by Shelly Jones
“Breathe, Emily. It’s ok!” Reese bumps me.
“He’s so fucking wrong for me, but good fucking god!” I say quietly.
“Yeah well sometimes the ones who we think are wrong for us, are actually the ones who are right for us. Just keep that in mind!” She says and intertwines our arms together. “Come on, I got some ladies for you to meet!”
I am introduced to all the better halves of the guys who work at the bar. They all seem nice and nothing like what I expected.
“Miss Hayes” Xander comes up to me.
“Mr. Hunt,” I grin at him.
“Oh shit, no one calls me that. I’m not my dad.”
“Well I’m not at work, so I’m not Miss Hayes.” I say with confidence.
“Fair enough. Hello Emily.” His tone is deeper, the way he says my name it shoots chills through me. “Thanks for coming.”
“No problem, even though I had no idea it was your party I was coming to.” I say quietly.
“Ah, well I don’t normally make a big deal about it. Besides this is a drama free zone and only close friends and family are invited.”
“Well I’m neither, so should I leave?”
“No you’re more than welcome to stay. Besides I think it would break Harlie’s heart.”
“Yeah she’s pretty amazing. I’m enjoying having her in my class.”
“Good cuz she’s in love with you.” He smiles at me and my heart goes into my throat.
“What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction comes on over the speakers. “Oh hell NO!” Xander shouts, and before he can do anything about it, Harlie comes running over by us, “Dance with me!” She shouts.
I shrug my shoulders at Xander and walk away a little from him so we have dancing space. Harlie, Reese and I start dancing, singing, and making up our own dance moves.
Xander is watching us, smiling and laughing. A couple of the guys walk over by him and say something to him and his smile gets bigger.
A few other pop songs come on and she knows every lyric to them. After the songs are over, I lean into Reese,
“I need something to drink.”
“Me too, alright Harlie, we’re going to go take a break.” We walk over to the ice chest and grab beers.
“You know you don’t have to dance with her.” He whispers in my ear.
I turn around, “I don’t mind, she’s fun and if she wants to dance, then we will dance.”
His smiles gets bigger, “Ok, well it’s ok to tell her no.”
I step back a little to get some distance between us, “I know.” I turn and find a bench under one of the trees and walk over and sit. Watching everyone from a distance, I’m just taking things in. The music is playing, some country, some pop, but mostly rock. “Bitch Came Back” by Theory of a Deadman comes on. The guys were singing it and laughing. What the hell are you doing here? I say to myself.
All of these girls have some kind of ink. Sure they’re nice, but let’s face it. It’s not my crowd. Not the country music listening, church going crowd I’m used to. I’m so out of place. I shake my head.
“You ok?” I didn’t even see him walk up.
“I’m fine.”
“You sure? Cuz you don’t look like it.”
“Just sitting over here getting away from the heat. Not used to this kind of heat.”
“Where are you from?” He asks. “Cuz I know you’re not from around here. You’re too pale and no offense you don’t look like you’re from here.”
I let out a laugh. “Nope definitely not from here. I’m from Wisconsin.”
“Holy shit, that’s a distance.”
“Yeah, tell me about.”
“Well cheer up, you get to hang out with me and by the time the night is over. We won’t be strangers and just maybe you’ll let me take you for a ride.”
My stomach sinks. “Yeah, probably not.” I say quietly.
“Why not?”
“One, I’m not dressed to go on a bike and two . . .” I trail off. Do I dare admit that I’m scared to be on the back of a bike, that’s I’ve never been on a bike before?
“You’re not scared are you?” He asks.
I don’t reply “Well don’t, I promise to be nice.” He lets out a breath, “And as for the dress . . . Trust me, plenty of women have ridden on a bike with a dress.” He lets out a laugh.
“So what’s the barbeque about? I saw some pictures in the house.” I change the subject.
“My brother died ten years ago today in a bike accident. Every year we get together, talk about him and we go on a ride for him.”
