Avery invited me to a bar and grill called ‘The Flamingo Grill.’ I had never heard of it but promised to meet her. Wherever doesn’t matter as long as it’s close to my apartment. I’m not looking to get lost just yet. This city is overwhelming as it is.
My granddaddy’s teal, 1965 Ford F100 pickup truck he left me when he passed doesn’t have GPS. She drives like a dream and I couldn’t imagine driving something other than this beauty. This girl might be a classic, but thankfully, in this heat, her air conditioner works like she’s brand new.
I didn’t realize Tennessee was going to be more humid than Texas when I packed up and moved out here. Hello muggy afternoon. I know it could be plenty worse; at least I have the right clothes. I could be stuck up north, freezing my tush off.
I take extra care sorting through my tiny closet, picking out which sundress and boots I’m planning on wearing this evening. For my usual attire, I’ll just throw on the first one I come across. I really want to look nice today; I have no idea what the dress code is for this place. Shoot, in Texas a sundress and boots works wherever you go, so that is pretty much what my closet is full of.
Sifting through the many colors, I pick a pale yellow that’s one of my favorites. It falls over me perfectly and it still looks new enough to wear out to eat in. The dress stops above my knees tastefully and my brown cowboy boots that have a pretty ‘choker’ on each, completes my outfit nicely.
I throw on some Clinique Lash Doubling mascara in black. Then twist a few curls in my long, dirty blonde hair with my curling iron, and boom! I’m all set. I may not be runway ready, but this will definitely work for dinner.
As it turns out, The Flamingo is not that hard to find with its giant pink fake bird on the roof. Avery’s sweet face is out front waiting for me when I pull into the lot. I park away from other vehicles. I can’t have my baby girl getting scratched up from other people’s negligence. Granddaddy would be turning in his grave if he saw me park too close.
“Hey, girl!” I holler and wave at Avery as soon as I open my door.
I give her a big smile as I walk toward her, weaving in between cars. There are two other rows of cars parked in front of my truck in the large parking lot. The place looks pretty busy as most of the spots are filled. Hopefully a lot of the vehicles belong to employees; I would hate it if there’s a wait to be seated.
Avery meets me as soon as I step on the sidewalk near the front entrance. “Hey, Emily! Geez, you look so cute! I love your dress!” She grabs my hand while talking superfast, all excited like.
We make our way closer to the entrance and she leans in to talk lower for my ears only, “I hope you don’t mind, but I ran into a couple of guys from one of my classes and they asked if we wanted to sit together. They are totally hot so of course I told them yes. I hope you don’t mind. Girl, you are gonna be happy when you see these fine men!” She flashes me a brilliant smile after and I roll my eyes.
“Okay, Avery, but I’m not really looking to meet any guys. I’m just here to concentrate on school.”
I am so not ready for another relationship. My life is way too complicated right now as it is. I know college guys are going to be after one thing anyhow and I’m for sure not looking for a hook up.
“Emily, you have to relax a little or you’ll get burned out and we have barely bitten into this semester.” She chastises me as we head towards two really good-looking guys, waiting inside by the hostess station. “Okay, here we arrrrrre! Miss Emily, this is Cameron Wentworth and Luka Masterson.” She gestures towards them with her hand as if she’s presenting some sort of prize.
I flash them a nervous little grin and wave my hand like a dork. Cameron is cute in that rich preppy jock style.
Clearing my throat, I mumble, “Hi, Cameron, nice to meet you.”
“Hey, Emily, you too.” He shoots me his bright white smile that I’m sure gets all the girls excited. I’ve seen his kind before and avoid them like the plague. I remember the jock types in high school, always floating around messing with as many girls as possible.
I look over to Luka and it’s like a punch to the gut. He’s freaking beautiful, like should be posing in a magazine type of good-looking. “Umm… Hi, Luka,” I choke out.
Thank fuck I didn’t stutter, sweet Jesus. I hope to God my mouth is shut right now and I’m not gawking like an idiot. I’m met with the most striking hazel eyes when I look up and I have to look up, this man is definitely pushing six foot-two or six foot-three.
“Hey, Emily, please call me Tate.” His voice is smooth and rich like honey. The kind of voice that vibrates through your bones and wraps you up to make you feel warm inside. I love his name. You don’t hear ‘Tate’ often. It suits him.
