The Dirty South

by Penelope King

  “You trying to get me drunk or something?” I gasp.

  He just gives a lazy half grin. “Like I said… house special, and every first timer needs to try it.” His eyes lock on mine, and he leans a little closer. His presence is almost as intoxicating as the strong drink. “Gets y’all hot and bothered inside, don’t it?”

  He’s right. As soon as the alcohol hits my bloodstream, I immediately start feeling the warmth spread through my body. I already feel more relaxed. I’m not a hardcore drinker by any stretch—only the occasional glass or two of wine with Stacia or Brandon. But this feels nice… warm and smooth. It’s just what I need right now.

  I reach over and take another sip, smaller this time, and the fire doesn’t hit me as hard. Everywhere, more and more people are mingling and laughing, and by now the music is almost deafening. But a thick silence has settled around Colton and me. We’re at the bar surrounded by people, but it feels like we’re the only ones in the room.

  Except we’re not.

  “Colton Lassiter, are you ever coming back?” a female voice calls, and the girl who was with Colton earlier reappears with her annoyed pout. “I’m thirsty, and I wanna dance!” She glares at me. Just then I see Vivi’s bright-red hair as she makes her way through the crowd.

  I am so not interested in being in the middle of any sort of lover’s spat. I start to get up, but now Vivi is here and leaning over me, trying unsuccessfully get Marlena’s attention. Finally she flags the poor girl down with a sudden, ear-splitting whistle.

  “Gimme a Dirty Sweet Tea, doll,” she purrs.

  “Sure thing, darlin’.”

  Vivi leans back and smiles at me. “Sorry I’m late. One of those days. See you got started without me though,” she says eyeing my drink.

  “Colton ordered it for me… said it’s some sort of tradition for first timers.”

  She half rolls her eyes, and we both look to where Colton and his date are talking with their heads together. Whatever he’s saying to her seems to be making her a bit happier.

  She leans in front of him and looks at me, sizing me up. “Colton says you just moved out here from California and you don’t really know anyone yet. That’s why he’s being nice to you. I’m Taylor, his girlfriend.”

  Colton’s mouth quirks up like he’s trying not to laugh. I glance at him, and he raises his mug to his lips and takes a sip.

  “Hi, I’m Cady,” I tell her. Her mouth is smiling, but her eyes sure aren’t.

  “Must be tough being new and all,” she continues in a loud drawl. “Not really knowing anyone besides Colton here. You sweet, poor thing, you. Bless your heart.”

  “I’m okay—”

  Colton abruptly stands up and grabs her hand. “C’mon,” he says and drags her off to the dance floor.

  I stare at them and sip my drink, while Vivi swoops into Colton’s vacant chair. She picks up the tall glass of amber beverage that Marlena sets down in front of her.

  “Run me a tab, darlin’,” she says, and Marlena nods.

  Vivi takes a sip and closes her eyes. “Ahhhhhh.”

  “What is that?” I ask, nodding at her glass.

  She smiles. “Sweet Tea with Bourbon. My fave. I don’t indulge too often, but like I said, today was one of those days.” She shakes her head.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask. I hate that my eyes are drawn to the back corner of the room where Colton and Taylor are dancing to the music. Well, he’s pretty much just standing there leaning up against the side of the pool table, and she’s grinding all over him like a desperate stripper. Sexy.

  Vivi swishes her hand. “Nothing worth going into, really.” She follows my gaze and sees what I’m looking at.

  “Pay no mind to Taylor. She’s an insecure little snot.”

  I shrug and have more of my drink. I’m really starting to like it. “She seems okay… awfully concerned for my well-being,” I chuckle. “She blessed my heart and everything.”

  Vivi rolls her eyes. “Sweetheart, saying ‘bless your heart’ is basically saying ‘fuck you’ in Southern.”

  I start laughing for real. “Seriously? Ha ha… that’s actually pretty funny. And, well, I guess a little insulting now that I think about it—” Didn’t the lady at the bake sale tell me the same thing?

