Bayou Stix Series: Bayou Stix Limited Edition Box Set (52 page)

T
he past few days have flown by. I’ve found a nice rhythm with Blue. I’ve heard her on the phone a lot, talking to people who want to hire her, but so far, she’s held off. She says she’s thinking things through. It’s strange how comfortably she’s settled into my life and every day I find myself falling for her a bit more. Neither of us have spoken of feelings though. We’re just flowing and letting things go. Blue is off with Bradi someplace, since the Bachelor/Bachelorette party is this weekend and I’m waiting on Alec at Java and Sweeties.

I’m staring out of the window, thinking, when I feel a cup being placed by my hand. “Hey, Jessie. Waiting for Blue?”

I look at Lexi. Jude’s lady is beautiful. Long red hair and golden eyes. She’s petite to his tall, but they fit. Today her hair is haphazardly thrown on top of her head with pieces falling down around her face. “Hey, Lex. Nah, I’m actually waiting for Alec. He has some places to show me.”

Her face registers her surprise. “Places? What places? You’re moving?”

Shaking my head, I reply. “No. I’m not moving. Why does everyone say that?” I laugh. “I want a second place in NOLA.”

“Oh, ok. Like a weekend home?” She pulls out a chair and sits down.

“Yes, exactly. Some place I can head to when I want to. But I’ll still live here, in Baton Rouge.”

“Gotcha. I didn’t know you were looking.” She stares at me. It makes me nervous, so I grab the black coffee she brought me and take a sip and sigh in contentment. “So, you and Blue? That’s going well, right?”

I set the cup down and look at her. Her eyes are wide open and I see she’s genuinely curious. “You’re friends. Why are you asking me?”

She smiles at me and her eyes crinkle. “Because,
we’re
friends too, Jessie… and I’ve never seen you like this. You seem happy.”

“I was unhappy before?” I look around her to the door, hoping to see Alec. I don’t want to have this conversation.

She chuckles. “No, you weren’t exactly unhappy, but you weren’t happy either. You were just… Jessie. The manwhore with a heart of gold.” She grabs my hand and pats it. “You and Blue… that’s real, Jessie. You two have something. You remind me of Jude and me.”

“What do you mean? And ‘manwhore’, really?” I ask, confused. Frowning at her, I ask, “Why does everyone call me a manwhore?”

She smirks at me and winks. “You know what I mean. Just don’t be a mule head and not tell her. You reformed ‘manwhore’!”

She leans over and kisses my cheek as she gets up. Was I really that bad?!

Muttering under my breath, I say. “Tell her what exactly?”

I feel a hand on my shoulder and hear a voice in my ear. “I know you aren’t putting the moves on my woman, Jessie.”

Looking up at a smirking Jude, I say, “What if I am? Just reminding her she can have the hottest member of the band if she wants him.”

He laughs, “She already does, asshole.” He punches me in the arm as he sweeps her off of her feet and plants a kiss on her mouth as he bends her backwards over his arm. She twines her arms around his neck as they make a scene.

The coffee house erupts into applause. I laugh. “Show off!”

“Damn straight.” He pops her ass as she walks back to the kitchen calling over her shoulder with pink cheeks, “You boys have fun. I have an order to fill.” She winks at me and disappears into the kitchen.

Jude watches her until the door closes. “You’re so whipped,” I tease him.

He laughs. “I am. Isn’t it awesome?! Besides, look who’s talking!”

Pulling my lip ring into my mouth, I answer him. “I’m happy for you man. Real happy. You and Lexi are great.”

He doesn’t answer, just looks at me for a long uncomfortable time. Finally he shakes his head. “You and Blue are pretty great too, Jessie. Now that you both admit it, you’re good together. It certainly took you long enough.”

Pressing my hands against the table in frustration, I grit out, “How was I supposed to know? I thought she hated me.”

Seriously, how the hell was I supposed to know? Things are so good with us. I like her. I want her. She makes me smile and we have the best time together no matter what we’re doing. I can’t get enough of her and the sex is off the charts. How long can this continue? When is she leaving? I don’t want her to leave. I want her here… with me… I don’t know what exactly this is with us, but I know I don’t want it to end. Who would have thought… Blue and me…

Jude has been watching me. He cocks his head to the side and studies me. “What’s going on in your head, Jes?”

