6. Chapter Six
Chapter Six
Libby
My stomach rolls and nerves make my fingers twitch as I watch out the window.
“You call me if you need a ride, okay?” Dad pulls his blanket higher, then shifts to a new position on the couch.
I’m glad that he can finally do that without a flicker of pain crossing his face.
“Uh huh. I’d rather walk the twenty miles home than make you leave in the middle of the night. Besides, Char can’t drink, remember?” I pull the curtain back again to see if maybe her and Dixon have pulled into the driveway in the last few seconds.
Damn it.
“What are you so worked up over?” Devon grumbles from the recliner.
I stare out into the dark parking lot. “It’s exciting. I’m officially old enough to drink.”
The pillow that bounces off my back shouldn’t be a surprise. “So? It’s not like you’re some sort of crazy party animal. I swear you’re like a grandma already.” Devon rolls his eyes, then refocuses on his phone.
“Yea, well at least I’m allowed to now.” I’m tempted to stick my tongue out.
But that doesn’t feel very mature.
Whatever. I do it anyway.
“Lib.” Dad’s tone is tired when he chastises me.
A flash of light shines onto the far wall and moves across his scowl.
“Sorry, Dad. Gotta run.” I grab my coat and slip into my heels, toss him a kiss, then escape into the chill of the evening air.
Dixon’s Toyota Tundra barely rolls to a stop before I’m tugging over the frosty passenger side to crawl into the back.
“I guess that answers that question,” Char laughs from the front seat.
“What’s that?” Breathlessly, I buckle up and settle against the backrest.
“If you were excited.” She turns enough that I can see her smile.
I don’t want to tell her why.
I spent the last few days thinking about Blue. My body was buzzing every time he laughed.
Or when we touched.
Maybe it’s because he agreed to help me, and that feels like we’re in some secret conspiracy together .
There’s a crazy part of me that has been looking forward to getting him away from the farm.
Tonight is neutral ground, where I don’t have my father lurking in the shadows.
What the hell do I actually expect to happen?
Who knows?
“Just a little. Devon was driving me crazy.” It’s no secret my brother can be annoying.
Although he wasn’t really being that way.
Dixon snorts as he props his arm behind Char’s headrest to back the truck up. “Younger brothers have a knack. I could tell you stories about mine that would make your jaw drop.”
His mustache twitches from a grin to a frown.
I remember Char saying there was some bad blood between the McCulloughs.
One day I might ask. But bringing up a sour topic doesn’t sound that appealing on a night I’m supposed to be celebrating.
When we pull up to the well-lit bar, Dixon has to park at the far end because there’s so many cars.
“I haven’t seen it this packed in a while,” he grumbles before climbing out.
He helps Char slide out, and opens my door for me.
Music drifts through the frozen breeze. “I think they have a band! Oh, this is awesome!” I’m practically floating across the icy lot .
A blast of heat and sound hits me when I step inside.
Bodies move in rhythm on the dance floor, surrounded by tables filled with people. Nearly everyone is focused on the stage where an old man belts out classic rock covers with a red face.
My heart beats in time with the heavy bass, and I can feel the grin creep into my cheeks.
“Over here!” Blue’s lanky frame appears over the heads of the crowd, waving his dark hat near the stage.
Electricity flows through my limbs as I push through the bodies and weave around the full tables.
“Wow! This is a great spot! How did you snag this one?” I unzip my coat, but pause taking it off as Blue steps closer.
His head ducks and he lowers his ear towards my lips. “I can barely hear you in here, you’re gonna have to scream my name, birthday girl.”
Fire creeps up my throat as I lean in. “How’d you get the best table?” I can smell the hint of his aftershave.
His lopsided smile accentuates his dimple over his mustache. “I know the band. This is their spot and said I could use it.” He tugs out one of the wooden chairs for me to drape my jacket on.
I feel like a celebrity up front and center. We’re hugging the dance floor, but not tight enough to get trampled.
Dixon pulls out a seat for Char, then sheds his own heavy Carhartt to hang from the back .
