Justified Love (The Southern Gentleman Series Book 1) (19 page)

“Why do you stay then?” I asked tugging him away from his daydream.

Looking into his dejected eyes, “I hoped Dad would turn around and see me as his son and would still be proud of me. The more I allow myself to think about it, the more I see he will never change.”

Seeing the expression on Colt’s face was excruciating. Somehow I wanted to make it better, but I didn’t know how. I had always had a great relationship with my Dad and Granny, so my comparison with families wasn’t relatable. With everything going on, I didn’t think talking to Colt about my Dad’s case was exactly fitting. I’ll have to postpone the conversation for another time. My primary concern at the moment was taking care of this wounded man. I had always thought I had a rough time, but selfishly, I needed to consider the difficulties others were stressed with as well. With this man now a part of my life, his struggles were my struggles.

Rubbing my thumb across Colt’s hand, “Why not quit and establish your after school program?” I suggested.

“I would love to do that right now, but my primary concern is how he’ll react as well as the issue of money. I know money doesn’t matter, but Dad has a hold of my trust for another year. I don’t have enough personal collateral to make it happen and won’t have anything to start the program up with until then. If I have to struggle for a year to make those dreams come true, I will,” he said closing in the gap between us, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

Leaning into Colt, I began to think about, not only his situation, but my own. We’ve been living in the here and now, but haven’t stopped to think about what happens when Dad’s case is over. I planned to go back to New York, but I also wanted to continue my relationship with Colt. The heartbreaking reality of all this, at the end of the day, someone was going to get hurt. As much as we can kid ourselves, hoping this will work out, chances are, it won’t.

Turning Colt toward me, I wrapped my arms around his waist. Trying not to baby him, but just letting him know I was there for him in any capacity he needed.

“I have an idea,” I interrupted our thoughts trying to shift the mood.

“What’s that, beautiful?” he said kissing the top of my head.

“Why don’t you drop me off at home, and tonight we’ll go visit Harley at work. Wyatt’s supposed to have a show this evening, and they’ll be ramping up for the Tomato Festival tomorrow. You can get me drunk and take advantage of me,” I said with a laugh.

“I like your thinking, Watson. I’ll swing by around nine?”

“And by nine you mean eight-fifty?” I laughed.

“Actually eight-thirty. I park a distance away and use my binoculars to spy on you for half an hour,” he said looking shocked at my face.

“I thought I felt eyes on me. Now I know it’s not some random stranger peeping in the woods,” I said with a smile.

“I wouldn’t mind if you did a strip tease next time.”

“I bet you would!”

●

Carrington
: Hey, Hooker! We’re coming to see you tonight.

Harley
: Aww. I feel so special! And, what do you mean by “We”?

Carrington
: Skye, Wyatt, and Colt.

Harley
: Yes! I knew y’all were banging boots; you slut.

Carrington
: Shut your hole!

Harley
: Looks like someone couldn’t do that. Is he hung like a horse? I bet he’s hung, you tramp. When did this happen? Last night? Today?

Carrington
: Are you Barbara Walters? What’s with the inquisition?

Carrington
: He is very well endowed, last night and today.

Harley
: You sly, little bitch.

Carrington
: It’s a good thing we’ve been friends for so long. People could interpret your pet names as insults.

Harley
: Oh, bite me.

Carrington
: Bend over!

Harley
: What’s gotten into you? You never usually respond to my banter like that.

Carrington
: Let’s just say, Colt has brought a whole new side of me out. He’s tapped into the inner badass in me, and she wants to play.

Harley
: I love this Carrington.

Carrington
: Well get used to her.

Harley
: Yes!

Carrington
: I’ll see you tonight, Hooker.

Harley
: Later Bitch, wear something sexy. Make him work for that fine ass of yours.

Carrington
: Noted

Harley
: Oh shit, before I forget. Sadie won Tomato Queen this year!

Carrington
: That’s fantastic! I’m so happy that someone other than Paisley won. Sadie deserves a couple minutes of fame.

Chapter 15

Right at eight fifty Colt pulled up in the drive. I should know by now; he will always be here early. I don’t mind though. It’s thoughtful that he takes the time to consider being a gentleman. Doing a once over before heading out, I was pretty amped at my outfit choice tonight. I wore distressed skinny jeans, faded Guns N’ Roses tank with black lace bra peeking through the arm holes and my sexiest red Louboutins. I swept my hair up in a high pony, smacked on red lipstick and headed out the door.

“Damn, baby!” Colt whistled.

“You like? I was going for a country chic,” I asked dancing around in a circle.

“Like is not at all what I would call it.” Colt catcalled.

