“Kay, please, just fuckin' hurry!” Tyler groans from outside the bathroom door as I grab my robe, throwing it on.
Having one bathroom in a house you share with your brother is the most regrettable thing about this move so far. Maybe I could ask Uncle Garrison to build us another bathroom.
“God, thanks.” He shoves past me when I open the door and I stumble with a shake of my head.
“Careful, Ty,” I mutter, heading for the kitchen.
Slipping my pill from my robe pocket, I swallow the little white tablet with a glass of water before pouring myself a cup of coffee. It's stupid I have to hide my depression meds from Tyler, but he's so against them, and I don't want to explain myself to him like I used to. Our mom put us on the medication when we were eight, and at sixteen Tyler stopped taking his. He was able to hide it from her. I didn't want to stop, because depression runs in our family and we might just need them. I'd rather stay on my regimen than end up like our sister, Andrea. Her suicide two years ago devastated us both. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been waiting for it since we were kids. Not anticipating, but worrying that one day she'd go through with it. It was never a threat. I knew she was truly unhappy and it broke my heart while growing up. She was on the meds too, but they didn't work for her, or maybe she pulled what Tyler had. Lied and said she was taking them. I don't know, but she struggled and it scared me every single day. Maybe she's in a better place. Maybe she's not hurting anymore. Whatever the case may be, I'm just grateful for the time I did get with my sister. And I know there was some reason for her death. Everything happens for a reason.
Scrolling through my phone, I open a message from Tyler, hearing him laughing from the bathroom and I giggle at the meme he sent, responding 'LOL!'. Before I set my phone down, it chimes again with a message from Tim.
TIM: I'm going to pick you up at 3 for some lunch.
My brows dip. We didn't exactly part ways on good terms over the weekend, and I haven't heard from him since. I'm surprised he's still interested in me. He really seemed to like Felicia.
KAY: What about Felicia? She would be hurt.
TIM: What the fuck about her? She ain't my girl. See you later.
“Why do you look like that?” Tyler asks, coming out of nowhere and I jolt.
“I was born this way.” I give him a cheeky smile and he rolls his eyes, snatching my phone. I stand from my chair and blurt, “Ty, don't.”
After staring at the text a minute, his thumbs fly over my screen before he hands my phone back then walks to the coffee pot.
KAY: FUCK OFF! Show up at the ranch and you're gonna die
“Oh, Tyler.” I cover my mouth, feeling bad for Tim. “That was uncalled for.”
“Kay, you're too nice and that's uncalled for. This is why I have to keep a close eye on you. God! You're so gullible or something. You saw them making out and you were still trying to talk to him! If he really liked you, he wouldn't fucking do that! Fuck that Felicia bitch. And fuck Tim. I ain't playin'. If he shows up, I'm telling Brandt and he'll help me whoop his ass.” He glances at me before pouring milk into his coffee.
“No need to get upset. I didn't know you felt that strongly against Tim.” I hold my mug out for him to top me off.
“I tried to like him, but he's just trying to get one thing from you.” He eyes me angrily. “And I'm not gonna let some dude use my sister like she's a whore.”
“Tyler!” I gasp. “I'm not a whore.”
“I know! That's why I don't want you around dudes like Tim.” He walks around me, grabbing us both a bowl then the cereal.
“What about that guy from the other night?” I bring the milk to the table and pour our bowls. “The one that showed up on the ranch Sunday.”
“Who? One of my friends?”
“No. He worked at the bar. The bartender. He was cute. Maybe he'd like to take me out some time.” The thought of Chase makes me smile. He was really cute, and sweet.
“The tattooed guy?” He scowls at me while I nod. “Shit, Kay, why do you gotta date anyone?”
“I don't have to.” I chuckle. “I'm twenty-five, Ty, I enjoy dating and don't want to be single forever. You just think the worst of everyone.”