“Can you believe this? How perfect!” Char claps her hands, then grips my arm excitedly. “I can’t remember the last time I saw a live performance.” Her big eyes reflect the bright lights of the stage.
“Do me the honor of letting me buy your first drink.” Blue’s broad brimmed hat shadows above his nose, but I can feel his gaze.
“Um, I don’t know. Is a beer the right thing?” It’s all I can think of.
I wish I knew of a cool sounding one. “Maybe something fruity? Not too bitter?”
His arm wraps behind me on the rail of my chair and he leans close again. “How about Sex on the Beach?” The words are a low rumble that melt against my skin.
Images of him and I tumbling over the sand on a warm day sends a flush of heat through me.
Char giggles. “Definitely get that, you’ll love it.”
Oh, he’s fucking with me?
Fine, I can play.
Mirroring his movement, I let my fingers touch his jaw as I move my lips to his ear, letting them tickle his cheek. “I’ll try anything once. Twice if I like it.”
His chin drops, and his hot breath pours over me. “Atta, girl.”
Pushing himself up, he turns away and disappears in the direction of the bar .
The band finishes the face-paced song, and falls into a slower croon.
Char is practically bouncing in her seat. “This is so much fun! Happy birthday! Did you do anything special today?” She glances up as Dixon sets an icy glass of water in front of her.
He folds himself next to her and takes a long pull from a bottle as his narrowed eyes travel the room. I bet he’s hating this.
“No, I had to work. Devon did volunteer to clean the machines for me.” I shrug. “So that was nice.”
I had insisted to Dad I didn’t need anything. He shouldn’t spend any money on me. Every available penny needs to go towards him getting better.
A fancy orange and red colored blended drink gets placed in front of me by Blue.
“Oh! It even has an umbrella!” I pluck it out and twirl it between my fingers as I wrap my mouth around the straw. Frozen sweetness floods me, with an after burn that makes my throat hot.
“Thank you.” I give him a wide smile. “It’s like a smoothie that bites.” I laugh through a cough.
Whew. It makes my head feel funny.
Blue lets out a deep chuckle. “I had Val make it stout. She said she’d try to stop by, but she’s short handed.” He turns and drops his elbow on the table towards Dixon. “ She said Ford came back? Scott and Sawyer are out at the cabin?”
Dixon nods. “Long story, I’ll tell you later.” He idly waves his hand. “When I don’t have to yell.”
God, this drink tastes so yummy. I’m nearly done when Blue glances at me, then down at my emptying glass.
The corner of his mustache turns up and I catch the spark in his bright blue eyes.
Probably the lights.
My body feels like it’s tingling and my head is hovering above my shoulders like it’s not attached.
“What do you think, birthday girl? Want another?” His white teeth flash as he smiles.
He’s so damn cute.
“Yes, please. Wait, I was supposed to buy you one?” I start to fumble for the pocket of my coat, but my hands don’t seem to want to move as fluidly.
Everything feels like static electricity, yet I feel more alive than ever.
His rough palm covers my knuckles. “Nope, my treat.”
I focus on where he’s touching me. It’s like waves coursing through my body.
I remember telling Char that I’ve had boyfriends.
Yep, I’m a big ol’ liar.
Blue is the first man to ever set his hand on me in any form of affection.
And it burns so good .
He rises and moves away, pulling my gaze with him.
Why have I never noticed what a nice ass he has? Tight and round, filling the pockets of his Wranglers like they’re tailored.
“Well? What do you think?” Char says loudly from across the table.
That Blue is fine as hell?
“I can feel the alcohol,” I admit. It’s a strange, drifting sensation.
Char laughs, cupping her growing baby belly. “Maybe next year I’ll be able to drink with you. I bet Dixon would love babysitting both of us drunk. Would you?” She turns to her husband and curls her fingers into his collar, pulling him to her.
“Anything for you,” he growls, tugging her onto his lap to bury his nose against her neck.
The way he holds her, like she’s precious, it makes me want to cry with how sweet it is.
They’re so damn adorable. I hope I can find that one day.
Dad wants that too. He wants me to meet someone, have a family.
I think I want that too. One day.