  She waves her hand again. “That’s why I said ignore her. She’s all bent over Colton, so she says stupid things.”

  I just shrug and finish my drink. Then I turn my back to the dance floor so I don’t have to watch them anymore.

  *****

  Before long, we’re joined by several other people, mostly guys. Vivi already knows them, naturally. They’re all friends with her fiancé, Freddy, so everyone treats her like a sister. I, however, do not fall into that category. Soon a few young men try to catch my attention. Some simply look and give me a shy smile. Others come closer and include me in their conversation.

  One, Eli Harrison, is one of the more handsome men I’ve seen in here tonight, and is six feet, four inches of solid man and muscle. Jet black hair frames his gently-lined face and soft brown eyes. Someone had mentioned earlier that he owns a construction company just outside of town.

  Eli leans down beside me. “You look like you could use another,” he says, and before I know it there’s a fresh glass of Triple Dirty waiting for me. I know I shouldn’t push it, but I’m feeling really good after that first one. Just a few more sips won’t hurt. I know how to keep it under control.

  Vivi is off to the side, talking with enthusiasm with some of the guys and a few other girls who’ve joined our little group. Eli keeps leaning in closer and closer as he talks to me. I know it’s loud in here, but not that loud. But I don’t altogether hate it. He’s easy on the eyes, smiles when he talks, and smells pretty sexy. I’ve missed out on so many things being tied down to Brandon all these years. Isn’t this what I’m supposed to do… be a single girl at a bar and get my flirt on?

  If only I weren’t so damn terrible at it. I guess that’s where the alcohol comes into play.

  Eli is standing in front of my barstool going on about the Carolina Panthers or something. I’m mostly hidden by his broad frame, but I’m still able to glance over his shoulder to see what Colton is doing. And more than once I see him looking our way.

  He’s got some pretty girl practically dry-humping him in a corner, so why the hell does he keep looking over here? What’s his game?

  I feel Eli’s hand rubbing my back now, and I realize that while he’s been talking, I’ve been continuing to drink… and drink. My buzz is definitely kicking into something stronger.

  “Let’s dance,” Eli says into my ear.

  I shrug and look over at Vivi, who’s caught up in her own conversation. “Will you watch my purse?” She smiles and nods, barely noticing us. But someone else does. I feel Colton’s eyes on Eli and me as we make our way to the middle of the dance floor.

  Just then, the song changes to “Sweet Home Alabama” and suddenly the whole place goes nuts. It’s as if the song is calling everyone to the dance floor, and I can’t help but laugh. I’m not even a country music fan, but I have to admit this is fun. Everyone loves this song.

  Eli and I dance, lost in the music. He puts his hands on my shoulders and hips a few times, and once or twice I bring my hand to his arm. His biceps are really nice.

  I’m feeling good… really good. The alcohol is doing its job, and the music, the positive energy surrounding me… exactly what I need.

  We dance to a few more songs, and then I wave Eli off, fanning myself. “I’m dying! I need a breather.” He nods.

  I go to the restroom to freshen up, and when I meet him back at the bar a few minutes later he already has another drink waiting for me. I know I shouldn’t… but I take a couple of sips anyways.

  “Wanna get out of here for a few?” Eli shouts over the music. “Go sit on the porch where it’s quieter and we can cool off a bit?”

  It is getting kind of stuffy in here. I could use some fresh air. And
it’s not like we’re really going anywhere… only out front.

  I nod and let him take my hand as he leads the way out through the crowded club area.

  Once outside, I realize just how woozy I am. All the alcohol and dancing and heat are going to my head. We go around the corner of the porch, away from the group of smokers gathered out front. It’s quieter here, and darker. I look up at the night sky, bright with stars. In front of us is the empty park, and across from that the side of the ‘Grease Monkey’ building. The sign is dark now, but I can make out the shapes of the letters in the shadows.

  Eli wraps his arm around me and tries to draw me closer, but I pull away and go sit in one of the rocking chairs. It’s cooler out here than it was inside, but not much. I’m just not used to the nights being so hot. But I kind of like it. It’s different.

