“Maybe. This is my busy season. But what fun is it to be your own boss if you can’t delegate?” Aaron shrugged.
“That’s right, sugar.” Joy chimed in and turned her attention to Avery.
As the men continued to discuss archery and bow hunting, Avery stuffed food in her mouth and attempted to nod at appropriate times as Joy blathered on about her cute new purse. She saw Nicole look in her direction several times. It seemed she was contemplating an escape from Jason, but she looked conflicted. After several more minutes of Jason invading her personal space, it appeared that Nicole had finally decided Joy and Aaron were the lesser of two evils. She headed in their direction with her nearly untouched plate.
“Hey.” Avery nodded to her as Nicole took the empty seat next to Aaron.
“Hi,” Aaron quietly greeted Nicole. Avery sensed it as Joy bristled next to her. She couldn’t blame Joy, and actually felt sympathy for her, given that the chemistry between Aaron and Nicole was palpable. As if confirming her interpretation, Shilah’s eyes shifted to Joy. When he made eye contact with Avery, she could tell he was entertained.
“I’m sorry, I don’t think we’ve met,” Joy said to Nicole. Her saccharine sweet voice had an edge to it, and the smile didn’t reach her eyes.
“Nicole Harper.” Nic smiled and they shook hands across the table. Somehow Nicole always seemed able to be nice, which astounded Avery. She’d never noticed the resemblance before, but seeing them together, the two women looked enough alike they could have been related.
“Joy La Rue. I’m Aaron’s girlfriend.”
“So you’re the one with the excellent taste. You have a great eye—I love what you’ve done at the cottage.”
It was an innocent comment which Avery knew she meant as a genuine compliment, but Aaron and Joy’s reactions nearly made her choke on her potato salad. Aaron’s eyes flew wide with surprise and Joy shot him a fuming look. Obviously, Joy hadn’t known he’d had another woman in his cottage. Fortunately, before another word was spoken, the loud sound of an electric guitar interrupted the conversation.
“Looks like the band’s finally here,” Avery half-shouted over the monotonous sounds of each note being played over and over again as the guitarists tuned. Joy proceeded to politely grill Nicole with a barrage of questions, such as how she’d ended up in Jefferson Point. As Nicole answered all of her questions, Aaron seemed to become more and more uncomfortable. He virtually squirmed in his seat. She and Shilah exchanged knowing smirks, as Joy continued for several minutes with the ferocity of a Nazi interrogator, but with the demeanor of a southern belle. Avery saw Jason approaching and did her best not to react, as he swooped in and wrapped an arm around Nicole, who had finally managed to take a bite of her food. Jason leaned in and whispered something in Nicole’s ear and her eyes widened. She covered her mouth and gave him a surprised sideways glance.
The afternoon continued with a variety of activities and an endless supply of booze. Nicole actively avoided Aaron after Avery pointed out Joy’s outrage on a trip to the restroom. It hadn’t occurred to Nicole that a woman as confident as Joy would be threatened by her brief visit to Aaron’s cottage. She was equally surprised that Aaron would have kept her visit a secret. Feeling embarrassed and stupid, she kept her distance from the couple, not wanting to make any more waves.
Jason kept her pretty busy. His extreme efforts to make Avery jealous were embarrassing; the more he drank, the more physically bold he became. The more Nicole drank and watched Joy hang all over Aaron, the more bummed out she was and the less she demurred at Jason’s advances. During a brief respite from his groping when the guys assembled a touch football game, she sat with Lauren and reflected about her brief past with Jason.
The only thing Nicole and Jason had ever had in common was physical attraction. The short time she’d dated him in high school had been her lame attempt to lash out at Ryan for saying they should see other people after he’d been at college for a couple of months. Their version of dating had been four months of making out whenever possible and she’d actually been careless enough to have sex with Jason a few times before they finally broke up at the junior prom. She and Avery were double dating that night and they got ready at Harper Manor. Nicole went downstairs for a drink and she overheard a conversation between Avery’s mom and Jason’s mom.
