Chapter 9 #2
I’d like to say I was feeling better about things as I headed inside, but I didn’t.
Things were going pretty fucking good with Kiersten, better than I could’ve ever expected, and I hated that I might’ve screwed it all up by assuming the worst. I expected to walk in the bar and find her mad as an old, wet hen, but that wasn’t the case—far from it.
Instead, I got back to the bar and found her back over at the table with the girls, and she looked like she was having herself a grand ol’ time.
They were all laughing and carrying on even more than they were before and were tossing back what looked to be their third round of Tequila shots.
I was standing there watching them all wince and groan with the burn of the liquor when Lynch came up behind me and asked, “Where’d you run off to? ”
“Just went to get some air.”
“Well, you’re girl was looking for ya.” Lynch snickered as he glanced over at the back table. “And she was pretty pissed that you disappeared on her. Was even talking about leaving, but Parker and Marlowe managed to convince her to stay.”
Even though Kiersten had ridden there with me, I had no doubt she would’ve found a way home if she really wanted to. With that in mind, I replied, “I’ll talk to her.”
“You better, cause I don’t wanna spend the next two weeks up there at her place with you two fussin’ and shit.”
“We aren’t fussin’. Just a misunderstanding.”
He cocked his eyebrow. “That’s where the fussin’ starts.”
“Yeah, well, I’m gonna fix it before the fussin’ ever starts.”
“Um-hmm.” He reached over the counter and grabbed us both a cold one from the cooler. As he offered me one, he suggested, “I’d give those shots a little time to soak in before you try and fix it.”
“Not a bad idea.”
I sat down next to him and took a drink of my beer as I glanced back over at Kiersten.
She and Parker were leaned in close and whispering to one another.
Kiersten’s smile faded, and she started shaking her head.
I assumed they were talking about me, but when Kiersten glanced over her shoulder and glared at me, I was certain of it.
She held my gaze for several moments, then turned her attention back to Parker.
After seeing our little exchange, Lynch leaned over to me and chuckled.
“I think she’s gonna need another shot or two. ”
“I think you might be right.”
I called over to Caitlyn and sent her over to the girls’ table with another round of shots—which they all took without complaint.
In fact, they ordered one more round, and it wasn’t long before they all started feeling the effects of the added alcohol.
Their laughter became borderline obnoxious and their words even more slurred, but sadly, that fiery look in Kiersten’s eyes remained.
The girls were getting a little out of hand, so it was no surprise when the brothers started gathering their women and headed home.
Kiersten was still talking with Parker when I walked over and said, “You about ready to call it a night?”
“Nooo, act-ually I’m not.” She motioned her hand over to Parker as she said, “We-ee were just about to have an-nother drink.”
“I think you two have had enough.”
“Well, nooo-body asked you, sooo...”
“He’s right.” Parker slurred as she reached over and placed her hand on Kiersten’s arm. “I’m going lose my stomach if I have another drop. Besides, you guys have things to talk about.”
Parker stood, then immediately started to sway. I quickly reached over and took a hold of her arm, holding her steady as I quickly scanned the bar for Menace. When I didn’t spot him, I motioned over to Lynch and told him, “Get Menace and let him know I’m taking Parker down to his room.”
“You got it.”
“You don’t have to take me,” Parker mumbled as she tried to keep her balance. “I can get there on my own.”
“Yeah, I’m sure you can, but I’m gonna take ya just the same.” I glanced down at Kiersten and ordered, “Stay put until I get back.”
With a roll of her eyes and a grumble, she replied, “Whatever you say, boss.”
I shook my head and let out a deep breath as I led Parker out of the bar and down the hall. We hadn’t gotten far when Parker slurred, “She’s reeal-ly mad you.”
“I know.”
“You hurt her feelings.”
“I know.”
“You gotta fix it.”
“Gonna try.”
“You better.” Parker glanced up at me with a scornful look. “We like her.”
“I like her, too.” I opened Menace’s door and helped Parker over to the bed. Once she was seated, I asked, “You good?”
“Um-hmm.” She leaned over and dropped her head down on the pillow. “Thank you, Country.”
“No problem.”
When I started for the door, Parker mumbled, “Country?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re a really good guy... She’d be lucky to have ya.” She rolled over and curled into the blankets. “Make sure she knows that.”
I didn’t respond. I simply closed the door and headed back to the bar to find Kiersten.
When I walked in, I was surprised to find that she was no longer sitting at the back table.
In fact, she wasn’t in the bar at all. Most of the place was already cleared out, so I stepped over to Caitlyn and asked, “You seen Kiersten?”
“Who?” I gave her a fierce look, and she immediately pointed to the back door. “I’m pretty sure she went outside.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, I charged over to the back door and stormed outside. I took a quick look around, but I didn’t see her. Worried something might’ve happened to her, I shouted, “Kiersten!”
“Stop yelling.” I whipped around and found her sitting on the ground with her back against the clubhouse wall. “I’m right here.”
“I thought I told you to wait for me inside.”
“You did.” She looked up at me with determination in her eyes. “But I didn’t listen.”
“Clearly.” I walked over and sat down next to her. “I need to apologize for early.”
“For which part? The not giving me a chance to explain or for storming off and leaving me?”
“Both.”
“Hmmm.” Still suffering from the effects of the alcohol, she leaned her head back on the brick wall and closed her eyes. “I didn’t lie about not knowing who you were at that bar, Country.”
I knew she’d used my road name on purpose. She was trying to make a point, and she did. It was loud and clear. “I fucked up, but in my defense, I told you I would.”
“Yeah, you did, but I didn’t think it would be so soon.” She slowly turned her head in my direction and squinted at me as she mumbled, “Maybe this isn’t a good idea.”
“What do you mean?”
“Us.” She closed her eyes and turned away from me as she said, “It was just supposed to be a one-time thing. Maybe we should’ve left it at that.”
“Maybe so.”
It could’ve been my pride or the ever-growing knot in my stomach, but I didn’t say anything more.
I simply stood, then reached down and lifted Kiersten into my arms. She rested her head on my shoulder as I carried her back inside and down to my room.
I laid her down on the bed, then took off her boots and covered her up.
As much as I wanted to crawl in next to her, I didn’t.
Kiersten needed time to sober up and figure out what she really wanted.
I wasn’t going to make the decision harder than it already was, so I walked out of my room and left her there sleeping, hoping by morning, she’d see things differently.
I’d soon realize that was a mistake...