Fallen Too Far (10 page)

             
I started to shake my head when he reached out and grabbed my hands in his. “Blaire, it will make me happy to know you’re eating. Henrietta buys the groceries once a week and stocks this place expecting me to have a lot of company. There is more than enough. Please. Eat. My. Food.”

             
I bit my bottom lip to keep from laughing at his pleading look.

             
“Are you laughing at me?” he asked with a small grin tugging at his lips.

             
“Yeah. A little,” I admitted.

             
“Does this mean you’re gonna eat my food?”

             
I sighed, “Only if you let me pay you weekly.”

             
He started to shake his head no and I pulled my hands from his and started to walk away.

             
“Where are you going?” he asked from behind me.

             
“I’m done arguing with you. I will eat your food if I pay for my part. That’s the only deal I will agree to. So take it or leave it.”

             
Rush growled, “Okay fine. Pay me.”

             
I glanced back at him. “I’m going to go unpack. Then take a bath in that big ole tub and then I don’t know. I don’t have plans until tonight.”

             
A frown puckered his brow. “With who?”

             
“Bethy,” I replied.

             
“Bethy? The cart girl who Jace messes around with?”

             
“Correction. The cart girl that Jace used to mess around with. She wised up and is moving on. Tonight we’re going honky-tonking to pick us up some hard working blue collar men.”

             
I didn’t wait for him to respond. I hurried to the stairs and ran up them. Once I reached my new room, I closed my door behind me and sighed in relief.

              I might not have the clothes for Rush’s parties but I had everything I needed to go to a honky-tonk.  It had been awhile since I’d worn my blue jean skirt. It was shorter than I remembered but it worked. Especially with my boots. 

              Rush had left this morning while I was taking my bath and he hadn’t been back since. I wondered if my room was off limits to his friends if he had a party here. I didn’t like the idea of strangers having sex on my bed. I didn’t really like the idea of anyone but me having sex on the bed I was supposed to sleep in. I wanted to ask but I wasn’t sure how to go about asking something like that.

              Leaving before Rush got back meant I wouldn’t know what to expect. Should I plan to wash my bedding when I got home? The idea made me cringe.  When my foot hit the bottom step the front door swung open and Rush walked inside. When his eyes found me he froze and slowly took in my appearance. I wasn’t dressed to impress his crowd but there was a crowd out there that I might get some attention from.

              “Day-um,” he muttered and closed the door behind him.

              I didn’t move. I was trying to figure out how to approach the strangers having sex on my bed thing.

              “You, uh, wearing that out to go clubbing?” he asked.

              “It’s called honky-tonking. I’m pretty sure it’s a completely different thing,” I corrected him

              Rush ran his hand over his short hair and let out a sigh that sounded somewhat frustrated and somewhat amused. If he was about to start making cracks about my clothing I might throw my boot at him.

              “Can I come with y’all tonight? I’ve never been honky-tonking.”

             
What?
Did I just hear him correctly?

             
“You want to go with us?” I asked in confusion.

             
Rush nodded and his eyes trailed down my body once again. “Yeah, I do.”

             
I guess he could go too. If we were friends then we should be able to hang out together.

             
“Okay. If you really want to. We need to leave in ten minutes though. Bethy is expecting me to pick her up.”

             
“I can be ready in five,” he said and took the stairs two at a time as he ran up them.

             
That was completely not what I had expected. Strange turn of events.

             
Seven minutes later, Rush was back down the stairs and dressed in a pair of snug jeans and a tight black tee shirt that had Slacker Demon written on the front in a white gothic print. The emblem that was on his shoulder also graced the tee shirt. The silver thumb ring was once again on his hand and for the first time since I’d met him he had a couple of small hoop earrings in his ear. He looked more like the son of a world famous rock star than he ever had. His black lashes made it permanently appear as if he were wearing eyeliner and that only added to the effect.

