Country Heaven

by Vicki Green

  I lean over, shifting in my seat and smile again at Jake. “I’d love a Jack and Coke. Oh, is it named after you?” I bat my eyes just to tick Jag off. Seriously! He needs to back off.

  Jake grins. “Darlin’, I wish it was. One Jack and Coke comin’ right up for the little lady.” He gives me a wink and Jag grunts. I watch Jake make my drink and then set it down in front of me. I smile, pick up the glass and I swear I almost came at the luscious taste. It’s been too long since I’ve had a drink, other than the one beer this afternoon, and man, does it taste awesome. “Geez, darlin’. Thirsty?” I look at my glass and see it’s empty. Oops. Guess it went down better than I thought. “How about another?” He smiles and I nod. Well, I’m not driving.

  “Hey, man! Some of us are playin’ pool. Come join us.”

  Jag and I both turn our heads and see a guy covered in tattoos and piercings standing there waving at Jag. He looks at me and smiles and I smile back, waving him off. He grabs the beer that Jake gave him and saunters off. I take the next drink and take a sip, trying to slow down but it tastes too damn good. “Hey, girl! So glad you made it. Have any trouble finding the place?” Tilly sits down on a stool beside me, winking. She looks so cute in a purple flannel shirt, the bottom tied in a knot around her small waist, showing her flat stomach and belly button piercing. I can’t believe she has on short jean shorts and cowboy boots. I shiver just looking at her.

  I laugh. “Not like there was a ton of houses to choose from on the way.” She laughs and I take another sip. “I’m glad we came too. This place is amazing! I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  She nods at Jake and then looks back at me. “This ain’t nothin’. See those bales at the back of the barn?” I turn my head and squint as the light fades right before you get to them. “That’s where the real party is. Anything your heart desires is back there. Sex, drugs, and rock and roll, baby!” My eyes widen as my brows raise. “Don’t worry. We have an escape route behind there, just in case. You should go take a look.”

  I shake my head in disbelief. “I think I’ll just have a few more of these before I do any exploring.”

  She shrugs and smiles. “Suit yourself. It’s there when you’re ready. Have fun!”

  I watch her get up from her stool and walk off into the crowd. Pretty soon, I’ve finished that drink and another one materializes in front of me. “Trying to get me drunk?”

  I wink at Jake and he winks as his shoulder raises. “Nah, but if you want to, I can make them stronger.”

  I laugh. He definitely is cute. “I’m fine but thank you.”

  I turn in my chair, facing out and watch a few people dance. I look over at the pool table area and see Jag with his arm around the shoulders of a pretty girl and several other girls and some guys standing around while one guy shoots. A commotion of voices echoes through the music and I turn my head to the front entrance. A beautiful woman walks in, decked out in cowboy boots with rhinestone studs all over them, a higher heel than you’d expect on them, skinny black jeans so tight that they look painted on, and a long sleeved light brown shirt with sparkling gems in a pattern. Her top is cut low showing her more than abundant cleavage. Her hair is long, blonde with dark streaks of brown throughout. Her face is round, her cheekbones high, magnified with blush. Another woman is whispering in her ear, both of them staring at me and I watch her long lashes flow down as she laughs, closing her eyes but reopen them right at me again. What the hell? She saunters in my direction, a gaggle of women following her. I turn back around, sucking on my drink like there’s no tomorrow.

  I see Jake standing there watching her. “Jake,” I whisper. He walks over, leaning on the counter. “Who in the hell is that? Some celebrity or something?”

  He laughs, still staring at the woman making her way towards us. “Nah, that’s just Nikki Garber. Around here, she’s kinda like a celebrity.” I nod and pick up my drink, slamming down the rest. I don’t have to ask for another. It just materializes in front of me. Thank God! I think I’m gonna need a bunch of these more than ever now.

  “Well, well, well. Looks like there’s fresh blood in town. You must be Stacey.” Her voice actually hurts my ear drums, too high pitched and too sickly sweet. I turn around in my chair and give her a sickly sweet smile.

  “Sadie. And you are?”

