Chapter 22 Beau
beau
My back hurt as I mopped the floor of the bar.
The crowd was too energetic tonight and I had done three rounds on the mechanical bull.
I was over it by the second time, wishing I could get cut early, but with how packed the bar was, I knew that wasn’t an option.
So here I was at twelve-thirty on a Thursday trying to get home quickly.
“Almost done?” Iris asked, looking beat too.
“Yeah, just got to get this section and I’m done,” I said, mopping quicker.
“Great, I’m finished,” she said, wiping her forehead. “I’ll grab our stuff and we can get the fuck out of here.”
“Great,” I said, admiring her for a minute before getting back to mopping.
“Iris!” Joe yelled. “Office. now.”
“Uh oh, someone is in trouble!” Debbie grinned.
Iris glared at her, walking into Joe’s office.
“What’s that about?” I asked Mindy at the bar.
“I don’t know, but it doesn’t look good,” she said, eyeing Debbie as she washed some cups.
This didn’t feel right. I finished my closing duties, walking by the office slowly, hoping to hear something, but it was too quiet.
There was no reason for me to stick around.
Iris and I had kept our relationship a secret because we didn’t need anyone saying shit or assuming anything.
Knowing these catty women, they would make a big deal out of nothing.
I took off my apron, sitting down for a moment, hoping to catch Iris before I left.
We drove here separately, but we were going back to my house after this.
That was where Nash was waiting for us. It had been almost a week since the rodeo, and he was finally doing better.
The bruise on the side of his body was still gruesome, but his mobility was better.
He didn’t have to rely on us to help him move and he had a better range of motion.
The door to the break room opened abruptly and Iris walked in, pissed. I opened my mouth to say something, but she shook her head. Fuck, this was bad. She opened her locker and I did the same getting ready to leave when I noticed she was taking everything from her locker.
He fucking fired her.
I got up quickly, pissed off, about to give Joe a piece of my mind when Iris grabbed my arm.
“Not worth it,” she said. “I just want to go home. Please.”
I took a deep breath before nodding, grabbing her hand and leaving the break room, not giving a damn who saw us together. Debbie grinned as she saw us, her smile faltering when I glared at her and she saw us holding hands.
“You need anything, you let me know, Iris,” Mindy said as we passed her.
“Thanks, Mindy,” Iris said, walking over to her to give her a hug.
“You too, Beau, you need anything let me know. We got to stick together when we got the Barbie mafia thinking she can do whatever she wants,” Mindy said loudly.
I chuckled. “Thanks Mindy. See you in a few days.”
Debbie was staring at us as we left, but we didn’t give her the time of the day or the reaction she wanted from Iris getting fired. I know it was that jealous bitch who got her fired, but if Iris didn’t want to make a big deal, I wasn’t going to either.
When we got home, I helped her out of her truck, grabbed her overnight bag and led her to the door. She was quiet, but didn’t seem too upset, but Iris was the master of hiding her emotions.
I pushed her against the front door, kissing her softly at first, then more desperately wishing I could make things instantly better for her. The door abruptly opened and I tried catching Iris before she fell. Nash was quicker than me, thankfully.
“Where the fuck have you guys been?” he snapped. “I’ve been calling for the last half hour and—”
“They fired me,” Iris interrupted him, hugging his middle.
I grinned loving that he was worried for us.
“What the fuck?” He looked up at me for confirmation.
I nodded, walking into the house, scooting them out of the way of the door.
“Why the hell did he fire you, Petal?” He led her to the dining room, sitting her down as I grabbed us all a beer.
“Honestly, I don’t fucking know,” she sighed, running her hand through her hair. “He talked about me getting along with the girls and how when I’m working, there is always discourse and after that, I knew I was going to get the can.”
I handed her a beer, and she chugged it immediately.
“Oh, fuck him, he knows it’s always those fucking girls that start shit,” I said, sitting next to her taking a long drink of my beer.
“Do you want to fight it?” Nash said, sitting on the other side of her.
“Not really,” she said, looking at her beer bottle.