“I am so sorry about your loss.”
“It’s ok, time heals right? We do this now to celebrate his life. I know he’s riding with us when we ride for him. So it brings us a little peace. So if you’re going to stick around the entire night, you will have to get on the back of a bike with us and go for the ride.”
I let out a sigh, “We’ll see.”
I start to loosen up as the night goes on. .
“So wait . . . Xander isn’t an electrician? He owns that bar?” I ask.
“Jesus fucking hell! Xander!” Dani shouts.
He comes overs, “What?”
“You told this poor girl you were an electrician? Seriously? You can barely change your own damn light bulbs!”
“What? I didn’t think I would see her ever again! So what? Like you four have never lied before.”
“Oh you’re so fucked up! No Emily, he wouldn’t even know what do to with wires, if he had them.”
I just sit here shaking my head. I can’t be pissed at him, because like he said, he didn’t think we would ever see each other again.
As the night rolls on, my comfort level gets better. I’m more relaxed, talking to everyone including Xander’s parents. I’m trying really hard not to get all emotional and “oh he’s so hot and dreamy,” And bullshit. But when he makes eye contact with me or when he brushes up against me, my stomach does flips and my face turns warm. I swear there’s this current surge that shoots through me every time he gets close to me.
I excused myself to use the restroom, and as I’m walking back towards the kitchen, I hear guys talking,
“Dude, you gonna bang that?”
“Not sure. I’d like too, but she’s my kid’s teacher. Might make things awkward.”
“Well, if you don’t, can I?”
“Fuck you. She’s off limits to everyone. I find out any one of you touched her, I’ll kill you.”
They start laughing. “What?”
“You’ve never talked like that about someone. Normally, it’s fair game and now you’re being all protective? You like her!”
“Fuck off!”
“You do!”
“So what if I do? Do you think I’m actually going to pursue a relationship? I haven’t been in a relationship since Tessa took off on me. You know my motto. “Fuck em’ and leave em,’ that way no one gets hurt, and that’s how I plan to keep it.”
“You’re one fucked up son of a bitch!”
I cannot believe I just heard what I did. He is an asshole, like everyone warned me about. But did he actually admit he liked me? Fuck it. No, don’t go there. He’ll just break your heart.
I clear my throat and come out from the hallway.
“Oh hey, Emily. Didn’t know you were in here.” Billy says.
I didn’t say anything, but just smiled and walked back outside.
Reese could tell something happened and she pulled me over to the bench.
“You ok?”
I take a deep breath “I don’t know. Just something I heard.”
Reese started looking around and saw the four guys come out of the house laughing.
“Fucking idiots!” She says through gritted teeth.
“So did you walk into the “Fuck em and leave em” motto?”
“How did you guess?”
“Cuz you’re the only girl that has ever gotten shook up over that motto. I’m sorry. There are da
ys he can be such an immature fucker.”
“Ugh! I’m so fucking stupid! I knew he was bad news. I knew it but I still fucking let him get to me!”
“Here’s my two cents. Give it time. I think he likes you, but when Harlie’s mom left, it fucked him up. So, just give it time.”
“Nah, I’m gonna see him only as my student’s parent, and that’s it. I’m safer that way.”
“Totally your choice, but at least have fun tonight! Ok?”
“Sure!” I shrug my shoulders.
I KNEW EMILY was in the bathroom and I knew she’d end up coming out there. I told the guys that I need to make sure she knows I’m not for her. Blake and Billy thought I had lost my fucking mind and I should make my move on her. I guess those two are smitten kittens with Emily.
I don’t do relationships, ever since bitch hag left me and my kid, I have sworn off all women. Except for a fuck buddy. I am not going to allow my heart to get hurt or even worse Harlie’s.
