nowhere (5 page)

“Yeah, I’m okay.” Emma brushed off her white short-sleeve blouse and straightened out her short shorts. “Thanks, Dooner, for saving me. I’d have broken my nose, if it weren’t for you.”

“No problem.” I didn’t want to make a big deal of it. 

“That was a close call, Emma. I hope you’re not that clumsy during try-outs,” Liz snapped. 

“I won’t be,” Emma replied with a note of confidence.

Now I definitely thought it was a ploy to get my attention. As soon as the girls started talking about jumps and cheerleading stunts, I approached Mikayla and Tyler. They were having a heated debate.

“Take us home,” Mikayla demanded of Tyler.

“Okay. Let’s pack it up,” Tyler yelled out to the group, appearing to give in.

“Finally.”  She sighed happily. 

“I think you misunderstood me, Mike. We’re not going home just yet. We have another stop to make,” I heard Tyler inform her.

“What?”

“What’s your problem, anyway? It’s still early.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and checked the time. “Jesus Christ, Mike, it’s not even eleven o’clock. Will you turn into a pumpkin if you’re not home by the stroke of midnight?” Mikayla looked furious. I could see a storm brewing behind her brown eyes. I doubted she would back off without putting up a fight. 

Tyler continued. “Have you taken a good look at your sister? I can’t take you all home just yet. She needs time to sober up.”

“I don’t give a shit if Mom sees Emma drunk. I’d love nothing more than for her to be humiliated for once. It’s about time our mother realizes Emma isn’t the perfect daughter,” Mike exclaimed. I was right – Mikayla and Emma didn’t get along.

“Well, it doesn’t matter.” Tyler loaded the cooler into the back of his pickup and slammed the tailgate. I stood by, my hands in my front pockets, waiting for an opportunity to join the conversation. “I’m not taking you and Emma home right now.”

Mikayla placed her hands on her hips. “What’s the plan then? Where’s the next stop on this wagon train?”

A sly smile spread across Tyler’s face. “Do you remember the dairy farm we passed right before we turned onto the dirt road?”

She shook her head.

“Well, we’re going to go cow tipping.”

“Cow what?”

“Cow tipping,” Tyler repeated, speaking louder this time, as if there was something wrong with her ears. I took a step closer. 

Out of nowhere, Casey rushed over to explain. “You have to come. You’ll love it. It’s the most amazing adrenaline rush.” Mikayla stood speechless. “Have you ever seen the movie
Cars
?”

“Yes,” she said, slowly.

It was obvious from the look on her face that she didn’t understand how the movie related to cow tipping.

“Well, remember when Mater takes Lightening McQueen out to the field to startle the tractors?” Casey didn’t give her time to answer. “It’s a lot like that, except this ain’t no cartoon. These are real cows. You climb over the fence and sneak up on a sleeping cow and tip it over. You have to be real quiet or else the cows wake up and charge you. So far we haven’t been lucky, but it sure is fun trying.” Casey laughed hysterically. Mikayla didn’t look like she saw any humor in it, and I couldn’t figure out what this idiot found so funny either. In between fits, he sputtered, “Last time, Ray got chased by the biggest cow in the field and pissed his pants. I can’t help laughing every time I think about it.” Casey was almost doubled over.

“Do you have to tell everyone that story?” Ray protested angrily. His face was beet red.

“Please tell me, you aren’t serious,” Mikayla pled. She glared angrily at Casey, while gently patting Ray’s arm. “Cow tipping is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Unfortunately, they are serious,” I stated, finally finding an opening in the conversation.  “There’s no way you can push over a sleeping cow. They startle too easily.” I took a step closer. “Not to mention, the average cow weighs over nine hundred pounds.”

“Just because your daddy boards a few horses, doesn’t make you an expert on cows,” Casey snapped. 

I snickered. “And watching a ‘how-to’ video on YouTube does?” 

“We didn’t think of that, but thanks for the tip, man. We should make our own video and post it. We’ll let you know, so you can check it out. We’ll get Ray to star in it.” Casey slapped Ray on the back. “I bet the video would get a million hits inside a minute.”

“Let’s go,” shouted Tyler, putting an end to the debate. “Mike, Emma, get in.” 

Everyone scrambled to find their rides. Emma had her hand on the handle of Tyler’s truck, but Mikayla remained standing in the middle of the road with her feet firmly planted. Mountains couldn’t move her. I stayed in the same spot, mesmerized by her beauty and her tough girl attitude, waiting to see what would happen next.

