Page 10 of One Tough Love

Jo nodded acknowledging her, hoping she looked calm and trying to reign in the herd of butterflies flapping away in her stomach. Jill signaled for the bartender and told him to give Jo whatever she wanted ‘on the house’. Then giving Jo one more reassuring pat on the arm she left her at the bar. Jo ordered a beer and sat down to watch the end of the games with the other patron’s.

The bartender introduced himself as Ty and Jo could tell he was flirting with her but she was too anxious to pay him anything but cordial attention. The games finished within minutes of each other so Jo chugged down the rest of her beer, thanked Ty, and headed for her corner.

Jo pulled her strap over her head and plucked a few cords to make sure she was still tuned. Her first song was mellow and no one seemed to even hear her, but by her third song most of the patrons were tapping their feet or clapping along with her.

Her song selection seemed to be on target. She played some oldies, pop, country and a few ballads. Her confidence grew with every song and Jo found that she was really enjoying herself.

Chapter 8

Wes

Wes had begun to question his sanity as to why he had accepted the job of security detail for Miss Ginger Crazy Bitch Lola. In the three days they had been guarding her she was constantly going off site and his team had been chasing her into stores, bars, and even a strip club. Wes had implored Leena to get a handle on the wild young lady and she had told him that she’d try, but Wes didn’t think she sounded very positive. Tonight he had personally watched the twenty-eight year old movie star drink herself into a stupor before 9:00pm. He had to physically carry her through the hotel's main lobby before placing her on the couch in her suite, as her silly girl entourage looked on giggling. He was relieved his shift was finished. He was certain she was out for the night anyway, so he had no qualms as he left the two T.U.F. employee’s, that were next up in the rotation, to watch over their wild client.

Wes was tired, but so wound up that he didn’t want to go home yet. He had been so busy he had not driven past Jo’s house anymore. He had wanted too but he knew it was too stalkerish. He needed to focus on his job. He was saddened thinking that he’d never get to meet the pretty young woman, who kept appearing in his dreams.

T.U.F.’s, their bar, was on his way home, so he decided to stop in for a couple beers, just to unwind. He parked in the back and entered through the employee door. The first thing he heard was clapping and then a sweet voice saying thank you. Wes remembered Jill had hired a singer for the night, and the fact that he heard clapping, he figured was a good sign.

The singer had launched into another song and even Wes had to admit the woman had a great voice. He walked to his usual table noting that the crowd, which usually thinned after the games ended, was still hanging around. Wes looked towards the corner where everyone else’s attention was directed and came to an abrupt stop.

There in the corner of his freakin' bar stood Jo, belting out a popular country song. Wes quickly sat down and watched the little beauty enamor all the men and even the few women with her sultry voice. Jill plopped down next to him and smiled up at him.

“She’s good right?” She said beaming.

“Yes, she is. Where did you find her?” Wes watched her tiny hands masterfully strum the guitar. He remembered how her finger had grasped her car’s doorframe. He almost chuckled out loud thinking about that, but he would then have to explain himself to Jill, and there was no way he was telling Jill about meeting Jo.

“She answered an ad. I didn’t have time to hear her so she sent me some of her songs on Garage Band. I liked them so I hired her.”

Wes continued to stare at Jo and Jill noticed how he couldn’t take his eyes off her new hire.

“She’s pretty too.” Jill said caressing Wes’ arm, trying to draw his eyes from the pretty singer and on to herself.

“Yes, she is.” Wes replied completely unaware that Jill had her hand on his arm.

“What are you drinking Wes?” Jill asked sharply.

Wes turned towards Jill noting her snarkiness and then her hand.

“Ask Ty to send me a beer please.” He said peeling her hand off his arm gently.

“Sure.” Jill said moodily. Wes had already gone back to watching Jo.

Wes couldn’t believe Jo was playing at his bar. What the hell were the chances of that happening? The opportunity to re-introduce himself and maybe even see if she would have dinner with him had fallen right in his lap.

Ty placed a beer in front of Wes and noticed how he was staring at the new singer.

“She’s good.” Ty said looking from Jo and back to Wes.

“Yes she is.”

“Pretty too.”

Wes turned towards Ty, “I see that too.” His gaze narrowed.

“I talked to her.” Ty boasted.

“Oh yeah?” Wes was trying to remain impassive.

“Yeah, nice girl. I hope she comes back. We haven’t stayed busy after eleven in ages.”

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