by Nicole Hart
Around 1 am we decided to call it a night. Mackenzie had a boyfriend waiting at home and I had a bed calling my name. I wasn't used to late nights.
When we walked into the house I couldn't get these boots off fast enough. Sam was a little tipsy and all of the sudden got the giggles.
"Oh damn, I forgot I have a surprise for you!" She said with a little slur.
She walked over to my new room and opened the door.
"Tada!" She yelled. Really loudly. And then got the giggles again.
I walked past her and there was all my stuff. My favorite blanket was on the bed. The bookshelf my dad made me was sitting in the corner. Along with my other belongings.
"I don't understand" I was confused "How did you do this?"
"That's where I went today after work."
"My errands" She said as she made the little quotation signs.
"Actually Moon and Jase did most of the work" She said as she leaned against the door.
"Who's Jase?" I asked.
"Moon's friend, they work together. I told you about him. He rents Moons guest house. He's very quiet" She was slurring and actually whispered the word quiet.
"Thank you so much! I can't even explain how grateful I am that y’al did this"
"You're welcome my Lainey boo boo. But I gotta go to bed. The rooms starting to spin. G'night."
"Night"
I went to my new room and sprawled out on the bed. I grabbed my blanket and snuggled it. I was going to be ok.
Chapter 3
3 Weeks Later
Things had been going so well the past few weeks. I started my job at the vet and I loved it. Everyone was really nice to me. It was a little strange working in the same place as Sam but never really seeing her. I spent all my time at the front desk and she was in the back with the animals. So we spent our evenings cooking dinner, watching movies and hanging out. My heart was starting to heal and I felt good about the way things were going.
I had spent a lot of nights thinking. I knew that Derek wasn't the one for me. I should have known it before I saw him with a skank bent over our couch but that's the way it went. A part of me had loved him, but it wasn't the intense crazy love that I knew existed. I wanted a love like my parents had. They had been together for over 20 years and were still crazy in love when they died. I knew I would find it one day but I sure wasn't in any hurry.
It was finally Friday and I had just put my sweats on when Sam walked in the door.
"Moon's back in town. He's having a bonfire at his house. Go get dressed woman!"
I was tired after a long week but I really did want to see Moon. Plus I needed to thank him in person for what he did. A text just wasn't good enough.
"Is it supposed to be cold tonight?" It was October in Texas, you just never knew.
"I think a little bit, but the shine will warm you up"
"No way"
"I'm kidding. God you're so serious" She giggled.
So I put on my jeans and boots, straightened my hair and put on my makeup. It would be dark and I was going to smell like fire anyway, so the bare minimum was good enough.
As we drove down the dirt road to Moon's house, you could see the bonfire lit up in the field. It had been years since I spent a Friday night around a bonfire under the stars. I immediately got butterflies in my stomach. I really had missed this place.
When we pulled up to Moon's house, I was a little surprised. He had a huge brick house with what looked like a guest house behind it. But the thing that caught my eye was the huge barn. I saw neon beer lights, a huge flat screen and a pool table.
"Roughnecks with paychecks" Sam said with a grin. She must have seen me eyeing the barn. I wasn't a dude, but it was pretty awesome.
We got out of the car and walked over to the bonfire. I was warming my hands, it had gotten chilly fast. I waved to Mackenzie and who I assumed was her boyfriend, Jake. She wasn't lying, she liked pretty boys. There were a couple of people in the barn playing a game of pool. By the way they were whooping and hollering, I'm assuming Moon had brought out the Shine.
I sat down in one of the chairs by the fire.
"Well, well, well. If it ain't city slicker coming back home! Come here girl!"
Moon grabbed me by the hand and put me in a bear hug. He looked a little older, but he was the same old Moon.
"Hey! I'm so glad to see you! And thanks again for getting my stuff."
"Sam did most of the dirty work, I just brought the guns" As he flexed his muscles.
"Give me a break" Moaned Sam.