“I was thinking on the way over here it was probably for the best. I was getting tired of working there and maybe this was a blessing in disguise. I miss working the farm, so maybe this is my sign to go back to the farm or maybe I can work at the ranch. The farm hasn’t really felt like home but__”
“Well now, you have a lot of time to figure out what you want to do,” Nash said quickly, as a look of panic crossed his features, but he schooled his expression quickly.
“You’re right,” Iris sighed, running a hand down her face. “I’ve been saving, so I don’t have to decide right now. I need a shower desperately and to get out of these clothes.”
“If you need any help, I’m here,” Nash said, still looking uneasy. “I have another rodeo, maybe you can come take your mind off things.”
“You just enjoyed getting laid before a ride,” she chuckled, chugging the rest of her beer. “Are you joining me?”
“Yeah, let me finish this and I’ll be right in,” I said, lifting my beer.
“Don’t take too long.” Iris kissed us, heading down the hall to my bedroom.
I took a drink of my beer waiting for the shower to turn on. When I heard the squeaky pipes, I glared at Nash.
“What’s that look for?” he asked, confused.
“What was that panicked look for?”
“Nothing,” he said too quickly, the panic returning.
“Nash, what the hell did you do?” I stood up.
“I didn’t do anything,” he snapped.
“You better say something before I say something to her, even if I say I have a hunch,” I said walking away.
“My dad plans on selling the farm,” he said, stopping me immediately.
“What the fuck, Nash? Why haven’t you told her?” I turned around, glaring at him. “You have to tell her.”
“I’m trying to figure out a way for her to keep it,” he said immediately. “Until she hears back from the realtor, I’m at a dead end.”
“How long have you known?” I hoped it wasn’t long.
“When I first arrived,” he said, having the decency to look ashamed. “At first I didn’t care, but now, now…now it's different.”
“Nash, seriously?” I growled. “So, this whole time you've been lying to her? Are you using her?”
“I’m trying to fix it,” he said, chugging the rest of his beer. “No, I'm not using her. He’s doing this because he’s an asshole who goes back on his word.”
“Nash, tell her now,” I pleaded.
“If I tell her, this ends badly,” he said, running his hand through his hair. “I want to have a solution for her because maybe she won’t be as angry or won’t be as angry for so long. I don’t want this to end.”
“Dammit, Nash. I can’t keep this secret for you,” I said, feeling panicky.
“Once she hears back from the realtor, I’ll know exactly what to do,” he said confidently. “I have several options and resources I can use to help her, but without knowing what I’m working with, I’m flying blind. She won’t ever know that you knew, I promise.”
“I swear to God you better figure out a way to help her,” I snapped, attempting to stay mad, but his stupid smile and pleading blue eyes were working their charm on me.
“I will help her. My father won’t win, I can promise you that,” he said confidently. “I will do everything I can to make sure she doesn’t lose the farm.”
I really fucking hoped so because Iris didn’t need any more bullshit in her life.
“Nash Yarbrough!”
Iris and I jumped up and down as Nash claimed the number one spot. Iris whistled loudly as Nash waved his hat around winking at us.
“Holy shit, I didn’t think he was going to get it!” I yelled, as Iris laughed.
“Go, Nash!” Iris yelled.
I pulled up my camera taking more shots of him walking around looking like sex on a fucking stick.
“He’s so fucking hot!” A few girls around us yelled.
“Yeah, but we get to go home with him,” I said in her ear, after I caught her staring at a few of the girls.
To find out Iris was a little possessive was a little hot, she was like a little Doberman ready to attack and God, I loved it.
“I bet he’s a fucking freak in bed,” one of them said.
Iris turned around and I wrapped my arm around her to keep the peace. We also didn’t need their marriage or our arrangement getting out.
“I hate Buckle Bunnies,” she muttered, as we watched Nash walking, raising his eyebrow at us.
I shook my head, hoping he understood it was nothing.
“It’s a compliment. They want what you have,” I said, kissing her forehead, hiding my smile.
“Let’s go see if we can catch him by the gate,” one girl squealed.
“In her fucking dreams,” Iris snapped.
“I think you need a drink and some food,” I said, leading her in the opposite direction the girls had gone.
“I definitely need a drink,” she said, squeezing my hand as we went into this little makeshift bar with a hot man as the bartender.
