by Maren Lee
When Brenden returned, their drinks had arrived. Brenden leaned down and whispered into Justin’s ear, “I have some more information on those phone calls Chloe got, but I want to wait until the girls leave the table.” Justin nodded, nervous to hear the information Brenden had to relay. Thankfully, it didn't take long for the ladies to decide a group bathroom trip was due. What the hell is it with that being a social trip for women? Chloe leaned in to him and gave him a soft kiss, nibbling on his lower lip before sliding out of the booth. Damn, the woman was a brunette goddess with mile long tan legs attached to that juicy ass. He’d be bending her over later for sure. Lights on. She marched off with Lane and Sierra. All three women walked with a little sway to their hips. They intentionally avoided making eye contact with Jake's fling of the day.
Jake and Whitney -- wait, was that her name? He couldn't keep up with the women in Jake's life -- sat at the table playing grab ass, fucking up his plan to talk with Brenden.
"Jake!" Justin shouted over the music.
Jake tipped his chin at him, “What’s up, man?”
"You should hit the dance floor with your woman there."
He read Justin's facial expression perfectly. It was helpful to have him on the same level when it came to being discreet.
He nodded his head. "That's a fine idea, Justin. Let's hit it Wendy." Wendy! That was her name.
When they stepped out of earshot, Justin leaned in close to listen to Brenden.
"So the phone calls were made from three different pay phones in Imminence. I had a couple of deputies review the tapes from the businesses near where the phone calls were made. Male, mid-to-late 30's, about 5'10", brown hair. Face was too blurry to be exact, but based on the description and drivers license provided by Uintah County, Utah, we do believe it to be David Sullivan. We contacted the mental health facility where Sullivan was being treated at in Utah.” Brenden paused. “Justin, he escaped two weeks ago.”
Justin inhaled deeply. A lump rose up in Justin’s throat. He let Brenden continue. “There’s a warrant out for his arrest. An APB has been sent out as well. He has the potential to be a violent and dangerous individual, so we cannot leave Chloe alone. At all. The suspect is driving a white van with blue doors. It's an early 90's Astro. It was stolen out of Utah but the plates have been swapped out for stolen Montana plates, which also read to a white van. Keep your eyes out for anything, okay?"
"Shit. Brenden. I pulled that van over the night of your wife’s party. Dude was driving too slow, but it was the end of my shift. I didn’t run his plates or ticket him. Just gave him a warning. Told him to learn how to drive on a mountain highway."
“Shit. That gives us something more to work on. I’ll have them pull the logs and see if we can get anything from the dash cam. Don't worry Chloe with the details tonight, we’ll think about filling her in on next steps tomorrow.”
"Okay, then.” Justin exhaled and shook his head. He immediately blamed himself. He should have run the plates. He should have listened to his gut. Fuck.
They sat in silence so that Justin could compose himself for when Chloe came back. He didn't want to worry her any more than she already was. He’d beat himself up later.
➰
Chloe and Sierra stood by the bathroom sink, waiting for Lane to join them. Sierra was on a roll tonight. She’d spent the last 10 minutes trying to figure out which cowboy in the bar was both hot and decent enough for Lane. She decided on Connor Parish. He was a local cattle rancher. No real baggage. Early 30's. Looked good in jeans. The three of them left the restroom in a daisy chain of arms. Chloe loved feeling like she belonged here. She felt like she was really appreciated. She hoped she was loved by more than just her family here. Whoa. Love? Did she love Justin? Shit. That wasn’t supposed to happen.
Sierra led them to the bar where she conveniently chose the spot right next to a smokin’ hot cowboy to order the three of them a round of shots. Sierra requested Patron. Chloe loved the stuff, but it made both her and Sierra wild and crazy; it must run in the family. After they sucked down the liquid trouble Sierra let out a loud “woo!” drawing the attention of multiple people, sexy cowboy being one of them.