Looking out the window, I take in the colors of the leaves. Most are gone from the trees, but the ones that are still there are bright orange and reddish brown. Eventually, I answer Jude. “I don’t know. I like Blue. I like Blue and me. I like her being here. I never expected this. I guess I’m just wondering when it’s going to go away…”

“Why would it go away, man?” He sounds genuinely perplexed at the question.

Looking at him with emotion filled eyes, I mutter, “Because this is not me. This doesn’t happen for me.” I shrug and grip the table top. “Blue is amazing. She’s beautiful and smart. She can go anywhere and get a job. She could pack up and leave tomorrow. Why wouldn’t she?”

He stops me with a hand on my arm. “She won’t as long as you’re honest, with her and with yourself. Yeah, she can go anywhere, but she chooses to be here.” Squeezing my arm, he says, “You deserve this. You deserve Blue. Ok?”

Shaking my head to clear it, I look at Jude and cross my arms over my chest. “You’re such a girl!” I laugh. “I don’t even know what love is…”

Jude chuckles. “Yeah, you do. Love is what you feel for Blue, Jessie. How long have we been friends?” He punches me in the arm. “I know you man. Even if you can’t admit it to yourself, that woman owns you. Like Lexi owns me, and there is nothing wrong with that!” He kicks back in the chair and crosses his legs and arms, while looking at me. “And I’m not a girl. I’m just in touch with my emotions. Chicks dig that shit, you know!” He winks.

“Right.” I kick him and he loses his balance and almost falls over in the chair, but catches the table at the last second. Laughing, I ask, “Does Lexi know she wears the pants?”

A chuckle comes from over my shoulder. “Lexi looks good in pants. And nice save, Jude.”

I turn and greet Alec. “Hey, man. Sorry, I didn’t hear you come in.”

He shakes Jude’s hand and pulls out a chair. “I snuck in. Said ‘Hi’ to Erik before I walked over. You two looked like you were having a serious discussion anyway. I didn’t want to intrude.”

Jude laughs. “No, I was just schooling Jessie.”

“Schooling me, my ass!” I kick him under the table again, then turn to Alec, who’s setting up his laptop. “What do you have for me? Anything promising? You sticking around, Jude?”

Alec says, “Give me a minute to boot up and I have a few to show you. One I think you’re going to love.”

Jude pulls his chair over to see the laptop too. “Yeah, nothing else going on this afternoon. That cool?”

I shrug. “Sure. Ok, let’s see what we’re looking at.”

We look through the listings Alec has marked and I see three potentials. One immediately jumps out at me. “I want to see this one. When can I look at it?”

Alec smirks at me. “Thought you’d say that. I already set it up. You still planning on heading down to NOLA tomorrow?”

Slapping his back, I grin. “Yes. I’m taking Blue down to see a friend of mine play tomorrow night. We’ll be there until y’all get there on Friday.”

“I have the viewing set up for two tomorrow afternoon.” He brushes fake lint off of his shoulders and winks. “Do I know you or what?” Alec says smugly.

“You do, man.” I nod. “You do. This place looks great.”

Jude pipes in with, “Blue should love it.” Then, he high fives Alec behind my back.

I look at him and frown. Both Jude and Alec are staring at me with shit-eating grins. “It’s
my
house, dude. I’m buying it. But yes, she should like it.”

Alec and Jude exchange a glance and both look at me humorously. “What?”

“Told you he was in love with her.” Jude says.

“Dammit. Ok, I owe you a hundred bucks.” Alec says through his smile.

“Y’all were fucking placing bets? And I never said I was in love with her!” I grit out.

Alec looks at me seriously with his chin resting on his hand. “Do you want to be with her all the time? Do you want to kill anyone who looks at her? Does your body warm when she’s near? Does seeing her head on the pillow next to yours bring you a sense of peace? Did you picture her in this house when you saw the listing?”

I can’t answer… I’m processing his questions and thinking of my answers. The answer to
all
of them is yes… Oh, shit!

My face must be transparent because both guys laugh and I get resounding back slaps. “Told you so!” Jude says.

Blue

Bradi and I are at the sex shop and we’re buying Lexi lingerie and penis straws for the party this weekend. We’ve laughed more and had the best time today. Who would have guessed she and I would ever be friends?

