Chapter Nine #2
“Yes! Exactly!” I toss my hands in the air.
“Listen. I want to be supportive. I really do. But I’m going to need you to walk me through this, boo.”
“It wasn’t just his fault. It was mine too. And I was feeling guilty, then we slept together and it all felt so right, but our whole relationship is still so fucked. I just… love him.” Tears well in my eyes.
“I’m going to hold your hand while I say this.
” She reaches out across the table to physically hold my hand.
“You are in fact married to the man. Getting an orgasm from your incredibly sexy husband is totally fine. And it’s also totally fine to admit that you hold part of the responsibility. Did you tell him that?”
“Well not in so many words. What if he’s mad at me? I left, then I let him stay in the bunkhouses, I lectured him about all that he needed to change, and here I am not admitting my own faults.” I drop my head to rest on my arm.
“Baby. I love you. You’re my soul sister. But you can’t honestly think that he doesn’t already have his own laundry list of your faults. He’s just doing damage control. He won’t mention those until he knows he’s back on solid footing.”
“We’re going on a date tonight. The steakhouse in Bozeman and dancing.”
“Okay then! Perfect! You can have a good conversation over dinner, clear the air and then go dancing!” Her excitement is evident in the higher pitch of her voice.
“Or… he could leave me in Bozeman.”
She chuckles, making me lift my head to look at her. “Good thing you have a best friend who would come pick your sad ass up.”
“Ugh. Why are you so logical?”
“Only when you need me to be.” She slides her chair over next to me and pulls me in for a hug. “You got this. Need me to work for you?”
“No. I’m going to close the bar. I won’t get it cleaned up and ready in time to open anyways. Fucking Black Key assholes.”
“Great. So you’re going to go home, take a nap, go to the bar with Dakota, and then you’re going to take the best everything shower you have ever had.
I’ll send you an outfit from Lily and Lace.
You’ll look hot and feel confident telling your husband that you owe a little groveling too. But still not nearly as much as him.”
Her last addition makes me smile. “Always the girl’s girl.”
She takes my cup and gives me a refill before sending me off. “And eat something with protein please, not just sugar.”
I wave to her as I leave. Feeling a little better. I bet I’ll feel totally better after a little nap. I’m not a morning person so everything will feel better around lunch time.
I need to let Dakota know my plan.
Me: Want to meet me at noon at the bar? We need to do a little clean up and I’ll be closing for the night due to bar fight damage last night. But I don’t want you to miss out on money for it.
Dakota: Shit. What happened?
Me: Black Key came last night. Sanders was playing.
Dakota: Shit. There’s a lot of blood then?
Me: > Yeah.
Dakota: They punched YOU?!
Me: Obviously their asses are banned thanks to Murray.
Dakota: Sorry, I should have been there last night. But I’ll meet you at noon for clean up duty. Mind if I bring Jaycob? He’s still not feeling great and I don’t have a sitter.
Me: Of course. Little man can set up in my office with the TV.
I feel bad even offering that because I should be telling her to keep him home, but the problem is I actually need her help if we have a chance of opening Wednesday.
Dakota: You’re the best boss ever. >
Me: Only because you’re the best employee. > Oh, by the way, you might have to fight Jess for Murray.
Dakota: She can fucking have him. > He brought Jaycob his favorite pancakes from Ms. Patti this morning.
Me: Oh we will absolutely be dissecting this at lunch.
I truly couldn’t run The Hidden Hollow without her. I’m happy to give her whatever time she needs because she’s more than just an employee.
Now that I have a plan for the day, I’m ready to get home and snuggle into my bed, taking a nap and spending a day rage cleaning my bar sounds like a great idea. I just hope my husband doesn’t leave me in Bozeman tonight.
Grabbing the bucket of cleaning supplies and the hydrogen peroxide for the blood, I set off to start cleaning while I wait for Dakota.
The more I scrub, the angrier I get at those damn Black Key ranch hands. And the more I bend over to clean, the more my head throbs from the black eye.
