CHAPTER 3 Charlotte #2
He takes a deep breath, inclines his head just a bit, and then turns slightly to me.
“I have some history here. Seems like people are still pretty upset about it. I thought with enough time away they’d get over it.
Looks like I was wrong.” He looks so defeated when he says, “It’s probably best if you steer clear away from me, especially if you plan on being here for any length of time. ”
“Did you kill somebody?” I ask him.
Please don’t say yes, please don’t say yes.
A moment of hesitation before he says, “No. I just disappointed a whole lot of people.”
“Whatever it was—and you don’t have to tell me—that sounds like that was on them.”
“Easier said than done.”
“Honestly, if you didn’t hurt anyone could it really be that bad?
Whatever you did, or didn’t do, those disappointed people placed those expectations on you.
” I say to him, “You’re what, like, twenty-five?
Twenty-six? If whatever this was happened years ago, what kind of people would be mad at you after all this time? ”
He doesn’t say anything, just looks at me with an intense burning in his eyes and says, “This isn’t a hornets’ nest you want to kick around. I disappointed a lot of people.”
His words have a finality to them, so I don’t push the issue any further.
We walk to the group who are currently debating what they want for food.
We all decide to break off and get in different lines and share amongst each other.
Caleb and Quinn set off for BBQ. Maverick and Jake head to a chicken sandwich and hamburger grill.
I see a stand for pizza. “Oooh, pizza. Anyone else want a slice?” Garrett and Luke shoot their hands up, and we head that way.
Garrett and Luke are talking about riding the bull.
Luke says, “Bro, I am telling you, I would have gone the full count this time. We should go back after we eat.”
“The only one of us to go the full eight today is Charlotte, here.” Garrett gives me a pat on the shoulder.
“Maverick went for eight counts that one time for charity a couple Christmases ago though. Remember?” asks Garrett.
“It was a thousand dollars to enter that contest. He got a plastic buckle painted silver, went on the mat to collect the buckle, then fell off the steps from the mat and broke his tooth! And then the drunk fool gave away all his prize money!”
They laugh and go on to reminisce about the crazy things they and Maverick did as teenagers.
Ah, so there’s definitely more to Maverick than what meets the eye.
I tune back in as Garrett is saying to Luke, “If you want to get on and ride after eating, that’s your choice, but I would think you would want to hang out with Quinn.” A lightbulb must have just gone off in his head, because Garrett asks, “Is she why you’ve been reading so much?”
Luke’s face turns a glowing red.
I giggle and put my hands up, palms out. “No judgment here, any reason to read is a good one. And… Quinn, could use a reading buddy.” I didn’t know it was possible for the very tips of someone's ears to glow red too, but Luke’s ears look like a beacon.
“Don’t tell her, please. I had planned to ask her out the next time I saw her, but the next time was at the grocery market, that’s not a vibe.
No one wants to get asked out next to the salad dressing.
She mentioned that you guys would be going out tonight, and our guys were already here for Caleb’s party.
I just don’t want to ask her for dinner in front of all these assholes.
I know you don’t know me, but I,” he breathes and uncrosses his inky arms. “I really like her. She’s got me reading romance books and doesn’t even know it.
I’m not going to let one of those fictional boyfriend types keep me from shooting my shot. ”
“Wait, those books are for you?” I ask.
He isn’t embarrassed at all. The guy just beams, “She’s told you about me?”
“Haha, oh, man!" I say. "Yes, she’s told me about this guy who comes into the bookstore to buy books for his mom and nana. I said it was because he wanted an excuse to see her. Turns out I was right.” I grin then cross my heart with my hand. “I promise not to tell though.”
“Thank you. Thank you!” He looks like he could hug me when he looks over my shoulder and stops abruptly. Pivoting he says, “Next time you need something fixed around your place, let me know. I own a construction company and will absolutely help you out.”
We get our pizza order and head back to the tables our friends have commandeered. We share everything on the tables and by the time we’re slowing down, I’ve had two pizza slices, some pulled pork, half of Quinn’s corn dog, and half a bag of cotton candy.
“I can’t possibly eat another thing. I am so full,” I exclaim. “Quinn, you’re gonna have to roll me home like a tumbleweed.”
“Ooh, girl. We’re gonna have to take turns rolling each other because I am stuffed as a pig,” she drawls.
Luke asks, “The night’s just getting started. You guys aren’t leaving yet, are you?”
