Page 34 of Old-Fashioned

Well, I thought she did.

And now, there was only one way to do that.

With that, I started my bike up and headed home. Tomorrow I would start the operation of making that girl mine, giving her all my shit, and letting her decide whether I was good enough or not for her.

And yes, groveling for her.

Chapter 7

Birdie

My date night with Rich was one for the books.

We talked about how it used to be.

We laughed over things we wish could be like that, and about things we’re glad had changed.

He asked me about Abel, and what happened.

And then, he shook his head, “Been in that bar many a time since I met you, girl. Gotta tell you, he looks at you like I looked at Maggie May.”

I ignored him, because I was having a great time, and I didn’t want to focus on that dunderhead, and instead, asked, “What happened with the two of you, really? Miss Maggie told me that the two of you just fell apart. But I don’t think that’s all there is.”

He shook his head and said, “I see what you did there. Don’t think I didn’t. Now, here’s where you might look at me differently, and honestly, if I could change it all, I would, but I would move us to where you grew up, so you still would’ve had her.”

I took his weathered hand in mine, showing him, I wouldn’t look at him any differently, and waited, “I was engaged to another by order of my parents when I met her. The moment I saw her sitting on that gazebo, I remember thinking there was nothing more beautiful than I’ve ever seen, than her.”

He shook his head, and I could see the regret swimming in his green eyes, “Sadly, I was a man of my word back then, wish I hadn’t been. I let her go when it was time to marry the most hateful woman I’ve ever met. Who didn’t hesitate to throw Maggie May in my face every chance she got? And for her hatred, karma got her back. She was hit by a bus walking home from her lover’s home.”

I gasped, “That cow!”

I smiled to myself at the island in the kitchen at the bar remembering his laughter that caused every single eye to turn to us where he took me out for dinner.

All the girls were here today because it was college game day and the first game of the season.

“Today’s the day ladies, I’m going to tell Abel how I feel. How do I look?” Jewell asked us all.

I ignored Jewel. She literally thought her shit didn’t stink.

She was so narrowminded and egotistical that it amazed me she could fit her head through the double doors of the bar.

Tabitha smiled at her and said, “You look great. That shirt makes your boobs look awesome.”

Jewel chirped out, “Thanks,” then spun away.

“That’s okay, we didn’t need your help anyway,” I mumbled under my breath.

Isla looked at Tabitha and asked, “Why didn’t you tell her the truth?”

She tilted her head to the side, “What do you mean?”

“Her boobs look like they always do, about to spill out of her top.” Isla huffed then looked at me, Shelly, and Tabitha, and asked, “Shall we go watch this train wreck?

All at once we made it to the opening of the kitchen and had our eyes aimed at the bar, just in time to see Jewell, grab a stool at the bar, pull out her compact, and check her reflection.

I bumped Isla with my shoulder, “Think someone should tell her that if a man can see what you’ve got, they aren’t going to want it?”

She laughed, then shook her head, “Nah, I just want some popcorn and Twizzlers, sit back and watch the show.”

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