I’ll be fine,” Penny said as she read over the menu of specialty drinks.

  “Remember, the more you flirt the bigger the tips. You don’t have to sleep with them, just pretend you’re going to.”

  Penny scrunched up her face. “I don’t know if I can do that,” she admitted.

  “Sure you can.” Olivia put down her rag and reached for Penny. “May I?” she asked, and Penny nodded.

  As Olivia took off Penny’s headband, and fluffed her hair with her fingers, Penny told her, “I’m trying, and it’s not like I don’t want to. I just don’t really know how to.”

  Olivia took a pair of scissors and cut Penny’s tank top right between her breasts, creating a V.

  “What are you doing?” Penny shrieked.

  “You have small boobs, so I’m helping them out a little.” Olivia reached out toward Penny’s chest, but Penny took a step back, and Olivia laughed.

  “Okay, do this.” Olivia cupped her own boobs and pushed them up. Apprehensively Penny did the same thing. Judging from the reflection in the mirror above the bar, it made her look sexier, not vulgar.

  “Now go put on some eyeliner and mascara and lipstick,” Olivia ordered, handing her a small bag of makeup.

  Once she was done, Penny thought she would blend in much better now. Granted, the red lipstick was a little much; she decided that she would go buy something a little more subtle for next time. But all in all she liked the new look and hoped she’d be able to get used to it.

  —

  It was toward the end of the shift and Olivia had gone to the stockroom when three men walked in.

  “Three shots of tequila,” one of the guys yelled out.

  “You new?” the best-looking one of the three asked. He smiled brightly as he took a seat at the bar.

  “Yes. First day.” She remembered she needed to be friendly. “You three are my first customers.”

  “Well, we’re honored to pop that cherry,” the third guy said with a laugh. “How about you join us for a shot in honor of your first day?”

  “No, thank you,” she replied as she poured the drinks. The guys pouted and booed.

  “Hey, y’all!” Olivia rounded the corner, and as soon as the three men saw her they leaned in and hugged her. “You being nice to Penny over here?”

  “Penny, huh?” the cute one said. “Pretty name for a pretty girl.”

  Her face reddened, and she looked down to put away the bottle.

  “I think you embarrassed her, James. Be nice. She’s shy.”

  “Shit, sorry. I was just teasing you.” He reached over to squeeze her hand. Penny looked up and smiled nervously. “No, no. It’s fine. I’m fine.” She pushed the drinks toward them, but her nervousness caused her to spill one of the shots. The guys hollered and laughed playfully. “You know what that means—you have to drink with us now!”

  “No, really, it’s—”

  “Come on, gents, let’s loosen her up a bit,” Olivia said, pouring three more shots: one for the spilled one, one for herself, and one for Penny.

  The others all tipped their heads back and downed the liquid, but Penny hesitated before following suit. She coughed and grimaced for a second as the liquid warmed her. A few minutes later she felt a lot more relaxed and light on her feet. The men stayed by the bar talking with her and laughing as she continued to read through the menu.

  “Looky there. It’s the town’s newest celebrity, Texas Calhoun,” Olivia announced with a whistle.

  Penny looked up and saw Travis coming toward her, and she couldn’t help the smile that instantly spread on her face. He wore his cowboy hat, a white button-down, and jeans.

  “Travis, buddy, how are you?” The men stood and shook hands with him. Apparently they all knew each other.

  The cute one turned to look at Penny. “And this beautiful lady is Ruby’s newest addition, Penny. She’s shy,” he added, reaching out and throwing an arm around her.

  Travis, who had had a smile on his face, glared at the man, his smile instantly gone. “I’m very familiar with Penny,” Travis growled, his eyes locked on Penny. He pulled her by the arm. “You ready to go, momma?”

  “Oh, shit. Sorry, man. Didn’t mean anything by it. I didn’t know you were together.”

  Penny began to say, “We’re not—”

  But Travis interrupted, saying to the man, “Now you know.”

  “Let me go grab my purse.” She walked around the bar just as Olivia was finishing up with some customers.

  “You and Travis, huh?” Olivia asked quietly.

  “Kind of just friends,” she answered. But her voice reflected the fact that she wasn’t even sure herself what the heck they were to each other.

  “Doesn’t look that way to me,” Olivia said, and nodded over to where Travis stood waiting. “The man looks like he wants to show every single man here that you’re taken.”

  “Oh, don’t be ridiculous. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Bye, honey. You did good today.”

  “Olivia.” Travis tipped his hat toward the other bartender. “Gentlemen. See you around.” Then he took Penny’s hand and led her out of Ruby’s, slipping the baseball caps back on both their heads.

  When they were out of Ruby’s and by his truck, he turned her around. “Let me look at you, sugar.”

  She felt her skin warm as he examined her. “Love this,” he said, lightly touching the torn material of her shirt. “The hair…it’s different, but you look nice. Don’t like that red shit on your lips, though. I told you that you looked sexy and didn’t need to do all this, but damn, you look good.”