“Tyler, I’m not going cow tipping. I’m going home.” She gazed determinedly down the road. 

“Just how in the hell do you think you’re going to get there? I already told you, I’m not taking you right now.”

“I don’t need you to take me home. I’ll walk.”

“Walk? You can’t walk all the way back. It’s too dark. You’ll get lost.” Emma tried to reason with her, pulling her toward Tyler’s truck.

Mikayla didn’t budge. “No, I won’t. And if I do, I’ll call Mom to come and pick me up.”  She pulled her phone out of her pocket and held it up. “Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. All I need is directions. You can do whatever you want. You can go cow tipping with Tyler or walk back with me.”

“I can’t walk all the way home,” Emma whined, but she didn’t move to join Tyler and Austin.

“Then don’t.” Mikayla turned her attention back to Tyler. “I’m not going to change my mind, so you might as well tell me the directions already.”

“Suit yourself, Mike,” Tyler huffed . “But you’re going to be missing a good time.”

“I’m sure.” She rolled her eyes. I’d noticed she did that a lot.

Impatiently someone laid on the horn.

Tyler quickly gave her directions to their grandfather’s farm. She repeated them back correctly on the first try.

I couldn’t believe Tyler was going to let her walk back by herself on these unfamiliar roads, at night. The moon and stars were out but it wouldn’t be enough to light up the roads. Mikayla wouldn’t even be able to see where they were going. She could easily get lost, or worse. Wow, he was an even bigger asshole than I thought.

I spoke up. “You can’t be serious?” I said speaking directly at Tyler. “You can’t just leave them here to find their own way back to her grandfather’s.”

He shrugged, “They can come with us, but they don’t want to.” He looked annoyed.

“I’m not going cow tipping. I can make sure that they get home.” I opened my truck door.

“Cool,” Emma said, jumping into my truck and sliding over. I guess that was one yes. However, I knew Mikayla wouldn’t be that easy.

Someone else honked their horn and yelled, “What the fuck, Tyler? Hurry up.”

“You got this then, Dooner?” Tyler scowled. He didn’t look happy about me escorting them home, but he didn’t have a lot of options. Emma was already settled in my truck and his friends were anxious to leave.

“Yeah, I got this.”

“If anything happens to them, I’m going to come for you,” Tyler warned, pointing his finger at me. He left without another word.

Now that the partiers were gone, the night grew quiet. I could hear the sounds of the country under the starlit sky. 

I climbed in and started Old Faithful. I pulled around next to Mikayla. I didn’t waste my breath asking if she wanted a ride. I knew she’d say no. “I’m going to follow you home just to make sure nothing happens to you.”

“I’ll be fine,” she snapped.

“I know you will.” I nodded. “However, I don’t think Emma can walk all the way back to your grandfather’s. I’ll let her ride in the truck while you walk.”

Mikayla peered inside my truck. Emma was passed out cold with her head in my lap.  Her hair fanned out over my crotch. I knew it looked bad, but that wasn’t my fault.  Mikayla glared at me.

“How very hospitable of you.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm. “You’re a real knight in shining armor. First, you save Emma from ruining her perfect face and now you rescue her from walking miles on dark deserted country roads with her stubborn sister.”

I smiled, enjoying her fiery attitude. Mikayla had no idea she was the one turning me on.

“Why are you smiling so smugly?”

“It’s just that I’d say you sounded jealous,” I said to cover up my real feelings. I didn’t want to admit that I was attracted to Mikayla, and I knew she wasn’t ready to hear it.

“Me?” She gasped. “I’m not jealous. Emma always has a boyfriend, while another one’s waiting in the wings. Guys fall under her spell. I mean, look where her head is now!”

“I didn’t plan that, she passed out.” I glanced down at my lap and groaned. Emma had shifted and her face was buried in my lap making it look like she was performing a sexual act, even though she obviously wasn’t. I tried to move her, but it was impossible. She was dead weight. Giving up, I tried explaining, “Look, I’m not into Emma. I’m not saying she’s not pretty, but she’s not my type.”

“Right.” She continued to walk briskly without glancing again in my direction. “What is your type then?”

