Lacey

THE BAR WAS THE same one that Grayson had brought me to and standard for small town America. That night it was packed to the ever-loving rafters with people, whereas I had hardly seen any in town. Alex had driven us there to meet Johnny and Vi but had told me on the drive over that we should keep our situation to ourselves. I had no idea what the situation was myself, so I’d be damned if I was sharing. I was a newly separated, jobless twenty-something with a penchant for drama, so I was hardly in a position to analyze my new sex partner. I had only had two options total, whilst in town and he beat Grayson hands down.

We made it to the bar and Alex ordered a beer; I wasn’t convinced that the wine would be decent and so I also ordered a beer. He paid although I tried to get in there first. There were people waiting behind us to get to the bar and no seats for waitress service, so we backed up a little to find somewhere to stand.

“This place is busy,” I said, taking a look around.

Alex shrugged, “It’s the only place for miles around, so I guess on a Friday it fills up.”

He didn’t look enthusiastic to be at the bar and I smirked at that. Alex wasn’t really a social kinda guy. “You hate this place?” I asked with narrowed eyes, assessing his body language further.

He sighed and looked around the bar, then gave me a deep glare when he found my eyes again. “I guess crowds aren’t my thing and I hate the feeling that people are talking about me.”

He grimaced and sucked down some beer. I shook my head with a smirk and leant in so he could hear me, “Maybe they are talking about me. I’m hotter than most of the girls they see round here.” I popped my hip out and placed my hand on it tartly.

He laughed and sipped more beer, then held his bottle up to me, “Agreed.”

I moved to lean a little closer to where he did, and my eyes roamed the room. The place was wall to wall denim, cowboy boots, checked shirts and women in floral. I probably stuck out like a sore thumb in black, leather pants and a white Bardot top. Alex looked sexy, freshly shaved and smelling like perfection, a hint of man and sweetness, my favorite flavor. He wore a black long-sleeved button down and dark jeans. He didn’t wear cowboy boots like a lot of the other guys, instead wearing some Chelsea boots which he also rocked. He was so manly that sometimes it made my tummy flip just looking at him.

Before we could chat anymore, and I could glare at the other patrons, Vi and Johnny arrived. They were giggling at something as they found us. “Hey!” Johnny said excited “usual, Vi?” he asked her.

“Thanks,” she turned to face us, and Johnny walked through the crowds to the bar. “See any haters yet, Alex?” Vi teased.

I turned and watched him, “Everyone’s a hater,” he sighed.

“You overreact,” she gave me a smirk, “no one even cares about the Millers.”

“Yeah right,” he rolled his eyes, “everyone always has something to say about my mom, then losing the farm and how thing used to be different when my grandpa was alive.”

“Screw ‘em.” I said, shrugging and smiling at Alex, “you think people haven’t talked trash about me my whole life?” I sighed, “I just smile brighter and ignore their shit.”

Vi watched me and gave me a smirk, “Well last time we came here Alex bumped into his ex, so I think he’s spooked.”

I turned my attention back to Alex and widened my eyes, “You did, huh?”

He gave me a stern look that said, really? “That’s not why I hate it here,” he grunted.

“He hates the whole town,” Vi laughed, “he never used to.”

Johnny reappeared with a glass of something and a mixer for Vi and a beer for himself. “He doesn’t hate this town, he just needs to fall back in love with it.” Johnny grinned.

“I’m done talking, let’s drink.” Alex added.

We saw a booth empty nearby and Vi hot-footed it over there, so we could move into it. We followed her, and Johnny scooted in after her so I sat by Alex.

“So how long d’ya think you’ll stay?” Johnny asked as we settled at the table and all eyes were on me for an answer.

I shrugged, “No plan. I left my job in New York and I’m actually deciding what to do next,” I added more breezily than I felt. It wasn’t unusual to be asked what my plans were. My mom was forever asking and Jessa too, but in reality I had no idea and right about now Montana felt as good a place as any. I didn’t miss the city, I didn’t miss the rat race, but I’d have to face it soon. I just upped and left, I had unfinished business.

“Oh I always wanted to visit New York City,” Vi cooed giving Johnny a coy smile.

“Well what are you waiting for?” I asked with a huge smile, “I can’t believe you’ve never been.”

“She needs to start saving,” Johnny nudged her, “and here’s me thinkin’ she wanted a wedding.”

Vi let out a huge grin, “Girls need asking if that’s what they’re saving for.”

