Bayou Stix Series: Bayou Stix Limited Edition Box Set (126 page)

I say out loud, “He’s
not
gay. And you’re straight.”

Ty makes a face at me. “I am definitely straight! Tif, I don’t want to see you hurt. You’re an amazing woman and you care about the drummer. But, I care about you and I don’t want to see you with a broken heart. I’ll kick his ass if that happens.”

He would too. Ty has been my partner for two years now. He’s a great guy. We are like brother and sister though; so the fact that he’s completely hot, while not lost on me, does nothing for me. That would be gross.

I pat his cheek. “I know you would. I love you for it, too; but I can take care of myself. I’m a big girl. We’re friends, Ty. I’m giving him space and time to realize how awesome I am. And he will. He has to, right?!”

He kisses my palm and bites it. “He better. Or he really is a fucking idiot!” He laughs as I jerk my hand away and punch his shoulder. As he rubs it, he asks, “So, want to head to Walk-Ons to catch the game tonight or are you just going to head home and go to bed?”

I’d forgotten a pre-season football game was on tonight. I’m exhausted from the crazy calls with our shift, but I nod as I check my phone. Ty laughs at me. “Go ahead. Ask him if he wants to come too. Maybe I can be your wingman!”

I roll my eyes at Ty, but laugh. “My wingman?”

He nods. “Yup. I’ll throw some meat your way to see how he reacts. I’ll help you land him.”

I chuckle as I think it through.
What would it hurt? I can flirt with a few people and just see how Cruz reacts. If he really isn’t interested, then he won’t care, but if he IS, he’ll let me know. Two months is long enough to figure it out. I’ve made it more than clear that I’m interested.

If this little nudge is what it takes, then bring it on.

I nod. “Ok, Robin. Let’s do this!”

He grins and I don’t mistake the twinkle in his eyes.
Oh lord, I hope this doesn’t backfire!
But he gripes with a smile. “Why am I Robin? I want to be Batman! You look better in tights!”

Grinning, I wink. “Truth. But both wear tights.” I text Cruz and within minutes he texts back saying he’ll meet us there tonight at six.

Leaning back against the seat, I take a deep breath.

Ty pats my hand. “Tif, in all seriousness… if he’s interested, you’ll know. I just don’t want you to be unsure anymore.”

Turning my head, I smile at Ty and take him in. His chestnut hair has auburn highlights and he has sage-colored eyes. He’s fair skinned, but he tans and works out five days a week as well as plays flag football whenever he can; so he’s fit. He’s the best.

He sees my inspection. “Why are you looking at me like that? You’re creeping me out.”

Grinning, I lick my lips and I outright laugh as he fidgets uncomfortably on the seat. “When are you going to get a steady woman, Ty?”

He drums his fingers on the door as he stares out of the window. “I don’t know. When one makes me want to, I guess.”

I cluck my tongue. “And you think you’re going to find a worthwhile one in the bar sluts you bring home every night?”

He looks at me and scowls. “When did this conversation become about me?! I thought we were talking about the drummer.”

“Oh you know, diversion…”

He laughs as he tweaks my nose. Dispatch comes over the radio at that moment with a call.
“Possible cardiac arrest. Male, thirty-eight, was involved in rigorous intercourse and started having chest pains. Unable to catch his breath. Lips are blue…”

Ty looks at me. “Ok, let’s do this. Let’s go save a life.”

He heads to the ambulance, while I radio dispatch to get the exact location. Ty drives as I check over my bag and put Cruz into the back of my mind. My adrenaline starts pumping as I mentally prepare myself for whatever awaits us at the location.

Two hours later our shift is over and we are heading out of the station after showering and changing clothes. I feel amazing. We did indeed save the gentleman’s life.

Ty is waiting in the hall as I exit the women’s locker room. He straightens up from the wall. “So, you ready for beer and wings?”

I link my arm with his as we stroll outside. “I am. Ready to decompress.”

He stops at his truck. “Want to ride with me? That way Cruz can bring you home?” He waggles his eyebrows as he says it.