“And you think the best of everyone when you shouldn't! Get your head out of the clouds. That dude was your typical tattooed bartender. He wanted to smash Tim's skull more than I did, and just because he could. I'm not saying he wasn't interested, but I think he was more interested in one thing from you. Forget that guy. Maybe when you stop shitting rainbows, I'll be okay with you dating someone.”
“Why are you being like that?” I softly ask and read the back of the cereal box, not wanting him to see I'm upset by his words.
He huffs and stands. The chair scraping across the floor makes me jump but he puts his hand on my shoulder. “When you're too nice, you make bad decisions. I know. I've seen you do it my whole life. I'd rather you were happy than…sad, but you see things in people that just aren't there. I'm too young to be worrying about you.”
“You're right. So don't.” I smile up at him. “Finish breakfast. We should go riding after work.”
“I, uh, I got a date. I think I forgot to tell you.” The mumble to his voice tells me he didn't forget.
“With who?” I don't understand why he didn't tell me, unless he doesn't want me to know who.
“With who?” he repeats.
A grin starts to spread across my face because he's trying to hide it from me. “Ty! With who?” I excitedly bounce in my chair because if he's avoiding telling me, he must actually like this person more than any of the other girls I've met since we moved here. The only time he tries to hide things is when he doesn't want to get my hopes up. He says it jinxes him.
“Wendy.” He takes his bowl to the sink and slurps his milk.
“Wendy? Bo's sister in law? Kinlee's sister?” That's the only Wendy I know but I didn't realize he liked her. Or that she liked him. I thought Wendy had a boyfriend.
“Yep.” He walks out of the kitchen before I can question anymore and I giggle happily.
I hope Ty finds happiness, and someday soon. He deserves whatever will make him happy. And if it's a good woman, then that's what I want for him. He, on the other hand, would rather I stay single. I'm happy single or dating, but I'd love to find someone that appreciates me. Someone that likes me for more than my body. Guys have said they did, and I believed them, but their actions said otherwise. One day, I just want to find that guy that won't prove my brother right and me wrong. I may see the good in everyone, but I'm not delusional. I'm positive.
“Hey, you got a new student today,” Jo says. To help relieve some of the heavy load she's carrying, I grab a saddle.
Jo is Brandt's wife, and Brandt's my cousin. When Ty called him nine months ago, Brandt was excited for us to come. He guaranteed us jobs. A place to stay. Promised to help us get on our feet. I felt guilty leaving our mom and almost called the whole thing off until Uncle Garrison contacted me. Brandt had told him our plans and he convinced me that our mom would be okay without us. When we got here, Brandt, Jo, Uncle Garrison, and his wife, Donna, made us feel beyond welcome. I love it here, and I never want to leave. I love the ranch, I love my job, I love my family that I didn't get to know well when I was younger because we lived too far away. This is where I want to be. And this is where I want to stay.
When we first arrived, Jo gave me a job in the beauty salon she runs out of her house. I'm not that great at doing hair, nails, makeup, or even waxing. Needless to say, it didn't work out, but a week later Donna and Jo came up with a new idea. I've been riding horses since I was five so they started offering horseback lessons. Now I educate new riders, and some that have been riding for a while but want tips. I'm living my dream right now! I never thought we'd leave our city because I never wanted to leave my mom behind, but I couldn't be happier about our decision. The ranch is ultimate happiness.
Following Jo to the barn, I ask about my new student. “How old?”
“She's fifteen or sixteen. Doesn't want to ride but her mom expects it from her. So...yeah, good luck.” She chuckles then rolls her eyes.
“I hope I can help her appreciate riding. Maybe the pressure from her mom makes it hard on her. I'll make it fun.” I smile over at Jo and she stares at me with a shake of her head.
“Or maybe she's a snotty fifteen-year-old and will probably make you want to quit your job by the end of her session.”
I laugh. “That would never happen. I'm sure she's a nice girl. At fifteen, there're a lot of hormones going on. She's probably misunderstood, not a snot.”
