Save Me From Myself (Nashville Nights)

by Stacey Mosteller

  “Oh wow! That’s a long time to be friends with someone!” I didn’t have any friends that I’d known for that long. I was so shy in school that I had a lot of trouble getting close to people. I still talked to a couple of people from high school, but mainly on social media.

  Tipping up my chin, David narrows his eyes at me. “If you’re getting ready to make another old man remark, let me warn you that the next time you call me an old man, I’ll spank your sexy little ass, darlin'.”

  Holy shit! Maybe I have been reading too many books lately, because that totally turned me on. I don’t tell him that though, I just smile sweetly at him, making him laugh. I really like it when he is playful, but now that he’s talking to me, I’m anxious to find out what happened with Amy. Obviously she isn’t in the picture anymore, but I want to know why, so that I don’t make the same mistake. “So….Amy?”

  David laughs at my not very subtle subject change, but then quickly sobers, “Yeah, Amy. So, when I went back to Charlotte, I told her that I needed to move home, and I asked her to come with me. She didn’t say it, but I could tell she was hesitant to leave. Her whole family lives there and she wouldn’t know anyone but me and Jeremy if she came with me. She finally decided she would come, but she asked for some time. We decided that we would start off with her coming up a few weekends so that she could meet SarahBeth and see what Nashville was like. She’d never been outside of the state, and wanted to take it slowly. The first time she came up, everything was fine. She got along with SB, and she liked Nashville, at least what she saw of it. After two months of her coming up every other weekend, I brought up her moving again, and she avoided giving me a straight answer. I was working at Drench, and tried to talk her into getting a waitressing job there. She wouldn’t give me a straight yes or no answer, and I felt like I was losing her. I decided to propose, because in my head, I thought it would make her feel more secure. Unfortunately, when I proposed, she freaked out.”

  I’m reeling. I wasn’t expecting him to have proposed to her. My chest feels tight, and my breathing is getting faster. The thought of David proposing to someone else causes me physical pain, which is absolutely crazy. It’s not like I want him to propose to me, I just don’t want him proposing to someone else. Bravely, I ask him, “What happened?”

  David sighs, “Like I said, she freaked. Started rambling about how she wasn’t old enough to be responsible for a 16 year old girl, and that she wasn’t ready for that kind of commitment. Amy said she loved me, but that if I wanted her to marry me, I’d have to come back to Charlotte….alone. When I told her that I couldn’t do that to SarahBeth, she said that I would have to choose. I would either be with her, or I’d be with my sister. My sister who would be ‘just fine’ living with her grandparents. She even went so far as to say that if SB really loved me, she’d want me to live my life. I couldn’t believe that she would ask me to choose. When I told her that if she made me choose, I’d choose my sister, she completely flipped the script. Screaming at me, she accused me of using her, of never really giving a shit about her. I couldn’t believe the way she was acting. Seeing the real Amy, it felt like she’d been lying to me for our entire three year relationship. And if there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s a liar. After that experience, I decided that serious relationships just weren’t worth the headache, until I met you.”

  I melt at his words. He knows exactly what to say to make me feel like the most important girl in the world. When I raise my eyes to meet his, he’s looking at me with a warmth in his eyes that I’ve never seen. There’s still some lingering sadness, but he’s looking at me as though he can’t get enough of me. Bringing his lips to mine, he whispers, “Not until you,” as I close my eyes and lose myself in his kiss.

  I’ve only been home for a few hours. This weekend has been an emotional roller coaster, and I seriously need to decompress before going back to work tomorrow. David wanted me to stay again tonight, and even offered to bring me back to get another change of clothes, but I just couldn’t do it. By the look on his face, I know that me coming home worried him and it shouldn’t have. I just need a chance to absorb everything.

  Finally, I hear the front door open. I’ve been waiting for Anna to get back so that I can talk to her about everything I found out. Getting up, I reach for the door handle and freeze when I hear Brandi and Terra’s voices along with Anna’s. Maybe that’s not a bad thing, both of them are nice, and lord knows, I need all the help I can get. Taking a deep breath, I walk out into the living room and find all three girls on the couch sharing a bottle of wine.