“My type is a girl who doesn’t need to show off or always be the center of attention.”
In other words, you.
“She’d know how to have fun in ways that didn’t involve getting wasted. She’d be clever and witty and could think for herself. She would have long lean legs, curly brown hair, and dark eyes.” I grinned. “Do you know where I might find a girl matching that description?” 

She mumbled something under her breath I didn’t quite catch. I needed to take things slowly. She appeared tough, but I wasn’t buying it completely. A con artist could recognize another one when their paths crossed. I left her alone and didn’t ask her any more questions. I simply hummed along to my favorite country music station and enjoyed the view. I wanted to give her the space she needed. I wanted her to trust me.

It took about an hour to reach Mr. Jenkins’ farm with Mikayla walking the whole way. I couldn’t imagine this new life resembled the one she’d just come from. I tried to see the country setting through her eyes, but it was difficult. I’d never been farther than a few hundred miles from my front door. She probably didn’t want to be here; maybe that was why she was so feisty.

I pulled my truck over to the side of the road as quietly as possible. The porch light was on, but otherwise the house looked dark. 

I wasn’t sure what to do with Emma, but for now I carefully lifted her head and placed it back down as I got out of the truck and gently closed the door. Mikayla leaned casually against Old Faithful with her hands in her front pockets, looking like she belonged in my world after all. Maybe I’d get lucky and make her mine. I’d never wanted anyone so much, and I’d just met her. 

I approached her slowly; she didn’t look angry anymore.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

I brushed a loose curl away from her beautiful face and tucked it behind her ear. “You’re welcome.” 

I wanted to pull her close and feel her against my chest, but I reminded myself I had to take things slow. Several seconds ticked by, and then I leaned down and breathed in her scent. I had never in my life smelled anyone so sweet and tempting. I wanted to kiss her. I’d kissed plenty of girls before, but for some reason I was nervous with this one. I was trying to round up my courage and just go for it, when I heard a strange noise. 

It took me a second to identify the source.
Oh shit
! Emma! She was about to throw up. I reached the side of the truck in less than a second, and yanked open the door. I carefully pulled her out in one swift motion. But as soon as she was upright, the force of gravity took over and she threw up all over Mikayla, who’d come rushing over to help, covering her in smelly projectile vomit. There was little doubt what Emma had eaten for dinner. I could tell Mikayla was repulsed, because she started to gag, as though she might throw up too. “Plug your nose,” I directed.

She took my suggestion and pinched her nose, looking a little less green. “Let’s go out by the greenhouse. There’s a hose we can use to wash this shit off.” She sounded nasal, still squeezing her nostrils.

Between the two of us we helped Emma walk across the yard. On the way, we passed the clothesline and Mikayla reached up and pulled off a clothespin. “Ouch.” She grimaced when she clipped it on the end of her nose. Now she had both hands free to help keep Emma upright. She looked so comical with that clothespin on the end of her nose. I wanted to laugh, but I didn’t dare. 

Mikayla helped Emma wash up because she could barely stand on her own. Mikayla was furious. I didn’t blame her. I knew firsthand that it was no fun cleaning up after a drunk. Emma sat on the ground afterwards with her back against an old barrel, quickly falling back to sleep. 

I watched as Mikayla used a rag and the hose to clean the vomit off her own shirt. I shook my head, thinking it seemed like a hopeless cause. Quickly giving up, she pulled her shirt over her head. I was not prepared to see her standing there in front of me wearing nothing but a light blue bra with embroidered dark blue flowers and her jean skirt. I sucked in my breath. She was gorgeous.

I turned my back to her, to be a gentleman, and removed my own button-down shirt. I wasn’t wearing anything underneath but I thought it was better if I was shirtless than Mikayla. “Here, put this on.” I held it out to her while keeping my back turned. My throat was dry and my voice cracked. I was afraid what I might do if I saw her in that sexy bra again. I felt her take the shirt from me; I assumed she put it on. I counted silently to thirty before turning around. 

“Thanks for the shirt.” She looked shyly at the ground. I noticed she no longer had the clothespin on her nose, but the tip of it was bright red. I had to hold myself back from leaning over and kissing it.

“No problem.” I closed the gap between us. “I guess I’m a lot bigger than you.” I laughed as I pushed the sleeves up and watched as they fell back down. My fingers accidently brushed her silky skin, and a tingling sensation spread from my fingers throughout my body. I was momentarily speechless. I had never felt anything like that before.