“Maybe. Oh hey, I didn't know Brandt didn't tell you, he was supposed to, but Empress is getting groomed today so you can't ride with her. You're gonna have to use the one you hate.”
“Jo, I don't hate him!” I look at her wide-eyed. “I don't hate Surge. He's a little temperamental, but I don't hate him. He's a great horse. Nice and strong. He just doesn't like to be practiced with.” That's going to make my day a little longer, but that's okay. He's still a good horse.
“Right. Anyway, sorry Brandt didn't tell you.”
“It's okay. He's busy. No worries.”
“One last thing, Annie broke the buckle to the saddle that fits you perfectly. Brandt hasn't been able to fix it yet today. You're stuck with that one.” She points to the saddle in my arms.
“That's okay. I'll be okay. It'll be a good thigh workout today.” This saddle made me fall off Surge the first time I rode him with it, but it's okay, I could use the workout.
Unloading her arms, she crosses them over her chest and turns to face me. “Does anything put you out?”
“What do you mean?” I smile and set the saddle on the bench so I can clean it.
“Doesn't anything piss you off? Or make you a little upset? You've seriously never had one complaint since I met you. I'm constantly bitching about people and shit around here and you have nothing but something nice to counter it every time. Doesn't anything ever just suck for you?”
I throw my head back while I laugh. “No.” Smiling over at her, I braid my hair. “It could always be worse, Jo. Everything happens for a reason. And once something's done, you can't change it.” I try to keep eye contact with her while she stares like she's studying me, but she's too intimidating right now so I look away. Out of the corner of my eye I see her shake her head.
“Everything doesn't happen for a reason, Kay. The reason Brandt didn't tell you about Empress was because he forgot. It didn't directly affect his job so he forgot because it's your problem. Love him, but it was a dick thing for him to forget to tell you. And the buckle broke because Annie wasn't being careful. It's not her saddle or her money that will have to replace it. And you can hate Surge. He's a huge pain in the ass and I never wanted that horse on the ranch but he's strong. He sucks to practice with! And you know what? This new student is probably a huge brat! A huge, rich, country brat! Shit!”
I quickly wipe the surprise off my face and approach her, touching her shoulder. “Jo, you okay?”
“Fuck,” she huffs and sits down. “You can get pissed off, or hate something, Kay. No one's going to judge you.”
“I know,” I quietly say. People usually get annoyed with my positivity and Jo is probably stressed with the kids lately.
“Kay.” She touches my hand while she gets to her feet. “Sorry about that, but it'd be nice if you complained about something some time. Makes you more human.” She chuckles then sighs and whispers, “And I think I'm pregnant.”
“You are!” I squeal and grab her arms. “Jo, that's so exciting!”
“No. No.” She puts her hands on my shoulders and pushes me down from bouncing. “If I am, it's a big oops. No changing it regardless, but this is me being annoyed I wasn't careful.” She's pointing to her face and I furrow my brows until she starts to laugh at me. “You never even get annoyed by anything?”
“It's a happy accident.” I softly smile at her and her lips turn upward while she shakes her head at me again.
“Don't say anything to anyone yet. I haven't mentioned it.”
“I won't.” My giggle escapes and I pull her into a hug.
“You want kids?” She asks heading over to the chicks.
I nod. “I think so.”
“You think?” She looks at me over her shoulder with a cocked eyebrow.
I have reasons I'm not sure I want children, but nothing I want to concern Jo with.
“With a good man. I'm not really lucky in love.” I smile at her and she looks away.
“You still seeing that one guy?”
“Tim? No. It didn't really work out. Over the weekend he seemed to drift away.”
“It's only been a freaking week! I knew he was a douche.”
“Oh, Jo, he wasn't a douche. Just.” I shrug, not really sure why I'm terrible at relationships. “Didn't work out. Things happen—”
“For a reason,” she mocks me in a nasally tone.
“Snot!” I laugh, throwing hay at her.