  Anna turns when she hears me enter the room. “Hey girlie! You’re home from Hottie’s! Is he here too?”

  I shake my head, “No, he dropped me off earlier. He wanted me to stay another night, but I decided to come back here instead.”

  “Girl, why would you chose to be home alone instead of in that man’s bed? If you’re done with him, I’ll gladly go console him.” Terra’s grinning, and I know she doesn’t mean it, but it still ticks me off.

  Glaring, I tell her, “I’m definitely not done with him, so you won’t be consoling him anytime in the near future. In fact, you won’t be consoling him ever.”

  Holding both hands up in capitulation, she leans back on the couch, “Hey girlfriend, I was just teasing. Bitches before bro’s, you know?”

  Bitches before bro’s? Where does she get this stuff? She and Anna are two sides of the same coin. I can’t help but laugh at what she says, and just like that, the tension breaks and everything is back to normal. This, right here, is exactly what I need tonight. Flopping down onto the extremely comfortable white armchair Anna bought at a consignment store last week, I reach over to grab some M&M’s from the bag Brandi’s holding as she sits on the couch.

  “Hey! Those are mine!” Brandi squeals as she jumps up like she’s going to grab them back from me. I shove the entire handful into my mouth and grin when she puts her hands on her hips and pouts. “That’s so not fair!”

  “All’s fair in love and chocolate!” Terra exclaims, and she and Anna dissolve into laughter.

  “So,” I begin once they’ve quieted, “you all know what I did this weekend, what’d you guys do?”

  Elbowing Anna, Terra whispers loudly, “No, we know who Lyric did this weekend.” Anna doubles over with laughter before snorting, which makes all of us laugh.

  Looking mortified, she slaps her hand over her mouth and her eyes are huge. “Oh my GOD! I did not just do that!”

  I’m still laughing when I respond, “Oh yeah ya did.”

  Anna narrows her eyes at me, and suddenly whips a pillow off the couch and throws it at me. I bring my arms up to protect my face and it falls uselessly into my lap.

  “Oooh! Pillow Fight!” screams Brandi, grabbing a pillow and going after Anna with it. Not even five minutes later, we’re giggling like schoolgirls and attacking each other with pillows. It’s the most fun I’ve had with girlfriends in a long time.

  ***

  Finally, we’re all red-faced and exhausted, collapsing in a heap on the living room floor. All the exertion has us out of breath, and my stomach hurts from laughing so much.

  Rolling over so she’s facing me, Anna studies me for a second before saying, “So, what happened this weekend that has you so freaked out?”

  Suddenly uncomfortable, I look away from her, “Nothing. I just felt like sleeping in my own bed.”

  “Riiight. I think you’re forgetting that we were roommates in college for two years Lyric, and we’ve been friends for longer than that. I know when you’re avoiding, and you’re definitely avoiding David. What’s the deal, yo?”

  “Yo? Really, Anna?”

  Anna just shrugs, “Come on, spit it out. We’re your friends L, let us help you! No one in this room is going to screw you over.”

  I know they’re not. But, old habits are hard to break. Taking a deep breath, I tell them, “I talked to SarahBeth this weekend.” Terra and Brandi look confused, and Anna is
quick to clue them in to who SarahBeth is. Then, she nods at me, waiting for me to continue. “She told me about the accident that killed their parents, and about David moving back to take care of her.”

  Brandi lets out a dreamy sigh, “I swear, that man is perfect. Please, tell me he burps a lot, or he farts during sex. Give me something!”

  I can’t help but laugh, “No, he isn’t overly gassy, and he definitely doesn’t fart during sex.”

  Anna squeals before jumping up to throw her arms around me, “OMG! Oh. My. Freaking. GOD! You did have sex with him! I need some serious details! Start talking!”

  I should have kept my mouth shut. Maybe one day I’ll learn. “There’s not much to tell. We had sex, then we slept, then we had sex again….and again.”

  Anna gives me a hateful look, “Woman, if you don’t give me some details, I’m going to cut you. It won’t be pretty.”

  Terra and Brandi nod their heads frantically. “Yes, please details!” they plead in unison.

  I can’t help but roll my eyes, “What kind of details do you think I’m going to give you?”