Johnny nodded slowly, “I guess they do.”

“Jeez, John, it’s not as if you’ll find another girl round here who’ll put up with your shit,” Alex smirked.

“Well I don’t think there’s one in this state who’d put up with all your brooding and self-imposed exile,” Johnny held up his beer to Alex in a salute.

“I’m here aren’t I?” Alex sighed, and I nudged him as he sat next to me.

“You’re not too bad,” I laughed and gave Vi and Johnny a grin.

“He’s been tolerable these last few weeks, I’ll give him that.” Johnny added.

We chatted for a little longer and a second round of drinks were bought. After a second beer I stood to weave through the crowded bar to the restroom. The place was filling out with people and I had to push my way through sweaty guys in plaid shirts and girls with next to nothing on and their butt cheeks almost visible. High tits and huge hair seemed to be the norm, finished off with a pair of cowboy boots. I found the bathroom, did my business and checked my makeup in the mirror. Yep same old me and the craziness of my situation was starting to register. I was in the wilds of Montana, in some Honkytonk, the hidden sex secret of a reclusive cowboy. I bubbled a laugh in the mirror at the absurdity.

I pushed the door out into the corridor that led to the bar and a few people were scattered about there. When I reached the furor of the bar, someone yanked my arm. I turned with a hostile face at the audacity of whoever touched me and saw Grayson. He grinned seductively, and I smiled back politely, without the lust filled eyes.  “Hey,” he said bending to whisper into my ear over the noise.

“Hi,” I turned to face him, and his hand caught my back, holding me to him.

“You look gorgeous tonight,” he uttered. He smelled lovely, clean and of cologne. His body was firm and imposing, so masculine, but I knew he was a total dirtbag. He looked so good, but he definitely didn’t add up to the hype.

“Thanks,” I pulled back a little, but he didn’t release his grip.

“You are by far the most gorgeous woman in this room,” he practically growled. I was used to guys wanting me, being sleazy with me and yeah being the most hated and beautiful girl in the room. Rather than flattered though, I felt trapped by his words. I didn’t want to be chatting shit with him, I wanted to be sat at the table with Alex.

I grinned up at him.

"Thanks, you look good too.” I pulled back a little more sharply and his hand dropped, “I better get back...”

“To Miller?” He tipped his chin up to the table where I’d been and scowled. The bar was busy. I didn’t know if he could see where I’d sat from his vantage point, but clearly he’d seen me at some time.

“Yeah,” I nodded, narrowing my eyes and challenging his response.

“Guy’s a loser, he can’t satisfy a woman like you. Couldn’t keep that that damn dairy maid he’d dated forever so I doubt he’ll manage to keep you happy.” He stepped forward again and tried to take my arm, but I pulled it back sharply.

“I think that’s for me to decide,” I placed my hands on my hips, “I’m pretty sure Alex has more sex appeal in his little finger than you have in your whole body and if you touch me again without my permission, I’m gonna knee you in the balls.”

He cocked his head to the side, pulled his bottom lip into his mouth and grinned wickedly, “Feisty,” he laughed. “If that farm boy floats your boat be my guest,” he shook his head, “that little guy is welcome to ya.”

I laughed, “There’s nothing little about that guy!” I shot out, “and that milk maid he couldn’t satisfy can’t stop begging him back after the mistake that is you, so go ahead and fuck off.” I yelled as I turned to walk away.

I smirked as I swung my hips with swagger, returning to the table with my own private joke. I slipped through walls of people again, reached the table and looked up to see Alex’s lagoon colored eyes honed on me as I walked and there was a storm on his face. Sat next to him, yapping away and leaning forward with both hands flat to the table was a dark-haired girl in a red and white checked shirt and bright, red lipstick. I kept his gaze with my own eyes giving him a what’s up? look.

I walked to the end of the table and the girl just turned to look at me, “Hi.” I smiled.

“Lacey, this is Alex’s ex-girlfriend Amber,” Johnny filled in with a wide-eyed stare.

“Oh, we met in town the other week,” she swatted the air and gave me a huge grin, “I figured out you were Alex’s new boss,” she babbled. “It’s great to see everyone out,” she added giddily, looking at Johnny and Vi and then to Alex who sat by her side.

“Lacey was sitting there,” Alex said deadpan.

“Oh,” she squeaked, “my bad,” she jumped off the seat and reluctantly made way for me to scoot in next to Alex.