  She pretends to be bored, looking at her fingernails and then at me. The women around her start laughing. “Oh, I’m Nikki. I’m sure Memphis has told you all about me.” She starts to hold her hand out but pulls it back and looks at her nails again. Oh, really? “Girls, go find something to do.” She doesn’t look up but they all nod and disperse. Finally, she walks over and leans her stomach against the counter, moving the stool over with her booted foot and rests her “girls” on top of the make shift counter. “Jake. Be a darling and fetch me a vodka-red bull.” He smiles, looks at me slyly and then proceeds to make her drink. “You know. Memphis and I have a thing. We meet up whenever he can get away from his farming.” She stares out in front of her.

  “Oh, really? Funny he’s never mentioned you.” I take another drink, proud of myself.

  Point for me. Slut: Nothing.

  She turns her head and gives me a sad look. “Oh, honey. I’m so sorry. I heard you were here because of a punishment your daddy gave. It must be hard being so far from home and doing manual labor.” She rests her hand on my shoulder, her long glamourous fingernails glistening under the lights. “And no man to take care of your….” Her eyes move down my body and back up. “Needs.” My heart drops at her words. “Of course, Memphis is a real man so he needs a real woman to take care of his needs.” She looks at me and sneers, scanning down my body and making me so uncomfortable. “That’s what I love about him. He knows I can take care of what aches. Course, I plan on marryin’ him one day, but til then I’ll just take care of him, the only way a real woman can.” She looks around and then back at Jag. “For now, since he’s not here, I’ll just have to go find my own fun. Ta.”

  Point for Slut. Me: Embarrassed.

  I shake my shoulder, her hand falls away as she turns. I’m fuming inside and want to beat the shit outta her. “I’m just fine and my needs are being met, thank you very much. Not that it’s any of your business.”

  She laughs, looking over at the pool table area. “Oh! Is he yours? He’s HOT!”

  I turn and look at Jag, who now has his arm around a different girl. “No, he’s not mine.”

  She turns her head at me and smiles. “Oh! Goodie! I might have to get me some of that.” Anger is make me heated and I’m two seconds from telling her just what she can get and where. She sags a bit, taking a drink and sighs. “I might just pop over to Memphis’ tomorrow. I need me some of him in the worst way and haven’t gotten to see him since right before you showed up. I guess he’s had his hands full, babysitting. Maybe he’s ready some alone time with a real woman. Someone who knows what he likes. I’m sure he’s about to bust inside without me.”

  Point for Slut. Me: Infuriated.

  I start to stand, ready to punch her lights out when I feel a hand pressing down on my shoulder, keeping me from moving. “Oh, Nikki. How nice of you to join us. Come on, Sadie. Let’s go have some real fun.” Tilly sneers at Nikki and grabs the drink that mysteriously was sitting in front of me. “Come on, girl.” She hands me the drink and I take a big gulp. “Don’t let her ruffle your feathers. She thinks she’s all that.”

  She leads me to the back and into the dim light behind the bales of hay. She opens a door, and I’m bowled over by the strong aroma of something I haven’t had in a long time. More bales of hay are lining the small room. Some have blankets thrown across them and on one of them is a couple. The girl is underneath a guy, another blanket on top of them but pushed down to where you can see the crack of his ass. Looking at their movements you can definitely tell what they’re doing and by the moans coming from the girl, she’s obviously enjoying it.

  “Hey, Till! Come get ya some.”

  I
turn my head to the left and see a few people sitting on the ground and a guy sitting on the hay, holding out a joint. Tilly squeezes my shoulder, smiles, and walks over, plopping down on the bale beside him and taking it from his hand. She closes her eyes as she inhales, smoke bellowing from around the joint in between her fingers. “Sadie. Come join us,” she chokes out trying to keep the smoke inside as long as possible. Not sure if I should, I turn my head back at the closed door. I’m angry and drunk enough to have a little fun and need to try to forget Miss Hot Shit outside. I walk over and sit down on the other side of Tilly and she hands me the joint. I pinch it with my fingers, the smoky atmosphere already making me lightheaded. I take a deep pull, my eyes closing with the rush. God, it tastes so good!