  She touched her lips and frowned. “You don’t like the lipstick?” She didn’t particularly like it either, but that didn’t mean he needed to tell her.

  “You’re too nice for that,” he said, kissing her cheek. “Plus, I want to kiss you, but with that shit on your mouth I can’t without getting it on both of us. Not that I care much, but I don’t think you want to go home with your skin all stained like that.”

  That was sort of sweet and sort of not, she thought. But that was Travis: sweet and crass. Once inside the truck, she pulled out a baby wipe from her purse and began to wipe her lips. “How was Belle?”

  “Good. We watched two princess movies and then she fell asleep.”

  “Oh, good. So, no problems?”

  “None. Violet might move in just to spend time with her, though,” Travis said, and Penny laughed. Then he added, “You hungry, momma? You had a long night.”

  “Nah, I’m okay.”

  “How did it go?”

  “Really well. Everyone was ver
y nice and friendly. I hate to think of all the things I missed out on because of my strict upbringing and preconceived beliefs.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I was home-schooled, so my friends were all from a world like mine. The books, music, and television I saw and heard had to be approved first. My world was very small until I left it altogether. Now I’m realizing everything isn’t black and white.”

  “No, there’s definitely gray.”

  She took his hand, the one that held the gearshift, and kissed his wrist where a colorful tattoo ended. “Yes, there’s gray. But more than that, I’m learning that there’s a whole palette of colors out there. Something for everyone’s taste, and none of it is particularly right or wrong, just different.”

  “And you’re liking different?”

  “I am. I feel like I’m seeing everything for the first time. It’s kind of overwhelming sometimes, and a little scary, but all my experiences have been positive. I’m glad that Belle will be raised with her eyes open. Protected, of course, but open to lots of different experiences. She can make educated decisions when she’s an adult—unlike me, whose life was decided for me.”

  He looked out the window for a moment, and then pulled his hand away from her and put it back on the gearshift. “Not all experiences are good, darlin’. It ain’t smart to wear rose-colored glasses. There’s bad people out there.”

  “I know that. I’m not stupid. In fact, maybe the bad people are the ones I was living with. Lawrence and whatever it is he and Kip have up their sleeves, that’s scary. You, even with all your tattoos, your cursing—you’re not scary.”

  “I’m scary, Penny. You don’t know me well enough to say that yet.”

  “You took me and my daughter into your home. You drove me to work, you picked me up. You’re a good man, Travis.”

  They sat at a red light in silence. After a moment he turned to her, leaned over, and pressed his lips to hers. She moved toward him and parted her lips, and the kiss became more intense. He fisted her hair and she grabbed at his shirt, his hat falling off at some point. She bit his bottom lip and he squeezed the back of her neck. He pulled away first.

  “You’re playing with fire, sugar,” he cautioned as he drove to his house.

  “Why’s that?”

  “Because I don’t want to give you the wrong idea. I want you, not gonna lie. But I ain’t cut out to be much more than that—than sex. Maybe a boyfriend. But not a daddy and not a husband. You’re too good for this shit, sugar. And then you do that—you kiss like you want to kiss me. Really kiss me and just me. And it doesn’t fade. All your kisses seem to get more intense. Like you could spend hours exploring my mouth.”

  “I could.”

  “We’re supposed to be taking it slow. I need to figure shit out and so do you.”

  “You’re right.”

  He parked, jumped out, and went around to help her out. From behind her, he whispered, “Except sometimes slow is good, I reckon. You, all drowsy from sleep, your hair all over the place, naked, in my bed. And then I just slide on home and fuck you nice and slow. You wouldn’t know if you’re dreaming.”

  She closed her eyes and groaned. “Travis, you really have to stop talking like this.”

  He adjusted his jeans. “You see what I mean? I’m fucked up in the head. Stay away from me, because I sure as shit don’t know how I’m gonna stay away from you.”

  —

  The next morning, Travis woke up to a strange sound coming from his normally quiet house.

  Laughter.

  Giggles, actually.

  Since he normally slept naked, he grabbed a pair of gym shorts and padded out of his room and toward the noise.

  It was like a punch in the solar plexus. His home life growing up had been rough, to put it mildly. He couldn’t think of a single good memory of his mother. Therefore the sight in front of him was completely unusual to him. Penny stood in his kitchen, wearing big black-rimmed glasses and an ugly T-shirt, with her brown hair in a big knot on top of her head. She looked so young with a spatula in her hand, flipping pancakes while singing softly to her daughter. He couldn’t help but find it kind of funny too. The woman couldn’t sing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” to save her life.

  “Momma, you might just be the worst singer ever,” he said teasingly. She stopped dead and shifted to look at him, pushing her glasses up her nose.

  “Did we wake you? I am so sorry. The house is so big, I didn’t think you could hear—”

  “Relax,” he said, reaching into the refrigerator. “Orange juice?”