Pursing my lips as I tap my foot, I nod. “Yes.”

He laughs as he opens my door and bends down in an exaggerated bow. “Your carriage, my lady.”

I snicker at his absurdity. “You’re ridiculous.”

He grins as he shuts the door and swivels his hips to a beat only he can hear as he rounds the truck. Within minutes, we’re heading to campus. “There’s a table for us. Some of the guys have been drinking since noon, so I’m sure they’re already tanked, but at least we’ll have a table!”

“Shit, I didn’t even think about that.” I totally forgot it was game day and Walk-Ons was on campus. “I should text Cruz, too.”

Ty glances over at me. “Take a picture of your boobs and send it to him.”

“WHAT?!”

He laughs. “Why are you acting so shocked? Your boobs look great in that shirt. It’s sexy. You look sexy, so send him a picture.”

“I can’t… I won’t… I’m not doing that!”

We stop at a red light and he looks at me. “Why not? You want him to know you want more, right?” He glances at my cleavage. “Trust me, sending him a picture of your tits will work to your advantage!”

I roll my eyes at him. “He doesn’t care about my tits!”

“
Bullshit!
If he’s not gay, he cares about your tits!”

“Are we seriously having a conversation about my boobs, Ty?! And he’s
not
gay!”

I can’t send Cruz a picture of my cleavage. He would flip out. On the other hand… I can send him a picture of my shirt! I had a fitted LSU shirt in my locker. I can send him the photo and just act oblivious. If my girls look fabulous in it, well, that can be an added perk.

Holding out my camera, I pull the scoop neck down just a little more and smile for the camera as I snap the selfie.

Ty laughs. “Let me see!” I hold the phone out and show him. “Mmmmmm hmmmmm. Perfect. Send that.”

Before I chicken out, I type a quick message and hit send, then place the phone on my lap and close my eyes with my head back on the seat.

Traffic is crazy getting into campus, so I’m glad Ty is driving, allowing me to rest my eyes for a bit. I’m tired. Today was a long day. Thankfully, we’re off tomorrow and I can catch up on my sleep.

I must have fallen asleep. I’m startled as Ty gently shakes me as he calls my name. “Tifanie. Wake up, doll. We’re here.”

Sitting up, I stretch. “Thanks, Ty. Sorry. I fell asleep.”

He chuckles and smirks at me. “You did. It’s ok. It was only for about twenty minutes.” He slaps my thigh. “Now wake your ass up! Time to get you some!”

I laugh as I open the door. “You’re a fool, Ty!”

He laughs as we head into the noise coming out of the sports bar.

Cruz

S
he sent me a picture. Why did she send me a photo? And her shirt is VERY low in it. She’s wearing that tonight? Why would she send me a photo? She’s never done that before.

Her text was weird. The text was normal, but the photo was not. She’s making me insane. I don’t know how to handle this. All it said was,
“Geaux Tigers!”
But why the picture?

I’m trying to decipher the meaning as I navigate through all of the traffic getting to campus. My radio is loud, though I don’t even know what song is on. I’m so deep into my thoughts.

I couldn’t fathom a response to the picture, so I didn’t respond. I’ll be there in five minutes anyway.

My phone rings as I hit the gates of LSU. Glancing at the caller ID, I see “Momma” on the display. Hitting the button on the dashboard to connect the call, I answer, “Hey, Momma. What’s going on? Everything ok?”

“Hey, baby. Everything is fine. I was just calling to check in with you. I haven’t talked to you in a few days.”

Drumming my fingers on the steering wheel, I reply, “Things have been a little busy. We’ve been having a lot of band meetings and Bradi is keeping us hopping to prepare for the arena tour in about two months. Why they decided to start the tour around Thanksgiving is beyond me. She’s been frantically scheduling all these interviews and photo shoots. Sorry I haven’t called you. How are you? How is everything going?”

She sighs. “Everything is going fine, baby. I just wanted to hear your voice. It’s been a trying time.”

I grip the wheel tightly. “I know, Momma. Has he contacted you again?”

