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“Nice meeting you too.” I clean up the remainder of my dog's possessions and toss them in the car.
“Are you staying long? Maybe we can grab a bite to eat.”
“I’m all set,” I answer quickly. The hot sun rays disguise the flush of my skin. “This is just a temporary stop, so it’s better we leave things like this.”
A chin lift. “Right.”
“Thanks for walking my dog.”
Another chin lift. I don’t know him enough to read it as disappointment. Maybe he’s out of things to say.
It’s not until I climb into my car that I remember this is where I meant to crash for the night. I’ll look utterly ridiculous if I stay here after telling him I needed to be on my way. I crank the engine, and the full blast whirr of a/c sends my hair flying. A messy bun plopped on my head keeps it out of the way.
The rumble of an engine pulls my attention from my rearview just in time to see Rhett pull from his spot and drive away.
Well, that’s one issue diverted. I guess I’m free to stay now that I shooed him away. His departure leaves me time to create a list for the store and set off on my new endeavor in the morning. I just hope I can find some clients to take me on so I can stay.
For some reason, I’ve already taken a liking to this town.
3
Rhett
Not wanting to make her uncomfortable by sitting in my parked Jeep until she leaves, I speed away. Calypso’s wasn’t a certain point on my agenda, but I guess that’s changed. I curse myself for not exploiting the opportunity to test out my moves. Those proposals are meant for the cloak of intoxication. Blaming hasty decisions on jumping into bed after one too many drinks makes it easier to look at ourselves in the mirror the next day.
But thinking of her curves has wishes of propositions weaving a seductive tale. I should have introduced her to my back seat.
The short drive to the bar eliminates space to think, and I’m parked before the images of her dissipate. No matter. A drink or two will clear the space between my ears and replace them with another beauty.
The evening air breeze has
me thankful for my hoodie and rushing inside. The familiar atmosphere provides a soothing shot to my system after the day I’ve had. Dealing with Nora is never easy. At least it hasn’t been since I found out she was screwing her boss. Without even the barest of apology, she went from crushing my soul to dying without grace on her deceitful, adulterous hill. The few times I’ve managed to bring up the topic, she shut me down by clinging to her hateful actions like a lifeline. Remorse wasn’t in her vocabulary.
Evie was a bright spot in my day as fleeting as a hurtling asteroid streaking across the night sky.
A few seductive glances cast my direction relay my options. I don’t have any rules for who I take to bed, and there’s been a woman or two who’s played host for multiple nights in a row. Unlike most men, this isn’t a game to collect notches.
A teensy vein of revenge to ease the ache from the woman who cast me aside propels me. But the women who take me in now are treated with respect. I don’t sleep with someone just to get my rocks off. There’s no sick joy in kicking someone out the next morning or making them feel like a worthless fuck. Fifteen years of being with the same woman left me wanting to experiment.
And the desire to wash away the taste of someone who discarded me like her foul trash.
Enough memories. They piss me off, and I’ve had enough of that for one day. I flag down the bartender, who happens to be another friend, and Dane delivers my usual whiskey neat. With a chin lift in thanks, I settle in on the stool for a night of drinks until I’m ready to drive back to my temporary place to sleep.
Elbows resting on the bar, I twirl my cell between my hands. The damn thing lights up. I rush to flip it over, always waiting on the anxious precipice for Nora to call about our son.
Nathan flashes across the screen and transforms the anxiety into something less sinister.
“Yo,” I answer and rub a fist over my chest.
“Judging by the background noise, you’re out again. Mind if I join you?”
My chin lowers to my chest. “Be my guest. I just got here.”
“Good. I’m walking up to the door now.” With that, he clicks off.
I drop my phone the few inches to the bar top. I swirl my drink before sucking back a sip through my teeth. By the time I set the glass back down, Nathan’s on the stool beside me.
“Your woman let you loose for the evening?”
