Fragile Simplicity

by Tara Neideffer

  The phone buzzed in her hand again, and she stuffed it in her purse as she headed for the door, not caring who it was. She would be seeing the important people in her life in less than an hour.

  She pulled into the crowded parking lot of The Broken Spur, wondering if there would even be an empty spot anywhere, or if she’d have to park alongside the road. It seemed this place was becoming busier and busier every weekend. She understood why. They had a great dance floor, good bands every weekend, cheap drinks, and it was out of the busy city.

  She finally came upon a tight spot along the fence to the left of the bar, and parked. She looked in the mirror and winced at her reflection. She looked like hell and she pulled out her make-up, hoping to clean herself up. The beeping of her phone reminded her of her missed calls from earlier and she slid the phone out, seeing ten missed calls, all from Brad. Shaking her head, she stuffed it back in her purse, not bothering to listen to his ranting voicemails. God, she was so over this.

  After applying some powder and foundation to fix the dark circles under her eyes, she opened the door and headed towards the main entrance of The Broken Spur.

  As she swung the door open, the loud thumping of the music blasted out, seeming to drown out her troubled thoughts. After a couple of beers, she thought she might be able to have some fun after all. She’d worry about that stupid letter, later. Even though she wanted answers, they couldn’t fix the past. She had waited thirteen years for an apology, even though it couldn’t take back what he’d done, so he could wait for her response.

  Turning her head first left, then right, she finally spotted Paige and Tyler in the far corner, just a little to the left of the bar. A small smile formed as she watched them for a minute. Paige was beaming from ear to ear as she and Tyler carried on a deep conversation. They both looked so happy and she hoped they would always be that way. There were several people sitting around them, some she knew and other’s she didn’t.

  She inhaled a long breath, telling herself that tonight was going to be good. She’d make it good, no matter what. She weaved in and out of the crowd, heading to the bar first.

  “What can I get ya?” a tall, dark haired guy asked as he wiped his hands off on a towel.

  Kyleigh didn’t need to think twice, she ordered her favorite drink, ready to get this night off on the right foot. “I’ll take a Corona with a lime, please,” she said with a smile. If it was one thing she knew how to do, it was how to cover up anything bad with positive. She had learned to do that early on in life, and now it was just who she had become.

  “Here ya go.” His smile was flirty as he slid her bottle to her in one quick motion, making his dimples show under a blanket of dark scruff, and sending her heart soaring.

  She squeezed the lime into her bottle, and said, “Thanks.” The friendliness of the good-looking bar tender was just one more step in the direction of a good night.

  Picking up her beer, she turned and headed towards the table where Paige and Tyler were. “Hey,” she said, as she slid in next to Paige.

  “I’m so glad you came,” Paige yelled over the music. “Is David coming?” she asked once she noticed Kyleigh was alone.

  “Hmm, I don’t know. He said he was going to the other night, but I haven’t talked to him today,” Kyleigh said. She quickly took a sip of her beer, hoping to cover her apprehension that he might not show.

  “Happy birthday, Tyler!” Kyleigh said as she leaned over Paige.

  “Thank ya,” he said as he saluted her with his beer.

  Kyleigh leaned forward and placed her elbows on the sticky table, watching everyone out on the dance floor as she slowly sipped her beer. She wondered what stories they had that they were trying to keep hidden. Everyone had a story, some just worse than others. She wondered if anyone’s story was similar to her own. She knew there were tons of people out there who had gone through the same thing she had, but she had yet to meet anyone personally.

  As she set her empty beer on the table, she immediately had a thirst for another. “I’m going to grab another beer, do you want anything?” she asked Paige and Tyler.

  They both shook their heads and she turned for the bar. The cute bartender was still there and before she opened her mouth, he said, “Another Corona?”

  Smiling, she said, “Yes, but I need two this time. It’s someone’s birthday over there.” She pointed towards Tyler and Paige and smiled when she saw his arm wrap tightly around Paige’s shoulders as they both laughed about something.

  “Coming right up,” he said as he quickly turned away. Kyleigh couldn’t help but notice the defined muscles showing under his tight fitted black shirt, and as her eyes scanned down to his ass, she felt someone’s hands wrap around her waist.

  “It’s not polite to stare.” David’s low, deep voice rumbled against her ear.

  She whirled around, smiling when her eyes fell on the softness of his dark brown eyes. “I was not staring,” she said as her hand went to cover her eyes in embarrassment.

  “Okay, don’t worry, I won’t let him know you were not staring,” David teased as he gripped her arms and pulled her in for a kiss.

  As she kissed him back, the tenderness in his kiss was undeniable. His lips caressed hers in a slow rhythm, touching them with softness that felt like velvet brushing against her lips, making the harsh music in the background disappear, and bringing her into a quiet, seductive world where it was just the two of them. His kiss carried on longer than normal, and his hand reached to grip the back of her head, squeezing a fistful of her hair. She felt a cold bottle hit her arm and looked up, seeing the bartender smiling and shaking his head as he turned away, leaving her two beers on the counter next to her. She turned back to David. “That was quite an unexpected surprise. I didn’t know you were into public displays of affection,” she teased as she grabbed the beers.