Quinn looks at me and deadpans, “Well, I wanted to stay out tonight. But Miss Charlotte has herself a new job and didn’t want to be a bother and ask for the day off tomorrow.”
“I feel so bad. I’ve only worked there for a couple of weeks. Although, my boss did say I could have the day off. I just had to text him and let him know.”
I haven’t even been there long enough to request PTO. I would feel bad about taking an unpaid day too. I never wanna take advantage of anybody.
Jasper, my boss, has been so great at helping me get acclimated to being a ranch hand on his property.
Growing up around horses didn’t necessarily mean that I knew how to muck out their stalls.
I just knew how to ride—English style where we focused on jumping, not Western riding.
They are very different. If my old riding instructor could actually see me today, throwing around straw bales, he would probably fall over dead.
It’s Maverick that says, “If they’ll let you take the day, there is usually a big firework display at night over by the drive in.”
Considering, I say, “I’ll text him. See if I can come in later to start my shift.
” I say to the table, “Excuse me for one second.” I swing my legs around the bench of the picnic table and stand up.
Walking over to the garbage and recycling containers, I toss out my plates and napkins, and text Jasper.
Hi, Boss. I was wondering if I could have a late start to the day tomorrow.
Boss: Hello, Lottie. I thought I told you that you were free to take the day tomorrow?
You did, but I don’t want you to think I’m not trying to pull my weight.
Boss: Don’t take this the wrong way, but I think it would be good for you to get out and enjoy the day. I’ll see you Monday mornin’.
Well, that’s that. “Okay, I’m officially off work tomorrow,” I say as I walk back.
Quinn lets out a little yip, and I take the spot that’s open between Garrett and Maverick. They make a little bit more room for me between them. Garrett starts to say something when Maverick says, “Does that mean I can have your first dance?”
I turn to him, he’s got a look of earnestness in his eyes. “Yeah, I think I’d like that, Maverick.”
Caleb pops up out of his seat, slapping his brother on the shoulder, “Friends, little brother, I think I would like some alcohol. To Bart’s?”
Maverick stands and extends his hand to help me up, he holds it just a second too long to be casual.
I don't know how long I'll stay in Silver Rapids. I have no business getting flirty with a man—especially a man I don't know.
A man who looks like that.
A whiskey sounds great right now.
I’ve never been inside, but the outside of Bart’s looks like an old western saloon.
There is a neon sign in the shape of a cowboy and mountains over the sidewalk.
It’s got double swinging doors and wood paneling everywhere.
Pushing through, I'm immediately taken to a what could be the set of a western movie.
The place is packed and peanut shells cover the floor of the bar.
“First things first, karaoke!” exclaims an excited Caleb.
The guys laugh at him. It’s his party. Why shouldn’t he be able to sing if he wants to?
“First things first, drinks," Luke quips. “Then karaoke, Caleb,”
We head to the bar and get the bachelor a shot and a cocktail. The guys shoot those down and head over to the table that’s by a band stage. I can hear them argue over which song to pick. When they finally settle on one, they hand the slip in.
Luke announces, “We’ve got two songs ahead of us. Would you like to dance, Quinn?”
“Yes, sir. I would love to.” Quinn turns to me with a huge grin on her stunning face, “You don’t mind, do you?”
Shaking my head and returning her grin, I say, “Not at all, give me your bag.” I reach out and grab her purse from her.
She mouths ‘thank you’ to me and twirls back to Luke who looks like he has stars in his eyes. Maverick said that Luke was a ladies' man, but he is looking at her with sincerity.
A slow country song that’s being butchered by the couple on the stage is playing when Luke takes her hand and starts dancing. I’m happy for her. After the song stops, he gives her a spin and they walk back to us, hand in hand.
The next group is called up and sings a Brooks and Dunn song, “Neon Moon.” Wow, they’re not half bad. Couples are dancing on the floor, and Quinn and I are swaying and singing along.
I love karaoke.
Back home, before everything, I used to love to go to karaoke nights with the girls and just sing it out.
The group finishes, and everyone is whooping and clapping then our friends are asked to go to the stage. Quinn and I move over to the bar to better see them now that the dance floor has more people on it.
They are facing away from us when the song starts, and we burst out laughing when the music starts. They jump and twist to face forward and land on the beat then walk up to the microphones. They picked a Backstreet Boys song.