             
When my eyes made their way back up to his face he stuck out his tongue to flash his silver barbell at me and then winked. “I figure if I’m going to a honky-tonk with guys in boots and cowboy hats I needed to stay true to my roots. Rock and Roll is in my blood. I can’t pretend to fit in anywhere else.”

             
I laughed as he smirked at me. “You’re going to look as out of place tonight as I do at your parties. This should be fun. Come on, rock star spawn,” I teased and headed for the door.

             
Rush opened the door and stood back so I could walk outside. The guy could be so strange when he wanted to.  “Since your friend is riding with us, why don’t we take one of my cars instead? We’d all be more comfortable than in your truck.”

             
I stopped and glanced back at him. “But we’d fit in better if we took my truck.”

             
Rush pulled out a small remote and one of the doors on his four car garage opened up. A black Range Rover with metallic rims and a perfectly shiny paint job sat in the spotlight. I couldn’t disagree with him. We’d be much more comfortable in that vehicle.

             
“That’s certainly impressive,” I replied.

             
“Does that mean we can take mine? I’m not crazy about sharing a seat with Bethy. The girl likes to touch things without permission,” Rush said.

             
I smiled, “Yes, she does. She’s a bit of a flirt, isn’t she?”

             
Rush cocked an eyebrow. “Flirt is a kind word for her.”

             
“Okay. Sure. We can take the badass Rush Finlay’s killer wheels if he insists.”

             
Rush shot me a cocky grin and headed toward the garage. I followed close behind.

             
He opened my door for me, which was sweet but made this feel more like a date. I didn’t need him messing with my head. I was firmly set that we were just friends. He needed to play the game right. “Do you open all your friend’s car doors?” I asked, standing there looking at him. I wanted him to see the error of his very polite ways.

             
His easy smile disappeared and a serious expression took its place. “No,” he replied, stepping back to head for the driver’s door. I felt like a complete jerk. I should have just said thank you and overlooked it. Why did I have to be the one to remind him of his own rules?

             
Once we were inside the Range Rover Rush cranked it up and pulled out without a word. I hated the silence. I’d made it awkward. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound rude.”

             
Rush let out a sigh and his shoulders eased. Then he shook his head. “No. You’re right. I just don’t have any female friends so I’m not good at balancing what I should do and what I shouldn’t.”

             
“So, you open doors for your dates? That’s a very chivalrous thing to do. Your mother raised you right.”

             
I felt a twinge of jealousy. There were girls out there that got that kind of treatment from Rush. Ones that he wanted to take out and be more than friends with.

             
“Actually, no I don’t. I… you… you just seem like the kind of girl who deserves to have her door opened. It just made sense in my head at the moment. But I get what you’re saying. If we’re going to be friends I need to draw a line and stay behind it.”

             
My heart melted a little more.

             
“Thank you for opening it for me. It was sweet.”

             
Rush shrugged and didn’t say anything else.

             
“We need to pick Bethy up at the club. She’ll be at the office back behind the clubhouse at the golf course. She had to work today. She’s showering and dressing there.”

             
Rush turned toward the country club. “How did you and Bethy become friends?”

             
“We worked together one day. I think we were both in need of a friend. She’s fun and free spirited. Everything I’m not.”

             
Rush let out a laugh. “You say that like it’s a bad thing. You don’t want to be like Bethy. Trust me.”

             
He was right. I didn’t want to be like Bethy but she was fun to be around.

             
I sat quietly while Rush messed with the very expensive and complicated looking stereo system. We drove the short distance from his house to the country club. “Lips of an Angel” by Hinder began to play and it made me smile. I almost expected to hear some Slacker Demon.

             
When the Range Rover came to a stop outside the offices I opened my door and stepped out. Bethy wouldn’t be looking for this ride. She’d be looking for my truck.

             
The office door swung open and she sauntered out in a pair of tiny red leather shorts, a cut off white halter-top, and white leather boots up to her knees.

             
“What the hell are you doing in one of Rush’s rides?” she asked, all smiles.