"You know you like it woman!" As he grabbed her around the waist. She shoved his chest and he slapped her on the ass as he walked away. What the hell was that? Sam tried to hide the grin that came across her face, but I saw it. We were talking about this later.
Right about that time a huge black Chevy truck pulled up. Oh man, that was a nice truck. I had inherited my dad’s love of them. I noticed them way more than most women.
The lights to the truck went off and I'm pretty confident in saying the sexiest man I had ever seen hopped out. He was wearing a worn out baseball cap and had a scruffy face. He was pure country, down to his jeans tucked into his boots. DAMN!
He looked my way and I couldn't help but stare. He gave me a little nod and I'm pretty sure I bit my lip to keep my chin from dropping.
"Who is that?" I asked Sam as I grabbed her by the arm.
"That's Jase, I told you about him"
"Um, no you didn't! You might have told me about Moon's friend, but you didn't tell me about THAT!"
"Do you want something to drink?" Sam laughed.
"Um, yeah, beers fine." I mumbled.
I didn't want to be obvious but I couldn't help looking at him. This was the last thing I needed was to be crushing on some guy I just laid eyes on. I didn't want to think he was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. But I couldn't help it. He was talking to Moon and laughed at something Moon said. His smile was even perfect. He walked back over to his truck and unzipped his jacket.
Please don't have tattoos. Please don't have tattoos. I thought to myself. I would be done for.
As he took off his jacket, his chiseled arms revealed a full sleeve on his left arm and random tattoos on his right. Shit. I was in so much trouble.
Sam came back and handed me a beer.
"Thanks" I said.
"Come on" She said as she grabbed my arm.
"What? NO! SAM!" I hissed.
"Oh yeah, you're going to meet him. I'm introducing you so you will stop eye fucking him. I think I can actually see your panties smoking"
Before I knew it, we were walking towards him. He got sexier with every step I took.
"Jase, this is my best friend Lainey"
"Lainey, Jase"
And then she walked away. Just like that! Gone!
"Hi, I'm Lainey. Wait, Sam said that already." Great! He was going to think there was something wrong with me.
"Nice to meet you ma'am" He said with a slight southern drawl. It wasn't too much but it was definitely there. He stretched out his hand to shake mine. I immediately put my hand in his.
You know in the movies when they always say that sparks were flying. Well I never thought about it literally. But the moment my hand was in his, I know I felt a hum of electricity flow through my body. In that instant, I looked in his eyes. His perfect green eyes that were the color of emeralds. And once our hands were touching his eyes turned just a shade darker. It happened so quickly I thought I imagined it. Don't get me wrong, I've felt attraction before. But this, this was so much more. This was intense. It would almost be scary if I didn't want more of it.
My heart was about to pound out of my chest. I knew I had to speak but I was literally mesmerized with this man. Our hands fell apart but our eyes stayed locked. Speak Lainey!
"Thank you so much for helping Moon get my stuff, I really appreciate it."
"I didn't mind at all" God, his voice.
"Are you cold? You're shiv
ering."
"A little" I lied.
"Let's go sit by the fire and warm you up"
As I turned toward the fire I felt his hand brush across my back, just for a second. But there it was again. Electricity! I glanced up at him and he had that look again. It was a smoldering gaze. It was like he was looking right through me. My body shivered and I'm pretty sure he must have noticed. He had a crooked little smile on his face as we walked towards the fire. I had to bite my lip again to keep from grinning like an idiot.
We sat down by the fire and I took a long swig of my beer. I needed to calm my nerves. Or my excitement. Or whatever this was taking over my body.
"Do you want another beer?" He asked.
"Sure, thanks" I didn't even realize I had drained that one.
"I'll be right back" He said as he got up
I couldn't help but watch him walk away. He was perfection. I've never seen anyone wear a pair of jeans better. He had a fitted black tshirt that hugged his back. And those tattoos. Good Lord.
