Page 45 of Rough Ride

“What if he’s worth it?” she insisted.

“Liz,” I said, giving her a look. “He could be Adrien Brody and I still wouldn’t try a long-distance relationship.”

“Adrien Brody is too boney. And his nose makes his face look like a sailboat.”

“Is that what we’re doing tonight?” I teased. “Making fun of each other’s celebrity crush? Because I can say alotof mean things about yours. Like the fact that he’s in his eighties.”

“Christopher Walken is experienced!” Liz argued. “And that voice… he wouldn’t even need to touch me. He could just talk dirty to me in that special way he talks and I wouldmelt.”

“The point I was trying to make,” I insisted, “is that I don’t want a long-distance relationship. There are too many men in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for me to date a guy two states away. Besides, we’re gettingwayahead of ourselves. I met Johnny like four days ago and slept with him once.”

“Technically, you slept with him twice,” Liz pointed out. “Plus a sexy intermission.”

“Shut up.”

The sound of an acoustic guitar drifted out of the room next door—amplified by speakers. I glanced at my watch. “I thought they weren’t playing live music until nine.”

“I guess they didn’t want to wait.” Liz sipped her martini. “When does Johnny compete next?”

“I’m not sure,” I said. “I think he has a few days off before the next event.”

“Why don’t you text him to find out?”

“I don’t want to seem needy,” I said.

She rolled her eyes. “You’ve already slept together. You don’t need to play hard-to-get. Just text him! I want to see what he says.”

“Ugh, fine.” I pulled out my phone.

Me: When’s your next rodeo event?

Johnny: Steer Wrestling. That event begins next Thursday, but my heat is on Friday. Why do you ask?

Me: Just curious. I wanted to make sure I’m there for it. You need to impress me after your performance in the Saddle Bronc Riding.

Johnny: As long as a gorgeous bartender doesn’t drink me under the table, I think I’ll do just fine.

Me: Who would ever do that?

Johnny: Someone evil, probably.

Me: Probably.

“You two are cute!” Liz insisted. “You have to sleep with him again.”

“I don’thaveto do anything.” I took a slow sip of my drink, finishing it off, and then giggled. “But I kind of want to.”

“Atta girl!” She downed the rest of her martini. “I bought the first round, so this one’s on you. Then I’m heading home.”

I took her glass. “Coming right up.”

“Just like you last night!” Liz teased as I slid out of the booth.

I laughed to myself while walking to the next room. It was good to have a night out with my girlfriend. For a pair of bartenders who worked nights, that was rare.

It was louder in the main bar room, where the musician was sitting on a stool on the stage in the corner. He wore a brown cowboy hat, and bent over the guitar while strumming. The song sounded familiar, but I couldn’t quite place it.

I handed the bartender the empty glasses and ordered another round. While he made the drinks, I turned and listened to the music. A few notes later, he raised his head up and began singing in a deep, melodic voice.

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