  We sit there, talking and laughing, for a long time. Maybe hours. I’m having so much fun and feel better after the run in earlier. I stand, teetering in my drunken and high state, and laugh. I decide we’d better head back, not knowing what time it is and not wanting to get caught. I make my way through the door then around the bales and make my way to the pool area, hoping Jag won’t give me a hard time about leaving. I stop in my tracks when I see Jag making out with a girl on the other side of the pool table. Well, at least he got some action. I roll my eyes and walk straight over to him.

  “Jag! We need to go! Come on!” I shout and he tears his lips away from the girl and gives me a smirk.

  “Relax. We can go in a bit.” He turns back and begins to kiss her again.

  I grab his arm and pull, hard. “No! We need to go now. You said we wouldn’t be out long. Now, come on!” I tug harder and he finally starts to rise, kissing her a few more times.

  “I’ll email ya, babe.” He winks then throws his arm around my shoulders. I push it off as we walk to the front entrance.

  “Just great! When did this start?” Rain is pouring down then thunder roars and lightning strikes, brightening up the sky briefly.

  “Don’t worry. Let’s just hurry. We don’t have that far to go. I need to get my bike back and covered. Quick!” He takes off running, leaving me standing there. I huff and take off running, my boots sliding on the gravel. “Hurry, Sadie!”

  I look up but water pelts my eyes. I slide on the gravel, falling to the ground hard. My knees throb but I push myself up and limp the rest of the way to his bike. He gets it started, and I have to use my hands to move my leg over the seat. Pain sears through me and I wince until I’m sitting then put my arms around his waist. It’s really scary riding back. The rain hits on us hard, the darkness not helping my fears and my knees hurt. He suddenly stops, shutting off the engine. I’m shivering as I get off and put my hands on the seat. I start pushing as he steers, and we begin the walk back. My knees almost buckle a few times but we finally make it back, and I watch as he covers the bike with the tarp. I start walking to the house, getting as far as between the houses when he grabs my arm. I’m knocked off balance as his mouth covers mine. I push against his chest, shoving as hard as I can.

  “Dammit, Jag! Stop!” I yell.

  His hand pushes underneath my arm and covers my breast, not fondling but squeezing hard. I try to kick him but with my injured knee, I don’t even make him flinch. His tongue pushes roughly into my mouth. I cringe when I taste the alcohol and push against his chest harder, struggling to get free.

  “ENOUGH!”

  Jag is ripped from my body, and I stagger back. The rain flows down me, my hair heavy and weighing me down. Memphis’ fist hits Jag’s face and Jag stumbles backwards. Memphis stalks right over hitting him again and again, his other hand holding onto Jag’s shirt. “I told you to leave her be! Why in the fuck didn’t you listen and where in the hell did you take her?”

  Jag’s hand comes up, his fist hitting Memphis’ face. Then he hits him again and then pushes to get free from Memphis’ hold. The rain becomes heavier, making it even harder to see in the darkness. “She went willingly, you fucker! And don’t ever lay a hand on me again!” Memphis turns around. It’s like everything starts moving in slow motion. I shiver at his stare, his chest heaving, and his knuckles are bloody and scraped.

  Memphis growls and turns back around facing Jag who takes a step back, his fists clenched ready to fight. “You disgust me. Get your shit and hit the road. You’re not welcome here anymore. I don’t ever want to see your face around here again and especially anywhere near her. Get.” Jag moves his hand up and across his cheek. I can see the smear of blood from here. He walks quickly to the porch, looking over his shoulder a few times, and then goes inside.

  Memphis slowly turns to me. His face is sad. “Is it true? Did you go with him freely, Sadie?” My chin quivers. Disappointment and disbelief on his face. I can only nod, my body shaking in fear, cold, and shame. He rubs his hand down his face, the rain water flowing down and off his hand. “I’m surprised,” his voice lowers, but I hear him clearly. “I’m so stupid. I guess some people really can’t change, can they? Go to your room. Get somethin’ dry on and get to bed.”

  My chin quivers harder at his words. I feel like my whole world is crashing down on me. Then something hits me. He’s treating me like a child again. I stomp my foot, pain flows up and down my leg and I almost fall. “Stop treating me like a fucking child! I’m NOT a child!”

  “THEN QUIT ACTING LIKE ONE!” he screams, his body shaking. If looks could kill, I’d be dead.

