6. Chapter 6
Aspen
I’m not sure why I thought this was a good idea; actually, that’s a lie.
I know why I’m here. But now that I am sitting here faced with my decisions, I've decided I should have my decision-making privileges revoked.
I should put Willow in charge; she seems to have her shit together and loves telling people what to do.
When I told Rhett I wanted more, I half expected him to say screw it and take the leap with me, but he didn’t. I’m not getting any younger and I want love, the love I see all around me.
Being that the dating pool here is about as deep as a puddle during a drought, I signed up for a dating app. I thought it would take a while for matches to roll in and a date to be set up. That was four days ago, and now I am going on my first date in years.
I stare at myself in the mirror. My long brown hair is curled into soft waves, and my white top has sleeves that widen at the ends, matching the flared jeans I’m wearing.
It’s fall, which means it’s a bit nippy outside in Windy Wyoming.
My date is driving all the way from Cheyenne, which is a two-hour drive.
That is the type of effort I'm looking for, so he gets one brownie point for that. He offered to pick me up, but just in case he turns out to be a serial killer, I don’t feel like becoming a skin suit, so we are meeting at the bar downtown.
I spritz on my favorite perfume and take one last look in the mirror.
My mother would have my ass if she knew I was going on a date with a stranger tonight, but that’s why she only gets the highlight reel.
She’s been begging me to date, but until recently, I was good with being alone.
She’s probably going to be more upset about missing the chance to play cupid.
My alarm sounds off, a sign that it is time to go. “Okay, Aspen, try not to scare the man off and maybe let him get a word or two in, alright?” I say to myself in the mirror, which is probably one of the weirder and more pathetic things I’ve done. Good start to the night.
My car comes to a halt as I pull up to Luke’s and snag the last parking spot in front.
Pulling out my phone, I message my date and let him know I’m here before heading in.
If I don’t see him, I’ll grab us a table.
A nervous flutter starts in my stomach as my steps carry me to the front of the bar.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath, settling my nerves as much as I can before I snag the door open.
Music bounces off the walls. Gertie and the Gang, our local band, are jamming out on stage.
The bar isn’t large by any means; it’s a small town, but it’s packed in here nonetheless.
My eyes scan the room for my date, Cameron.
A hand waves, catching my attention, and my eyes land on him as he stands out of his chair, making his way over.
He’s tall, at least 6’2, but that’s not what makes him stand out; he’s in dress slacks and a nice button-up shirt.
It looks like he headed here straight from the office.
His hair is neatly styled, longer than his pictures with a nice wave to it; it’s giving blonde Fabio in the best way.
He’s handsome. And completely different from the men currently in my life, but I think that is for the best. I don’t think I’m meant for cowboys.
He walks up and shoots out his hand. “You have to be Aspen, unless beautiful women grow on trees here?”
My cheeks flush with the compliment. “That is very sweet of you, yes I’m Aspen. Thank you so much for meeting me.”
His eyes quickly rake over my body and I remind myself to stand a little taller. “No need to thank me, you want to take a seat?”
“Yes, please. Thank you.”
He points to where we are going to sit and I’m surprised by the thrill I feel from his hand on my lower back as he guides me to our table, then pulls out my chair and takes a seat across from me.
“I can’t believe how busy this place is,” he says, looking around the room. Likely seeing that he is in a room full of ranch hands, cowboys, and blue-collar men.
“It’s always busy on Friday and Saturday; people around here work really hard and play harder,” I say as I pick up the drink menu. I don’t need it; I get the same thing every time.
“So we might be in for some good people watching, is what I am hearing?” He cocks his head with a smirk and I can’t fight the smile that answers his.
“Oh definitely, you see that guy right there?” I point to a man in his late fifties, wearing coveralls. “That’s Tom; if he isn’t out of here by eight, his wife will come in and drag him out by the ear.” I chuckle at the memory of seeing it more than once. It’s a mystery how that man hasn’t learned.
“Ah, so we have to at least stick around until eight?” he asks, and I decide right then that I like him. Turns out being on a date after two years isn’t as strange as I thought it would be.
