Chapter 23 #2
“Aren’t you getting tired of that rule? We could just be friends. No one knows what we’re doing in here. Or, the few people that don’t already know what we’re doing could think we’re just friends, Kitt. Guys do hang out with each other.”
“No, we start breakin’ our rules, then we get relaxed, and it slips out more. No daylight hours.” Kitt ran his fingers through his hair and stopped, patting his head. “It’s all messed up now, isn’t it?”
“It’s my fault. Come back to the bathroom, let me redo it.” Austin pivoted on his heels. “Besides, if you would just have followed the rules and agreed to come over tonight, I wouldn’t have been forced out in daylight hours to come talk to you. Ever think of that?”
“Wear these,” Kitt said, sitting down on the toilet handing Austin his pants.
=?=
Mirror balls and colorful flashing lights spun in time to the music blaring in the high school’s gymnasium.
Kitt sat with some of the other parents at the designated chaperones’ table listening to whatever Taylor Swift song was now playing.
The kids danced closely together under the hanging twinkle lights that represented some theme Kitt was sure he wasn’t getting.
What Kitt did know was Bryanne danced too close to her current boyfriend, but he didn’t need to get involved.
The principal stood ready to pounce, separating any dancing couple who actually got close enough to touch chest to chest.
Regretfully, they served no beer. Kitt knew how that sounded in his head, but after two hours of the Spring Fling dance, Kitt sat at the small table past ready to hit the road.
Even at this point, spending the evening with Seth and Cara sounded preferable to this.
Micah sat in the seat next to Kitt, looking pretty much just as miserable.
His wife, Heather, came to the table and sat down in a huff.
She looked exhausted as she plopped her feet up on an empty chair.
“Kitt, I have someone I want you to meet, and you can’t say no.
She’s one of those Dallas girls you like so much.
I met her when I was buying the decorations for tonight.
I got her phone number. She’s smart, pretty, and single.
Here, look at her picture. I told her I’d be calling to set up the date.
When’s good for you?” Heather fired out word after word, working with her phone and shoving a picture of a pretty woman in his face.
If this was Heather exhausted, he wondered how Micah kept up.
“I told you not to do this,” Micah said. “I’m sorry, Kitt.”
“And, I told you he needs a wife. It’s time he got one,” Heather shot right back at her husband.
“Kitt, I’ve been meanin’ to talk to you, buddy.” The Future Farmers of America agriculture teacher came up to the table, and took the empty seat next to Kitt, effectively saving him from having to answer Heather.
“What’s up?” Kitt asked, hoping the relief wasn’t showing on his face.
“No, Henry, wait! I need to get this done tonight,” Heather interrupted them, typing on her phone. “Kitt, when’s good?”
“Heather, leave him alone. Kitt, don’t answer her.” Micah took the phone away from her, which started a whole new argument, leaving Kitt free to focus on the Ag teacher.
“The cattle drive runs next week. Tuesday through Thursday, during spring break. I need parent volunteers. Got any time to go with us again this year?”
And, that’s when Kitt remembered why he dodged the FFA teacher. All of a sudden, he wished he was scheduling a date with Heather’s girl rather than sitting here talking to his high school buddy.
Kitt had done this run every year since he was in high school.
It was hard, treacherous, and absolutely zero fun from an adult point of view.
They ran two hundred head of cattle around in a big circle, all on horseback doing an authentic, old-school cattle drive.
It was three days of pushing teenagers to act like grown men and women.
Some got it, but most didn’t. Last year, he’d told the old teacher he was done.
No more trips for him, but now as he looked at his high school buddy, his heart plunged.
“Is it already that time of year again?” Kitt asked lamely. Micah chuckled at him. Of course, Micah was going. He had two boys involved.
“Yep, same time every year. Can I count you in? The boys learn a lot from you, Kitt. Nobody but you can put modern agriculture education to practice. We sure would appreciate it if you’d head out with us again.”
Henry’s enthusiasm had Kitt backed into a corner. If Austin didn’t like him being gone one night, how would he feel about two or three nights? As if on some sort of cosmic cue, his phone vibrated in his pocket.
“Let me just make sure Jose’s gonna be around, but okay…yeah, I’ll go.” Kitt finally committed as the second vibration came through on his phone. Then a third. Austin thought tease texting was hilarious. He sent message after message and Kitt felt sure they all said the same thing, ‘COME OVER’.
“Thanks, Kitt. That means a lot to me. Micah, we all still meetin’ at your place?”