“Y’all right?” Blue sets my fresh drink in front of me, and looks down with a tinge of concern tightening his eyes .
“Oh, yea. I was just thinking about stuff my dad was saying.” I didn’t realize I let an actual tear escape. I wipe it quickly away before I reach for the cold glass.
This one goes down easier, less burn.
“She didn’t put as much liquor in?” I look up to find Blue watching me.
“Ah, not exactly. She put more in.” His hand brushes my shoulder when he puts it on the back of my chair.
“It’s the danger of it. Each one goes down smoother than the last. Next thing you know, you’re waking up in a stranger’s bed wondering what the hell happened.
” He winks and pulls away. “That’s why I’m here, to keep the boys at bay. ”
My nose follows his tantalizing scent. “So, only men allowed?”
When his brows shoot up, I wrap my lips around my straw slowly, then smile as I suck more of the sweet juice.
I can’t feel the burn, but it makes my arms and legs feel almost…numb.
Maybe I’m flying.
The music thumping seems to echo inside my head.
“Come on, Lib. Let’s dance!” Char hops off Dixon’s lap.
He almost looks reluctant to let her up, but lets her lead him away from the table.
“Blue? You gonna show me how a man dances?” I grin and stand.
Whoa .
My balance is off, and I find myself reaching out to catch myself on his muscular arm.
“Looks like you already have the moves down.” He grips my elbow and rises, towering over me.
Shit, I’m almost woozy.
No, I’m fucking doing it on my birthday.
I’m not sure if I pull or he does to get us out on the floor, but the next thing I know, I’m clinging to his chest as he spins me in a whirlwind in time to the fast paced beat.
All I can feel is the press of his burning body as he moves me.
I can’t fight the giggles while he holds me tightly, spinning and dipping in a fluid rhythm between the other couples.
The room flies in a blur around us.
He’s all I can focus on.
When the song ends, I hear myself moan in dismay.
He pauses us near the stage while the lead singer crouches to whisper something in his ear.
Blue nods, then pulls me back to the table.
It feels like my head is still dancing, even as I sit.
My glass is empty. Bummer.
Char finds her place on Dixon’s lap, and they talk in hushed tones that only they can hear.
“I’m gonna get you another drink, then I have a surprise for you.” Blue’s hand rests on my back now, not on the chair .
After holding him so tightly, lost in the throes of the music, it’s easier to let myself drop my hand on his thigh. “I love surprises.”
Were my words slurred? I don’t care.
When he sets my new colorful glass in front of me, he crouches so his knees frame my chair.
“Okay, sit tight. I’ll see you in a few minutes.” He pauses, staring at me as he takes a long breath, then disappears into the crowd.
After having him touch me for so long, I feel alone. So I shuffle over into his seat, closer to Dixon and Char.
But now I’m close enough to understand their words.
“You’re gonna ride my face until I drown,” Dixon whispers to Char.
I catch his hands gripping her hips.
Fucking awkward.
And I’m jealous.
Life is too short.
Mom passed away so young. And now Dad is sick too?
He didn’t get to do the things he wanted to.
Maybe I need to start.
The music fading draws my focus to the stage.
Is that…?
“Let’s give a round of applause to our special guest tonight, Blue Pierce.” The vocalist gestures as Blue takes the center, a guitar hanging against his waist .
“What the—”
Dixon laughs, cutting me off. “He’s multi-talented. Don’t ever play cards against him though, he’s a damn shark.”
Blue steps to the microphone and his bright gaze finds me. “This is for the birthday girl.” His crooked grin makes my belly quiver.
From the first strum of his fingers, then when he adds his deep baritone, I’m transfixed.
His rich voice carries through the bar in a mesmerizing tune that has couples slow dancing below him.
Their bodies sway to his gentle tune. The soft notes feel as if they’re rocking me into a warm fuzzy blanket.
My straw gurgles when I reach the bottom of my glass, stirring me to glance away.
When I look back, it’s through the sea of drifting people, with him in the spotlight.
He’s glowing like a sexy angel, and his song is some sort of magic, drawing me to him.
I know the first thing on my list I want to do.
Lose my virginity.
To him.