Her Maine Reaction

by Rebecca Gannon

“Sorry, I just don’t want you stranded out there and then freeze to death.”

  “Wow, thanks for that image. It’s safe to say I won’t be wandering around. Trust me.”

  “Okay.” She smiles. “Now, a huge storm is coming in a day or two.”

  “That’s okay. I’ll just raid the bookshelves, drink wine by the fireplace, and relax. I could use that.”

  Ally’s face drops. “I’m sorry this happened to you. What the hell is with that guy?”

  “I don’t know.” I shrug. “I knew he was interested in me, considering he asked me out every damn night I was there, but…” I shake my head. “Whatever. I handled it, and I need to move on. Again.”

  “You’ll find something.”

  “Not in the field I want. You know that.”

  “Sorry.”

  “It’s fine,” I say quickly. “I don’t want to talk about it. Thank you so much for asking Dottie for me.”

  “Of course.” She smiles. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

  “I already stopped at the café on my way here and told Courtney we needed to have a girl’s night at the bar. So, when are you free? Can you pull yourself away from Jake?”

  “Yes.” She laughs. “How about tonight? Or are you too tired?”

  “No, I’m not. I could really use a night out after everything.”

  “Perfect. I’ll pick you up at seven? We’ll have dinner and drinks.”

  “A lot of drinks,” I correct.

  “Yes, a lot. Sorry.” She laughs. “Okay, I’ll text Courtney and tell her the plan. Now, let me help you bring your stuff in so you don’t have to take more than one trip out into the cold.”

  “Thank, God. I don’t think I’ll be leaving this house much unless it’s necessary.”

  Taking just one trip, Ally and I manage to haul in my two big suitcases to the pink room. She’s right, I did want that one.

  Dottie’s cottage has two bedrooms, each virtually the same, with light brown wooden dressers, paintings of flowers on the walls, a floral patterned rug, and wrought iron beds with big, fluffy floral comforters on top. The only difference being that one is pink, and the other is purple.

  “Did you bring enough shit, Ashley?” She jokes.

  “Shut up. Yes, I did bring enough. I brought all of my winter stuff. I didn’t know what to expect. You made it sound like the arctic tundra, which to be fair, it kind of is. So I’m glad I brought everything.”

  “Don’t be dramatic,” she says, rolling her eyes.

  “Dramatic? My face is frozen and my nipples have been as hard as rocks since I got here.”

  “Ashley!” she exclaims, laughing. “Okay, I’m going to go. But I’ll be back soon.”

  “Alright. Go make out with your man and I’ll just be here freezing and figuring out what people wear to go out in when you can’t show any skin for fear of exposure.”

  “You’ll figure something out. I believe in you.” She jokes, closing the door behind her.

  Chapter 3

  Looking in the mirror, I do a little twirl and smile, fluffing my hair. Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean I can’t be cute. I went with a short black and white plaid woven wool skirt, sheer tights, black suede over the knee boots, and a tucked in, tight burgundy turtleneck sweater. My boobs look good, my waist looks slim, and the boots make my legs look longer. And luckily, the tights make what would be an inappropriately short skirt sexy, not slutty.

  My naturally curly brown hair is long and wild, and I only put on a little extra makeup than usual to make my hazel eyes pop. I’ve been known to draw men in with the mysterious gold, brown, and green colors of my eyes, and over the years, I’ve learned to use them to their full advantage.

  But they’ve also gotten me into some trouble this past year. Jackass men tend to think that just because I smile and make eye contact with them, it means I want to fuck them every which to Sunday. They always say they knew I wanted them, that it was in my eyes. The most notable examples being my last two bosses. Fucking dicks.

  Hearing my phone buzz on the bed, I pick it up to see a text from Ally saying she’s here. I throw my lipstick and phone in my purse and walk around the house to make sure the back door and all of the windows are locked before slipping on my coat and scarf.

  Stepping out onto the porch, I lock the door behind me.

  Holy balls it’s cold! Maybe sheer tights wasn’t the best idea.