She’s quiet for a bit, then she answers, “Yes. He’s called a few times, but I just let the machine get it. I don’t want you to worry. He can’t hurt me. He says he just wants to talk and to apologize.”

My vision is red with the fury in my mind. How dare that son of a bitch call my momma? Taking a deep breath, I try to control my rage. “Do you want me to call his parole officer? I can handle this. Don’t talk to him. Seriously, Momma. Don’t talk to him.”

I can hear her hand shaking through the car speakers. “Cruz, baby, I didn’t call you to upset you. You’re a good son. I love you so much. But, I don’t want you to stress about this. I just wanted to hear my strong boy’s voice. You always brighten my day. You brighten my life. I’m not worrying about him and you shouldn’t either. You don’t have to call his parole officer. I have the number, too. That’s not why I called you. I don’t need you to protect me, baby.” I hear the road noise. “Where are you headed tonight?”

“I love you, too, Momma. I know you don’t
need
me to protect you, but I’m your son and I’m going to do whatever I can to make your life easier. I owe you that after everything you’ve done for me my whole life. You night not need me to handle things, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to.

“Anyway, I’m actually going to watch the LSU game with some friends. I’m heading to campus to meet them and traffic is ridiculous.”

She laughs softly. “I know that. You’re a good son. The best and I love you. You’re my precious baby, even as a grown man that women fawn over.

“Well, it’s obviously not the band you’re meeting with. You would have said you were meeting the guys. Are you meeting that girl you’ve been spending so much time with? The one I’m not allowed to ask about?”

Great. I should have known she’d pick up on that. I don’t want to get her hopes up. “Yes, I’m meeting Tifanie. But, don’t overthink this. She’s a friend.”

I hear her sigh again. “I’m not overthinking anything. I just want you to keep your head and heart open. You deserve to be happy and find you a good woman, baby. That’s all I’m saying about it. She seems to have something you find interesting since you spend so much time with her lately. Just don’t stop something before it can start. Promise me that?!”

What is she talking about? I’m not stopping anything. We really are
just
friends. But I hear myself say, “Yes, Ma’am. I promise,” as I pull into the packed lot and look for a spot to park.

I see a truck leaving in the back so I navigate the people spilling over into the parking lot and head toward it. As I throw it into park, I say, “Well, Momma, I’m here. I need to get inside. Kick-off is in about half an hour. I’m going to come by tomorrow, ok?”

“Ok, baby. Plan on staying for dinner tomorrow night. Have fun. And keep an open mind. I love you.”

“Love you too, Momma. I’ll be there tomorrow. Goodnight.”

She says the same and I un-sync the phone and adjust my cap as I head into the noise of the bar.

I walk in and look around as my eyes adjust to the lighting. I see Tifanie and her coworker, Ty, at the bar getting drinks. She looks good.

As if she knows I’m there, she turns and smiles at me. I see Ty lean down and say something into her ear. She shakes her head and laughs at him. My stomach clenches with surprising jealousy.

Stop it. Shake it off. Friends… just friends.

She nods her head toward the far corner of the bar area where I see a rowdy bunch at a table and holds a beer up. I nod in agreement and make my way through the large crowd, all the while keeping my gaze on her backside. I’m stopped a few times and drunk girls and guys ask me if I’m, well me, but I smile and shake my head to deny it. I hate being recognized and having people focus on me.

As I get closer to the table, I see Tifanie talking to a burly guy with a LSU cap on. Ty has his arm thrown across the guy’s shoulders and I catch the tail end of the conversation as I approach. “…single and ready to mingle. You know she loves seafood and there are several places in town she likes. Maybe y’all can do something tomorrow. We are off.”

What? Is she interested in him? Is he asking her out?

She chuckles and looks over at me with her eyes full of mirth, but she looks tired. Her face lights up and my chest swells. “Hey, Cruz. You made it.”

I nod and incline my head to Ty and his
buddy
. “I did. Traffic is a bitch out there.”

Ty laughs. “Yeah it is. It’s campus and a game night. How’s it going, man?”

“Good. Busy.” I know I seem short, but I don’t talk to people. And I don’t think he likes me anyway.