"You've got a little drool hanging out there"
I was so busy staring at Jase I didn't even notice Sam and Mackenzie come and sit beside me.
"Hush Sam! I wasn't drooling"
"Drooling...Admiring...Either one is ok!" said Mackenzie.
"I can't help it, y’all!" I admitted.
"But I was just checking out the scenery, that's it" I added.
It seemed like I could think a little clearer when he wasn't in my view. But my rationalization left me as soon as I saw him walk out of the barn with Moon.
"Sam!" Moon yelled. "Get your ass over here so we can show these pussies in here how to play some pool!"
"You know I like a challenge" She said and walked away.
"Is there something going on between them two?" Mackenzie asked "I've been wondering for weeks."
"I don't know" I said "But I'm gonna find out!"
"Well your eye candy is coming this way, so I'm gonna get back to Jake. He starts getting weird if I leave him alone for too long"
"Ok" I said to Mackenzie but my eyes and mind were already on Jase.
"Here ya go" He said as he handed me a beer and sat beside me.
"Thanks! So how long have you known Moon?"
"A couple of years" He said.
"Where are you from?"
"Midland."
"What brought you to Bailey?"
"Just needed a change"
"I know the feeling" I agreed
He gave me a knowing grin. But it wasn't a look of pity. It was more a look of understanding. All I knew is the more I looked at him, the more I literally wanted to lick his scruffy face.
Put the beer down, Lainey! Geez, I had met this guy 20 minutes ago and I was ready to put my tongue on him. I needed to pull it together.
We spent the next two hours just talking. Talking about our jobs, this town, the people in it. I was so wrapped up in our conversation, we could have been the only two people there. I couldn't get enough of his eyes, his smile, his laugh and the way he scratched his chin when I asked him a question he had to think about before he gave an answer. We laughed like we had known each other for years. I was insanely attracted to him, yet completely comfortable with him. It was something I had never experienced before.
Headlights started pulling off the land and I realized the party was coming to an end. I also realized I hadn't seen Sam in hours. But the truth was, she could have been sitting right next to me and I wouldn't have noticed. Just then she came walking out of the barn with Moon.
"Ya ready?" She asked.
"Um, sure" I said reluctantly. I wasn't ready for this night to end.
"Ok I'm gonna run to the bathroom, I'll meet you at the car." She said as she walked toward the house.
"K"
We both stood at the same time. He put his hand on my back and guided me to the car. Every time he touched me, my heart rate went crazy.
"So, can I call you?" He asked as we stopped at the passenger side of the car.
"I'd like that." I said. I had to bite my lip, again, to keep from sporting a goofy grin.
He took the pad of his thumb and ran it across my bottom lip. I could tell he wanted to say something but he remained silent. He dropped his hand, pulled his phone out of his pocket and handed it to me. I entered my number and handed it back to him. He went to grab his phone but held my hand for just a few seconds. I had to force myself to take a breath.
"I'm glad you're here, Lainey. I'll call you"
"Ok, bye" was all I could say.
He turned around and walked toward the guest house. I had to watch him for a second before I opened the car door and climbed in.
"Shit! You scared me!" I yelled to Sam "I didn't even see you come to the car!"
"That's because you were too busy trying not to eat Jase's face off"
"Was I that obvious?"
"Nah" She lied.
"Are you ok to drive?" I asked.
"Haven't drank a drop"
The rest of the ride was spent in silence. I was trying to wrap my head around tonight. My lip was still tingling where he touched it. How could a simple gesture have that effect on me? This could be bad. I wasn't ready to have feelings for someone. The real question was, could I stop it?
Chapter 4
When I woke the next morning, Jase was my first thought. And the butterflies in my stomach immediately followed. He really was beautiful. Too beautiful to be single. Surely he had a girlfriend. Some whore in a different town. Something. But I pushed that thought out of my head because honestly, I don't think I could handle not seeing more of him. And the fact that my imagination kept getting the best of me wasn't helping. I wondered what his kisses tasted like or what it would feel like to have his arms wrapped around me.
