“That goes for you too, Mom. Stop it. Both of you.”
“Fine. I need to get going anyway since we’re meeting Brandt and Jessie for supper.” Of course she had to get in another shot. She hugged him. “Thanks for everything, son. I’ll call you.”
She didn’t even look his direction before she walked off.
“That woman needs—”
“I’m warning you to shut it,” Tell said.
Casper muttered something about him still being a mama’s boy.
“Look. I’ll see you. I got things to do.” That’s when Tell realized his family drama caused him to forget about Georgia entirely. He looked over at the last place she’d been, but she was gone.
“Like what?” his father said to his retreating back.
Like walking into the closest bar.
He needed a goddamn drink.
Chapter Three
Tell ordered a beer and a burger. He’d finished half and most his fries when his buddy Thurman Watson showed up. Not only had he and Thurman been friends since fifth grade, these days they were the last bachelors in their group of friends.
“Since you called me… You buying my supper, McKay?”
“I guess.”
The waitress brought Thurman a Coors and took his order to the kitchen. “Will you call me a pu**y if I admit I ain’t in the partyin’ mood tonight?”
“Nope.” Tell swirled a fry through a puddle of ranch dressing and popped it in his mouth. “How long you in town?” Thurman spent three weeks out of every month on the road as a long-haul trucker.
“Until tomorrow. I oughta have next week off, but I picked up an extra load going to Seattle. Then I hit Salt Lake and Denver before I get back.”
For the next hour they bullshitted about family crap and work, drank and played pool. A few of their buddies showed up. They eyed the ladies trolling in the bar; most seemed barely legal. Tell was talking to Thurman’s older brother, Warner, when Thurman stepped in front of him.
“You’ll never guess who just walked in.”
“You buyin’ me a beer if I guess right?”
“Sure. ’Cause you ain’t never gonna get this one.”
Tell smirked. “Is it…Georgia Hotchkiss?”
Thurman’s jaw dropped. “How the hell did you know that?”
“I’ve run into her twice, actually.”
“And somehow you just forgot to mention that to me?”
“You said you weren’t interested in partyin’ or gossiping like an old woman tonight.”
“Fuck off. This ain’t gossip. This is news, my friend.”
Tell rolled his eyes.
“I’m serious, McKay.” Thurman looked around before he lowered his voice. “You had it bad for her.”
“So did half the damn school. Which is why Deck gave her a purity ring until he could swap it out for a wedding band.”
Before his friend could rib him any more, their buddy Ned showed up with his wife, Roxanne. Then Warner’s wife, Leah, joined them. The group had grown to six, so they claimed a circular booth in the back corner.
After ordering a couple pitchers, talk turned to the weather, sports and kids. Warner still team roped on occasion and he and Tell talked about upcoming rodeos.
During a lull, Roxanne said to Tell, “I take it Jessie hasn’t popped yet?”
“She’s got three weeks left. If Brandt could hurry that baby up, he would.”
“Then he’ll wanna shove it right back in there after it’s been cryin’ for two days straight and it won’t stop,” Warner said.
Leah bumped him with her shoulder. “Says the big, tough daddy. Now all Desiree has to do is pout and Daddy gives her whatever she wants.”
A skinny bleached blonde butted in and perched on the edge of the booth, right next to Tell. “If it isn’t my favorite cowboy.”
“Mira. How’s it goin’?”
“Better now that you’re here.”
“And why’s that?” God, he hoped she didn’t ask him for money.
She leaned close enough to put her mouth on his ear. “Because I am so horny. Come outside and do me in your pickup. Do me anywhere.” Then she blew her boozy breath in his ear and licked it. “Please.”
The drunk woman used so much tongue Tell was surprised saliva wasn’t dripping off his earlobe. Now he wished she had just hit him up for cash. He scooted closer to Thurman. “Sorry to disappoint you, darlin’, but I’m just getting over a nasty bout of the flu.”
“It don’t bother me. Come on.”
Tell had a hard time remembering why he’d ever found her attractive. He uncurled her fingers from his bicep. “I’m on heavy-duty meds and they have an…unfortunate side effect.” He sipped his beer, waiting for the meaning to sink in.
Her painted lips formed an “O” of surprise. “You can’t get it up.” She popped to her feet. “Huh. Too bad. See you around.” And she took off.
Ten seconds later the entire table burst into laughter.
“Man. Does that happen to you a lot?” Ned asked.
Tell nodded yes and said, “No.”
More laughter.
“You ain’t worried about her spreading rumors you can’t get it up?” Thurman asked.
“Nope. There are plenty of women around who will dispute that statement.”
“You’re such a dog, McKay,” Warner said. “How many chicks do you have on a string right now?”
“What day is it?”
Laughter ended abruptly and everyone looked at the end of the table.
“Hey, Tell. I just wanted to come over and say hello.”
Tell felt that same whomp in the gut he had at age seventeen whenever their eyes met. “Georgia. Good to see you again.” He stopped being mesmerized by her beauty long enough to say, “I’m sure you know most these folks we went to school with. Thurman. Ned. Roxanne—”
“I’m Ned’s wife now,” Roxanne said sharply. “And I doubt you would’ve remembered my name if Tell hadn’t reminded you.”
Wow. That was bitchy.
Leah folded her arms over her cle**age. “Yeah, I’ll bet you don’t know who I am either.”
All eyes were on Georgia. But rather than lifting her chin and leveling them with a haughty stare, she took a step back. “Our class wasn’t that big, Leah. Of course I remember you.” She gave Tell a wan smile. “Sorry to interrupt. Have a good night.” She walked off.