“We'll fix you up with someone. I'll talk to Kinlee about it. Between the two of us, we have to know some nice guys. Might not be as nice as you,” she mutters, “but we gotta know a good guy somewhere.”
“Hey, speaking of Kinlee. Is my brother dating her sister?”
“Wendy?” She stands and faces me. “No. Wendy's got a boyfriend, why?”
“I thought Ty said he had a date with her tonight, but maybe I misunderstood.” Keeping my attention on the saddle, I bite my lip, not wanting to say something I shouldn't.
She wipes her hands on her jeans. “Maybe he meant hanging as friends. Wendy's dating Will's best friend, Ryan. She doesn't need the likes of Ty corrupting her. He'd break her heart.” She grins and I smile, but that's a sad truth. Tyler's not really lucky in love either, but that's by choice. “My first hair appointment is coming in like an hour and I still need a shower. You good? Need help with Surge?”
“No, I can have Ty help me if he gives me any trouble. Darn horse.” I wave my fist toward his pen and Jo barks out a laugh while I giggle. “That's me angry.”
“So threatening.” She rolls her eyes and walks out the barn door.
Surge is temperamental as ever but nothing I don't survive. I have to ride him for the rest of the week and though we've bonded, he's still an angry Shire. I don't mind though, I'm just happy to be working.
After the text Ty sent from my phone, Tim doesn't show up at the ranch, but that's okay. It was only a few dates I wasted on him. Tonight, I'm going out with one of my brother's friends and I'm excited. He's super fun and respectful. It should be a good evening. Nothing will probably come of it, but I'm happy to be out for the evening.
When I get into Kurt's car, I ask him, “Where we going?”
“Want to get drinks?” He cocks his eyebrow and I smile over at him. He's younger than me, but not too young…I don't think.
“Sure.”
“Willies it is. Ever been?”
“Yeah.” I think about Chase and glance at Kurt. Kurt's good looking, I guess. But now my mind's on Chase, the cute bartender that stood up for me.
I tuck my hair behind my ear and immediately look toward the bar when we walk in. I don't see Chase and feel a little relieved because I'm on a date. Not that I can't be, but if Chase wanted to take me out, I don't want him to think he can't ask.
We head to the bar and my stomach flips when Chase walks out from the back with a crate of glasses. Nerves take flight and I almost leave, but I have no idea why!
I stand behind Kurt and try to hang back a little, but it's not like Chase won't be able to spot me. I feel guilty I'm this nervous and will probably ruin this date with Kurt. Like I said, I think he's dating a few girls, but he did ask me out.
Chase steps up and we lock eyes. I smile and give a small wave from behind Kurt.
“Hey, Kaydence,” he says, then looks at Kurt. “What can I get ya?”
“I'll have PBR. Kay, you want something?”
“Pumpkin ale.” I give Chase a smile while he grins with a shake of his head.
“I think you're the only one here in town that drinks this stuff,” he says, grabbing two glasses.
“It's good!” I boast. “Have you tried it?”
“I think it's sick,” Kurt speaks up.
“Chase, you tried it?” I lean into the bar some.
“I have. I try everything that comes through these doors. But I can't say I love it.” He shrugs. “To each their own.” When he smiles I bite my lip, getting enthralled by that smile. Chase looks like the type of guy who doesn't smile too much, and when he does, it's a treat. He's got an amazing smile though, and I realize I'm staring when he slides the beers toward us. “So, what're you two up to tonight?”
I follow Kurt's move and sit on the stool next to him then shrug and smile over at my date. “Just hanging out.”
“How do you two know each other? Aren't you Will Jones's sister's best friend?” Kurt asks Chase and I lean on my hand, interested to get to know a little about him.
Chase lets out a chuckle. “We used to be pretty close, yeah.” His eyes move to mine. “Kay here helped me get eggs out at Kenshaw Ranch. I went to grade school with her cousin, apparently.” He looks at Kurt again and I can't take my eyes from his eyebrows. I've never seen eyebrows this sexy on a man and I almost giggle at my thoughts. “How about you two? I feel like I remember your face...”
