Page 62 of More Than a Fling

“Your loss.” With her head held high she walked over to a good-looking guy a few stools down and made her move which was eagerly accepted.

Gabe finished his beer and headed for the stage. The rest of the band were already up there. Rocker said, “I thought I saw Annie come in a little while ago.”

“Naw, I would have seen her, I was at the bar the whole time.”

“Not too many girls look like Annie, I’m pretty sure it was her.”

The crowd had gathered in front of the stage, so Gabe introduced the band and they began their first set. He lost himself in the music. Tonight’s set list was going to be heavy on the heartbreak. That usually pleased the crowd because everyone knew what misery felt like. They started with an old Hank Williams tune,I’m so lonesome I could cry.

Oh yeah, fun times.

* * *

Annie pulled away fuming.That didn’t take long! Bastard!

She was so thankful that he hadn’t seen her. That would have been beyond embarrassing. Now she knew. This time she was done for real! Nothing serious for the next ten years. Time to live her life for herself. This love stuff was too painful. How could she have been so off in her judgement? Everything had seemed so right. It almost made her feel crazy. Could she really be that fucked up? Apparently so.

She decided to head over to Finnegan’s and see if there was someone there to play pool with. Why waste her outfit on an empty condo? She needed a drink and some company. Gabe wasn’t the only one that could dazzle. A little male admiration was just what she needed. She touched up her siren red lipstick and started the car.

The bar was hopping. Annie made her entrance to cat calls and whistles. The bartender, a friend of Darcy’s called out to her, “Where’s your sister?”

“Probably shacked up with that cowboy,” she said. “I need something strong, what do you suggest?”

“You want it to taste good or burn on the way down?” he said, laughing.

“Both.”

“How about a lemon drop martini?”

“Sold.”

She watched as he wet the rim of a glass and dipped it in sugar before putting ice in a shaker with the ingredients and mixing. He poured the concoction into the glass and passed it across the bar, “It’s on me.”

“Thanks, mmm, so good,” she said, sipping the cocktail.

“Doesn’t take too many of those to get a buzz going,” he said.

“Good.” Annie looked around the bar to see if she knew anyone and decided to put her quarters up on the table regardless. She might have a slight disadvantage with the mini skirt, but she was willing to try. Darts might be a better bet…Oh well.

A couple of guys were in the middle of a game when she placed her money down and they looked at each other and shook their heads. The dark-haired guy said, “The stakes just went up for sure.”

“You got that right, suddenly I really want to kick your ass,” he said, laughing as he took his turn, sinking the banked shot beautifully.

The dark-haired guy, whose name was Kip, won easily and he got the coveted chance to play against Annie. “You a regular here?” he asked.

“Not lately but I used to be,” she replied. “Are you new in town?”

“Me and my buddy are just visiting. We’re here on a business trip.”

“What business is that?” Annie asked, curious because it was a small town and there weren’t that many businesses around.

“We have an investment we are checking in on,” he replied.

“Are you here for long?” Annie asked.

“Pretty much in and out,” Kip answered.

“I’m intrigued.”

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