He reaches for my hand and when he touches me, I feel squiggles in my belly. I gasp in an almost silent breath. I hope he doesn’t notice my reaction to him. This is the type of man that could steal me, own me and eventually break me. I’m already too broken as it is.
The tall, thin hostess leads us to our booth after a few brief moments of her collecting menus and wrapped silverware for us. I happily follow her through the main entry and around the bar. We got lucky not having to really wait. I know some restaurants around colleges have an hour or so wait time. I almost want to slip her a five for breaking up the awkward first impression, I’m sure I gave. However I doubt she noticed, since she was busy gawking at the guys.
We each slide in and she passes the menus to us, giving a spiel about our server and daily specials. The booth isn’t too large, but we aren’t exactly crammed in either. We have just enough room to feel the warmth of the person next to us. The tables are a shiny oak surrounded by rich, red leather covered booths.
Once we all settle in, I feel like a big nerd just staring. I can’t help it though. Men shouldn’t be allowed to be this good looking. It’s not fair to the female population; we already have to grow up realizing we can’t all be princesses, and then life throws genes like this at us.
Tate is nicely built. He doesn’t have that steroid bulk build like some of the men around campus I saw today, but he’s in great shape. He has really short, dark brown hair. I could easily run my fingers through it. You know if I was looking to do that sort of thing, but I’m not. I can still daydream though.
Gosh, I bet it’s really soft.
Cameron is pretty cute himself. He’s a few inches shorter than Tate but still easily towers over Avery and me. He’s blessed with sandy blond hair, longer than Tate’s and each time he grins, his chocolate brown eyes sparkle. The two of them together probably have to push the girls off each other with a stick.
Glancing at Tate, I attempt for some easy conversation, “Hey Tate, it sounds like you have a little bit of an accent. What is it?”
His eyes shine playfully as he gazes at me, “That’s rich, coming from a sweet southern thing. You’ve got quite the twang yourself, sweetie.”
I don’t know if he is being a condescending dick to me or just taking the attention from my question to his comment. Regardless, I huff and keep quiet. I generally keep to myself until I know someone well anyhow. I just can’t help myself from talking to him, it’s like he sucks up all of the attention. This is good though, if I’m angry at him at least I won’t be picturing his abs every time he speaks to me.
Thankfully, the server approaches to take our orders. Avery and Cameron dominate most of the conversation, so I can just sit back and watch Tate. It feels like I’m in a fuzzy dream, as my body hums with nerves. I don’t want to stick my foot in my mouth and I don’t really want to reveal much. I have to lie low and keep to myself. I need to be careful about too many people getting to know me. I hate having to make all new friends.
“Excuse me for a moment,” I mumble, sliding out of the booth and heading for the bathroom. It’ll give me a few moments to catch my bearings and pull myself together.
I come back from the restroom feeling a little more confident from the sporadic pep talk I gave myself in the women’s stall to see Tate laughing.
God, he is handsome.
His laugh is deep and his eyes flicker with humor, it’s like a vacuum pulling me to him. I can’t help but wonder if I could make him smile and laugh that way.
I concentrate on eating my oversized baked potato that’s loaded to the brim with butter, sour cream, cheese and bacon. It’s delicious and I shovel it down quickly. With Granddad you learned to eat swiftly or you went hungry. He was in the military when he was young and has always been a fast eater.
I’m brought out of my brain freeze from my virgin Pina Colada I was busily sucking down by Avery’s chipper voice, “Hey Emily, you ready to go?” She leans into me and bumps me with her elbow lightly, “These two kind gentlemen refuse to let us pay for our meals. Isn’t that sweet?”
Avery is looking way too happy about this. Personally, I don’t want to owe anybody anything, but this time I’m just going to act like it doesn’t bother me. I leave the cool, sweet trance I was in with my beverage and smirk at the guys.
“Yep, I’m ready. And thank you, this is so kind of you to treat us to dinner. We owe you guys.” I regret the words instantly.
Dumb ass.
I scold myself and shake my head a little. Just great, these guys probably think I’m a nut job.