“I met her through her brother. And I met her brother through Will Jones.”
“You grow up here?” He's looking at Kurt like he's trying to place him.
“Born and raised. I went to the only high school around.” Kurt's laugh pulls my attention from Chase and I look at him until he asks Chase, “How old are you?”
“Thirty,” Chase mumbles. “Last name?”
“Driar. Kurt Driar. I'm a lot younger than you though.” He laughs rudely and I frown a little, glancing at Chase.
“Hey, I'm older than you!” I speak up, but Kurt ignores me.
“You were in Mrs. Roble's Kindergarten class,” Chase blurts. “That's where I recognize you! I was your fucking older brother for that buddy system shit they tried! Holy shit, I feel old now.” He laughs and I'm drawn to that smile again. Resting my elbow on the bar top, I lean my chin on my hand, unable to stop grinning at him.
“Oh my god, dude. Why do you even remember that? I don't remember shit about school! I hated it.” When Kurt's hand lands on my thigh, I snap out of my trance with a small bounce and smile over at him.
“I remember school,” I tell him before looking at Chase again. “I liked school.”
“Told you.” Chase taps his temple. “Steel fuckin' trap.” He winks and chuckles then his attention's on Kurt again. “Good seeing you again, man. I'll leave you two to your date.” His eyes flick to me. “Gotta put those glasses away. Holler if you need anything.”
I watch as he walks away, my eyes slipping down his body until I feel Kurt scoot closer and his breath is on my cheek. “I'm glad Ty let me take you out, Kay.”
Offering a smile, I feel guilty as I lie and say, “Me too.” Turning to look at him, he presses his lips to mine and I make the kiss brief. I wasn't expecting or wanting that. I find myself immediately checking if Chase noticed but he doesn't seem to be paying attention.
The rest of the night, someone else serves us and I can't even catch Chase's eye. I'm somewhat grateful because I am here with Kurt and the fact I spent most of the night wishing I wasn't makes me feel really bad. Kurt is really very nice. I try to stick around long enough to at least say bye to Chase, but Kurt's driving so when he's ready, I follow him to the car.
Pulling up to my adorable little house, he looks over at me. “Can I come in?”
“Oh.” I glance at him then the house, knowing Tyler would lose it. “I don't think that's a good idea. Ty's home.”
“So? We'll go to your room.”
“Kurt, you're really sweet, but...I'm not like that.”
“What you mean is you don't like me.”
“That's not what I mean at all!” I do like him, but one date doesn't justify expectations of sex. “I just don't sleep with people after one date. I'd love to go out with you again.”
“Yeah, night, Kay.” He leans over and pushes my door open.
Withdrawing my frown, I get out and tell him goodnight but he's already backing down the driveway before I can close the door. I don't think I warranted that reaction just because I didn't want to screw around with him. Of course I don't mention it to my brother, and when he asks about our night, I just smile. Kurt's rude behavior at the end of the night saved me from something, I'm sure. Because everything happens for a reason.
I spend most of my Sunday morning on the phone with our mom who's all but begged us to come back. It breaks my heart a little that we're not close to her anymore, but this is where I want to be. When the little Kenshaws come over to play, there is no doubt I belong here. After walking them home, I walk into the house and smile at my brother who's hanging up the phone.
“I just talked to Kurt's brother.” He glares at me.
“Oh, how is he?” I don't know Kurt's brother but by the way Ty's looking at me, I think I'm supposed to.
“He told me Kurt went home pissed because you wouldn't let him come in. Why'd you lie to me?”
“Ty.” I smile and move farther into the house. “I didn't lie. We had a nice night and yes, I turned him down when he asked to come in.”
“Maybe stop dressing like this and guys wouldn't want only one thing from you.” He shakes his head at my shirt that's a little low cut, but not too provocative.