  Hurrying to her car, I climb in, rubbing my hands together. “I need food and alcohol. ASAP.”

  “Me, too. Courtney is meeting us there. She had to run home to change, and then I think Jack is driving her.”

  “Good. Because we’re going to get fucked up, and we’ll need a ride home later.”

  Shaking her head, Ally smiles. “At least we’ll be responsible about our inebriation.”

  “Exactly.”

  ∞∞∞

  Walking into The Rusty Anchor, I smile, loving that it’s just as I remember it. The floors are a dark wood that matches that of the ceiling and the horseshoe shaped bar at the far end of the room. Two pool tables separate the bar area from the twenty or so tables that are scattered on the side closest to the door, and the walls are a deep navy blue, and are lined with neon signs, posters, and all sorts of nautical memorabilia.

  Choosing a table closest to the bar, we take our jackets off and sit. Looking around, I take in the people, not sure if I’m hoping, or dreading, to see the familiar face of a certain Pine Cove resident.

  “Looking for someone?” Ally asks.

  “Oh, no. Just looking around,” I quickly say, standing. “I’ll get the first round.”

  Walking up to the bar, I see that the sexy bartender, Alex, is still working here.

  “You’re back.” He smiles, his emerald green eyes gleaming mischievously. “And just as beautiful as I remember.” And he’s just as good looking as I remember. His dark hair, green eyes, and tattoos scream ‘a good time with a bad boy.’ But sadly, he doesn’t even compare to Ryan. Not even close.

  “I am.” I smile back.

  “Just you this time? Not the whole entourage?”

  “Yeah, just me. I needed a break, and Ally invited me up,” I tell him. “I’ll have a Jack and coke, and Ally will have–”

  “A gin and tonic. Her usual.”

  “Yeah.” Watching him make our drinks, I smooth my hands down the sides of my skirt and look around again. I don’t know why I want to torture myself this way. I want to see him, and I don’t want to see him. I want to kiss him, and I want to slap him.

  Oh, for fucks sake, what I want is for him to pin me up against the wall and take me the way he did all those months ago.

  “Here you go, gorgeous. The first round is on me.” Alex winks, sliding the two glasses towards me.

  “Thanks, Alex.” I smile, turning back to Ally, seeing that Courtney has arrived.

  “Hey, Ash,” she greets, taking her coat off and hanging it on the back of the chair.

  I place the two drinks down on the table. “Hey. Let me get you a drink. Alex said the first round is on him.”

  “Of course he did,” she says, rolling her eyes.

  “A free drink is a free drink.” I laugh, walking back up to the bar and flagging Alex down. “I need a drink for Courtney now, too.”

  “So, I should expect it to be a wild night then?”

  “Yup. Just keep ‘em coming.”

  Shaking his head, he smiles, and makes a drink for Courtney without even having to ask what she wants.

  “Thanks.” I smile. “I promise we’ll be good.”

  “But you won’t be.”

  “I know.” Shrugging, I smile and flip my hair over my shoulder and walk back to the table.

  “Thanks,” Courtney says when I hand her her drink. “So, what’s new with you? What sparked this impromptu trip?”

  I shrug, taking a sip of my rum and coke, letting the liquor warm my insides a little. “I just needed to get away.”

  “There�
�s more to it. Spill.”

  “Wow, did you wear Ally down too when she first came here?”

  “Yes. So spill.”

  My eyes dart to Ally, and she just shrugs, letting me decide my fate. “Fine.” I sigh. “I quit my job. My manager had been hitting on me every night after my shifts for the past six months, and then the other night, he took matters into his own hands.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “He tried to force himself on me, and so I kneed him in the balls and punched him in the face. Then I stole all the tips from that night and ran out of there like I was on fire.”

  “Are you serious? What a fucking dick!”

  “I know. And that wasn’t the first time this happened to me. This year, actually.”

  Her eyes widen. “What?”

  “Long story. But I’ll just say that my previous boss thought it was okay to force himself on me too.”

  “What the hell is with these guys?”