But shit, look at her. She’s over there dancing with my kid and the girls for the millionth time tonight. “Last Friday Night” By Katy Perry, is playing over the speakers and I’ve never seen my kid smile as much as she has tonight, but Emily, Fuck! Her smile lights up the room, or in this case, lights up the backyard.
I just can’t stop staring at her, and this scares me. The last time a woman did this to me, she fucked me over and left me. I can’t do it!
“She beautiful, isn’t she?” My mother snaps me back to reality.
“Yeah I guess.” I shrug my shoulders.
“What the hell is wrong with you, Alexander?”
“Mom the last time I let someone in like that, she fucked me over so badly. I’m not willing to take that chance.”
“She’s not like Tessa, Emily is different. I can feel it!”
“You don’t know that. You don’t know her. Why did she move across the country? Maybe she’s worse then Tessa or maybe she’s not. Either way, I’m not willing to take that chance. Not anymore.”
“So you’re just gonna keep fucking those little bimbos in the back room? That’s how you’re going to live your life?”
“It’s none of your fucking business what I do!”
“It is when your kid is in the middle of it!”
“She’s NOT! They stay away.”
“Yeah for how long Alexander? You’re gonna fuck the wrong one, and she’s going to get all clingy, and she won’t leave. She’ll follow you home. I’m not stupid and neither are you, but right now . . .”
“Yeah, whatever Mom.” I cut her off.
“Emily is different. You’ll see . . .” And with that my mother walks off.
“Son of a fucking bitch!” I say to myself running my hands through my hair. I grab a beer out of the cooler, take a seat on one of my chairs and just sort of daze off. Watching Harlie dance with Emily. Mom and Dad are sitting there whispering about something. Not sure what it is, but I don’t care.
“Dude, you ok?” Flynn comes over by me.
“Yep, I’m just groovy!” I say sarcastically.
“Ok liar! But whatever you don’t have to talk. We’ll just sit here and stare.”
“You’re a fucking dick!” I snap at him.
“Yeah I’ve been called that. A lot actually . . .” He grins.
I shake my head and laugh.
“Let me guess, Momma Hunt wants you and Emily to run off and make lots of babies?”
“Yep, pretty much. She doesn’t get it. Even if I wanted too, why the fuck would I ruin her life? She’s the fucking pastor’s daughter! There’s no way in hell it would work. So I don’t even know why I’m even thinking about it.” I snap.
“Don’t punch me for saying this but . . . The fact that you’re actually thinking about it, it’s a good sign. You haven’t gotten this worked up years. You and I both know that if any two people shouldn’t be together, it’s me and Kayla. She’s the fucking prom queen and lives on daddy’s money. Me? Well, we all know who I was. Drug addict, drop out. But it works, so maybe it might work.”
I started laughing. “Ok Dr.Phil, would you like your man card back? Dude you sounded just like a fucking chick and Dr. Phil all in one!”
“Fuck off! I’m just telling you the truth.”
“Yeah I know. I’m just so tired of all this deep shit talking.”
“So when are we going to go ride?”
I look at my phone, 7:35 . . .”Soon.” I say.
I let out a deep breath and turn off the music, “Alright you guys know it’s been 10 years today since Nathan died. Tonight, just like every year, I’m riding for him. If you all want to join me, you can. I’m gonna go head over to the site and then I’m just going to ride.”
Everyone says they’re in. Good, I look over at Emily and I can tell she’s uncomfortable.
Reese is saying something to her which makes her smile and her face heats up a little. Even though I want to keep my distance from her, I want her on the back of my bike tonight. I don’t care about anything else.
Emily and Reese walk past me, “Xander?” she says turning around.
“Yeah?”
“If that offer still stands, I’d like to go on that ride with you.”
I get the biggest fucking grin I could get on my face. “Yeah, it is.”
“Good, then we’re going to go change and be back in a bit!” Reese says and all the women go inside.
“You’re going to do it?” Blake asks.
I shrug my shoulders. “Yeah, why not?”
“Good boy!” He pats me on the shoulders.