“Oh, Tyler,” I huff. “Stop acting like my dad,” I whisper and head to my room.
I haven't really felt down since I've been here but my love life isn't going anywhere. Not that I need it to, but it'd be nice if one guy wanted something more than sex from me. They say they do, and I believe them every time, because why lie? But just because I'm a happy person doesn't mean I'm stupid, or will let a guy take advantage of me unless I want him to.
I take my depression med and lay in bed, thinking about the weeks at a time that my sister wouldn't leave her room. As my eyes start to water, I sit up and push a smile onto my face, thinking about the time we went to her prom and she was so happy. She was beyond beautiful that night. I hadn't seen her smile like that her entire life. She was like a different person that day.
Clearing my throat I leave my room and see Tyler's gone so I decide to head to town for groceries. I offer smiles to a few people walking out to their car. I don't know them, but that's no reason not to try to brighten someone's day. When I reach for a cart, a guy that was reaching for the same one backs off after our fingers brush briefly.
“Sorry.” He smiles.
“Go ahead.” I push the cart to him and grab the one behind it.
“Awesome shirt.” He points to my Run the Jewels t-shirt and I grin.
“Thanks!”
We stand in the parking lot talking for twenty minutes before he asks me out and I excitedly accept. Maybe a cute stranger from the grocery store will break me out of my unlucky dating life. I have to wait a couple days for our date, which is fine because I like the anticipation of a first date. So when he picks me up, I'm more than ready to go. It seems like if you're going out for drinks, Willies is the only place to go. We walk in and my eyes dart to the bar and I see Chase, immediately smiling.
“My friend Chase is working.” I point and lead Gerald toward the bar. “Hey, Chase.” I grin at him as he comes to stand in front of us.
“Sup, Kay?” His eyebrows dip as his eyes dart to Gerald. “Hey.”
“This is Gerald. We met at the market just down the street.”
“Hey.” Gerald nods while Chase taps a beat out onto the bar before nodding his head in return.
“What can I get you?” He looks at me again.
“You know what I'll have.” I can't stop smiling because I'm excited for the beer, happy to see Chase, and Gerald is really down to earth.
“Gotcha.” He winks at me. “Gerald?” The tone in Chase's voice isn't one I've heard before, but he's grinning at Gerald as he takes his order. “Have a seat. We're dead tonight anyway. I'll bring them to ya.” When Chase walks away to grab our drinks, we take a seat across the bar in the corner.
“So, I was thinking we could have a few drinks, then maybe watch a movie?”
“That sounds fun.” I smile. “You lived here long?”
Conversation flows effortlessly and when Chase heads our way my smile broadens. I know I shouldn't be this happy to see him when on a date, but it comes naturally with him around.
“Have you had the pumpkin ale?” I ask Gerald and he cringes. “No one likes pumpkin beer here!”
“It's an acquired taste. It was always a big hit in Vegas,” Chase says, setting the glasses down. “Gerald, your Dos Equis isn't anything to write home about.”
I smile over at Gerald while he drinks his beer. “What's your favorite, Chase?” I ask before he can walk away. “You probably taste hundreds of beers a year.”
“I don't drink beer. Get's me out of control.” He smirks then chuckles. “Don't lead anywhere good.”
I furrow my brows a little but smile at him. “That's responsible,” I comment while he winks at me and walks away.
Speaking of responsibility, I forgot to take my pill this morning so I quickly pull the bottle from my purse, trying to keep it all under the table.
“You gonna share?” Gerald grins and I chuckle.
“It's nothing good. Just vitamins.” No way I'd tell him they're depression meds; he'd for sure run for the hills. Most people don't want to deal with anything like that.
“You're really pretty, Kay.”
“Thank you.” I grin at him, hoping this will work out. He's really nice and approached me at the market because he liked the musicians on my t-shirt. That means he noticed something about me other than my body.
