Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Jax
“That was incredible!” Lauren does a happy dance as we exit the restaurant.
“I didn’t realize you’re such a big fan of tacos. I thought your favorite food was fettuccine alfredo.”
“What girl doesn’t love a good taco?” Lauren leads her way down the sidewalk toward my truck. “But you’re right. That is my favorite food. Give me some pasta and a glass of wine, and I’ll be yours forever.”
Noted. “Now what? It’s still kind of early.” I glance at my phone. It’s only six fifteen.
“Should we explore a little? That seems like something the new Lauren should be doing.”
“Is it something the new Lauren wants to do? That’s important too.”
“Yeah, it is.”
I nod, taking her hand and leading her down the street.
“Where are we going?”
“There’s a concert venue, Cain’s Ballroom, around here. I thought we could pop by and see who’s playing. There should be someone good since it’s Friday night, and I just happen to know someone who has ‘attending a concert’ on her list.”
She drops my hand. “How do you know about this place?”
“It’s pretty well-known if you’re into live music.”
“I didn’t know you were into live music.”
“I’m sure there’s a lot of things you still don’t know about me.”
Lauren stops dead in her tracks. “Wait, is John Michael Montgomery playing here? You probably looked it up before we came!”
I roll my eyes. “Why would you think that?”
“Because you’re obsessed with him. You played his music for the entire car ride here.”
“Well, he announced his Farewell Tour a while back and has been essentially MIA since then, so we definitely aren’t seeing him tonight.”
“You’re just proving my point further.”
I wrap an arm around her, leaning into her side. “Just come with me.”
We head down Main Street as a gentle breeze blows through. When Lauren shivers, I stop, pulling off my Carhartt jacket and handing it to her.
“What are you doing?”
“It’s cold out, and you’re shivering.”
“I’m not going to take your coat from you. It’s not even supposed to hit freezing tonight. I’ll be okay.”
“Just take it.” I hold it out for her and help her hesitantly slip it on.
“Thank you. I’m sorry. I would’ve brought a better jacket if I knew we were going to walk a few blocks.”
“It’s okay. I don’t mind.”
“Are you sure?” Concern laces her brows. I should’ve known she’d be resistant to my help, however small.
“I promise. Besides, I kind of like seeing you in my jacket.”
Her cheeks flush, and she’s saved from having to answer when we arrive at our destination. It’s hard to miss considering the giant red sign on the roof that reads Cain’s and the matching sign hanging off the front of the building.
I open the door and gesture for Lauren to go first so she can get out of the cold.
As I follow, I take in the incredible building with various posters covering the brick walls.
A bar sits at the back end of the venue, and the opening act must’ve already started because music drifts through the rafters of the high ceilings.
The acoustics alone make me want to stay.
A woman approaches us, asking for our tickets.
“We don’t have any.” I grimace. “Is it too late to buy some?”
“You’re in luck. We still have a few left.”
“Who’s playing tonight?”
“It’s a country band called 49 Winchester.”
Turning to Lauren, I ask, “What do you think?”
“Have you heard of them?”
“I know a few of their songs. They’re pretty good if you’re into a raspy voice and that grass roots sound.”
She smiles. “Let’s do it. I have to check it off my list anyway.”
I hand the woman my credit card.
Lauren swivels on me, a look of frustration on her face. “No, you’re not buying our tickets! You’re only here because of me.”
“I may be in Tulsa because of you, but we are here because of me.”
“Oh, is going to a concert on your list too?” She arches a brow and places a hand on her hip as if to say checkmate.
I sigh. “No, but I was the one who suggested we come here.”
The woman looks between the two of us, tapping her foot as she waits to swipe my card.
Sensing her impatience, Lauren drops her arm. “Fine, you can pay.”
We head inside and Lauren leads the way up to the bar. The opening band has already exited the stage. “Can I at least buy you a drink?”
“No, I’m fine.”
She clings on to my arm. “Please.”
I hesitate for a beat longer but finally relent because I don’t see any way to avoid the truth. “I don’t drink.”
“How did I not know that?” She looks hurt, not at all frustrated or upset. There’s no look of misunderstanding in her eyes, just disappointment in herself.
“I don’t broadcast it. Some people think it makes me boring.”
“I don’t think you’re boring. I’m actually really glad you’re here,” she admits.
“Oof.”
“What? That was a compliment!”
“I know, but you seem surprised to be enjoying your time with me.” I nudge her side.
“Well, our relationship has been kind of hot and cold over the years. I wasn’t sure what to expect on this trip. You used to drive me crazy.”
I step in closer to her. “I wouldn’t mind driving you crazy now, but I hope it’s a different kind of crazy.”
Her eyes go round, and my stomach turns. The words sort of just slipped out. I’m not used to having to hold back with a woman I’m interested in, but this is Lauren. I don’t know what the rules are now, but I’m pretty sure I just broke one.
“Jax Greer, are you flirting with me?”
I’ve only been trying to for the last nine years. Thanks for noticing, Freckles. “Do you want me to be?”
She opens her mouth to answer as the lights dim.
The lead singer walks to the front of the stage, grabbing the mic. “This song is called ‘Annabel.’”
The crowd goes crazy, and I’m left to wonder what’s running through Lauren’s head right now.
To my delight, I’ve recognized more songs tonight than I expected, and Lauren has been getting into the music too.
It’s hard not to become consumed by it all in a venue like this.
The pulse of the drums vibrates in my chest. The ground quakes with every strum of the guitar.
Friends drape their arms over one another, belting out the lyrics like they speak to their soul. The energy is electric.
When “Russell County Line” comes on, I offer my hand to Lauren.
She takes it gingerly, and I pull her close.
Her full lips curve into a smile. I desperately want to know what it’d be like to kiss her.
With her pouty lips and gentle personality that’s also full of bold and pleasant surprises, I imagine one kiss from Lauren will set my world on fire.
As we slowly step from side to side, she warms up to me and rests her head on my chest. I hope that means she feels safe with me.
After everything she’s been through over the last few years, she deserves to have people who make her feel safe, who she knows will take care of her and let her be free to be herself.
I press my lips softly to the top of her head, getting swept up in the moment. She glances up at me with her big hazel eyes, her mouth slightly agape as if to ask Did you just do what I think you did?
I give her a smirk and spin her as the music picks up. She tosses her head back, a radiant smile blooming on her face. She’s glowing. I love seeing her so happy, and I love even more that I had something to do with that happiness.
“Do you still remember the dance from our lessons?” I ask her.
She nods eagerly, and I lead her through the steps as the song finishes up.
I’m so swept up in her that I don’t even notice the song has ended until the lights flicker on and a mob of people swarms from the venue.
“I guess it’s time for us to head back,” she says, looking disappointed.
I don’t want to go back. I don’t want this night to end, but it’s already ten thirty, and our day starts unreasonably early tomorrow. Lauren scheduled breakfast with another rancher at seven so she could talk to him about implementing regenerative agriculture before the conference starts at eight.
I grab Lauren’s hand and lead her through the masses toward the door.
When we step out into the cold winter air, we turn to one another, and I can see the same sense of hesitation on her face, like she’s also scared the moment we shared is going to be erased as soon as we head back to the hotel room and focus on the reason we’re here.
So instead of being responsible and leading us to the hotel, I say, “I did a little research on Tulsa before we came here. There’s a speakeasy not too far from here. Want to check it out?”