“Well, speaking of owing, how about you give me your number? I might have trouble in a few of my classes and need your help someday.” Tate’s eyes gleam mischievously and I have to bite back my groan. Geez, did I not just say I didn’t want to owe anybody anything? I guess this is better than a date or him wanting me to wash his car or something. Plus, I can always block his number if I need to.
Shrugging I say irritably, “Sure, if it’s for help, then no problem, but I’m definitely no booty call,” I say in my snarkiest voice possible. Maybe he’ll change his mind.
Cameron laughs and chortles out, ribbing Tate, “Ohhhh, boom! Man, she put you in your place!”
Cameron looks like he just won the lottery and I’m his new best friend. I roll my eyes and turn my head away. Why do men have to act like jackasses sometimes?
“Shut your face Cameron, and no Emily, I am very aware you are not the type of girl to be just a random booty call. Trust me, I have plenty of females for just that purpose. Babe, you would know if you were going to be my booty call.” He appears sincere and I don’t know if that’s a compliment or not, but at least we’re on the same page.
We all trade numbers; Avery and Cameron way more enthusiastic than Tate and I. I think he may finally be getting it that I am not interested in him. It’s probably a shock to his system, but I’ve had my fill of men to last awhile.
Avery and I thank the boys again for dinner. My southern manners drilled into me, almost makes it impossible for me to be mean to people. They insist on walking us to our vehicles. I agree grouchily. I may appear bitchy to them but it’s on purpose. I don’t want to give anyone the wrong impression and some men just don’t get it when things are spelled out plain as day.
Avery doesn’t have a vehicle so Cameron offers to give her a ride in his little Porsche. If I would have known that before I would have offered for us to ride here together. It would be nice to have someone who knows where exactly they are going. Judging by the look radiating on her face, I know I am going to hear all about it later. She is practically glowing.
“Thanks for inviting me, Avery; I’ll see you in class,” I hug Avery and then high-five Cameron. “Bye, Cameron.”
“Anytime, sweet cheeks, text me later!” She calls as they walk off. Avery is probably going to bounce out of her shoes; she’s vibrating with so much excitement.
Yep, definitely going to hear about that!
I quickly head to my truck parked all by its lonesome. It’s a little spooky out here at nighttime, even with the night air whispering with the songs playing from the restaurant’s outdoor speakers.
The air has cooled slightly but still feels thick. The bugs make crazy sounds, providing the illusion of the country, when in fact it’s a busy city.
We make it to my truck and sense of comfort washes over me, just from being near something so familiar. “Thank you for walking me to my truck, Tate,” I murmur gratefully.
I look around and take in my surroundings. The parking lot isn’t packed, but there are quite a few cars. I’m always scanning for a certain face. I’m glad I don’t have to walk to the truck by myself, I’d probably freak myself out and drop my keys.
“Hey, no problem. Wow! Nice ride, never pictured you in something like this.”
“It was my granddad’s. He built it all himself and gave it to me.”
I smile fondly at her blue-green shimmer from the street lamps. I would trade this truck in a heartbeat, just to have him back. I miss him every single day. My chest always gets tight when I think of him, the man who took care of me for so long. Now I’m left without him, to make it on my own.
“Lucky girl. Hey, I meant what I said back there. I know you’re not a booty call. You are way too sweet and beautiful to be mistaken as trashy.” He gazes at me seriously. “Would you mind if I text you later though?” I stare at him for a beat and I think he looks like he’s being pretty sincere, so why not.
“Okay you can text me,” I reply without hesitation. “Good night, Tate.” I smile slightly and look up into his hazel eyes.
I’m such a wimp. I put up no fight whatsoever. At this point he could ask for a back rub and I’d probably ask if he wanted lotion too. I’m sure this is how he starts with all females. He comes off as just wanting to be friends and then swoops in when they’re least expecting it.
“Good night,
Krasaaveetsa
. (Beauty)”
He leans in to me and gives me a small hug. He smells so good; crisp and clean. His body is warm, and even in the small amount of contact we make I can feel him. He presses his full lips softly to my forehead and I melt.
For the first time in forever I feel safe.
TWO
EMILY
I’m roused out of my sleep by the ding of an incoming
text. I sent London’s brother, Elliot, a text last night, asking how the house was doing. He never replied back, but that’s probably him now.