“She’s attractive in a vulgar way,” Jason’s mother said. “You should be grateful Ryan broke up with her. Now I just need to keep my Jason from knocking her up.”
She heard Ryan’s mom laugh and the ice cubes of her drink rattled against one another.
“Yes. The last thing either one of our sons needs is to be trapped by a tawdry piece of ass from the wrong side of the tracks.”
Nicole broke it off with Jason that night and he moved on to the next girl without much fanfare. It wasn’t until college that Avery and Jason became an item, and by that time their little high school fling was old news.
Avery and Shilah had been joined at the hip. They seemed to be hitting it off, and not wanting to cramp Aves’ style as a third wheel, Nicole reluctantly hung out with Jason. Aaron obviously wasn’t an option. With the exception of a couple of conversations with old acquaintances and a couple of welcome saves from Lauren, she’d been with Jason all day and was thankful for the much needed break the football game provided.
Once dusk fell and the band began to play, Jason hadn’t let her out of his sight. The moment the music started, he pulled her out on the dance floor. The band played a mix of southern classic rock and country. Jason was a skilled dancer and took advantage of his abilities to let his hands wander. Nicole became more uncomfortable by the minute and was ready to escape.
At this point in the night, only adults remained at the party. The band invited the ever-popular Aaron Foster up on stage to sing with them. Jason had gone to get them refills, and Nicole was poised for an escape to hide in Lauren’s house, but she had to hear Aaron sing. She took a seat near the door by Jules. The band began to play “You and Me” by Lifehouse. The moment Aaron opened his mouth to sing, she practically fell over; his voice was exceptional and sent chills up and down her spine. Hearing him sing took her back. Aaron often sang overly dramatic love songs to lighten the mood when she was fighting with Ryan. Nicole closed her eyes and let the sound of his magnificent talent wash over her. Moments later, she felt someone nudge her and cracked an eye open. Jules smirked at her and nodded her head in Aaron’s direction. He was staring directly at her as he sang. Nicole tried to look away from him and failed miserably. She could feel many eyes on her, but Aaron was all she could focus on. Thankfully the song ended and with a dimpled smile toward the crowd, he left the stage.
With barely a moment’s pause, the familiar chords of “Raise Your Glass” got the crowd riled up and much cheering ensued. Lauren and Avery were up dancing on the bar like Jefferson Point’s version of Coyote Ugly. Jason, still at the bar, appeared distracted by Avery’s display. Nicole used this welcome diversion to flee into the night.
She wandered away from the noisy barn into the darkness. She looked up at the clear sky and was floored at the sight of the stars. Having been in the city as long as she had, she’d nearly forgotten that it was possible to spot the constellations with the naked eye. She and Ryan used to stargaze when they snuck out together, and he’d tell her how he was going to give her the world. A chill overcame her, and she felt her eyes start to well up with tears when she heard voices approaching. In a last-ditch effort to avoid Jason, she darted between two bushes and waited for the approaching partiers to pass by.
“Can’t you just drop it? We’re here to have a good time.” It was Aaron heading her way and he sounded annoyed.
“I will if you’ll just talk to me, Aaron. Sugar, you’ve been acting strange. I don’t understand what’s changed. Two weeks ago we were talking about moving in together.” Joy’s voice wasn’t quite as sappy when she was angry, but it was still recognizable.
“I wouldn’t call you tak
ing a key off my ring a discussion on moving in together.”
“You certainly didn’t argue.” As Joy said this, they came into her line of sight and stopped right next to the bushes she was hiding behind. Nicole pressed herself against the house. If they spotted her, she would die of embarrassment.
“But then you rarely object to anything I say when I have my hands here.” Joy’s voice took on an entirely different quality and Nicole immediately looked away as she saw where Joy’s hands had traveled. There was a flurry of movement in her peripheral vision and Nicole turned back to see that Aaron had Joy by the wrists.
“This isn’t the time or the place.” Aaron seemed irritated. By the lights from the nearby shop, Nicole could see Joy’s expression of shock turn to disdain.
“It’s that Nicole, isn’t it? She turns up and suddenly I don’t exist!”
“Leave her out of this, Joy.”