After we pick out a few outfits for Lexi, Bradi pulls one off of the rack and hands it to me. It’s a black and emerald green lace corset top with a black lace thong. I look at her like she’s lost her mind.

“Go try this on. It would look amazing on you.” She slaps it into my chest.

“What? We’re not here for me. Why do I need this?” I exclaim.

She rolls her eyes and pushes me into the dressing room as she eyes a deep red corset top for herself. “Because Jessie will swallow his tongue if he sees you in that. And every woman needs sexy lingerie for her man. Ask Micah.”

“Ugh, no thanks. I’d rather not know about your kinky sex life!” I laugh, but go into the fitting room with the set.

Bradi cackles. “Says the woman who’s fucking Jessie Adams! I’m sure your monkey sex puts my love life to shame!”

“Shut up, Bradi!” But I laugh too. Somehow I manage to get the corset latched up. Turning, I take in my appearance with the outfit. My own eyes pop out at my reflection. I hear a knock on the door and then, “How does it look? Let me see!”

“What?” I gasp. “No way!”

The door opens. And in steps Bradi looking like a Siren in red lace. Wow. She takes in my outfit and her mouth drops open. “Turn. Now.”

Her eyes travel over the tops of my breasts, which are thrust up dangerously high by the tight corset. My nipples are barely covered. It pulls my waist in and accentuates the flare of my full hips. It stops mid-thigh and you can see my lace covered crotch. I blush furiously, but turn. My ass is round, but firm and tight and my legs are toned. And both are on full display.

“Holy fuck! Blue, you look like a Goddess. You
have
to get that! Jessie will drop to his knees!” She’s squealing and clapping excitedly.

“You think so?” I ask doubtfully. I know we’re together, but do I want to buy sexy lingerie for him!?

“Um, do you have eyes, bitch? You are fine as hell in that. You’re kind of turning me on and, well, you know I’m not a switch hitter.”

“Oh my God. Get out.” I laugh as I shove her out of the door. A man is waiting there and his eyes bug out as he takes us in. My face is on fire. Bradi, being Bradi, blows him a kiss and slaps my ass on her way out. Crazy bitch.

We make our purchases and decide to grab a bite before heading back to Jessie’s to stow them. I’m supposed to be heading to New Orleans with him tomorrow. We’ll be there two days before everyone else gets there for the three-day Bachelor/Bachelorette party.

Since we’re heading back to Perkins Rowe anyway, we stop in at Kona Grill to eat. As we wait for our drinks to arrive, Bradi pierces me with her green eyes.

I know what’s coming…

“You and Jessie?” She points at me. “Are you staying here?”

Swallowing, I wish for my drink. “I don’t know, Bradi. We haven’t talked about it. Right now, we’re just seeing how things go and getting to know each other.”

“But you want to stay? Here? In Louisiana?”

“I haven’t really thought about it…” Where is my drink?!

“Liar. You’re in love with Jessie.” Her hands are waving all around and I’m amazed she doesn’t hit herself in the face. I’ve learned that Southerners talk with their hands a lot. “I also heard you on the phone earlier, Blue. You turned the job at HardEdge Magazine down. Why would you do that if you didn’t want to stay? Does he know they offered you a job?”

“You’re nosey. Do you know that?!” I’m exasperated. Her audacity still shocks me sometimes.

She waves her hand as if in dismissal. “Duh. I know that. You know that. And I’m not nosey, I just say what I think and you were right next to me on the phone, Blue. What do you want from this… with Jessie?”

I lay my head on the table on my folded arms and silently scream. Why is she pushing me?! I get pissed. Glaring at her across the table, I slam my hands down. “Ok, yes, I’m in love with Jessie. Apparently everyone knows that. We haven’t spoken of
feelings.
I don’t want to tell him that. I don’t want him to push me away. No, he doesn’t know. I didn’t tell him. I don’t want to go back to L.A. Why would I? Nothing is there for me. My friends are here. For the first time in a long time, I have real friends. I have people who genuinely seem to give a shit about me. I don’t want to go, but I don’t know what he wants from me and if he just up and decides I’m not what he wants and tells me to leave, it’ll kill me. I love him. I’ve loved him for years. Even when all I wanted to do was punch him in the face, I loved him. Every time I saw him with another skank, I would have to fight with myself not to rip her to shreds. I just want him. But more than that… I want him to want
me
like I want him.” My face falls as I realize what I’ve just said.