Page 7 of Beneath the Blue Moon
She winks and turns away.Charlie kicks my leg, and thebreath I was holding comes whooshing out.I need to get a grip.I’m behavinglike a hormonal teenager.But how can I not, when she’s bending over, and I canalmost see her ass cheeks?
This is going to be a long night.
***Casey***
Hmm… the sheriff is looking mighty scrumptious tonight.He walked into the bar, and all the other men here faded into insignificance.He dominates the small space, looking ten feet tall next to everyone else.Ihave to say, he’s crossed my mind more than a few times these last couple ofweeks.His blue plaid shirt is tucked neatly into his faded jeans, and everystrand of hair is in place.My fingers are just itching to mess it up.I knowhe’s watching me; he hasn’t taken his eyes off me since he got here.I drop mypen and intentionally bend at the waist to give him a little show.Grabbing a Budand the whiskey bottles, I walk back to the end of the bar.When I get there,that woman is there, the one who wouldn’t help me at the sheriff’s office.Ifix a smile on my face.
“Here you go, boys.”
I snag two glasses from under the bar, add ice, and pour thedrinks.I quickly glance at the woman.She looks pretty nervous and out ofplace.Aww hell.
“It’s Mary, right?”
Her gaze falls to the floor.“Yeah.”
“What can I get you, Mary?”
“Um… a beer, I guess.”
“You mind if I suggest somethin’ for you?”I ask.
“Go ahead,” Brick encourages her.“She knows what she’sdoing.”
Her eyes dart to him nervously then she nods.I study hercarefully.She’s pretty, something one probably wouldn’t notice without scrutiny;she just needs to pay more attention to her appearance.Her brown hair ispulled back in a tight ponytail, and she looks down so much, you can barely seeher hazel eyes.She’s dressed like her co-workers—jeans and a shirt.Her jeansare two sizes too big and her top is obviously a man’s.She’s a little plump.Maybe that’s why she seems so uncomfortable.She just needs a littleconfidence.
I walk away and start grabbing ingredients—vodka, gin,tequila, rum, triple sec, cola, and sour mix.I could make this drink in mysleep.After scooping ice into a glass, I add the spirits, watching her as she looksaround timidly.What’s wrong with her?You’d think she’d be morecomfortable since she probably knows everyone here.I need to loosen her up.Changeof plans.I’m going to eighty-six the traditional Long Island Iced Tea.I putaway the triple sec, cola, and sour mix, and grab a lemon and the blue curacao.I squeeze half the lemon into the glass with the spirits and cover it with theshaker.In another glass, I add ice and the curacao.I give the other mixture agood shake, strain it into the glass, and give it a stir.I garnish it with awedge of lemon, add a straw and place it in front of her.
She looks down at it with a sneer.“It’s blue.”
“Just try it,” I tell her.
The men turn to her as well, and we watch as she takes asip.Her eyes widen, and she takes another.
“It’s good.Really good.”
She smiles for the first time tonight, and I decide to makeit my personal mission to ensure she has fun.I don’t know why, but it makes mefeel good… or maybe it’s the smile of approval on the sheriff’s face.
“Sip slowly, darlin’.It can get to you real fast,” I warn.
Nodding, she goes back to her drink.Hmm… I just noticed I’meven starting to sound like everyone else around here.Where has my New Yorkaccent gone?
“Are you boys gonna sit here all night?”I ask.“Find a ladyand get on the dance floor!”
I grab the air horn from under the bar and let it rip.Everyone stops what they’re doing and turns toward me.
“Listen up, folks!Looking atallthe beautifulpeople in this room, there is no reason why everyone shouldn’t be on the dancefloor!”They respond with loud hollering and hooting.“It might be ladies’night, but it’s raining men.So, ladies, let’s… get…wet!”
The women scream and there’s an immediate exodus to thedance floor.My job is done.
***Ethan***
Checking my watch, I note I’ve been sitting here watchingher for about two hours.She’s a master at what she does, making it seem easy.Whathasn’t been easy is watching her flirt and get hit on constantly.Charlie hasbeen keeping me in check, or I probably would have killed all the men in herealready.She’s been busy, hasn’t even looked my way the entire time.Now, she’swalking toward me.
“Sheriff, why aren’t you on the dance floor along with yourdeputies?”
I glance over at Brick and Charlie, who both have womenfighting for their attention.Even Mary’s out there.Whatever was in thosedrinks surely took her insecurity away.I turn back to Casey.
“Because you’re busy.”