Her cousin smiled at him and very sweetly and sarcastically entertained his glance, "Connor, did my hollering disturb you? I am so sorry!"
"Bullshit, Sierra. I know you don't mind disturbing the peace. But how in the hell could I ever be bothered by the sound of beautiful women having a good time? Who do you think I am?”
"Such a charmer you are. Connor let me introduce you to my girls. This is my cousin, Chloe Tisdale, and my favorite gorgeous redhead, Lane Bennett."
"Ladies,” he tipped his black Stetson. “It's my pleasure. May I buy you all a round?”
“You know, Chloe and I have drinks waiting over at our table with Brenden and Justin, but I know Lane here is parched.”
“What do you say, pretty lady?” Connor turned on the charm.
Lane looked at them both scrutinizing the undeniable convenience of the situation but nodded her head in agreement, “Sure. Whiskey ginger, please.”
“My kinda girl,” Connor looked pleased.
“I'll catch up with you two shortly.” Lane winked and turned to Connor.
Sierra looked pleased with herself as she pulled Chloe back to the table. Justin and Brenden met them halfway and pulled them toward the dance floor. Chloe knew that Justin wasn't a huge fan of country music, so it was a big deal to her that he would even make the effort to dance with her. Garth Brooks’ song The Dance came over the speakers. Justin slid his hands around her waist as he pulled her in close. “Dance with me, beautiful?” How could she say no to that? She stood on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around his neck and pressed herself tight to his body. His hands felt so good and strong against her body. She felt safe with him.
“Chloe, you look so goddamn beautiful. I haven't been able to take my eyes off of you all night. And it’s not just your delicious tits, ass, and legs that go for days. But your smile, your eyes. Your laugh. You own me, baby.” She turned her head in toward his neck off of his right shoulder and sighed. “Jus, you know just what to say to make me melt.” He lowered his right hand from the middle down to the small of her back and pressed her close, pushing his groin into hers. He was hard as steel. She groaned in his ear.
“Chloe, I've got to have you.”
She swallowed hard. “Now?”
“Right. Fucking. Now. The kitchen’s closed, darlin’. Let's go cook something up.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her and started to pull Chloe toward the bar. He stopped and pulled her in for a deep kiss, then leaned toward her ear, “Don't make eye contact with any of the bartenders. Act like we belong here.”
Her pulse quickened. She'd been adventurous before, but this was so far out of the norm for Justin. She wanted to jump at the opportunity to get busy with him, but at the same time, this seemed awfully public. The music faded in the background as he led her through two double doors in to a dimly lit kitchen. They walked around the corner, he pulled her to him, bringing their mouths together in a passionate kiss filled with want and need. Tongues colliding, hands groping. She slid her palms up his button down shirt and clenched his chest. He moved her backwards until her bare shoulders were pressed against the cold steel door of the walk-in cooler. She gasped when the sensation of hot and cold clashed on her body.
“Want you,” Justin muttered into her mouth. She heard the tell-tale sound of him unzipping his jeans. She was dripping with anticipation. He grabbed her legs one by one and hoisted them up around his waist. “Put me inside you, Chlo’,” he commanded breathlessly. She reached between them and pulled her panties to the side, then moved to his waistband and slid down to his length. She wrapped her palm and fingers around his girth as she pulled him out of his boxer briefs and placed his head at her heat. He grasped the swells of her ass and plunged into her core. The moaned in unison. She could feel every inch of him, moving in and out in short strokes because he couldn�
�t quite get the leverage to pull all the way out.
“So good.” He panted. “So tight. Fuck, I love this pussy.” He was so far inside of her and growing harder as he pushed her closer and closer to the edge. She could feel his cock throbbing inside her. He was already close. “Baby, what do you need to come with me?”
“More. Contact.” She moaned.
He moved his right hand around in between them and put his thumb on her mound. He rubbed her clit quickly while twisting his pelvis to move even deeper inside of her.