“What can I get y'all?" he asked, as we squeezed into a spot where Iris could sit and I could stand close to her.
“Two shots of Casamigos Repo and two bottles of whatever local beer you have,” Iris ordered for us.
“Damn, Sweets,” I chuckled.
“I got a lot of things to drink about,” she shrugged.
I laughed as the bartender put our shots down. “You’re right. To forgetting.”
“To forgetting!” Iris yelled, slamming her shot back with no salt or lemon, taking it straight.
“I hope we aren’t forgetting me,” Nash said next to me.
“What are you doing here?”
“Is everything ok?”
Iris and I spoke at the same time.
He smirked. “Everything is great. I thought I’d leave a little early and enjoy my win and the rest of the rodeo with y’all.”
“Oh my god, you're Nash Yarbrough!” One of the girls that was sitting near us decided to show up.
“Oh, fuck my life,” Iris murmured, before ordering more shots.
“Do you think we could get an autograph, we've been following you for years,” another girl said.
I chuckled at Iris’ eye roll.
“Sure,” Nash said, looking a little uncomfortable.
“I have nothing for you to sign, so would you sign here?” One of them pointed to her chest.
Good lord.
“No point in signing that, it’s just gonna wash off,” Nash said, signing a hat one woman gave him. “I can sign your ticket.”
“Oh, I don’t mind if it washes off. I can take a picture,” she grinned.
Nash signed a photo, not saying anything like he was trying to think of what to say.
“Please, Nash, sign my—”
“Here ya go, honey,” Iris said, handing Nash and I our shot. “Finish signing her ticket so she can go away.”
I chuckled, wishing she had said something more; it was cute she was trying to behave.
We clinked our glasses as I licked the salt, drank the shot and then took the lime.
Iris and Nash did none of that. I didn’t know if I should be proud or worried, but I also shouldn’t be surprised because these two could out-drink me any day.
“Ticket.” Nash held his hand out to her.
The girl pouted. “Ok, but can I buy you a drink?” She handed him her ticket.
He signed it quickly. “I’m good, thanks.”
“As a thank you for being so nice to us,” she purred.
I grimaced as she laid it on thick. Glancing at Iris, she was looking away, her jaw clenched tight.
“No need, I have a woman who I need to buy drinks for,” he said, pulling Iris towards him, capturing her in a kiss.
I smirked at the disgust written on the lady’s faces.
“Damn Buckle Bunnies,” one of them sneered.
“Hey! That’s not how you speak to my wife,” Nash growled.
“Oh, I’m—”
I laughed as she stomped away.
“Nash, what the hell are you doing?” Iris slapped his chest.
“Is there a problem, Mrs. Yarbrough? Or just a little lie?” He stared down at her.
She glared as she shook her head, but I saw the small smile threatening to surface. “I just didn’t think we were making that information public.”
He shrugged. “It’s been long enough.”
Iris looked at me with an unsure gaze, grabbing my hand like she needed support. Did this mean it was just going to be them from now on?
“Let’s go celebrate,” Nash said, laying cash on the bar and pulling both of us. “I’m ready for my prize.”
“I don’t think we promised a prize,” I said, pulling my hand from his, feeling a little emotional for no damn reason.
I knew what this was, we were just having fun. Why did I feel like this? Nash and Iris were married and I was just…I was just their fun for the time being.
“He’s right, we didn’t agree to anything.” Iris grabbed my hand, walking away from Nash.
My throat tightened as the urge to pull away from her came over me. This was insane, I knew the rules. I was the one who made them. It was just fucking and when it was safe, I had to go back to Denver.
“I think I remember last night one of you begging for a repeat.” Nash stalked us.
Iris laughed, “Oh, baby, I think it was you who begged.”
She pulled me to walk faster when she finally noticed my expression. I quickly schooled my face, this was not the place to have my crisis.
“You, ok?” She got closer when Nash growled.
“I think we should make him beg,” I said, pulling her to a faster walk.
Iris walked with me, studying me for a moment, as I tried to appear as carefree as possible. I wouldn’t let them see the cracks in my foundation, this was just fun to make me forget about my stalker, and then I would get back to Denver like none of this had happened. Except it had.