  “I don’t know. But the bartending job was the best one I could find. They’re always packed, so the tips were really good. But now I don’t know what I’m going to do. I already had to move in with my mom to save money when I started that job. And now I’m unemployed and live at home. At 28.” Taking a long drag from my drink, I lean back in my chair and close my eyes.

  “There’s no shame in that, Ashley,” Ally says. “That was me last year, and look at me now.”

  “Yeah, but you had a choice in everything that happened.”

  “I was fired, Ash.”

  “Yeah, but you were able to choose what you did next. I don’t have that luxury.

  “But you’ll figure it out.”

  “That’s easy for you to say. You’re not banned from your profession because of a handsy dick, or was forced to quit the only other well-paying job in the area because of another handsy dick.” Sucking down the rest of my drink, I get up to go get another one. Thinking about my situation makes me want to down an entire bottle of wine, and then wash that down with five shots of tequila.

  “Alex, I need another one. And a shot of tequila.”

  He raises his eyebrows. “That bad, huh?”

  “What?”

  “Why you’re here.”

  “Maybe.” I shrug. “I don’t know.”

  “Well, tequila is always a good start for solving your problems.” He slides a shot glass, lime wedge, and salt shaker towards me. But I down the shot plain, not needing the lime or salt. I like the burn of the tequila as it slides down my throat and pools warmly in my stomach.

  “I’ll be back in a little while for another,” I tell him, grabbing my rum and coke and taking a sip.

  “I like a woman who can handle her tequila.” His voice dropped a few octaves, and it vibrates through me in a way I wish turned me on like it would have before Ryan.

  “I bet you do. But you can’t handle me.”

  “You could let me try. I’m sure you’d see otherwise.”

  “Thanks, but no. I’m not really getting involved with any men right now.”

  “Ah, so your drinking has to do with a man, then.”

  “Maybe. But not because I got my heart broken or some shit like that. They’re just fucking assholes.”

  He smiles wide, showing off his perfect, white, straight teeth. “Assholes are the most fun, baby.”

  “Oh my God.” I roll my eyes. “You’re hot, Alex, I’ll give you that. But I’m not in the market for a man, or a fling. Just alcohol and my friends.”

  “Alright, let me know if that changes, though.” He winks. “I can help you forget your problems for an hour or two.”

  Laughing, I grab my drink and step away. “You’re relentless. I’ll let you know if I need your services, slick.” I know I won’t, though.

  Nodding, he winks and moves down the bar to help someone else.

  Courtney wags her eyebrows at me when I sit back down. “So, Alex?”

  I wave her off dismissively. “Oh, he’s a harmless flirt who wants to show me how assholes can rock my world or some shit like that.”

  “What?” she sputters. The sip she was taking dribbles down her chin, and she quickly reaches for a napkin to blot it away.

  “Yeah, but I turned him down.”

  “You did?” Ally asks, sounding incredulous. “Why?”

  “What? You think I have sex with anyone who gives me attention?”

  “Don’t get defensive. I just thought you may want a distraction while you’re here.”

  “Oh, she has one already. Right, Ashley?” Courtney’s eyes dance with mirth. Shit. I forgot she saw what happened earlier in the café with Ryan.

  Ally’s confused eyes dart back and forth between Courtney and I. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean,” Courtney continues, “that Ashley has her eyes on another Pine Cove hottie.”

  “I do?” I ask innocently.

  “Who?” Ally asks.

  “No one.”

  “Who?”

  Sighing, I lean back in my chair and sip my drink. I didn’t plan on spilling this secret tonight–or ever.

  “Ashley?” Ally asks again.

  “Ryan,” I mumble.

  “What?!” she shrieks, slapping her hands on the table. “How? Why? When? What?”

  “Shut up, Ally! Geeze.”

  “Well, what the fuck, Ash?”

  “She was all flustered and nervous this afternoon when she ran into him at the café. It was cute.”

  “It wasn’t,” I shoot back, narrowing my eyes.

  Ally pins me with a stare. “Why were you flustered?”

