Page 8 of Love Her

“I’m really sorry.”

“I know you are.”

Walking up to where we stand, Ashton places her tiny hand on my arm, pulling my attention her way. “There was a time I needed to get out of Lexington, find a place that could be my own. I think you may need that too, Connor. I’ll text you the information and maybe the next night you have off, you can check it out.”

“Thanks, Ash.”

Nodding, she pats my arm before turning on her heel and making her way down the hall and toward the office. I take a sip of my now cold coffee and wait for Taylor to say something else, but he doesn’t. Instead, he extends his hand for a shake before pulling me into a hug.

“Don’t beat yourself up over this. I was pissed last night but that was just a knee-jerk reaction to being out of control. Or at least that’s what Red says. She’s smarter than the rest of us so I tend to believe her.”

His willingness to let this go tugs at something inside of me. Taylor and I are only a few years apart in age but he’s lightyears ahead of me in every way. I admire him, look up to both him and Grant as the type of man I strive to be. I’ve been waiting for a sign, a reason to do more with my life than just get by, just exist. Maybe this actual punch in the face is exactly what I needed.

Pulling into the parking lot of Doris’s Tavern, I’m not sure what I expected, but a nondescript building with a dirt parking lot wasn’t it. The week since Ashton sent me the information, I’ve contemplated whether coming here was my best idea. Maybe I need to do something with my life other than hang out in bars. What else am I going to do? Small towns are great for a slower pace of life but as a single man, it leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to a social scene.

Something I’ve not experienced in the last few years hits me deep to my core as I approach the building. Fear.

No, not fear.

Simple nerves.

My heart is beating a little faster and my palms are a little damp at the realization I’m walking into a building in a town where nobody knows my name. Nobody knows me as the punk kid I was growing up or the guy who was in the military and walked away from that life without a second thought.

No, here I’m just some guy grabbing a beer.

I step through the door and am greeted by the sounds of modern country music, laughter, and the smell of beer and fried food. It’s comforting and as I look around, everyone seems to be having a good time. The dance floor is packed, couples two-stepping and spinning in time with each other.

A couple vacates two seats at the bar, and I move in to take one of the spots. The bartender nods his head my direction acknowledging me while he finishes with the customers he’s serving. I take the opportunity to push forward the abandoned pint glasses and scan the taps lining the bar.

“Melvin, I don’t have all night!”

Startled, I turn toward the shouting woman next to me who winks and leans forward glaring at the bartender. Expecting the guy to pass me by and give her his attention, I’m shocked when he stops in front of me and removes the empty glasses before wiping down the bar top.

“Excuse my beautiful wife. She’s a bit loud.”

“Shut your mouth, Melvin. I swear you were put on this earth to drive me nuts.”

“See? Beautiful. Now, Shelly, I don’t think Ashton would appreciate you ignoring her friend.”

Thrown off by his comment, I begin to choke on nothing but air. A hand begins patting my back, and I turn to smile at Shelly as she greets me with a huge smile.

“Oh my goodness. Are you okay?”

Clearing my throat, I accept the beer Melvin sets in front of me and take a tentative sip before responding. “I’m okay. Sorry. How did you know who I was?”

“Ash sent us both a text last week that if some guy walked in and looked like he’d had his ass kicked, we should be nice to him. I’ll admit it was a little embarrassing when an MMA fighter was in last night. He had no idea who Ashton was and wasn’t receptive to my asking about jealous boyfriends.”

Shaking my head, I take another pull from my beer. I take it back, it isn’t just the guys who are gossipers, it’s everyone in Lexington. Damn small towns.

“I’m Shelly and this is Mel. Welcome to Doris’s Tavern. Any friend of Ashton’s is a friend of ours and always welcome.”

I take Shelly’s extended hand and shake it before offering my own to Mel. After a few minutes of small talk with Shelly while Mel completes her order, I turn my stool around and people watch. The couples on the dancefloor have transitioned from a fast two-step to a slower pace. Women are wrapped in the arms of their partners, some with their eyes closed and a satisfied smile on their face, while others gaze at the man holding them. I wonder how many of these couples are strangers, just meeting and flirting with what may turn into more.

I nurse my one beer, needing to keep my wits about me so I can drive home. After a few slower songs, the music changes to something more upbeat and the floor fills with people laughing and smiling. While most of the dancers are women, a few men line up in the back. It’s obvious they have no idea what they’re doing but by the way they’re watching the women’s asses and not their feet, I don’t think they really care.

Song after song, I’m transfixed on the dance floor. On her. In a crowd of people, it’s her I see. She never tires. The beat of the music is like a flint, setting her on fire. Boots stomping and kicking in perfect tempo to the music. Beat after beat. Lyric after lyric.

The rest of the dancers don’t hold my attention. Neither do this woman’s mile long legs. The legs that I’ve envisioned more than once wrapped around my neck. Surprising even me, I can’t give the credit to her tight tank top stretched across her perfect and perky tits. No, it’s her smile. Painted cherry red, it’s carefree and full of mischief. Beautiful.

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