“Ever since she was at your place you haven’t wanted to touch me. I don’t get it. What does she have that I don’t, besides a squalling brat and dead husband?”
Nicole could feel her cheeks burning as she felt like she’d been stabbed in the chest. She watched silently as Aaron’s face went expressionless, which she knew was a bad sign. He let go of Joy’s wrists as if she were a leper.
“Well, for one thing, she has class.” His tone was calm but firm, and Joy looked as if he’d slapped her. She turned and attempted to stalk away in the direction of the party, but due to her obnoxiously high heels, she twisted her ankle and let out a string of unladylike swear words. Aaron turned the opposite direction and stormed away deeper into the darkness. Nicole waited against the house for a few minutes, her mind racing. Could it be true that she was the cause of Aaron’s sudden attitude change? She felt all tingly and bit her lip to keep from smiling. Thinking it through for a few minutes, Nicole dismissed this idea. If he truly were interested in her, he wouldn’t have brought Joy in the first place. This sobering realization soured her mood and she sighed, relaxing back against the house. Feeling blue, she remained in her hiding spot until she was sure enough time had passed so that she could come out into the open.
Avery danced suggestively as she and Lauren played off of each other, whipping the largely male crowd into frenzy. To Avery’s astonishment, Lauren stopped dancing and chucked her aluminum beer bottle at some girl that had cozied up to Jack, her hand on his chest. Jack held Lauren back with one arm, as she jumped down off the bar and went after the girl who had the good sense to scamper off like a cockroach when the lights come on.
Avery ended her dance and the crowd and even the band applauded wildly. Shilah watched her with rapt attention. He offered his hand to help her down from the bar and when she took it, he swiftly pulled her into his arms and placed her on her feet as if she were light as a feather. She was ashamed for a minute at how much she loved being handled like a delicate flower.
When did I become such a girly girl?
“Wanna get a breath of fresh air?” he murmured in her ear and she shivered as his hot breath made her hair stand on end. She nodded. They passed Jack and Lauren, who were making out by the bar. As Shilah and Avery made their way to the door, they saw Joy shuffle into the barn, limping. She looked furious and she bumped into Jason, who paused to look at her curiously before he stumbled out of the barn. Avery slowed her approach to the door to give Jason a head start so she could be alone with Shilah.
Once outside, Shilah lit a cigarette. He looked up, his expression apologetic. “I’m trying to quit.”
She shrugged and held her hand out for one. He gave her one and lit it for her.
“I didn’t figure you were a smoker. You seem to have a lot of … stamina.”
Avery hid a smile with her cigarette.
“I’m a runner. And I only have one on special occasions.”
“So this is a special occasion?”
They stood in silence, their sights fixed on one another. It seemed like he was looking into her somehow, and instead of feeling violated, she felt eager. Shilah closed the distance between them. She was sure he would kiss her and her chest heaved as she tried to steady her breathing. She anxiously tilted her head back as he took her face in his hands, when a voice cried out in the night. They both froze and looked in the direction of the house.
“Nicole,” Avery gasped. Shilah released her and took off running, with Avery right on his heels.
When Nicole emerged from her hiding spot in the bushes, she realized a moment too late that she’d waited too long. She was face to face with Jason.
“There you are.” He gave her a lopsided grin and advanced toward her. Her head was still spinning from the scene she’d just witnessed and the hours of drinking on a mostly empty stomach.
“Jason…” Tired of his crap, Nicole backed away. She stopped as she ran into something. Looking over her shoulder, she realized she’d backed up to a tree trunk. Further retreat wasn’t an option.
“Alone at last,” Jason slurred. The day of steady liquor consumption was finally catching up to him. She suspected he’d had a couple more shots since she’d left the barn.
“Look. Avery’s not here to watch you hit on me. What do you say we go have some barbeque?” She reached for his arm and he pulled it away, placing it on the tree trunk for support.