  “Just wanted to make sure you weren’t going to leave me for the bartender,” he said with a laugh as his arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her close against him.

  “Well, you showed up just in time, because after last night I didn’t think you were going to come, so you never know what might’ve happened,” Kyleigh said, nudging his side with her elbow.

  He leaned down and kissed the top of her head, “Yeah, well, sometimes my temper takes control and holds me hostage. I’m sorry, Ky, but I meant it when I said I’m not going to sit by much longer and let him harass you. The guy’s an ass and needs to get the hint.”

  Kyleigh shook her head, agreeing. “Yeah, he is, and I promise I’ll tell him about us soon, maybe throw a threat out there or something. I shouldn’t be dragging it on and I’m sorry, it’s just that his temper can be more than a little unnerving,” she said, bringing the Corona to her lips.

  “Ky, you know I’d never let anyone hurt you, right?” he said, tilting her chin up so her eyes met his.

  “I know, David, believe me it has nothing to do with you or our relationship. There’s just so much I’m dealing with that I don’t talk about and I just dread stirring up even more shit with him.” She tore her eyes away from his, looking out onto the dance floor at all the people dancing and having a good time.

  “It’ll be okay, Ky, I’m not gonna push you right now,” he said, running a hand through his hair.

  “Thank you, David,” she said, giving him a hesitant smile. They’d only been dating a few months and she still wasn’t sure how to deal with a guy who was as sweet and caring as he was. He had a temper, but it was never aimed at her. It was definitely something she wasn’t used to. She wanted to enjoy it, but at the same time, she found herself wondering when the storm she’d always been used to would come.

  She grabbed his hand and led him to the table where Paige and Tyler were.

  “Hey, David,” Paige said with a bright smile.

  “Hey, and happy birthday, man,” he said, giving Tyler a clasp on the shoulder.

  “Thanks, David, glad you came.”

  “And, something for the birthday g
uy,” Kyleigh said as she set the Corona down in front of Tyler.

  “Perfect timing, Kyleigh, thanks,” Tyler said as he set his empty beer off to the side and squeezed the lime into his Corona.

  “Tyler!” Paige squealed, smacking his arm as juice flew into her face.

  Tyler looked at her and laughed before tossing her a napkin.

  “Thanks, Tyler,” Paige said, laughing. “Here you guys can take our seat because this guy is going to dance with me,” Paige said as she pulled Tyler up by his arm.

  Kyleigh and David slid into their spot and she watched as Tyler headed towards the dance floor without protest, quickly grabbing Paige’s hand and leading the way. Resting her chin on her hand, she said, “Aren’t they so cute together?”

  “Sure, I guess,” David said with a chuckle.

  “They love each other so easily; I don’t think I’ve ever seen a young couple with such a simple, easy love towards each other. It’s almost like they’ve already been loving each other their whole lives,” Kyleigh said as she watched Paige and Tyler slow dance out on the crowded dance floor.

  David’s warm breath against her ear caused her to shiver as he whispered, “Ky, we can have that same, simple love. I just think we need to open up more to each other. I think there’s a lot of stuff hidden under the surface. I want you to know that I care a lot about you.”

  Turning her head just enough so that her lips were inches from his, she stared into the depths of his brown eyes, seeing hints of blue and green swirled together, wondering if that was even possible. She didn’t know, and after a few moments she said, “David, you mean everything to me, and maybe one day we will let each other in more, but everything about my life right now is so fragile that I don’t even know where to start. There’s so much holding me down that I’m not sure I can ever have a simple love, it always seems like it’s on the verge of shattering at any moment. I wouldn’t know what a simple love was if it slapped me in the face, and I definitely don’t expect it right now.” Her voice was soft, matching the softness in her touch as she reached for his hand.

  He stared at her for a long moment, a look of knowing in his face, almost as if he knew what she meant but wanted to hear her express it herself. He turned his attention out to the dance floor for a few minutes, and as he brought his gaze back to her, he licked his lips and said, “Ky, I wish one day you would open up to me and tell me what all you’re going through. What it is that holds you back from letting yourself love me completely.”

  Giving him a small smile, she shoved her index finger into his chest and said, “This, coming from someone who holds just as much in as I? Mr. Madison, I have a feeling you have your own secrets that need to be shared.”

  He grabbed her finger and held it to his lips, lightly pressing a kiss to it and said, “Ah, Ky, so few can read between the lines like us. Which tells me how much we have in common. Maybe one day, we’ll trust each other enough to spill everything we have bottled up. Until then, come dance with me.”

  He grabbed her hand and pulled her up. She swallowed the last bit of her Corona, which filled her mouth with the sourness of the lime, causing her to scrunch her face, and then followed behind him to the dance floor. She didn’t know if that time would ever come, when they both felt safe enough to share the demons of their past, or if they would even be together that long, but she knew if she were to ever open up to anyone, she would want it to be him.