  I close my eyes and start rocking the chair gently back and forth. Eli is making small talk. He tries to engage me in conversation, but my responses are short and quiet. He asks if I want to go for a walk, but I don’t. I like it here just fine. I sit, and I slowly rock. After a while, I realize Eli isn’t even here anymore.

  That’s fine, I don’t care. I’m just going to sit, and rock, and listen to the strange electric buzzing that’s everywhere. Like swarms of angry bees or something. It’s weird. Seriously, what the hell is that freaking noise? It sounds like someone cut the wire of an electric fence and is holding it up to a microphone.

  I close my eyes and continue to rock gently, trying to stop the world from spinning.

  But my world has been spinning for a long time. I want to stop it, but I don’t know how.

  “So this is where the party is, huh?” a low voice interrupts my thoughts. I open my eyes to see Colton standing there in the shadows.

  “What do you want?” I mumble.

  He turns away and leans over the porch railing for a minute, enjoying the evening and giving me a fabulous view of his backside. This man was born to wear jeans and a t-shirt.

  He looks back at me. “I saw you come out here with Eli.”

  “So?”

  “So I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

  “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  He shrugs. “You’ve had a lot to drink.”

  “So? I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”

  “Noted.”

  I think about that for a minute. “Why were you watching us anyway? Shouldn’t you be in there getting a lap dance from your girlfriend?” My voice sounds kinda low and a little slurry. And a little bitchy.

  “Taylor is not my girlfriend. She’s a friend. Known her a long time.”

  “Still… don’t see why you would care what I’m doing.”

  “I just wanted to make sure you weren’t doing something stupid.”

  “Stupid? Like kissing you?”

  Oh God, did I really just say that? No, no, no…

  Colton turns and looks at me dead on. I can barely breathe. “I meant, doing something stupid like trying to drive back home or something. You’ve had a lot to drink tonight.”

  I close my eyes and lean back in the chair. I gently resume my rocking. Maybe if I try hard enough I can pretend he isn’t here. Pretend I didn’t just say what I did.

  But he does have a point. Crap. No way did I plan on drinking this much. And no way can I drive back home now.

  “I’ll just sleep in the back of the truck,” I mumble. “I’ll be fine.”

  He laughs under his breath. “I’ve done that more than once myself. And not that it can’t be nice, ‘specially out under the stars in the middle of nowhere. But it’s not something I suggest doing in the parking lot of The Dirty. People might talk,” he adds with a wink.

  He comes over and holds out his hand. “C’mon. I’ll drive you back. I was ready to head on out myself anyways.”

  I wave him off and stand up on my own. My feet are wobbly, but I manage to stay upright.

  I walk beside him to his truck. He opens the door for me, and I get in. “Oh, wait. My purse… Vivi has it –”

  “I’ll be right back,” he says. He closes the door, and from the side view mirror I see him lope off in the direction of the entrance. Now that everything is quiet, I can hear my heart pounding in my ears.

  Okay, Cady, be cool… just don’t say or do anything stupid.

  A moment later he’s back. He slides in beside me and hands me my black purse.

  “You okay?” he asks, glancing over at me.

  I just nod, and he starts the engine. The first wave of queasiness hits me, and I roll down the window to get some fresh air as we begin the drive through town.

  We ride home in silence, the tension thick between us. Once or twice I glance over at him in the shadows, but he keeps his eyes on the road, so I turn back and watch the trees as they swish by us in the night.

  Soon we’re turning into the long driveway of Magnolia Manor, and he pulls the truck into the garage. I’m disappointed our ride is over, and he hasn’t said a single word to me the entire way back. Oh, well. He probably just felt obligated to make sure I got home alive. Or maybe he was just worried I would crash his precious truck.

  I get out and carefully make my way to the courtyard with Colton walking a few feet behind me. I’m a little wobbly, but keeping it together. We get to the fountain where our paths veer off in different directions, and I turn to him. He’s closer than I realized.

  “Thanks for the ride.”

  “Don’t mention it.”