I grab Harlie and give her tons of kisses and hug her tight. “I love you, Babygirl!”
She sighs “Oh Daddy, I love you too.”
“I love you to the moon and back!” I tell her.
“Yeah well, Daddy, I love you to infinity!”
I start laughing, “Ok, you win for now!’
The girls come out and Emily has done it yet again, she looks amazing in her distressed blue jeans, white V-neck T-shirt and cowboy boots. I was never a fan of cowboy boots, but this girl can wear them and make them look hot, but I swear I think this girl would look good in anything.
“Well, should we do this?” I ask everyone.
They nod. We head towards the front of the house and everyone gets on their Harleys.
Emily is walking beside me, “Don’t worry. I’ll go easy on you the first time.” I wink at her.
“Thanks, I think!”
We get by my bike and I hand her the black helmet.
“Thanks,” She grabs it and puts it on. You can tell she’s never worn one before. She has no idea how to tighten it or anything. I get mine on quick, “Here let me help.” I tell her.
My fingers graze her neck and my dick starts to wake up. What the fuck! Go the fuck down! I say to myself.
I get on my bike, start it, kick up the kick stand, and get the bike upright and steady for her.
“Get on!” I say with a smirk.
She has no clue what she’s doing.
“Put your foot on this peg, grab my shoulders and throw your body over like you’re getting on a horse.”
She does as I tell her. “Where do I hold on at?”
“Wrap your arms around me and hold on.”
She starts acting shy.
“Em, hold on to me! Trust me.” I say in a stern tone.
Once she’s finally holding on, we take off.
We pull up to the intersection where my brother died. I look up at the sky, “This is for you bro!” I say and all the guys look up at the sky and wave two fingers. I don’t know why we’ve done it, but it’s like we’re waving at him. Even though I know damn good and well he’s riding with us, and not anywhere else. We have our ride for about an hour, just driving around the city. I keep getting a glimpse of Emily in my rearview mirror, and I can see her smiling. We come to a stop light “You having fun?” I ask her.
“Yeah, I am.”
“See, I told you!”
&
nbsp; “Yeah, yeah, yeah! Just drive.”
As much as I wanted to slam on the gas and scare the shit out of her, I didn’t. Not right now anyways!
We make it back to my place. “Anyone sticking around?” I ask.
“Nah man, kids will be home in the morning.” Blake says.
Everyone else said they were taking off.
“Hey Xander?” Reese comes up to me.
“Yeah?”
“Would you mind giving Emily a ride home? I’m going to leave my car here ’til tomorrow. Blake wants us to ride home on the bike. I already told her and she said if it’s fine with you, it’s fine with her.”
Fuck. Me and Emily alone? Not sure this is a good idea. “Yeah that’s fine.” I mean, what else am I going to say? I’m a dick but not that big of one.
I say good bye to everyone, Emily is in the house getting her things together.
I walk back in. “You ready?” I ask.
“Yeah, I think I got everything.” She says quietly.
“Bike or the car?” I ask her.
“Ummm . . .” she says biting her bottom lip.
“I’ll take that as the bike. You liked it, huh?”
Her face goes red again, “Yeah, I did.”
“Good choice.”
We walk back out to the garage and she grabs the black helmet and gets it on. I get the bike ready. She puts her backpack on her back and gets on.
“Are you in a hurry to get home?”
“Not really,”
“Good. I wanna show you something.”
We take off into the darkness. I don’t know why I’m taking her to this place, but I know it’s something she’s never seen yet and I could use the company tonight. We drive awhile and up into the mountains.
We get to the spot and I turn off my bike, but leave the radio on.
“Holy shit, this is amazing.” She says getting off the bike and looking out.
I’ve taken her to one of the lookout points in the city where you can see all the city lights down below.
“Pretty crazy, huh?” I say, standing there next to the bike watching her.
“Wow.” She says and turns and looks at me.