  Chapter 4

  Losing Control

  Knocking back his sixth shot of tequila, David winced as the alcohol lit a flame down his throat. He turned his head toward the dance floor, watching Kyleigh and Paige dance. He leaned back in his seat, kicking his feet out in front of him as he tried his best to relax. It was getting harder and harder these days. Ever since his brother, Randy, died, he found it almost impossible to relax without the help of alcohol. He knew he was playing with fire by relying on it, but he also didn’t think he could get through all his inner turmoil on his own. And alcohol dulled those nagging thoughts.

  “Have you been doing much riding lately?” Tyler asked over the blaring music.

  David brought his attention back to the table, and said, “A little, not as much as I’d like, but I just haven’t had a lot of time, with all the work I’ve got piling up. It seems everyone else’s bike always comes before mine.” David took a sip of his beer, thinking about all the Harley’s waiting for him at the shop that he had yet to fix and repaint.

  “That’s usually how it goes,” Tyler said, and then added, “I’ve got three sections of fence around my property that need replaced, but I’m just too busy with everyone else’s property.”

  “So, it sounds like business is going good on your end,” David said.

  Tyler sighed and leaned back into his chair, cradling the bottle of Corona in his hands as if he could find his answer in the alcohol. David watched him, thinking he’d found a lot of answers in alcohol lately. Whether or not they were the right answers, he didn’t quite know yet.

  “Yeah, it’s going all right. Staying busy is always a plus,” Tyler finally said. The long pause and vague answer told David there was more to it than that, but he didn’t push for answers. It wasn’t really his business. He didn’t know Tyler all that well, but from what he could tell, he seemed like a nice guy. He’d better be, if he wanted to continue being around his niece. Kyra meant the world to him and he would do anything in his power to keep her safe.

  “Hey, Tyler, happy birthday, man!” a guy yelled as he came up and patted Tyler on the back. David took that moment to go to the bar and grab another beer, not that he needed one; it was more that he wanted one.

  “I’ll take a Corona,” David yelled as he slipped the guy a five. The bartender set his beer down and David took it, leaning against the bar as he watched Kyleigh. Her back was to him and he couldn’t help but notice how the tight, dark jeans she was wearing seemed to fit her ass perfectly. The burgundy shirt she wore was just low enough to show some cleavage, but not too much to be trashy, and showed off her lightly tanned skin. He watched her ass sway back and forth as she and Paige danced to some hip-hop song they were playing for some reason. The place was packed and the more he watched her dance, the more he was ready to leave and take her back to his place. He looked at his watch, saw it was only midnight, and took another drink of his beer. He still had another few hours left, and at this rate, he’d be too drunk by then to make any moves on her.

  As soon as he saw her head fly back and her chest shake side to side in a flirty dance move, he’d had enough. He couldn’t take it any longer. He took off towards the dance floor, staggering for a brief second as the alcohol tried to take him over, but he regained his balance and continued towards her. Dodging a few people who were too drunk to know where they were, he finally got behind her, grabbing her arm and pulling her around to face him. “I’ve never seen anyone as gorgeous as you. Dance with me or let me take you back to my place right now,” he said as he pulled her close to him.

  Seeing the heat smoldering in her dark brown eyes, he almost lost his cool and forgot where he was and took her right there on the dance floor. It was obvious she’d had a few, just enough that she felt comfortable enough to let loose, but not enough to where she was shit faced drunk. She rarely let that happen. She always let herself get close to the edge, but unlike him, she could control herself.

  “David, you’re drunk,” she said with a laugh.

  “I’m not that drunk, and it wouldn’t matter if I was completely sober, I’d still think you’re the most gorgeous woman ever.” His lips brushed against her neck as he talked, and one corner of his mouth lifted when he saw her skin prickle at his touch.

  Wrapping her arms around his neck, she moved her hips back and forth against him, a playful, seductive look in her eyes that enticed him to do something about it. He clenched his teeth together, trying to fight back the urge to bend her over on one of the sticky tables, in front of everyone.

  “Why can’t we do
both? Dance for a bit then you take me back to your place,” she questioned in a soft voice against his ear.

  He gripped her waist tighter and they both began dancing to some rap song that he couldn’t understand, but it had a good beat, and right now that was all that mattered. “Because by then I will probably be too drunk to take full advantage of you,” he breathed against her ear. He heard her moan softly and he slid his lips down her neck, not caring who was watching. They were in their moment and it couldn’t be any better than right now.

  “If you don’t calm down, I’m going to be dragging you out of this place,” she said bringing her face up to meet his.

  He sighed as he saw the need in her eyes, felt it in her touch and the way the air seemed to change around them. He felt like they were in their own world and no one else was around. He never thought he would have this type of experience with someone. But with Kyleigh, letting his guard down seemed so effortless for him.

  “I’d like to see you do that, and don’t worry, I won’t put up much of a fight,” he teased, skimming his hands down her arms. Her soft skin was a huge contrast to the hard calluses of his hands. Working on motorcycles all day had done a number on his fingers, but she never seemed to mind.

  “Mm, hmm, I doubt you would, but we should probably stay a little bit and socialize before we go back to your place and spend the rest of our night alone like two sex crazed hermits,” she said, and then brought her lips to his.