We pulled up to the Wild Coyote Bar.
Dewey jumped out as he yelled, “Let’s dance, baby sister!”
I laughed as he grabbed my hand and pulled me out of his truck. When we walked in, I noticed him.
“Fuck!” I said.
Dewey followed my eyes. “Alright, we’re gonna have fun tonight!” He threw his head back and laughed.
Miranda Lambert’s “Mama’s Broken Heart” started playing as Dew pulled me out to the dance floor. I looked over my shoulder, and Scott was downing a beer as some bleach-blonde was trying to talk to him.
As Dewey and I two-stepped, he yelled out a whoop and a holler. I wanted to hide, but I knew it was too late. When I glanced over toward the bar, Scott was watching us on the dance floor.
Shit. Shit. Shit. Maybe staying in Mason is a mistake.
Dewey was singing along with Miranda, and I couldn’t help but start laughing.
“You’re crazy, do you know that?” I yelled.
“Hell yes, I know that!”
By the time we danced to three songs in a row, I was dying of thirst. “Dew, I need a beer. ”
Just then, Misty Rose walked by and smiled at Dewey. He turned back at me and gave me those sad puppy eyes.
I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “You’re really going to leave me alone, Dew?”
He kissed my cheek. “I knew you’d understand. Open a tab. It’s on me, baby girl. ”
I sighed as I walked away. I headed toward the side of the bar opposite of where Scott was sitting. I peeked over at him as I was walking up. He was watching me as the same blonde was still standing there, talking to him. My heart started beating like crazy. I knew that he had told me the truth about making Chelsea leave that night. There was no way he could have screwed her and sent me those messages all night. Damn it. Why am I so scared to let him in? I knew I wanted him more than anything. I glanced up at him again. Now, he was laughing at something the blonde had said to him.
Yeah, I want him, but the moment I let him in, something better will come along, just like before. He’ll leave me high and dry again, feeling used and abandoned.
When I looked around, I had to smile. Jesus, is this our high school reunion?
“Hey, if it isn’t little Jessica Rhodes. How in the hell have you been, girl?”
I laughed as I reached out and shook Jimmy’s hand. “Hey, Jimmy. I’ve been good. How about you?”
“Well, I’m still kicking, still running this bar, and still married to the Mrs. , so I’d say I’m doing pretty damn good. ”
I giggled as I took a quick look down the bar. Now, she was leaning toward him and talking into his ear. Slut.
“You want me to move, so you can throw ’em?”
I looked at Jimmy, confused. “Excuse me?”
“Those daggers coming out of your eyes. You look like you’re about to pounce on someone. ”
I started to laugh. “No, not at all. Hey, Dewey asked if you would open a tab for him?”
“Sure can. What are you drinking?”
“A Bud Light please. ”
Jimmy winked and turned around.
When I glanced up, Scott was gone. Shit! Did he leave? I turned toward the dance floor, and then I saw him dancing with the bleach-blonde. Asshole.