“And miss my chance to finally get you alone? No way.” Suddenly on high alert, Nic hadn’t expected Jason to actually attempt to seduce her. She’d assumed he’d been caught up in the game, trying to piss Avery off. He pressed his body against hers and she winced at the rough, prickly surface of the tree trunk through her clothes. His face was an inch from hers and she smelled the stench of whiskey on his breath. She considered his aggressiveness from their school days, and something Avery had once told her after she ended their engagement: Jason could be a dangerous drunk.
She opened her mouth to talk him down, and as she stumbled for what to say, he brought his lips down hard on hers. She felt teeth scrape her lip and she could taste her own blood. Panic gripped her and she struggled to push him away, but Jason had always been remarkably strong. He had one hand in her hair and the other fondled her breast. She tried to push him off several times, but it just seemed to get him more aroused. Finally, in desperation, she bit his tongue. He winced and yanked his face away from hers.
“Stop it, Jason! Get off of me.”
“Now you’re gonna play hard to get? Come on, Nic. I remember how much you like this.” The mouth was on her neck and his hand gripped her hair tighter, as his other hand moved past the button of her jeans.
“No, Jason! I said no.” Nicole’s voice was harsh as she batted at his hand. In response, he pulled her hair roughly, bringing tears of pain to her eyes. She cried out and his gaze went from her zipper back to her eyes. His grip on her softened and his eyes looked almost tender.
“Hey … it’s okay to be nervous.” He stroked her cheek. “It’s probably been a long time for you … I’ll try to be more gentle.”
At that instant, she saw movement in her peripheral vision, as something large sent Jason sprawling to the ground, taking several pieces of her hair with him. Nicole blinked in pain and shock to see Aaron looming over him, his hackles up, ready to fly into a rage.
“She said no.” Aaron’s voice was quiet, with a scary quality. Nicole knew that voice and that stance. Aaron was in full battle mode, and if she didn’t intercede, he would pummel Jason to a bloody pulp.
“Come on, Aaron. Let’s go back inside.” Nicole’s voice was forcibly calm, as if talking to a wild animal. Jason was on his feet and glaring at Aaron; they were squaring off.
Fortunately, Shilah and Avery appeared and their arrival caused Jason to stop looking at Aaron, transferring his attention to Avery. Shilah stepped between Jason and Aaron, his focus on Aaron, as he gestured for him to stay back. Unflinching, Aaron didn’t even seem to see Shilah.
“What the hell, guys?” Shilah’s tone was level. Avery moved toward Nicole, but Nicole shook her head on
ce. Avery froze in her tracks, a look of comprehension on her face.
Seizing the moment, Nicole found her voice again.
“Aaron?”
“Yeah?” His voice still had an alarming tone, and he didn’t look at her.
“Can you drive?” She hadn’t seen him drink in a while and hoped he was sober.
“Yeah.” His sights still seemed pinned on Jason, who spit what she assumed to be blood onto the ground.
“Can you give me a ride home?” She reached out and took his wrist carefully. She felt him stiffen at her touch and held her breath. A moment later she saw his shoulders relax as he turned to her.
“Yeah.” He eyes were on her face, but seemed to look through her, his jaw set in a dangerous manner. She pulled him by the wrist and led him off toward the makeshift parking lot.
She glanced over her shoulder and saw Avery watching after them.
“What the hell was that about?” Shilah asked Jason.
“Aaron’s always had a hard-on for Nicole. He’s just pissed she’s been with me all night,” Jason slurred as he brushed grass off his clothes. He spit onto the ground again. He wiped his mouth and Avery wondered if he was bleeding, but in the dim light she just couldn’t tell.
“Are you all right?” Avery asked cautiously.
“Since when do you care? Why don’t you go off and live in a teepee with Crazy Horse here and have little red babies?”
Avery gaped at Jason in horror, but Shilah didn’t miss a beat.
“Navajo don’t live in teepees, asshole. Read a book.” He held Jason’s gaze, until Jason looked away with a laugh and a shrug.
“Dude, it was a joke. God, everybody’s so uptight tonight.” He staggered off toward the party.
“Shilah, I’m sorry. He’s such a jackass.” Jason’s racist rant stung. Avery wanted to express this and fumbled for the right words. He took her hand and kissed it, taking her completely off guard.
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