“Is our night going to be cut short?” Jason joined me as our waitress traded our empty pitcher for a full one. “Thanks, Stacey, you’re a doll.”
“Anytime, Sheriff. Need anything else?” Her cheeks reddened with a blush as Jason gave her a megawatt grin.
“Just keep these wings coming, and we’ll be just fine, darlin’.” He winked.
She giggled on her way back to the bar to pick up another table’s order. I scanned the room, noting which eyes were watching Genni and gauging their level of interest. So far, it was mild curiosity sent her way until one particular lone man approached her table. I hadn’t realized I started toward them until Jason grabbed my arm.
“Hey, where are you going?” He followed the direction of my gaze. “It’s okay. He’s no threat.”
“Who is he?” I shook off his hand and sat back on the edge of my stool, still poised to move if necessary.
“That’s James. He and Genni and Miranda, the owner of this bar, were close in high school. He kind of fell off the face of the earth after graduation. He must be back in town visiting family or something.” I watched Genni stand and hug this James. They chatted, and he walked away. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
“No.” I relaxed and grabbed my burger, my teeth tearing into it with a vengeance. “Let’s finish our dinner,” I spoke around the food in my mouth. I tried looking everywhere except at Genni. The walls were full of pictures and items representing the old Andy Griffith Show and its spin-offs. The floor was solid wood, scuffed from boots, tables, and peanut shells. The bar was polished to a high shine, padded stools lining its length. The wall behind the bartenders was full of shelves of liquor. At the front, three booths lined each wall with a few tables scattered between. Along the wall opposite the bar stood high-top square tables with bar stools, and in the back, where Jason and I were, was the pool table, a dartboard, and a few round top high-tops with two chairs each.
“Come on, our turn’s up.” Jason walked over to the pool table. “If I win, we jet out of here; if you win, we stay as long as you want.” He held out a cue stick, waiting with a quirked eyebrow. “Plus, this is the best spot to watch the whole bar without it being noticeable.”
“Fine.” I refilled my glass and took the pool cue from him. “One game.”
“Great, I’ll even be nice and let you break.” He racked the pool balls and rolled the cue ball down to me. I placed it, bent over to take aim just as a husky laugh reached me over the din of voices, wrapping around me and making every nerve stand at attention. I tapped the right side of the cue ball, sending it careening off of the table.
“Dude, something break your concentration?” Jason’s smirk pissed me off.
The husky laugh that caught my attention drew my eyes back to Genni, and I found her with her head thrown back as she guffawed at something her friend said. Her long neck exposed, begging for a collar. I shook my head, trying to rid myself of the indecent images tumbling around. If I didn’t leave now, I would end up marching over there and doing something I’d regret.
“I think I need to go.” I tossed the cue stick on the table and grabbed my jacket from the table. “You good gettin' yourself home?” I shrugged it on and glanced at Jason.
“Yeah, the precinct is just a block over. I can grab my truck from there.” He put his cue stick down and followed me to the table. “You okay, man? You know I was just joshing with you, right?”
“Yeah, I know. Guess I’m not in the mood right now.” Her laughter rang out again, raising the hairs on the back of my neck and sending a deep need coursing straight to my dick. I adjusted myself in my half-hardened state. “I’m just gettin' tired, I guess.”
“Or someone is getting under your skin.” Jason watched me as Genni’s mirth erupted again. “Yeah, okay, let’s go.” I shivered as I tried to suppress the need to go to her and whisk her out the door of the bar with me. We walked out, trying to avoid her table, but her friend Kendra waved and motioned for us to come over.
“Hey, Jason.” She smiled.
Not wanting to be rude, he headed over. “Come on, I’ll make it quick, I promise,” he mumbled.
“Hey, I didn’t notice you guys when I came in, or I would have invited you to join us.” Kendra grinned up at us. My eyes zoned in on Genni, watching every facial expression crossing her face. I could tell she was nervous in my company, but a deep curiosity also emanated from her gaze.
“Oh, that’s okay, Kendra. I am sure you girls needed some time together.” Jason smiled at them both.
“Join us for a drink?”
“We were just heading out. I have the early shift tomorrow, and Brian, here, is my ride.” He slapped me on my shoulder.
“Oh, okay. Maybe tomorrow after the ceremony? Everyone’s going to the farm.” She glanced at Genni. “It was supposed to be a surprise for Genni, but I know how she dislikes those. Anyway, we are all gathering to celebrate Gran’s life and help do whatever needs to be done on the farm.”
“Yeah, I’d be happy to help in any way I can,” I responded, smiling at Genni. I watched a blush rise up her neck—a neck I wanted to stroke and kiss and claim. I licked my lips, imagining how she would taste.
“Great! Jason can give you directions. We’ll see you then.” Kendra reached across and tapped Genni’s hand. “Won’t we?” Kendra tilted her head toward me and raised her eyebrows. I tried not to grin at her subtle nudging.
“Ye…yeah…” Genni stuttered, stopping to clear her throat. “Yes, that would be great,” she finished, dropping her gaze from mine to the table.
“Good. Well, like I said, I need to get home. Tomorrow’s going to be a full day. Have a good night, Kendra. Genni, if you need anything, you have my number,” Jason stated.
“Good night, ladies.” I gave Genni a wink as we left, a bit more in control of myself. Her small sign of submission pleased me.
3
Genni
I couldn’t get that sly smirk Brian gave me out of my mind. My treacherous body ignited with just one wink. I felt dirty and ashamed that in the middle of the visitation, my girlie bits wanted me to chase down that hunk of a man. I had come home to bury my grandma, not hook up with the first hot dude who winked at me.
I swung my legs out of bed and sat on the edge, taking in the room. My room. The quilt on the bed Gran made me for my high school graduation. The furniture was mismatched, a piece picked up here and there at thrift shops or yard sales and lovingly repurposed for this room. A tall dresser chalk painted a rustic white, a vanity table and bench stripped and whitewashed to match. The stool reupholstered to look fresh and new. A few old and delicate handkerchiefs framed and hung on the walls. The floor was scarred hardwood, the walls a muted light green, and lace curtains hung on the two identical windows on each side of the metal headboard.
My one and only black dress seemed to stare back at me from its position hanging on the back of the door. The only black dress shoes I owned waited on the floor next to the door. I cringed when I looked at them. They were black, yes, but the heel was a good four inches tall. They were my fuck-me heels, though never worn for any man so far in my lifetime.