“Whatever works.” Micah chuckled at the look on Kitt’s face. “Buck up, buddy, Mike’s goin’ too.”
“Kitt, now answer my question! When’s good for you to drive up to Dallas and take this girl out?”
“Whenever you want, Heather,” Kitt said, as he rose. He grabbed his cup and excused himself, heading across the gym to the punch bowl. Damn, he hoped somebody had spiked it by now.
=?=
It looked like Big Dick’s Tavern was hopping after the school social.
The place was packed, drawing Kitt and Micah in as they drove through town together.
Heather had stayed behind on clean up duty giving Micah the out and a few minutes alone.
Kitt didn’t even ask as he pulled his pickup truck off the highway into the gravel parking lot.
He scanned the place looking for a spot to park.
“It’s because no one spiked the punch. It’s too politically incorrect now to do shit like that. Too bad. It’d make the place more bearable,” Micah said as he looked around at all the vehicles in the parking lot.
“Yeah, we’re gonna have to work on that next year.” Kitt tugged at his tie, loosening it as he followed Micah inside. It was somewhere after one in the morning, but the dance floor, pool tables, and bar were all packed solid. The jukebox blared an old Willie tune.
“See if you can get us a table,” Micah called out over the music. Kitt wound his way to the tables, nodding his head or shaking hands with people along the way. He knew everyone here. There wasn’t anyone in the place he hadn’t known for most of his life.
“Hey, man! I haven’t seen you around at all!
” Jimmy shoved out of a booth, shaking Kitt’s hand before taking the seat next to JoLynne.
Kitt heard rumors they were dating. From the way Jimmy’s arm reached around her, pulling her into his side, the rumors seemed to be true.
Apparently, they’d hooked up months ago, the last night Kitt had been in the bar.
Right before he met Austin. It was funny, Kitt used to come in here at least once a week, and for the past several months it hadn’t even occurred to him to come in before tonight.
“Been busy. Hey, JoLynne,” Kitt said, nodding at her across the table.
“Hey yourself, Kitt Kelly. Where you been hidin’?” she asked.
“Workin’.” The one word response was all he was willing to give. Micah came up to the table and Kitt pushed himself over and took the offered beer. Micah and Jimmy did quick fist bumps as another song began.
“He’s sold his horses,” Micah yelled across the table.
“No kidding, all of ’em?” Jimmy yelled back. “I saw the semis movin’ the hay out. You’re doin’ real good, man. I’m happy for you.” Kitt got the same fist bump as Micah.
“It’s not that big a deal.” Kitt shrugged it off because, technically, was it doing well when Austin bought everything he sold?
“Whatever, man. No one thought you could dig out of your daddy’s hole.” Jimmy paused, his eyes darting up to Kitt’s. “No offense.”
“None taken. I wasn’t sure I could either.” Kitt lifted his beer, tapping the long neck with Jimmy’s. “Any chance on a table? The quarters look stacked.”
“Not tonight. The old timers got some competition goin’. It’s a fundraiser or somethin’. It lasts until four. Next week’s poker. I won a hundred bucks last week! You should come play!”
JoLynne stayed weirdly quiet, watching Kitt closely. Kitt ignored it for as long as he could, but finally cut his eyes to her.
“You’re in love, Kitt Kelly! Who is she?”
Every head at the table turned to Kitt. Hell, every head within hearing distance turned to him.
After a minute, it felt like every pair of eyes in the bar was trained on him, just to see what everyone else was looking at.
He knew his cheeks brightened under the stare, and he had no idea how to answer that question.
“It’s true!” JoLynne sat up a little straighter, clapping her hands. “Who is it? Is she from here?”
Kitt started shaking his head, but the words weren’t coming. Of course, his phone picked then to vibrate in his pocket. Jimmy furrowed his brow, Micah looked shocked, and JoLynne beamed.
“There’s no she in my life. You’re way off base,” Kitt said. Not exactly a lie, but it did feel very much like one. Why was he struggling with lying about his sexuality now? He shook his head again. “You don’t know what you’re talkin’ about, JoLynne.”
“Whatever, Kitt. Tell us! You can’t hide her forever!”
“Heather has him set up with some Dallas girl. I don’t think he’s lyin’.” Micah’s eyes narrowed at Kitt.
“He hasn’t left the farm for months.” Speculation was clear on Micah’s face.
“Honest to God, I haven’t. I’ve been workin’. It’s been too busy for any of that.” Kitt drained his beer, resisting the urge to drain Micah’s too, just because it sat in reach.
“Last call for everyone but the pool players!” the call came from the bar.