Page 92 of Ask Me Something

“Well, it was my duty to speak up and tell everyone I objected,” Brian finished on a shrug, like this was everyday conversation.

I was at a complete loss for words. Improv was not my thing. Hell, socializing wasn’t my thing. Suddenly I felt like one of those small goats that go paralyzed when spooked.

He stroked my arms. “Sorry. Mary Beth is a little embarrassed that I told y’all. But it’s all right, darlin’, they aren’t going to judge. Are you?”

Both Tami and Lester shook their heads while I sat there trying to figure out what to say.

“What did your fiancé do?” Tami questioned, riveted.

I took a deep breath, happy when Brian rescued me with the next part of his story.

“He was an unfaithful bastard is what he was. I accused him of cheating right there in that church in front of God and his mama, and he didn’t bother to deny it. It’s one thing to watch the woman you love marry another man, but to know that man is out and about cheating on her—I had to do it.”

They both sat in awe, and so did I.

“Uh, did you love Austin all along, then?” Tami asked, addressing me.

I finally got up the courage to try my hand at this. “Uh, I did. We were high school sweethearts, but then he left to pursue his music career, and I moved on with Clayton.” I got a wink of approval from Brian, who was clearly enjoying this. I needed more to drink and ordered a shot, which merely made him chuckle.

“What happened at the church, then? Did people freak out?” Lester questioned.

I could tell he too was being sucked into the story. Before Brian could answer, I got up some more courage. “They were shocked that he’d been cheating on me with my sister. I think everyone was speechless. And she started crying because turns out she’s pregnant.”

Brian choked on his drink.

“Baby, you okay?” I soothed, patting him on the back and watching him try to recover.

“Oh, yeah, dumpling, I’m great,” he cooed.

I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.

Tami clucked her tongue. “That sounds like an episode of Jerry Springer. You poor thing. But you two—I can’t imagine you not together. I have this thing about me, Lester will tell you. I have what I call the love meter. And the one for you guys is off the charts. Seriously, we saw you guys by the pool yesterday. Not to sound like a stalker, but when you two kissed poolside—Wowsers, I knew that was love.”

My cheeks heated, and I could hardly swallow past the lump in my throat.

Brian squeezed my leg, and I was thankful when he finally broke the awkwardness. “You know how it goes with high school sweethearts. It was good for me to be on the road awhile getting some experience, if you know what I mean. Because this hellcat, she’s not easy to keep up with.” This little adlib earned him a kick from me under the table.

He winked at Lester, and it was all I could do not to spit out my drink this time. He was upping the stakes so that when I looked over at the karaoke machine, I couldn’t help myself.

“Sugar pie, you should go show them how you sing. Hand to God, it’s better than a deep-fried Oreo at the Texas state fair,” I drawled and watched his eyes get big.

It was his turn to keep from laughing. “They aren’t doing karaoke right now, and you know me, I’d hate to show off,” he deflected, pretending to be modest.

“Oh, I bet they’ll make an exception, maybe after they score these cards and decide the winner. We’d love to hear you sing,” Tami encouraged, getting out of her chair and making a beeline for the activities director.

She came back squealing with joy. “They said after dinner tonight they’re having karaoke. What song will you sing?”

Brian was momentarily speechless, then finally recovered. “Uh, I’m not sure.”

I enjoyed the moment, but it was short-lived.

Brian came back with a doozy. “What was the name of that song playing the night I met you? Do you remember, cupcake? You were on the pole, and we swore it would be our song.”

Oh, no, he didn’t. Now I was a stripper? I reached over, my nails digging into his shoulder, and I heard his grunt from the pain.

“I thought you guys met in high school,” Tami remarked, confused.

Oh, sure, in an effort to try to one-up me, he had now cast doubt on the entire thing. Luckily, I was always good in a pinch. “He met me doing one of those strip exercise classes with my sister, who was the one who suggested it. Should have known about her, right? Anyways, him and his buddies were working out at the gym and came to watch.” I swatted him on the shoulder. “I can’t believe you had them thinking I was a stripper in high school.”

---