Chapter 26 Same Ol’ Jo
Chapter twenty-six
Same Ol' Jo
Beau
What the fuck am I doing at the town Halloween party? I didn’t even want to come. When Christie asked me, I literally scoffed because it didn’t sound like a fun time.
But when I heard Jo say yes to Jamie, I changed my mind.
She and I were doing better. When we were working on that car, it felt like it used to, and I actually thought maybe there was something more happening between the two of us. Clearly, I was wrong because she said yes when Jamie asked her.
Jamie—the guy who will fuck absolutely anything with a vagina and a pulse. He’s a freaking dog.
Yet, Jo agreed to go out with him. I probably shouldn’t be surprised. She always did have a soft spot for jerky guys disguised as ladies’ men.
After I left the shop all pissed off, I told Christie I would go to the dance with her. I tell myself I’m going merely to keep my mind off Jo, but she’s going to be there, so I don’t think that will be the case.
Really, I said yes just to spite her. I know seeing me with Christie will stick in her craw pretty good.
Just when I was starting to let my guard down and think she’s changing for the better, she pisses me off all over again. When will I learn my lesson to just stay the fuck away?
Ever since she said yes to Jamie, I’ve made sure to keep my distance. Thankfully, Dylan has been working and was able to take over the reins of teaching her. She and I haven’t even had to speak.
“Are you okay?” Christie asks as we walk toward the town hall.
“Yeah. Why do you ask?”
“Because you’ve barely said a word since you picked me up. I thought you would like the outfit.” She does a little twirl. “But you seem completely in your own head.”
She’s right. I am in my own head, but that doesn’t give me a reason to be a prick to her. And she really does look gorgeous. She is dressed as…well, I’m not even really sure what it would be called.
Maybe a farmhand? But make it slutty. And those are her words—not mine. She is one that thinks Halloween is where a woman can let down all her inhibitions and just let her freak flag fly.
And I have to admit she looks hot as hell in her flannel crop top, cut-off jean shorts, pigtails, and cowgirl boots.
It was her idea to match, so I’m dressed like a lumberjack. In our mountain town, flannel isn’t a foreign concept, but it’s not something I usually sport. I’m much more of a simple jeans and t-shirt kind of guy.
I stop walking and get her to look at me. “I’m sorry. Just had a long day at work. You look incredible.”
“Do you want to prove it to me later tonight?” She asks with a sly grin.
I do my best at giving her a genuine smile in return. “Let’s get through the dance and go from there.”
She takes my hand, and we continue walking.
This is the first time she and I have actually gone out.
Usually, we keep our encounters limited to the bedroom.
At this moment, I’m regretting my decision to change that.
She promised we would just go as friends and have fun, but it feels like she’s angling for more.
We walk inside the town hall. Well, that’s what we call it. It’s more of an old pole barn that has been turned into an event space. Usually, if something is going on around town, at least part of it will go on in here.
Orange lights and Halloween decorations hang on every inch of the place. Music blares through the speakers, and even thought it’s a dance, very few people actually are. Most are just mingling and talking.
Instinctively, I scan the room, but I don’t see Jo. Maybe I’ll get lucky, and she won’t come.
I doubt it, but a man can hope.
Someone Christie knows comes over and starts talking to us. I stand by and jump in when I’m spoken to, but I’m not paying much attention. I am already ready to go home and hang out with my dog.
While getting my dick wet doesn’t sound like an awful idea, I don’t know if all this is worth it. It almost feels like a school dance. I was never a fan of those, so this is not my cup of tea.
Christie keeps mingling, and I manage to sneak away to go to the bar to grab a beer. It isn’t until I’m on my way back to Christie that I see Jo and Jamie walk inside. He’s dressed up as some sort of military guy, and she’s dressed as Tomb Raider.
I try to ignore how sexy it looks as she walks around and says hi to a few different people.
It’s hard not to notice her—or how Jamie touches her every chance he gets.
Whether it’s putting his hand on the small of her back to lead her around or wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he does his best to keep his paws on her.
The whole thing makes me sick.
How is it that I can’t stand her, yet I’m still here getting upset as I watch her with other guys? It might as well be a decade ago.
After I finish chugging down my first beer, I head to the bar to get another. While I’m waiting, Jo walks up. Next to me.
“So, what exactly are the two of you supposed to be?” She asks. “Jamie says you two look like you’re going to a hoedown.”
I look over at her. “What do you think?”
“I think without Christie next to you, you are a hoe down.”
Through gritted teeth, I ask, “Jealous?”
“Why would I be jealous? Some of us can look hot with our clothes on.”
I look her up and down. “It’s not like you are covering up.”
She ignores that last part. “What the hell are you doing fucking Christie. We hate her, remember?”
“We don’t hate her. Maybe you hate her, but that’s on you. Christie isn’t so bad. People do change, Jo. Well, some people do. I guess you don’t.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“It means that you’re still same ol’ Jo—always going for guys who are total dicks.”
She looks confused. “I thought you and Jamie were friends.”
“We can be friends and me still not think he has a single clue on how to treat a woman.”
“And you know how to treat a woman?” She questions.
“I don’t see how many of them I can notch onto my bedpost.”
“Oh, yeah? So, what’s Christie? A loving relationship?”
“You first,” I say. “What’s Jamie?”
“Jamie is a friend that I agreed to hang out with tonight. I’m not sleeping with him like you are with Christie.”
“What do you care if I’m sleeping with Christie?”
“I just don’t think it’s right.”
I laugh. “You’ve got a lot of nerve talking about what’s right.”
“So, are you in some sort of relationship with Christie?”
“Are you in some sort of relationship with Jamie?”
“No,” she answers without hesitation, but I don’t believe her.
“Then, why are you here with him?”
“Why are you here with Christie?”
“Do you always answer a question with a question?”
“Do you?”
We locked in a battle of wits—or lack thereof—and I can’t take anymore.
“Jo, while I would love to stand here and argue all night, I’m not going to do this.” A little lower, I add, “I can’t keep doing any of this.”
“Can’t keep doing any of what?”
I don’t answer but instead just walk away. I figure she will follow me. Jo is like a dog with a fucking bone.
But she doesn’t.
The only one who follows me is Christie.
“Beau, are you okay?”
“Yeah,” I lie. “Just not feeling very well. I’m sorry, Christie. I think I’m just going to head home.”
I lean in to kiss her on the cheek before starting to walk away.
She calls after me, "It’s Jo, isn’t it?”
I turn around. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She walks toward me. “Cut the crap, Beau. I know you’re in love with her.”
“I’m not—“
“Save it.” She smiles. “I know you’ve been in love with her for years. I think everyone knows it. If they didn’t before, I’m sure they do now that she’s back.”
I’m about to argue about the fact that I am not in love with her, but she continues.
“Look, you can lie to me, and to Jo, and to everyone else in this town, but maybe don’t lie to yourself.”
She walks back inside, and I’m left out alone in the cold.
I consider going home, but I know once I get there, my mind will just run wild.
I need something else to keep my mind occupied for a while.