The front door opens and I pop up to see Dakota with my little buddy.
“Hey, JJ! You’re still not feeling good?” I take him in, holding his favorite stuffed animal tight to his chest and his eyes are glazed over. He shakes his head slow in response.
“What happened to youw eye Aunty Juwes?”
Dakota’s eyes are stuck on my black eye too. “I just fell and hit my head. No worries about me. Let’s go get you set up with your favorite movie, okay?”
“One hundwed one Dawmations?” He questions timidly, holding out his stuffed animal from the movie.
“Absolutely, bud. Come on! I might even have some secret popsicles stashed away.”
“Yessss!” He pumps his little fist in the air, followed by a big cough.
Looking back at Dakota, I catch her eye. “He’s going to the d-o-c-t-o-r tomorrow.”
I nod. Grateful he can’t spell because he’d be losing his mind right now.
He had a less than stellar experience with a strep test a few months ago, throwing up on the nurse who was swabbing his throat, and he’s got a mix of embarrassment and fear now.
Can’t blame the kid. I’m an adult and I still don’t want a strep test.
I grab my comfy blanket that I leave here for nights that it’s just easier to crash on the couch because I’m too tired to drive after a long shift.
“Hop up.” I pat the couch and cover him up when he climbs up and snuggles into the pillow.
Turning on his favorite movie, I hand him his water cup and a popsicle from the kitchen.
“You just yell for me if you need me, got it?”
“Got it.” He nods seriously.
Kissing him on the forehead, I walk toward the door.
“Aunty Juwes?”
“Yeah, buddy?”
“I wuv you.”
A smile spreads across my face. “I love you too, buddy.”
Walking back out I find Dakota sitting at the bar eating a salad at warp speed.
“Jeez girl, you afraid I’m going to steal that from you?” I joke.
“Ugh. I’ve barely had five minutes to myself since I left here last night. I just need to eat really quick, I’m sorry.”
I hold up my hand. “Nope. Do not be sorry for wanting five minutes of peace to eat. Take your damn time and eat. The popsicles are in the freezer in the kitchen so enjoy one of those too.”
Tears spring to her eyes. “Thanks,” she chokes out.
I debate offering to keep Jaycob tonight for her, but then I feel guilty because I need to go on a date with my husband. I need to admit all my own faults in our marriage. I’ll put Murray on it.
Me: Dakota could use some help. She’s struggling right now, and probably wants a bath and glass of wine tonight…
Murray: On it, if your man hurries the fuck up. He’s dragging ass today. Guess he can’t recover from bar fights like he used to.
I refrain from pointing out that his dragging ass is probably due more to the orgasms than the black eyes.
After turning on the music in the speakers, I stuff my phone in my pocket.
Of course Rock and A Hard Place by Bailey Zimmerman comes on first. This was my anthem for months before I left. I’d play it when I was at the bar alone and belt it out.
Dakota and I lose ourselves in cleaning, singing, and dancing. Jaycob had fallen asleep by the first time we checked on him. And I’m thankful Dakota can have a break even if she’s working. We have a good time together, as always. It never feels like work with her.
My phone goes off, interrupting our Kelsea Ballerini concert.
Hubs: > I love you so much, Jules. Last night meant everything to me. I can’t wait to see you later. I’ll text you when I’m almost done >
Me: It meant a lot to me too. I can’t wait for tonight. It’ll be perfect, just like us even with our faults. I’ve always loved you, never stopped. >
The speakers change mid-song to Prayin’ For Daylight by Rascal Flatts. I smile to myself knowing that Cal did that.
“Interesting change in concert choice.” Dakota’s brows furrow in response to the change.
“Wasn’t me.” I chuckle.
“Someone is groveling I see. Care to share with the class?”
“Oh, it’s a long story. Come on, let’s tackle getting these tables in order while I tell you.”
I want to go home now to get ready, and rush the day but I know I can’t. So might as well work until Jaycob wakes up.
At least I’m doing it with a smile on my face now.