  “Because last year at the barbecue, we sort of…uh…hooked up.” When I came with Ellie and Mel to visit Ally last summer over Memorial Day Weekend, we all went to the Taylor family barbecue at Jake and Ryan’s parent’s house. “I may have let my drunken confidence take charge over me.”

  “What?!” she shrieks again. “Ashley! Why did you never tell me? Wait, you had sex with him that same night you first met? At his parent’s house?”

  “Make me sound a little sluttier, why don’t you? I couldn’t help it.” I sigh. “I’d never seen a sexier man in my life. And I thought it’d just be a quick thing, and I’d get it out of my system.”

  “But?”

  “But…I’m going to need another shot. Be right back.” Walking up to the bar, I order two more shots of tequila and knock them back before returning to the table. “I’ve never experienced anything like him before. And I haven’t stopped thinking about him since.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah.” My voice comes out small and resigned. It feels good to actually admit this out loud. “I finally found a man who captures my attention–fully–but he lives here, and I don’t. He was amazing, too. He was like a fucking animal in those woods. I had scrapes on my back for weeks.”

  “Wait. That was you in the woods?” Ally smiles, covering her mouth with her hand.

  “Yeah?”

  “Jake and I were out there too.” She giggles. “And when we were walking back to the party, we heard two people going at it.”

  “I guess brothers think alike.” I laugh, but then sigh. “And then we parted ways and never spoke again. Not that I expected us to or anything. Trust me, I’m not delusional. I’m just pissed. I went on dates, tried kissing other guys, but all I could think about was Ryan.” Rubbing my forehead, I start to feel the effects of the tequila and rum.

  “Well, you’re here, and he’s here. You could always just do it again and see if it was a one-time thing, or if you actually feel something for him.”

  “Seriously?” I ask, not sure if I heard her correctly.

  “You should do it,” Courtney agrees. “You two were practically eye fucking each other this afternoon.”

  “No, we weren’t.”

  “I’ve never seen him look at someone like that before. I’ve known him for years, and he’s always been single. Or if he wasn’t, he’s good at hiding his women. And he’s never looked at one
like he wanted to eat her alive right then and there.”

  “Holy shit! He was?” Ally asks.

  “No, he wasn’t.”

  “Yes, he was,” Courtney confirms.

  “Well, even if he was, the fact that he pulled me over five minutes later on the way to the cottage just to shove his authority in my face, makes that a moot point.”

  “Wait, he did?”

  “Yes. And then I sped away from him while he was still standing at my window. I hope he jumped back in time so I didn’t run him over.”

  “You did what?”

  Shrugging, I sip my drink again. “He was pissing me off with his sexiness, so I drove off.”

  “Isn’t that illegal?” Ally asks.

  “I don’t know, and I don’t care. And we need more drinks.”

  “I’ll get them this time,” Courtney offers, leaving me alone with Ally’s hard stare on me.

  “Yes?” I ask her.

  “Ashley. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I didn’t tell anyone.”

  “Why? Do you regret it?”

  “No,” I say quickly, making her smile.

  “You know, we could devise a manipulative plan like Courtney did for me when I first got here. We can get you Ryan.”

  “Who said I want him? I’m only here for a week.”

  “And you think you’ll get attached?”

  I don’t answer. Instead, I suck down the rest of my drink and look around the room as it starts to fill up with Saturday night patrons looking for a good time. I already am attached. Hell if I know why, considering we barely spoke. But he pinned against a tree and took me like a man who just got out of prison and hasn’t seen, or had, a woman in years.

  Was it hot and sexy? Yes. Was it the best I’ve ever had? Yes. Am I getting hot just thinking about it? Yes.

  “You’re already attached, aren’t you?”

  “I barely know anything about him.”

  “Well then, let’s change that.”

  “No,” I say flatly.

  “Come on, let us,” Courtney says, placing a fresh round of drinks down on the table. “We both did it, and now we’re in love.”

  “Who said anything about love?”

  “No one. I’m just saying it could happen.”

  “I don’t need love. I have other shit to worry about.”