  But to my surprise he doesn’t turn left toward his place, but continues on with me.

  “You lost?” I ask him over my shoulder.

  His mouth is fixed in a hard line. “A gentleman always sees a lady to her door,” he says.

  “Oh, so you’re being a gentleman now?”

  He clenches his jaw. “Trying.”

  I stop walking and turn around to face him. His expression is unreadable in the shadows, and for several moments we stand there without moving. The only sounds are the trickling of the fountain and the strange electric humming in the air.

  Finally, I let out an exasperated sigh and look around. “Seriously, what is that freakin’ noise?”

  He quirks his brow. “You mean the cicadas? It’s their mating call.”

  “Is that what it is? They’re so loud.”

  Colton shakes his head and takes a step closer. “That’s just the sweet summer song of the South, darlin’.”

  “What, listening to a bunch of bugs trying to get laid?”

  He chuckles under his breath. “How drunk are you right now?”

  “Why, you wanna take advantage of me?” I tease, giving him a coy glance.

  He cocks an eyebrow. “Don’t tempt me.” His eyes lock onto mine, and I’m caught in his hypnotizing gaze. Again.

  “Are you tempted, Colton Lassiter?” My voice is quiet as I lightly place my hand on his arm. Jesus, where did that come from?

  He doesn’t flinch. He just looks at me, and suddenly I feel the stinging crush of rejection in his blatant non-reaction.

  “Yeah, that’s what I thought,” I mutter. I turn around and hurry to my front porch.

  Just as I’m about to put the key in the lock, I’m suddenly fenced in by two strong arms, as Colton leans his hands against the door.

  I turn around. His face is only inches from mine.

  “What are you doing here,” he growls quietly, his eyes flashing again. “Here… in my town, my bar, my kitchen… my life?”

  His intensity steals my breath, and my thoughts. He looks almost angry as he focuses in on me.

  “I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I… I didn’t know I was upsetting you—”

  My words are cut off as his lips find mine with a startling passion that leaves me momentarily stunned. But only momentarily.

  He wraps his arms around me, holding me closer, and I melt against his body. His soft, full lips are demanding. Something inside me takes over, washing through me, and I’m powerless to resist him as I press myse
lf up against him even harder.

  He runs his fingers through my hair and pulls my head back, as his lips find mine once more. I feel my legs weakening, and I dip backwards, yielding to the pressure of his mouth, his strong arms firmly locked around my waist.

  I’ve never wanted something so badly in my life as I want him right now.

  My hands slide under his loose t-shirt, and I crave the feel of his soft skin beneath my fingertips. Slowly they inch their way up his back, feeling his muscles tighten and flex as our lips and tongues dance in a sensual rhythm.

  Suddenly he stops, and gently pulls his mouth away from mine. His eyes have changed.

  “What am I doing?” he whispers, so quietly I can barely hear him.

  “Kissing me.”

  I tilt my head back for more, but he pulls me upright and slowly steps back, shaking his head.

  “I can’t do this with you right now,” he murmurs. He looks at me directly. “I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry.”

  Then he turns and walks off into the darkness, leaving me alone by my door, breathless and bewildered.

  Chapter 22.

  Thank heavens my hangover isn’t as bad as it could’ve been. If I learned one thing in college, it’s to drink a ton of water, eat some starchy carbs, and take some Advil before falling asleep. Seems like it kinda worked.

  I still slept like crap though, fitful and restless. I couldn’t stop thinking about Colton. And not just about kissing him and feeling the strong energy flow between us, but of his reaction when I was touching him, and his rush to get away from me.

  There’s no denying that there’s something between Colton and me. What’s holding him back? I can feel how badly he wants me when I’m in his arms, but he’s fighting it. And if he’s true to form, since we kissed again last night, I’m sure he’ll go out of his way to avoid me now for the next three weeks.

  Screw that.

  I shower and throw on a pale pink sundress before heading over to the main kitchen to get some breakfast. I’m glad no one is in here, because I really need to get my thoughts together and figure out what I’m going to say to Colton.