“You keep it up with me, and you know what I’ll do with one of these shoes.”
He laughed. “And you’ll have fun limping out into the parking lot to get it.”
Crystal’s arrival with my appletini saves him from me punching him in the arm.
“It’s good to see you. You look good,” I tell him. He does. He’s smiling, and it feels good to sit here with him like we always used to do.
Morgan is next to join our group, and with his arrival we do our first round of New Year’s Eve shots.
“Happy New Year!” we say, clinking our plastic glasses together.
“Play a game?” Morgan nods to Ryder. They start a game of pool, and I use the time to survey the crowd. I wonder what I’ll play on the jukebox tonight. Something fun and festive.
My thoughts are interrupted with the arrival of Noah and Ben. They are spending a few days at the inn to get some fishing in, so I get even more time with them. They clasp hands with Ryder and Morgan in greeting and then take seats and order drinks. Talk with the guys turns to fishing and football. I smile, seeing my brothers there. Both are dark headed with similar builds. Noah is thinner than Ben. His hair cut military style, while Biker Ben has his mop of dark hair covered in a bright red bandanna.
I once again begin to ponder my jukebox choices. “Jose Cuervo” maybe?
Time clicks by, and as it does, Jameson comes in with Evan. They both stop by and greet everyone, wish me a Happy New Year, and they go about their business on the other side of the bar.
Gabe and Grace walk in next, Gabe looking the soulful musician with his skinny frame and mop of brown hair. Gabe and Grace are both musicians, but Grace is more of a tough rocker. She has long black hair, black nails, black boots, well, everything is just black. She’s tough as nails, and I love her for it. I guess she has to be, living in New Orleans. The only person missing, other than Joey, is Emily.
“Anyone heard from Emily?” I ask.
“I get the occasional letter from her,” Noah says. “I think she’s busy with school and stuff. I think she’s okay though.”
I should have called her and invited her down, I think. I will tomorrow. I’ll see if she can come and visit while everyone is here. A Boonies reunion.
Our little group has grown so big now that we have to take a table in the corner, still close to the pool table so the guys can keep themselves occupied.
“So, Carly, how did that man hunt turn out for you?” Ryder says between turns at the table. “Doesn’t look too good to me.”
“Shut up, Ryder,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“What? Cranky ’cause you don’t have anyone to kiss at midnight?”
I look up to the smoke-stained ceiling for patience, which Ryder takes as encouragement.
“C’mon now, it can’t be that bad. Chin up. There’s always next year.” He looks at the clock. “And next year starts in five minutes. So you’re in luck.”
I lean down and slide my shoe off and lay it on the table.
“You think that scares me?” he says. “You can’t hit me anyway.”
That does it, and I send the shoe flying in his direction. He dodges, takes the shoe, and, of course, throws it out into the parking lot. I roll my eyes again.
The bartenders and owners begin handing out the mini bottles of champagne and plastic flutes. Ryder’s right. I have a whole new year to find Prince Charming. Maybe I can do in a year what I couldn’t do in thirty days.
“Hey, Carly? I found this in the parking lot. It has to be yours.” It’s Joey’s voice and I jump up off of my barstool. I almost fall, one shoe and all, so I kick off the other shoe and run into his embrace.
“You made it!”
“Of course I did.”
“It’s that time!” the owner of the bar says through the mic.
“Happy New Year, Carly,” Joey says, his arms still around me.
“Happy New Year, Joey,” I say, smiling. My Mr. Right is back.
“Five…four…three…two…one…”
Joey leans down and places a soft kiss on my lips, and I’m shocked. Like, really shocked. A slow hum of electricity runs through my body. He leans back and smiles. I, Carly Devereaux, am speechless for once in my life. I bring my fingers to my still tingling lips.
Luckily, I am saved by hugs and well wishes from the gang. I resume my spot. I’m still sitting there wide-eyed, sipping my champagne, when Ryder, damn him, sits on my lap.
“So, Carly, tell me again how that hunt is going?”
I punch him in the arm, he shoves his cowboy hat on my head, kisses my cheek, and walks away. I smile. The gang’s all here, and it feels good.
I know what I’m going to play. I grab some money from my pocket and head to the jukebox.
“You didn’t play any cheesy eighties crap, did you?” Joey asks when I get back.
“Nope, I went really old school this time. Thank you for the tree by the way.”
“You remembered to water it, didn’t you?”
“Actually, I did.”
He laughs. “Good.”
The beginning strains of Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family” begins playing through the speakers.
As it plays, the crowd in the bar chimes in. Ryder grabs Grace for a spin around the jukebox, as arm in arm, Gabe, Joey, Ben, and even Noah sing along with me.
For now, it’s enough to be here with great friends and family. I’ll catch Prince Charming one day. Just not today.
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Acknowledgements
First, I’d like to thank The Boonies. Val, Denise, Tammy, Colleen, Danyella, Ruby, Elizabeth, Sandy, Snapper, and the rest of you guys. Your feedback and support mean the world to me.
Thanks to Dennis and Chris for your feedback during the first and second drafts. You guys are awesome.
Gillian, you rock as an editor. One of these days we’re going to have an adult beverage at a music festival or on the beach at Galveston.
Esther, thank you so much for that signed cover by Aaron.
Thanks also to Sonia and Barry at Soho, Sherry at Ultimate Look, Ashley at Salon Nivag, and Melinda at Hair by Melinda for putting my books in your stores and promoting them.
And thank you to Limitless. I’m so glad to be a part of #teamlimitless!
About the Author
A.L. Vincent is a teacher/writer who lives in the heart of Cajun Country. Born in Oklahoma, A.L. became fascinated with South Louisiana after reading Interview With the Vampire. Finally, she became a Cajun transplant in 2001. When not getting lost in a story line, A.L. can be found cooking or enjoying live local music. A.L. has one son, and a furball of a dog aptly named Furby.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/AL-Vincent/1482509838726737
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/soonergirl1975
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/12945977-a-l-vincent
Catch And Release (Fleur de Lis) Page 9