  “No, we’re good, thanks. I’m making pancakes, and there are some eggs already ready in the oven. Also, I saw those tubes of biscuits, and I baked them. I hope that’s okay.”

  He laughed. “Yeah, that’s okay. I think it’s a safe bet that anything you cook will be okay.”

  “That’s what I figured. Eating is, after all, your favorite pastime.”

  He popped an entire biscuit into his mouth. “You and I both know that eating isn’t my favorite pastime. Well, maybe eating. But not food.” He raised an eyebrow flirtatiously.

  Her cheeks turned bright red, and he realized he’d crossed a line. “Shit. Sorry.” Then he winced and covered his mouth. “Damn it. Sorry about the cursing too.”

  “This is your house, Travis. You’re being nice enough to let us stay the night. Don’t feel censored. Say whatever you want. I’m used to it—you’ve been inappropriate since we met.” She reached into the oven, took out a cast-iron pan, and began to portion out the eggs. “Is it weird that I never found your inappropriateness uncomfortable? I know I would’ve with anyone else.” She looked up at the ceiling as if she was thinking.

  “That’s ’cause you liked me and were hoping to get all sorts of inappropriate and naked with me.” He winked.

  “Maybe. But now it’s a little weird since…well…you know.”

  “Since we’ve actually been naked together and aren’t for the time being? Yes, I know. I’ll try to control my mouth.” He took another biscuit and turned to her daughter, who was sitting in her new car seat on top of the table. “So, little girl, where you going so early?”

  Penny looked over her shoulder. “I didn’t have a place to put her. Didn’t want to open the stroller and didn’t want her crawling all over the house.”

  “Why not?”

  “She likes to touch everything.”

  “So? It’s not like I’ve got fine china lying around. Let her out. Poor kid’s stuck in a car seat.” He grabbed one of the little girl’s toes, causing her to giggle. “Oh, look, she likes that.”

  “She’s really ticklish,” Penny said as she placed a plate piled high with food in front of him, then took her daughter out of the car seat and sat her on her lap. “Okay, Belle, open up,” she coaxed, holding a spoonful of eggs.

  He probably should’ve bought her a high chair, he realized, but it hadn’t occurred to him.

  “So what’s the plan today?” he asked.

  “After breakfast, if it’s okay with you, may I borrow your phone or computer or something? I want to check things online. Then, depending on what I find, I’ll take it from there.”

  “So the plan is no plan.”

  “Something like that. I guess it depends on what I find online.”

  “The only thing you need to worry about is your safety.”

  “And Belle’s,” she added.

  “Yeah, and the kid’s.” He looked down at the little girl, who had finished eating and was now pulling her mother’s hair. “I have an iPad docked in the living room. Have at it.”

  “Thank you.” She walked to the living room to get it and then sat back down in the kitchen with him as she turned it on.

  “I’m going to the Academy when I’m done eating. You think you’ll be good here while I’m gone?”

  “Yes.” She looked up at him. “I guess I’ll just watch television or something. I haven’t had nothing to do in a long time.”

>   “There’s a pool. Use it.”

  “Really?” Her face lit up.

  “Of course. Let the kid out of the house. Fresh air will do you both some good,” he said. He took a last bite and pushed the empty plate away. “This was really good.”

  “I’m glad you liked it.” She smiled, then turned her attention to the iPad. “Oh no!”

  Travis read over her shoulder.

  MISSING PREACHER’S DAUGHTER SEEN MAKING OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH CAGE FIGHTER AND BAD BOY TRAVIS CALHOUN

  Local celebrity Travis “Texas” Calhoun has been spotted dating Penelope Richards, daughter of renowned preacher Kip Owens. Penelope grew up on television alongside her father as the cameras rolled weekly to film his sermons for over five million weekly followers. Penelope is dearly beloved by her father’s community, and the community as well as her father are finally at peace that she has been found. There’s speculation about drug use or cult activity. More information as to where she’s—

  Travis turned off the iPad. “We already knew this, right? Nothing to get upset about.”

  “Kip will be here any minute now, and I’m worried that Lawrence will come back for Belle and—”

  “Darlin’, stop. You’re spiraling. Don’t think about it until we have to think about it. You’re in my home, and there’s a big gate out front. No one will get in here. Kip hasn’t even called. If you see Lawrence again, you’re going to pick up the phone and call me. For today, just hang out here, okay? Try not to think about shit.”

  —

  It was as if the world was moving all around her at hyperspeed and she was slogging through molasses. The words he said were making it into her ears but were not being processed.

  “Momma, you with me? You want me to stay home with you today? I can stay. Don’t mind.”

  She shook her head in order to get her brain moving again. “No. No! I’m okay. I’m fine.”

  “You sure? How about if you call Violet and ask her to come over? I’m sure you and the kid could use a friend.”

  “Her name is Belle. And thank you, Travis, but I’ll be fine.”