Snatching me off the porch and throwing me over his shoulder, “Come on, we need to get out of here before some other fool tries to take you away from me,” he said jokingly.

Smacking my ass, I teasingly moaning, “Thank you sir. May I have another?”

Smacking my ass again, I was starting to get turned on by his actions.

“You better put me down before I take you out to the field, and ravage your body...”

“You promise?” he asked only partly serious.

“Not right now, at least,” I said with a sheepish grin.

●

Pulling up to Ralph’s, I saw Harley’s and Wyatt’s truck. Wyatt and Skye must have ridden together. Wyatt and Skye had been best friends since we were kids. It’s no wonder they spend every waking minute with one another. I don’t think there’s anything between them, but it seems they could fit together pretty well. I don’t want to push or pry into their situation though. In a way, it’s kind of nice not knowing everything about someone. It leaves a sense of mystery about them.

Walking into Ralph’s, I waved to Chuck and Skye, who had already grabbed a table up near the stage where Wyatt was setting up.

“What kind of music does Wyatt play,” I asked Colt.

“He does a lot of acoustic sets, but he does experiment in country and classic rock. Tonight it looks like he’s doing an all band set. Should be pretty bad ass,” he said proudly of his friend.

“Why don’t you grab our seats with Skye and Chuck? I’m going to talk to Harley real quick if that’s O.K.?” I asked.

“Yeah, that’s totally fine, babe,” he said placing a kiss on my cheek. Blushing, I turned in Harley’s direction and made my way over to her.

“Hey Hooker,” I yelled to get her attention.

“Hot damn, baby girl. You look hotter than sex on a stick,” she said leaning over the bar to give me a hug. Before pulling away she whispered in my ear, “Your lover is staring awfully hard at that tight ass of yours.”

I turned around and sure enough; Colt was licking his lips at me.

“That man is going to be the death of me, Har. He gets me so worked up, it’s not even funny,” I confessed.

“It’s good to see someone’s dipping into those black lacy panties,” she winked.

“How did…” I started. “Never mind, I don’t wanna know.”

“So, what’s your poison tonight?” she asked.

“I’ll get four shots of Crown and four Buds. Oh, and add two shots of Jake. What’ll I owe you?” I asked.

“On the house tonight, baby girl,” she said.

“I can’t let you do that, Harley,” I said pleading.

“Call it a ‘You finally got a proper lay,' party.”

“You are one twisted friend, you know that?” I said as I pushed over one of the shots of Jake.

Lifting our glasses for a toast, “Here's to you, here's to me, the best of friends we'll always be, but if by chance we disagree, fuck you and here's to me,” we toasted throwing back the shots.

“Now get outta here, I got work to do,” she said as I blew her a kiss.

“Thanks, babe.”

“Oh, and P.S., I’m borrowing those fucking Louie’s,” she said as I kicked up my heels leaving the counter.

Coming back to the table, I had my hands full but could still master carrying my fair share of liquor. It’s an art.

“Here, let me help you with that,” Colt said rushing to my aid.

“You’re like a circus act the way you can juggle all those glasses.”

“At least I’m not the bearded lady, or have a Siamese twin.” I joked.

“Yes, thank God for that,” he smiled back. Laying the drinks down I went around the table to give Chuck a hug and to smooch on my Skye.

“I’ve missed you Breezy. I haven’t seen you in a couple days. Whatcha up too?” I asked while the boys gabbed about Chuck’s rodeo coming up.

“Not much. I’ve been working the night shift the last couple of nights to earn some extra cash, but it’s killing my sleep schedule,” she said.

“It’s only temporary honey. They’ll figure it out, and then you can join the living like the rest of us.” I encouraged.

“Thanks, sweets. I appreciate your sympathy,” she said.

“So, Harley tells me you did the deed with Colt,” she whispering with raised eyebrows.

“Damn she’s got a big mouth,” I said.

“Yeah, but don’t tell her that. She’ll use that to her advantage any way she can. Plus, I’m not so sure she bats for just one team if you know what I mean. She might take that as a come on,” we sat joking and laughing.

“Skye, it was unbelievable. He was amazing, I’m still reeling,” I confessed.

“Just be careful, baby,” she said.

“You’re here for a reason and I’m not sure falling for a guy is the reason. I just don’t want to see you get hurt is all,” she said sympathetically. The sad thing is, I think I was already there but, I didn’t know how to tell her that. I didn’t want to think about this tonight.

            Leaning into Colt, we sat and listened to Wyatt’s set. He was actually pretty good. I could see why the girls went wild for him. His naturally curly brown hair bounced as he caressed the mic stand. He fed off the girl’s screams when he took off his shirt for their enjoyment. I could see why Skye always found his shows entertaining. The Wyatt who was on the stage was entirely different from the Wyatt we all knew.