“You better go join your friends,” Alex added, and her face turned solemn as she glared at him.

“Can I have a word?” she asked, a small smile returning.

“No,” he shook his head and stared straight ahead, reaching forward to grab a shot of something amber that hadn’t been there when I left the table.

“Alex?!” she whined.

He turned slowly, and his face held a sour look that I hadn’t seen myself for a while, “Can’t I come out for a drink without you hanging around?” he asked through gritted teeth. “We’ve been through this.” He sighed.

“I thought we were friends,” she said, her voice wavering slightly.

He just turned away from her and I gave her an apologetic look.

“How about we go to the bar?” Vi added, hopping down from the table and walking Amber away from the rest of us.

“Harsh,” I muttered, taking a swig of my beer.

“It’s the only thing that works,” Alex growled.

Johnny didn’t speak and the air around us had become thick with tension, I assumed it was Amber until Alex spoke, “So Tyrer, huh?”

I glanced up to Johnny who gave me a nervous smile and pushed his chair back, “I’ll go help at the bar.”

“What?” I turned to face Alex and narrowed my eyes.

“I saw you guys looking cosy when you got out of the bathroom.” He didn’t look at me but just sipped his beer staring straight ahead.

“He stopped me, and I was polite,” I sighed. I was damned if I’d explain myself when Alex didn’t want to exactly label what the hell we were.

“He was whispering in your ear and you were leaning into him,” he grunted. “I hate that guy.”

“He’s a sleazeball, and I told him to let me go.” I smacked my lips together and took a deep breath, “if you’re jealous then that’s ridiculous.” I took the beer and leaned on the back of the padded bench seat we sat on.

He turned to face me and lifted his leg, so his body was turned too, “Ridiculous?” His face was hard and his eyes narrowed. He looked just edible when he was angry.

“I’m just the boss woman passing through, Alex,” I said in a low seductive voice, “your little girlfriend said as much and you yourself in the car said our situation was under wraps so any guy who wants can try his luck.”

“Not that guy,” he growled.

I laughed lightly, “So any other guy?”

“No,” he shook and lowered his head, so his unruly hair moved around, “I don’t know.”

“I didn’t like the little obsessive ex-girlfriend shit if I’m honest,” I smirked, and his eyes rested on my lips. “She’s not convinced it’s over.”

“It is over,” he rushed out, his voice getting more gravelly and his eyes roaming my face as he licked his lips.

“If it’s any consolation,” I folded my arms and grinned, “I told Grayson Tyrer that if he touched me again I’d kick him in the nuts.”

“You did, huh?” he began to smile, and my heart lifted at the sight.

“You need to trust that I know what’s good for me,” I teased, and he leant forward, his hand finding my thigh and his face so close to mine that I could feel his breath on my skin. “I thought we were keeping this to ourselves?” I asked innocently, looking up at him with doe eyes.

He grabbed my thigh a little harder and moved his hand upwards, “I’ve changed my mind.” His eyes were wild, and he dipped to kiss my lips gently.

“No wonder you don’t come into town,” I uttered against his lips, “it makes you crazy.”

He kissed me again, his tongue gently teasing my lips and then finding my own silky tongue. “You make me crazy.” He said.

“How long until you take me home?” I asked in a deep, lust filled tone.

“How about right now?” he asked, cupping my butt and scooting me towards him.

“Finally got this thing out in the open?” I heard, turning to see Johnny and Vi sat back in their seats, “thank fuck we can agree that he would not be pleasant unless he was getting some decent sex.”

“Johnny,” Vi, scolded. “Don’t be so crude.” She smiled at me and I sat up straighter returning her smile. Alex moved over so he could put his arm around me and hold his beer in his spare hand. He ran his fingers up and down my bare arm and it gave me tingles that travelled all the way through my body and between my legs. A delicious ache was building, and I loved how much Alex brought that sense of need out in me.

“So, Lacey and I are...” Alex didn’t finish the sentence, instead he gave me a gentle squeeze.

“Hooking up?” I shrugged and laughed at my pathetic teenage girl answer.

“Seeing each other,” Alex amended, turning to look down at me.

“Right,” Johnny nodded, “I’m glad we got that clusterfuck of workplace romances all ironed out.”

I laughed and Vi did too, “Your language is terrible.” Alex told him.

“Being your best friend has turned me to beer and cussin’,” Johnny held up his bottle of bud, “I think it’s time for more Jack!” he announced, leaving the table again for more liquor.