We get a few more drinks and the conversation remains easy before a small group walks in and heads straight for us. I'm worried at first until I realize these are a few of his friends. He doesn't introduce me, but I don't mind, even when they don't really seem to notice me. Left out of another conversation I glance toward Chase and he gives me an acknowledging nod and wink. I find myself biting my lip while I grin and pull my phone from my pocket. I scroll through social media while Gerald talks to a friend and the others from the group have moved a few tables away. He's not intentionally excluding me but they're having a private conversation.
“Hey, I gotta run outside. Gonna grab a smoke. Be right back.” He pats my hand and I smile with a nod.
While I sit at the table and stare at my empty glass I drank while Gerald's been away, I start to wonder if he ditched me. I slide from my stool, thinking I should go check outside because he just went to smoke, but instead I head toward the bar. I'm a little buzzed but not so drunk I don't have control over myself. Yet my feet take me toward the bar, so this must be where I'd rather be.
I lean onto my hands and smile at Chase. “Hi.”
“Hey there.” His lips turn up but it's not a full, real smile. “Where's Gerald?” He glances around and I let out a huff.
“Just outside. He'll be right back. It's slow in here tonight. I think Gerald's friends were only the tenth customers since we showed up.”
“Well it's a Wednesday night. Most weeknights are pretty dull around here.” Our eyes lock on each other and his smile starts to pull upward. “They used to be, at least.”
“I feel like a regular.” I chuckle and watch those enticing lips. “Everyone in this town comes to this bar for drinks. Shouldn't you have my drink preference waiting when you see me approach the bar? Isn't that what you do for regulars?”
He nods, leaning back against the bar. “You are here a lot, aren't you?” He shifts, eyes scanning the room. “Not usually with the same guy, I noticed.” He's staring at me, almost looking like he wants an explanation, but I hardly think that's his business. “They your excuse to get back in here to see me?”
I laugh. “Can I just get a beer please?” While he gets me another beer I mumble, “Not really my fault I'm unlucky with relationships. Must be the red hair.” I wink at him when he sets the beer down.
“Can I tell you a secret?” He leans over the bar and I lean closer to meet him. He whispers, “The red hair's hot as fuck. So that's definitely not it.” He waits a moment before standing back and smirking at me.
I giggle. “They all probably think I'm crazy. Kinda like you do.”
“Crazy is fun.” He shrugs. “I never said there was anything wrong with it.”
“Well, I'm not crazy. But I think I'm fun. Apparently, though…” I turn and look toward the door when I hear it open, but it's not Gerald. “My dates don't really think I am. I keep dating too young. Gerald's the first guy I've met on my own and not through my brother or Will, but even he's two years younger.” I sigh. “So, here I am. Unlucky in love.”
“Maybe you're lookin' in all the wrong places, Kay.”
“I'm not really looking, Chase. But can I get our tab?”
He walks over to the register and grabs his chin. “Hmm...interesting.”
“What's interesting?” Moving down toward the register, I lean over the bar to try and see what he's talking about.
His eyes flick to my cleavage that's practically sitting on his register and I didn't mean for that to happen, but I'm tipsy and apparently feeling a little too adventurous tonight. Looking into my face, he shrugs. “Your tab's all taken care of.”
“By...who? Gerald? Did he pay?” I start to chuckle. “I didn't really think he ditched me. I just thought he was outside with his friends.” I plop back onto a stool. “Well. Everything happens for a reason. How about a shot? Let's start a new tab if I don't have to pay that other one.”
Chase stares at me for at least a minute and before I can ask him why he's looking at me like that, he says, “Is that your life motto? Do you ever get mad about anything? I've watched you show up with three different guys, each of them losers, but you're not even affected that they've seemed to treat you like shit.”
“Hey!” I blurt through my chuckle. “Kurt was nice!”
“Kurt talked to your boobs all night. I was embarrassed for the guy.”