             
“He’s going with us. Rush wants to check out a honky-tonk too. So…” I trailed off and looked back at the Range Rover.

             
“This is seriously going to cramp your chances at picking up a man. Just saying,” Bethy said as she walked down the steps and did a quick look at my outfit. “Or not. You look hot. I mean, I knew you were gorgeous but you look really hot in that outfit. I want me some real cowgirl boots. Where’d you get those?”

             
Her compliment was nice. I hadn’t had girlfriends in so long. When Valerie had been killed the girls we’d been close to kind of faded out of my life. It was as if they couldn’t be around me without remembering. Cain had become my only friend.

             
“Thank you, and as for the boots, I got them for Christmas two years ago from my mom. They were hers. I had loved them since she bought them and after she got, after… she got sick… she gave them to me.”

             
Bethy frowned, “Your mom got sick?”

             
I wasn’t in the mood to put a damper on things tonight. I nodded and forced a bright smile. “Yeah. But that’s another story. Come on let’s go find us some cowboys.”

             
Bethy returned my smile and opened the back door on my side of the Range Rover. “I’ll let you ride up front because I have a sneaky feeling that is where the driver wants you.”

             
I didn’t have time to respond before Bethy had hopped up in the Range Rover and closed the door behind her. I climbed back inside and smiled over at Rush who was watching me. “Time to go get our country on,” I told him.

              Bethy had given Rush directions to her favorite honky-tonk. It was forty minutes outside of Rosemary. Not exactly surprising. The only country in Rosemary was the country club and that wasn’t anything close to what we were walking into.

              The bar was large and completely made out of what looked like wood planks. Apparently, it was famous. Probably because there weren’t many of these kind of places in this area. Bright florescent beer signs graced the walls outside and inside. Miranda Lambert’s “Gun Powder and Lead” was pumping out of the stereo when we walked inside.

              “They have live music in about thirty minutes. That’s the best time to dance. We have plenty of time to find a good spot and drink us some tequila shots first,” Bethy yelled over the noise.

              I had never had tequila shots. I hadn’t even had beer. Tonight that would change. I was going to be free. Enjoy the night. Rush moved in behind me and his hand settled on my lower back.  This was not a friendly position… was it?

              I decided against correcting him in here since I’d have to yell over the music. Rush led us over to an empty booth that was further back from the dance floor. He stood back and let me slide in. Bethy slid in across from me and Rush sat down beside me. 

              Bethy shot him a frown.

              “What do you want to drink?” Rush asked, leaning down to my ear so he wouldn’t have to yell.

              “I’m not sure,” I replied, looking at Bethy for guidance. “What do I drink?”

              Bethy’s eyes went wide and then she laughed. “You haven’t been drinking before?”

              I shook my head. “I’m not old enough to buy my own alcohol. Are you?” She clapped her hands. “This is gonna be so much fun. And yes, I’m twenty-one or at least my ID says I am.” She cut her eyes to Rush. “You need to let her out. I’m taking her to the bar.”

              Rush didn’t budge. He looked back at me, “You’ve never had alcohol?”

              “Nope. But I intend to remedy that tonight,” I assured him.

              “Then you need to go slow. You won’t have a very high tolerance.” He reached out and grabbed a waitress’ arm. “We need a menu.”

              Bethy put her hands on her hips. “Why are you ordering food? We’re here to drink and dance with cowboys. Not eat.”

              Rush turned his head toward her so I couldn’t see his face but I could tell his shoulders had gotten stiff. “She’s never drunk before. She needs to eat first or she’ll be bent over puking her guts out and cursing you in two hours time.”

              Oh. I didn’t like to throw up. Not at all.

              Bethy rolled her eyes and waved her hand in front of her face as if Rush was an idiot. “Whatever, daddy Rush. I’m going to get me somethin’ to drink and I’m getting her something too. So feed her fast.”

              The waitress was back with a menu before Bethy was done talking. Rush took it and turned back to me opening it up. “Pick something. No matter what diva the drunk says you need to eat first.”