  My head jolted back as if he’d slapped me. I open my mouth then shut it and storm to the house, up the steps, and open the front door, not looking back. His words hurt. I’m hurt. I walk inside and up the stairs, ignoring the sounds of Jag in his room. I can’t blame him completely. I did go willingly but the kissing and groping was wrong. I feel violated, upset from Memphis and wish I could just die. I lock my bedroom door and walk into the bathroom without turning on the light not wanting to see myself in the mirror. I’m shaking uncontrollably now and start pulling down my jeans. They’re soaked and hard to get down, and I have a hard time trying to be careful of my knees. I sit down on the floor, take my boots off and finish removing my jeans. I bring my knees up and inspect. They’re bloody, bruised and hurt like shit.

  Suddenly, Memphis’ face visualizes in my mind. The look of anger and disappointment staring at me. His voice when he yelled telling me to go to my room like a father would tell a child. Is that what he really thinks this is? A father and I’m his child? Anger boils inside me and I jump up, still limping from the pain as I storm over to my closet, grab my small suitcase and start throwing clothes in it. I go back to the bathroom, grab my small makeup case and swipe the counter with my arm, watching things tumble into it. I storm back into my room and toss it into the suitcase then grab a pair of jeans and a dry shirt, putting them on quickly then put my soaked boots back on. I find another hoodie and slip into it, zipping it closed.

  I jump when I hear Jag’s motorcycle rev up and grab my suitcase, walk down the stairs and to the front window. The rain is still coming down with a force, so I can barely see as Jag rides down the driveway and turns onto the dirt road, only seeing the lights of his bike. I watch as long as I can until he is gone from my sight. Good riddance! I should feel relief but all I feel is anger and hurt. I open the front door, pulling the hood of my jacket over my head, then walk down the steps. As I walk down the driveway, I keep looking over my shoulder, hoping Memphis doesn’t come out. The light is on in his office, the rest of the house dark. I look over at Mable’s house and my chin quivers again. I could just go over there, but she’s been so sick. I don’t want to bother her with my troubles.

  I continue my walk, feeling almost like it’s the walk of shame. Maybe it is in a sense. As I turn the corner and onto the dirt road, I look over at the house. God! I’m so pissed, so hurt. Maybe that Nikki was right. Maybe I’m not woman enough for him. But I am a woman, not a fucking child. Dammit! I start walking again, knowing I have a long walk ahead of me.

  Chapter Ten

  Memphis

  I’m still fuming and my hand hurts from hi
tting that fucker’s face. I walk into the kitchen and put my hand under the running water, wincing from the sting. Why did she go with him? Why did she go at all? I just don’t understand. Things were going so good. She was changing for the better, I know it. And what about us? He kissed her and she kissed him back. I want to hit something else, my anger welling up again. I walk to the freezer and put some ice in a towel then press it against my knuckles then walk to the cabinet and grab the bottle of whiskey. I don’t even get a glass. I twist off the lid and take a huge swallow, the liquid burning down my throat and making me hiss. I take it over to the table and sit down then take another drink. My mind is going wild, seeing her kiss him, his arms around her, and her hands on his chest. I take another drink, the amber liquid not helping my mood but it does help warm me up a bit. I look down, my clothes are dripping water onto the floor and I don’t even care. I keep drinking, thinking of her, and seeing her face in my mind, trying to think back to earlier today. She seemed fine then. I know she has feelings for me, she even told me she did. Then why the sudden change? Am I not man enough for her? Does she like a guy like Jag better? She acted like she did when she was standing out there. Defiant, dangerous, stubborn. I take another huge drink, draining the bottle of the remaining contents. I’m so damn confused.

  Then my heart stops. She was soaking wet, her skin a little pale from the elements. Now I’m worried she’ll become ill. I’m angry with her, but that doesn’t mean I don’t still care about her. Love…. Love her. Shit! I can’t possibly love her. Can I? She’s a mess, still needing to act responsibly, still needing to get her act together. And we haven’t known each other long enough but my feelings are there, emotionally. I know I am falling for her but is it love? No, but it could be in time, if we can only get past this. If only she’d let us try.