“Oh, God!” She shouted.
“There’s my girl,” he said, pleased to please her. Apparently that was all she needed. She came hard and fast, and in turn, it sent him over the edge, her pulses milking the seed out of him and bathing her insides. “Fuck,” he hissed. For a moment they were still and quiet.
Chloe broke the silence. “Holy shit, Justin.” She panted as she worked to catch her breath.
“I know. Me too.” He was just as out of breath. He leaned in to her shoulder and placed soft kisses up her neck. “Let's head back out there before anyone realized we disappeared.” He kissed her forehead, slid out of her, and placed her on the ground. She adjusted her underwear and skirt.
“Okay, but I need to head to the ladies room to get cleaned up really quick.”
“Let's go. I'll wait outside the door for you.” He held her hand as they left the kitchen.
“No it's okay, Jus’. You go meet them at the table, I know where the restroom is. I’ll be there shortly.” She pecked him on the cheek.
“Don’t be too long. I’ll be waiting for you.” She smiled and walked away from him.
➰
The line for the restroom felt like it went on for miles. She couldn't believe that this place only had two stalls in the women's restroom. A place this size shouldn't be lacking. Unfortunately, the company wasn't friendly either. She felt as though every woman in there was shooting daggers her way. God, women could be such bitches. But Chloe didn’t let it bother her. The seed of the hottest man in this joint was leaking out of her vagina. Ha! Take that, bitches.
After Chloe finally cleaned up and washed her hands, she exited the restroom into the skinny, dark hallway. Just outside the door she recognized the bitchy cashier from the grocery store standing in the line. Awesome, more glaring! Bitchy was standing there with a brunette with what Chloe assumed was an attempt at an ombre dye job. It was a botch job to say the least. The hallway wasn't terribly wide, so avoiding them wasn't exactly an option. Chloe tried not to make eye contact.
Chloe proceeded down the hall, attempting to slip by Bitchy and her friend, Ugly Hair. Just as she stepped out of the hallway and onto the open dance floor she felt a sharp tug on her hair yanking her backwards. Fuck that hurt!
Chloe turned around expecting it to be the store clerk but was greeted by Ugly Hair instead. Chloe shouted, “Let go of my hair, you fucking bitch!” but the mystery cunt only pulled harder.
Chloe stomped on her bare toes with the heel of her boot as hard as she could.
The woman let go and screamed at Chloe, “Bitch!”
Chloe took a step back, trying to retreat, but before she could, Bitchy ran at her in an attempt to tackle her to the ground. Chloe stepped quickly to the side and Bitchy tripped, heading straight into the wall. By now a crowd had started to form around them. Chloe couldn’t believe that these women came at her for no apparent reason and nobody was doing anything to stop it. A scrawny arm wrapped around her neck and Ugly Hair attempted to choke her out. She put her mouth near Chloe’s ear, “You must feel really good about yourself, stealing my man, you fucking slut!”
Chloe choked out, “What in the fuck are you talking about? He is my man, you psychotic cunt!” Chloe threw her head back and headbutted her in the nose. Ugly Hair released her neck and fell to the floor, clutching her face.
Bitchy stood up and bystanders chanted “Fight, fight, fight!” Thankfully, the crowd parted for a moment, she could see Sierra running toward her, “Chloe! Are you okay?”
“No! I’m not. These psychos just came at me for no reason!”
Ugly Hair screamed while holding her bloody nose, “It wasn't for no reason! She took him from me!”
Sierra got right in her face, “Kari, you know damn well he isn’t yours! He was never yours! You just crossed the line, bitch.” Sierra looked like she was about to go on a tear. Oh lord. “Don’t you ever, ever, EVER put your hands on my cousin again. You so much as look at her cross-eyed, call her names, spread rumors, or sic your stupid bitch posse on her, you will be dealing with me. Do you get me, bitch?”
“Fuck off, Sierra. You don’t get to boss me around.” The crowd began to lose interest and began to dissipate.