If he did, I didn't notice, probably because I was more interested in getting Chase's attention than paying attention to where Kurt's eyes were.
“Seriously though, why go on dates if you don't care?” He crosses his arms, not making the shot I asked for. “Is it just to score?”
“No!” I gasp before I start to laugh. “It's not like I don't care, but what can you do? And Gerald's a nice guy. I'm sure he has his reasons. Everyone has reasons for everything, right? And I'm not a whore,” I insist, guided by my buzz. “I date these guys, but I'm not a whore.”
“I'd never call you a whore, Kaydence.” He leans on his elbows, his face close to mine. “I'm just wondering why you're runnin' the gamut of young pups lookin' for one thing when there's so many more men…grown men, available.”
“It's not really easy meeting the available guys my age...or older when your brother is the one with all the friends and you meet most of your dates through him.” I grab my phone and text Ty, asking him to pick me up from the bar. “The available, grown men don't seem to be too interested. And Brandt says he wouldn't let any of his friends within ten feet of me.” I shrug and set my phone on the bar while I ask softly, “Can I get that shot?”
“Kenshaw said that, huh?” he murmurs then says, “I'll get that shot.” When he slides the blue liquid toward me, he quietly says, “I'm very...interested...in where you're looking for these uninterested grown men, Kaydence.”
“Well, Chase, like I told you.” I glance at his lips then quickly take the sweet shot. “I'm not really looking. Is it so wrong I hope the right guy notices me first?”
He pours himself a shot and swallows it, but it wasn't blue. It was dark and looked like it burned going down. I don't know how, but his shot reminded me of him. And now I'm filling my wild head with silly, immature thoughts. My shot was blue and happy looking…like me. And his shot was dark and dangerous looking…like him.
Breaking me out of my contemplation, he says, “And if one did?”
“Did what?” I almost forgot what we were discussing.
“Noticed you first.”
I push the shot glass forward and wait for the liquor before I answer. The blue funnel swirls into my glass and the bright color makes me happy. Meeting his eyes, I tell him, “I'd hope he'd be a nice guy and say something. I'm not a mind reader.” I take the shot.
He chuckles while pouring another dark shot, then throws it back and quietly hisses at the burn before nodding at the door. “Your brother's here,” he says, his eyes not leaving mine.
“Well then. Can I get my tab? Your shots were on me.” I glance toward our shot glasses.
“Kay, I'm here. Let's go, I'm tired,” Tyler mutters from the door before I hear it open again, but I don't look away from Chase.
“They've already been taken care of.”
“You don't have to do that, Chase.” I pull random bills from my purse. “Please let me pay. What is it? Twenty? Twenty five?”
“It's nothin'. Your cash ain't good here, doll.” He winks. “It's the least you deserve after being ditched by that fucker.”
“He was a nice guy. Maybe something came up.” I smile and stand before stepping on the ledge so I can lean over the bar and kiss his cheek. “And you're really sweet, Chase. I'll see you later I'm sure. This seems to be the place to take dates,” I drone, headed for the door.
When I step outside, my brother flashes the car lights and I head that way until someone grabs my arm. “Kay, where you going?” Gerald asks and my eyes go wide.
“I thought you left?”
“No, I was just talking to my friends. I told you I'd be right back.”
“It's been…it's been like forty minutes,” I murmur, but he ignores me.
“You want to get out of here?”
“Oh.” I glance toward my brother's car then back at Gerald, feeling guilty I never actually checked to see if he left me.
“Kaydence, get in the fucking car! Now!” Tyler screams from his rolled down window.
“I'm sorry, Gerald. I had a nice time, but I asked my brother for a ride 'cause I thought you left me. I'm sorry,” I apologize to him again then rush to Ty's car before he walks over here.
Getting in, I smile at Tyler. “Thanks.” With a huff I lean my head back and close my eyes.
A beautiful smile comes to mind and it belongs to the guy that's usually on the other side of the bar where I come with my many dates.