Just as Wyatt’s set ended, Skye leaned my way, “I need to use the ladies' room, need to go?”

            “I’m good for right now, but I appreciate you asking, Breezy.”

            Sticking my fingers in my ears, “Man, those speakers are loud as shit.”

            “Oh, come on, Carr. Get with it. It wasn’t that loud. Someone get granny a hearing aid; she’s going deaf,” Wyatt chimed in as he plopped down in a chair across from me.

            “What? I can’t hear you!” I joked with him.

            The buzzing started to subside just as I heard the click-clack of heels. The hideous aroma of cheap perfume hit me even before I saw her. Placing a hand on Colt’s bicep giving it a squeeze Paisley said, “Hey Colt. Funny seeing you here.”

“Hi, Paisley,” he said trying to be polite, but clearly annoyed at her presence. I wanted to strangle this bitch. Putting an arm around me, and pulling me closer, “I’m just here with my girlfriend, Carrington. You remember Carr, don’t you?”

With a shit-eating grin on my face, I leaned over and gave him a kiss on his cheek. Colt didn’t take his eyes off me even when Paisley was staring daggers at me.

“Girlfriend, huh?” she replied with agitation on her breath.

“Looks like you downgraded since our date,” Paisley said smugly.

“That’s funny, because I heard you made a complete ass out of yourself throwing yourself at Colt,” I said grabbing Colt’s face and gave him the deepest, sensual kiss I could. God, it felt good to rub this in her face.

Caught in the middle of our crossfire Colt looked highly amused at the interaction.

“Watch out Carrington, people might mistake you for a hussy. Especially since you’re even willing to put out on the high school football field,” she confessed thinking she had me.

“I don’t think I have anything to worry about. And, spying on people is really unbecoming of you Paisley,” I said as politely as I could. Just then, Skye came back from the restroom right when Harley caught wind of what was going down. All but running to the table, the girls came at Paisley like two Mama Bears.

            “Looks like someone grew some balls while she was away. I guess that’s where all that fat went too,” she hit back.

Putting up my hand to tell the girls, I was ok. “Yep, that’s right Paisley. Grabbing a hold of my crotch, “These balls aren’t taking your bullshit anymore so you can keep walking. I’m trying to enjoy my date with my boyfriend,” I said confidently.

The table erupted in laughter as Paisley clinched her glass. Coming toward me she fake tripped and spilled her drink all over my top.

“Oops, I’m so clumsy,” she said putting her hand in front of her mouth grinning.

“That’s it Paisley. Take your stank ass out of my bar before I beat the shit out of you,” Harley said while Skye held her back.

“Are you ok?” Colt asked grabbing a hold of my shoulders and looking me in the eyes.

“Yeah, I’m good. Look. I look just how I did when I first got back to town, soaking wet,” I said wringing out my top.

“And just like that night, I am still staring at your chest. I’m kinda digging this wet T-shirt contest look on you,” he said pulling me in for a hug.

“I’m going to get you wet,” I said trying to pull away.

“I should be the one telling you that,” he said with a laugh.

“But honestly, it doesn’t bother me. I need you near me right now,” he said sweetly.

“I can’t believe that bitch,” Harley said coming back from the bar with a towel. “I think I got another top in my locker in the back. Come with me,” Harley said grabbing Skye’s hand and mine.

Reaching the back room, “Are you sure you’re O.K.,” Skye asked.

“Honey, the spilled drink is so minor compared to the way I feel standing up to Paisley.”

“Yeah, that was pretty fucking awesome. You literally grabbed your crotch. It took everything for me not to burst out laughing,” Harley chimed in.

“Did you see the look on her face when you started to make out with Colton?” Skye added as we all laughed.

“Speaking of which, holy shit girl,” Harley said bug-eyed.

“That was so hot; even my lady bits were tingling,” she confessed.

“I’m happy for you darlin’. You look so happy.” Skye said.

“You know what? I am happy. For the first time in a long time I feel like life is finally going my way,” I said with a stupid smile on my face.

“If anyone deserves a happy ending, it’s you baby girl,” said Harley as we all went in for a group hug.

“Ok, enough of this sentimental shit. Let’s get you changed and back to your stud muffin,” Harley said.

“Let me see what I’ve got in here,” Harley sifted through her locker.

“Please, don’t put me in something too scandalous?” I pleaded.

“What about this?” she said pulling out a crop top that would just barely cover my tits.

“I’m not sure I could pull that off. What else you got?” I asked hesitantly.