Chapter Seventeen #2
His surprise quickly morphs into joy at his new duet partner as the two of them scream, “Well screw that and screw you,” into their mics. He turns his attention back to me and finishes the song, only glancing at Kori for flourish.
This isn’t exactly my idea of a passionate serenade, but I’ll take it.
Seth isn’t the lovey-dovey type, and I think this is his weird version of a romantic gesture.
And maybe in his alcohol-addled brain, he thinks he’s sending Archer a message.
I’m not sure of much in this moment, but I do know my heart feels too big for my chest. This little bit of time is just for me; the song, the heated stare, and especially the tiny smile, they’re all mine.
Just as the last chords play, Shelley’s manicured hand grabs my shoulder, her bracelets clinking together in my ear as I turn to her.
“Are you still planning on… you know? They’ve got it all set up in the lot.” The alcohol and whatever spell Seth has me under slosh around in my brain as I look at her without understanding, but then it clicks.
It’s here. My pièce de résistance of the night.
I practically squeal with glee as I grab Thea’s hand and drag her outside, gathering everyone I come across as we make our way to the parking lot.
It’s dark back here, but I had the forethought to rent a bunch of flood lamps, which help illuminate the highlight of the evening.
In the middle of the lot, surrounded by a blow-up paddock and complete with inflatable cow skulls hanging on every corner, sits a giant mechanical bull.
Its eyes light up red as it slowly turns in a circle, and a hidden speaker plays angry cow sounds, really adding to the vibe.
It took a lot of begging—and cash—to get them to set it up so late.
But as I watch the crowd stumble out of the bar, I realize this may not have been the best activity to cap off the night.
Everyone looks excited; no one more so than Thea whooping loudly at my side and swinging her pink cowboy hat in the air.
“This is amazing!” She hops up and down, grabbing my arm then switches to Cary when he makes his way over. “Who’s going first?”
A few hands go up among the crowd, and the operator waves a woman over to explain how it works.
After shucking her shoes, she climbs onto the back of the beast and holds on for dear life as it starts bucking.
She lasts all of six seconds before falling off onto the inflatable corral, laughing the whole time.
Brooks takes a turn next to the delight of the crowd as they hoot and holler for him.
Cary and Thea stand next to me. He’s got his arms wrapped around her from behind, his chin resting on top of her head. Thea’s eyes sparkle as she catcalls her almost-brother-in-law when he moves especially suggestively. Margot’s on their other side looking like she wants to be the bull.
“Oh, shit,” Thea cries with a jolt. “I completely forgot. I have a surprise for you!” Her words are slurring a little as she turns to face me and Cary.
“I made plans for you boys to go camping this weekend! Margot, Mom, and I are going to have a little spa day in Charleston, and you guys have a camp site booked at Caesars Head.”
Both Cary and I stare at her, not quite comprehending what she’s saying.
“Billy’s got all your supplies at the store, he’ll be waiting for you at six tomorrow to help load it up,” she adds.
Cary shakes his head at her. “Lem, there’s no way we can get to Caesars Head by sundown if we leave at six.” Dread pools in my belly because I know where she’s going with this, and it might be my worst nightmare.
Seth chooses this moment to appear at my side. He’s swaying a little on his feet. Well, I guess he won’t be running tomorrow morning. Today morning? Later today?
I’m still debating with myself when Thea giggles and places a palm on Cary’s chest like she’s consoling him. “I mean six in the morning, my love.”
“Six a.m.? Like,” he looks down at his watch and has to close one eye to see the time, “in four hours?”
“Yeah! It’ll be so fun. Manly bonding!” She says the last part in a deep, gruff voice before cackling.
Then she adds, “I did it as a back up, still no offense.” She grimaces in my direction then turns to launch herself at the inflatable paddock for the bull to take her turn. Cary follows to help her on.
“Did she say we’re going camping?” mumbles Seth. Fuck, I have to get him to bed before I have to carry him.
“Yeah. Unfortunately,” I say.
“Have you ever been?” He steps up to me and leans closer. I’m not sure he means to, it seems like he may be fading a bit.
“Do I look like a fucking Boy Scout?” I ask as I grab his shoulder and turn him toward home. “I am strictly an indoor cat. I need a warm bed, a filled bowl, and someone to scratch my back when the mood strikes.”
His head swivels, and he stares daggers at Archer a couple of yards away, who’s got his arm comfortably around Tiffany’s shoulders and his mouth pressed to her ear.
I chuckle at his jealousy as my heart does that same pounding thing from earlier.
I catch Shelley’s attention as I lead Seth out of the lot, and she nods, reassuring me she’ll start winding everything down.
“Down, boy. Let’s get you to bed. Tomorrow is going to be a day.”