This is ridiculous. I thought. I just met the guy last night and he already has me daydreaming. I wasn't ready to date someone. Derek had kind of messed my head up and I worried about trusting someone else with my heart or my body. So I forced myself to push thoughts of Jase out of my mind and rolled out of bed.
As soon as I opened my bedroom door, the smell of fresh brewed coffee made my mouth water.
"Does Jase have a girlfriend?" I asked Sam. So much for not thinking about him.
"Good morning to you too Sunshine" Sam mumbled from her corner of the couch holding her cup of heaven.
"Sorry. Morning!" I said as I walked to the coffee pot.
"But no, I don't think so. I've never seen him with a girl. He's pretty quiet and keeps to himself. Moon would have probably mentioned it."
"Ok, good." I sighed with relief. "And speaking of Moon, is something going on between y'all?" I sat beside her on the couch so she couldn't avoid my question.
"What? No." She said way too quickly.
"You dirty liar!" I said with a giggle. "Oh my God, you're sleeping with Moon!"
"Ok look, yes I am. I was going to tell you, but there's not much to tell. We're not dating, we're just fucking."
"Well, alrighty then" I said in shock.
"I mean, like 6 months ago, we got drunk at his house and it just happened."
"6 months! I can't believe you didn't tell me"
"Sorry, but really it's not a big deal. We don't even talk about it. He comes home, we fuck. It's fun. Not to mention, he is hung like a fucking horse."
"Seriously Sam. TMI."
"You asked!" She giggled.
"I didn't ask that" That was an image I didn't want in my head.
I heard the ding of a text message coming from my phone in the bedroom. I put my coffee down and tried not to sprint to my room to get it. The butterflies were back.
It was a number I didn't recognize. It was him.
Jase: Mornin
Me: Good morning yourself
Jase: I hope I didn't wake you
Me: Nope, already up :) I'm a morning person
Jase: Good to know
Jase: I was wondering if you were busy tonight
Me: I'm op
en Shit!
Me: I mean available Damn it!
Me: I mean, I don't have any plans. :) God, I'm an idiot! He's not going to reply!
Jase: :) Ya wanna go have dinner?
Me: Sure
Jase: Good deal. I'll pick you up at 7
Me: ok
Jase: This is Jase by the way
Me: HAHA :)
I spent the day going through my closet, then going through Sam's closet, then my closet again. I wanted to look sexy but not slutty. My bedroom looked like a tornado had hit it by the time I picked an outfit. I decided on my favorite jeans, a fitted black shirt with a scarf to match and my boots of course. Jase didn't say where we were going so I figured it was dressy enough but not too much. I laid out the perfect silver jewelry to bling it out just enough.
"Should I wear my hair curly or straight?"
"Curly. And big. It's sexy"
"Oh my God, I'm nervous"
"Don't be nervous. It was pretty obvious last night that y’all are totally into each other. Don't forget to shave your legs, just in case." Sam said with a wink.
"I'm not sleeping with him." I said.
"Well, it's better to be safe than sorry. Better take care of all your business while you're at it. She hasn't seen any action in a while, she could probably use a touch up." She said as she pointed to my crotch.
I launched a throw pillow at her head as I walked to the bathroom.
6:58 pm
I was putting on my lip gloss and giving myself another look in the mirror when I heard a knock at the door. My stomach did a flip flop and I had to take a minute to even my breathing. A couple of minutes later I walked out of my room and there he was.
I hadn't imagined it. He really was perfection. He was wearing a grey long sleeve pearl snap shirt, dark jeans and black boots. It was a different baseball cap tonight. Newer but still worn. He hadn't shaved and I was so thankful.
"Damn" he said as he looked at me "You look really good"
"Thanks" I said
"Ready?" He asked
"Yep, just let me grab my purse"
We walked over to the door and he opened it.
"After you" He said.