              I nodded. I didn’t want to get sick.

              “The cheesy fries look good.”

              Rush held up the menu and the waitress came running back.

              “Cheesy fries. Two orders and a tall glass of water.”

              Once the waitress nodded and walked off, Rush leaned back and tilted his head to look over at me. “So you’re at a honky-tonk. Was it everything you hoped it would be? Because I’ll be real honest, this music is painful.”

              Smiling, I shrugged and looked around. There were guys in cowboy hats and then those that just had on regular clothes. Some had large belt buckles but for the most part they looked like people in my hometown.

              “I just got here and I haven’t drunk or danced yet, so I’ll let you know after that happens.”

              Rush smirked, “You want to dance?”

              I did want to dance but not with Rush. I knew how easily I’d forget that he was just a friend. “Yes, I do. But I need a shot of courage first and I need someone to ask me to dance.”

              “I thought I just asked,” he replied.

              I put my elbows on the table and rested my chin on my hand. “You think that’s a good idea?” I wanted him to admit this wasn’t a good idea.

              Rush sighed, “Probably not.”

              I nodded.

              Two plates of cheesy fries slid in front of us and a frozen mug with ice water was set down in front of Rush. The food looked surprisingly good. I hadn’t realized I was so hungry. I needed to keep up with how much I was spending. This was seven dollars. I wasn’t going to spend more than twenty dollars tonight. That might mean I only got one drink but Rush said I needed to eat so I was going to eat.

              I picked up a fry smothered in cheese and took a bite.

              “That’s better than peanut butter sandwiches, isn’t it?” Rush asked with a teasing grin. I nodded and picked up another fry.

              Bethy slid in on her side of the booth carrying two drinks in small little glasses. They were yellow. “I figured I should start you out easy. Tequila is a big girl drink. You’re not ready for that yet. This is a lemon drop. It’s sweet and yummy.”

              “Eat a few more fries first,” Rush interrupted her.

              I took another fry and quickly ate it followed by another. Then I reached for the lemon drop. “Okay, I’m ready,” I told Bethy and she picked hers up and grinned. I watched as she put it to her lips and tilted her head back. Then I did the same.

              It was really good. Only a small burn in my throat. I liked lemon. That was nice. I put the empty glass down and smiled over at Rush who was watching me.

              “Eat,” he replied.

              I tried not to giggle at him but I couldn’t help it. I laughed. He was being ridiculous.

              I took another bite of my fries and Bethy reached over and got a few fries too.

              “I met some guys at the bar. I pointed you out and they’ve been watching us since I sat down. You ready to make a new friend?”

              Rush moved slightly closer to my side and the warmth from him and the warmth in my stomach made me want to stay right here by my… friend. Which was why I needed to get up. I nodded.

              “Let her out, Rush. You can keep the booth warm for us in case we come back,” Bethy said.

              Rush didn’t move right away and I started to think he was ignoring her or he was going to make me eat some more. He finally slid out and stood up.

              I wanted to say something to him. Anything to make him smile and stop scowling but I didn’t know what to say.

              “Be careful. I’m here if you need me,” he said in a low whisper as he stepped close to me. I just nodded. My chest tightened and I wanted to crawl back in that booth with him.

              “Come on Blaire. Time to use you to get us free drinks and men. You are the hottest sidekick I’ve ever had. This should be fun. Just don’t tell these guys you’re nineteen. Tell everyone you’re twenty-one.”

              “Okay.”

              Bethy pulled me over to two guys who were obviously checking us out. One was tall with long blond hair tucked behind his ears. He looked like he hadn’t shaved in a few days and underneath his tight fitting flannel shirt his body seemed impressive. His eyes were on me, then on Bethy, and then back on me. He hadn’t made up his mind yet.