  “Length, width, stamina, you know the drill.” Anna is practically salivating at this point.

  “Jeez Anna, it’s not like I got out a ruler!” I know I’m being mean, but I’m having way too much fun riling her up.

  “Lyric Faith Evans, I swear to GOD! If you don’t give me some kind of details, I’m calling Ben and telling him you had sex with Mr. Sex on a Stick himself.”

  As threats go, that one is pretty effective. “You wouldn’t!” I gasp.

  Anna gives me an evil smile as she pulls her phone from her pocket. After tapping it a few times, she turns it so that I can see and places her finger over the call button. I can see Ben’s picture, and I know my face pales. If she tells him, he will never let me live it down. He’ll follow me around all day tomorrow, begging for details. And that’s if he doesn’t come over tonight to get them.

  “Okay, fine. You want details? I’ll give you details. He’s bigger than Matt.” Anna snorts, like this was obvious. “As I was saying, he’s bigger than Matt, he’s definitely more talented than Matt, and I had more orgasms this weekend than I had the entire time I was with Matt. Happy now?”

  Anna scoffs, “You didn’t give us anything good. Hell, a vibrator could have given you more orgasms in three minutes than Matt gave you in three years.”

  So it’s going to be like that? Well, I know a few things I can tell her that will hopefully shut her up. “Okay. How about this then. Friday night at Drench? Remember when he came and got me on the dance floor?” Anna nods eagerly and I continue, “Well, he took me into his office.” All three girls lean closer, this is going to be fun! “He slammed me up against the wall and gave me an orgasm right there with just his fingers.”

  “Hell yeah! Go David!” Terra whoops and fist pumps as she says this.

  “Seriously? You have all the damn luck you bitch.” Anna grumbles, and I grin at her. “Can you ask if he has any friends who will slam me up against a wall?” Brandi snickers at her words, and Anna smacks her on the arm, “Shut the hell up! Not all of us have hot fiancé’s who are willing to screw us six ways from Sunday.”

  “And I’m damn sure not complaining!” Brandi smirks and moves out of the way before Anna can hit her again.

  There has definitely been a little too much wine tonight. Or maybe they were half lit before they even got here tonight. Either way, this entire conversation is hilarious, and I can’t keep from laughing.

  ***

  Holy crap! My head is pounding this morning. Rolling over, I look at the clock and see my alarm will be going off in less than ten minutes. Of course, I would wake up early after drinking who knows how much wine last night. The last thing I remember is Alex picking up Brandi and Terra because they were too drunk to get themselves home. I do have to admit though, last night was something I was seriously in need of. Aside from Anna, I’ve never had many close friends, so hanging out with Brandi and Terra was so much fun.

  Once I’ve had medicine, a shower, and breakfast, in that order, I finally feel somewhat human again. Anna stumbles out of her bedroom bleary-eyed, saying, “Give me twenty minutes and I’ll be ready to go.”

  That’s fine with me, I’m in absolutely no hurry to deal with Sebastian’s Monday morning grumpiness. Grabbing my phone off the nightstand, I notice there are three missed calls and ten texts from David. Wonderful. I left my phone in here last night when I went out to see who was here with Anna, and I never came back in to get it. It’s super early, but without even looking at the texts, I call him.

  David answers before the second ring finishes, “Lyric.”

  In a rush, I tell him, “I am so sorry David! I left my phone in my room while I was in the living room with Anna, Brandi and Terra. We started talking, and time completely got away from me. Are you mad?”

  He sighs heavily, “No darlin', I’m not mad. I’m not your keeper.” I wish he’d tell me what he wants to be. We never did have that conversation this weekend.

  “I know you aren’t, but I don’t want you to think I was ignoring you after everything that’s happened over the past few days.” Why is it that when I’m talking to him, I sound like an insecure little girl?

  He doesn’t say anything at first, and I feel my heart speed up. Finally, he says, “But, are you really okay with everything that happened this weekend?”

  I don’t hesitate before answering, “Yes, David! I really am. I’m glad we talked, and I’ll always want to know more about you, past and present. I’m not going to run.”