“No, but I can make your life miserable,” Sierra threatened quietly.
“Are you threatening me, Sierra?”
Sierra got right up in Ugly Hair’s face. “Fuck yes, I am. I would give anything to knock you the fuck out right now. But I won’t because that would just create more paperwork for my husband. Instead, I’ll just remind you that it would be a damned shame if anyone were to ever find out about your fuck-fest with Mayor Jennings. I bet his wife would sure be disappointed. Not to mention all the good folks of Imminence.”
“You wouldn’t!” gasped Ugly Hair.
“Try me,” taunted Sierra.
Ugly Hair pursed her lips and then nodded. “Not worth it. Call it off, Sierra.” Then she turned away and sulked off.
Sierra hooked her arm into Chloe's and turned toward Bitchy. “The same goes for you Crystal. You ever so much as talk about this, and I will fuck you up, too.” Sierra put her arm around Chloe. “Come on.”
“Hold on, Sierra. Is that a good idea? The Sheriff’s wife threatening to blackmail a citizen? Albeit one with really ugly hair.”
“Oh, please. That wasn’t blackmail. The whole town already knows about her nasty-ass affair with the Mayor. She just thinks she’s smarter than she actually is and has hidden it well. I assure you: She. Has. Not.”
Chloe laughed as Sierra dragged her back to the table where Brenden and Justin waited for them. Well, this should be a fun chat.
➰
Justin and Brenden heard the commotion and stood up to head toward the scene, but Sierra stopped both of them in their tracks. “Nope. Not happening. Neither of you are on duty. If there is an issue, you let the bartender call dispatch.” She took off toward the crowd.
“Do we really have to just sit back and wait?” Justin asked.
Brenden shook his head. “No, but I think she’s right. Let Sierra find out what's going on. She’ll come get us if she needs us.”
After what seemed like an eternity to Justin, but was really only five minutes at most, Sierra came back with Chloe, her arm wrapped around her waist. Chloe's hair was a wreck. There was a red mark around her neck, like someone had tried to choke her out. And she looked pissed. Pissed was probably the wrong word. Livid was more accurate. His stomach turned. He initially felt angry that she was involved in any type of altercation -- a fuckin’ bar fight of all things, Jesus. Thankfully, he was able to repress his anger and show some concern for her. “Baby, what happened? Are you ok?”
Chloe took a deep breath. "Once again, some stupid bitches claimed that you were taken and decided to take it upon themselves to violently let me know that they had a problem with me!"
Whoa. He’d never heard her so angry before.
"Chloe, you know..."
She cut him off. "Stop. You don't need to explain yourself again, I believe you. You said you were mine. I told the psychotic bitch that. End of story. But that doesn’t mean I’m not still FUCKING ANGRY!” she screamed. Her whole body was shaking.
"Okay. Chlo’. Calm down, baby. I fucking lo... look out for you, I hope you know that?" Holy fuck, he almost professed his love for her again!
"I know you do." She kissed him on the lips softly.
"You ready to head home?"
"No! Fuck those
bitches. I'm finishing my drink first."
He chuckled, "All right."
When they turned around, Brenden and Sierra were deep in conversation. Brenden looked pissed. Sierra rolled her eyes and turned toward them, "Want another shot, cousin?"
Chloe smiled, "Please."
Just then Jake and What's Her Face came back to the table. He looked uncharacteristically pissed off for having a woman with a nice rack on his arm.
Sierra popped off, “Jesus, Jake. What crawled up your ass?”
He glared at her, “Nothing. Drop it, Sierra.”
“Sensitive much?” She turned back to Chloe. “I'll be right back with those shots.”
“I’ll head over there with you,” she replied. The two locked arms and walked toward the bar. Justin watched Chloe closely. She didn't seem rattled by the altercation any more. She apparently just shrugged it right off. This woman continued to amaze him.