“If you want a real show, you should stick around until eleven; that’s when those who can’t handle their liquor start to get really weird.”
He laughs and shakes his head. “Something tells me I won’t be rushing to head home anyway.” His smile is warm as he meets my eyes; I like that he doesn’t shy away from eye contact.
“Me either. So, tell me more about yourself. What’s your favorite thing about your job?” I lay the menu off to the side and fold my arms, leaning into his space.
“That’s a good question. I work in finance.” I nod, remembering us talking about this. “My favorite thing is seeing people hit their financial goals and get out of debt. It’s amazing to see the weight that can leave their shoulders when it’s gone. What about you? You’re a nurse, right?”
Nodding, I reply, “I love helping people, but I also love the adrenaline that comes with it. There is no greater rush than saving a life and going toe to toe with the Grim Reaper.”
His smile is slow, and I worry maybe that was the wrong thing to say. “You’re kind of a badass then?”
“Oh, not kind of, totally am. It’s part of the job requirements to become an ER nurse, actually,” I joke.
He chuckles and I follow suit, his laugh being contagious.
“I can tell. How about I go to the bar and get us a drink? What can I get you?” He stands off his stool.
“A Coors Light, please.”He purses his lips. “You know, I’m starting to think that you may be too cool for me.”
I shrug. “Don’t be so sure, the night is still young and I have plenty of time to stick my foot in my mouth at some point.”
“I doubt that, I’ll be right back.” He taps the table once before heading in the direction of the bar.
My eyes follow him, perusing over his body, when he steps up to the bar to wait for the bartender. Quickly, I scan the crowd before turning back to look at him. I see who he’s talking to and just like that, my pleasant evening is ruined.
Making small talk with my date is my brother, and his best friend, and until recently, doubled as my fuck buddy.
I should have known they’d end up here. They have guys night once a month and apparently it’s tonight. Normally, I think their little tradition is cute, considering two-thirds of them are married off now.
My eyes get stuck on Rhett, and for the briefest second, I allow myself to miss him, to miss what we had.
I almost wish it had been him I was with tonight, but he didn’t want a relationship, and I wanted to be chosen.
He stands, looking as stoic as ever. I used to revel in the fact that I got the wild Rhett, the fun and carefree side.
I wonder if we will still have that now that we are just friends again.
Those thoughts are quickly shut off when I see my brother's head whip in my direction. I wave and wish I had chosen something a little stronger than a beer. Weston turns his head back from me to my date, no longer laughing; even from here I can see Weston sizing him up.
My eyes look back to Rhett and find them on me.
Part of me wishes to find even a tiny flicker of regret on his features.
There’s a lot of frustrating things about that man, but the worst of them is how well he hides his emotions.
They’re under lock and key and it seems like no one holds the key.
Sometimes I wonder if he even has the key or maybe he lost it somewhere along the way.
Cameron comes back to the table with my beer and a drink in his hand. “Here you go; your brother is nice, by the way.”My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Was he nice before or after you told him who you were here with?” I question.
“Before, his questions got a little more…intense when he realized I was here with you.” He shrugs as if it was no big deal. “The other guy was a tad more on the grumpy side.”
“Rhett?” I whip my head around to look back at the boys and find both of them with their eyes on me.
“Yeah, I don’t think he is a fan of my outfit.” He looks down at himself and then around at the patrons. “Sure is protective over you, though. He threatened to cut off certain members if I hurt you, so safe to say I will be on my best behavior.” He repositions in his seat and gives a little smile.
“I can take care of the dismembering myself if need be.” I wink and expect him to shy away, but he leans in.
The conversation continues, and I wait for the spark.
The burst of laughter that would have spilled from my lips if it had been Rhett in front of me.
But that isn’t the case. Maybe it’s because I’m in my head about seeing Rhett.
Cameron is handsome, smart, and safe. And if I ever want to be someone's first choice, I need to let go of the one who left me feeling like this. I need to give him a chance.