              The other guy had short dark brown hair that had some curl in it and a pair of really pretty blue eyes. The clear blue kind that makes you want to just sigh. His white tee-shirt didn’t leave much to the imagination and his broad chest was nice to look at. He was as blue collar as they come. I’d know a pair of Wranglers anywhere and he wore them well. His eyes were on me. Not moving or shifting. A small smile was on his lips and I decided this wasn’t going to be so bad after all.

              “Boys, this is Blaire. I got her away from her brother and she now needs a drink.”

              The one with dark hair stood up and held out his hand, “Dalton. It’s nice to meet you Blaire.”

              I slipped my hand in his and shook it. “It’s nice to meet you too Dalton.”

              “What can I get you to drink?” he asked, a smile spreading across his face in an approving way.

              “She wants a lemon drop. It’s her thing,” Bethy said beside me.

              “Hey, Blaire, I’m Nash.” The blond said, holding out his hand and I shook it. “Hello, Nash.”

              “Okay boys, let’s not fight. There are two of us. Cool down, Nash. The innocence pouring off her has you in heat,” Bethy said in an annoyed tone. “Come dance with me and I’ll show you how naughty girls can satisfy that itch.”

              Bethy had Nash’s complete attention now. I covered my mouth to keep from laughing. She was good. Bethy winked at me and led Nash out onto the dance floor.

              “Some friend you got there. She was offering to take us both on. I explained I wasn’t into that kind of thing and she pointed you out. All I could see was that curly blond hair of yours and I was intrigued,” Dalton said handing me a lemon drop.

              “Thank you. And yes, Bethy is a lot of fun. She brought me out tonight. This is my first time at a place like this.”

              Dalton nodded his head in Rush’s direction. A tall leggy blonde was perched on the edge of our table. I watched as his finger ran up the side of her thigh. Sure didn’t take him long.

              “That why your brother came out with you tonight?”

              Dalton’s question reminded me why I was here and I tore my eyes off Rush and the girl’s leg. “Um, uh… something like that.”

              I put the glass to my lips and drank it down quickly.

              “Can we… I mean do you want to dance?” I asked when I put the glass back on the bar.

              Dalton stood up to lead me onto the dance floor. Bethy was already pressing her body against Nash in ways that should be illegal in public. I was not going to dance like that. I hoped Dalton didn’t expect it.

              Dalton took my hands and put them around his neck before sliding his hands around my waist and pulling me closer to him. This was nice. Kind of.  The music was slow and sexy. Not exactly something I wanted to dance to with a stranger.

              “You live around here? I’ve never seen you in here before,” Dalton said lowering his head to my ear so I could hear him.

              I shook my head. “I live about forty minutes away and I just moved there. I’m from Alabama.”

              He grinned. “That explains the southern twang in your voice. I knew it was thicker than any of the locals in this area.”

              Dalton’s hand slipped further down my waist until his fingers were brushing against the top curve of my bottom. This concerned me a little.

              “Are you in college?” he asked, his hand sliding an inch lower.

              I shook my head, “No. I… uh… work.”

              I searched the crowd for Bethy and didn’t see her anywhere. Where had she gone? As much as I hated to I looked over toward the booth to see if Rush was still there. The blonde was now in the booth with him. His eyes and it looked like maybe his lips were on her.

              Dalton’s hand slipped lower until it was cupping my butt completely. “Damn girl, your body is incredible,” he murmured in my ear. Red alert. I needed help.

              Wait. Since when had I needed help? I hadn’t relied on anyone in years. I didn’t need to start acting helpless now. I put both hands on Dalton’s chest and pushed him back. “I need some air and I don’t much like strange men groping my ass.” I informed him and spun around to head for the exit. I did not want to go back to the booth and watch Rush make out with some girl and I sure didn’t want to find another dance partner just yet. I needed fresh air.

              Stepping outside into the darkness I took a deep breath and leaned up against the side of the building. Maybe I wasn’t cut out for this kind of thing? Or maybe it was too much too soon.  Either way I needed a breather and a new dance partner. Dalton wasn’t gonna work out.