  David chuckles, “Good thing. If you did, I’d just have to catch you. And, once I caught you, I’d probably have to punish you.” His voice drops an octave, and I sit on the edge of my bed when my knees get weak. His voice just does things to me. Especially when it gets deeper, because it sounds like pure sex.

  “Punish me?” I croak as the possibilities flood my mind. Maybe I should run.

  “Mmm,” he murmurs. “Do you want me to punish you darlin'?”

  Oh, God! I squeeze my thighs together, but say nothing. I couldn’t say anything even if I wanted to right now. All I can think about is the possible ways he can punish me. While we’re both sitting here silently, I hear David move around, his sheets rustling. “Are you still in bed?” I squeak.

  “Yes, not all of us have to get up early. Want to call in sick and come see for yourself?” Oh hell yes! But, Sebastian would kill me if I called in sick. Especially since I’m sure Brandi and Terra wouldn’t be able to keep their mouths shut about last night’s activities.

  Sighing, I tell him, “Yes, but I can’t. It’s Monday, which means new assignments. Hopefully Sebastian will quit punishing me for whatever he thinks I did, and I’ll actually get something to do this week.”

  “Do you need me to talk to him?” his voice hardens, and I know that the last thing I need to do is have David “talk” to Sebastian. It would only make things worse.

  “No, that’s okay. I’m sure he’ll ease up soon.” Well, at least I hope he will.

  David clears his throat, “Well, let me know if you change your mind. I need to get back to sleep darlin', I’m in charge of the bar tonight. Have a good day, and I’ll talk to you later, alright?”

  I can’t hide the disappointment in my voice. “Okay,” I sigh, “sweet dreams.”

  He laughs, “Oh, they’ll be sweet alright, as long as I dream about you.”

  “Whatever. You’re such a perv!” I’m laughing too though, I can’t help it. He just makes me feel good.

  “Only when it comes to you princess.”

  I shake my head, knowing he can’t see me. “Bye David.”

  “Later darlin'.” Then, his voice is gone, and it’s time for me to go to work. Sighing heavily, I head back out to wait for Anna. After more than thirty minutes, we’re on our way to Nashville Nights, and I’m really wishing I’d just called in sick anyway.

  It’s been over two weeks since the
“best sex I’ve ever had” as Anna refers to it, and between stuff at the bar, and the amount of events I’ve had to cover with first Ben then Brandi being sick, we haven’t gotten to spend much time together. Just lunch here and there, one night at my place, and a lot of phone calls and texts. Finally, sickness is over, and the bar has calmed down some, so David is picking me up at work for dinner.

  I’ve been on pins and needles all day waiting for David to get here. Sebastian’s yelled at me twice trying to get my attention, I’m just not with it. I’m too excited about seeing him. Moving to Nashville wasn’t supposed to be about falling in love, but that’s what happened. I can’t pretend anymore, even though we haven’t gotten to spend a lot of time together lately, I am completely, head over heels in love with that man. More in love than I’ve ever been with anyone else, including Matt. It terrifies me. I just hope he feels the same way.

  Finally, it’s 5:15 and Hayley buzzes me to let me know that I have a visitor out front. Somehow, I avoid running over anyone in my haste to get to David, and when I walk out to the reception area, I see him standing at the wall of windows that make up the front of our building. He’s so deep in thought that he doesn’t hear me walk up, so when I put my hand on his arm, he jumps slightly. Turning, he grins at me, but it’s not his normal carefree grin. It looks forced, and I can’t figure out why.

  “Is everything okay?” I ask him, not really sure what could be bothering him.

  He just shrugs, “Everything’s fine, just waiting for you.” His grin still isn’t meeting his eyes and I frown, but I know that if he wants to tell me, he will.

  Placing his hand at the small of my back, he leans in to kiss my cheek as he leads me out into the late afternoon sunlight. When we reach his car, he opens and shuts my door for me before getting into the car himself. When he eases into traffic, I turn to look at him. His jaw is tense he’s gripping the steering wheel with both hands, something that has never happened while I’ve been in the car with him. He’s either holding my hand, or his hand is on my thigh or playing with my hair. He seems really nervous for some reason, and again I try to find out what’s wrong with him.