17. Claire
17
I’ve always had a high sex drive, but I think I might actually have a problem.
It’s the first weekend in a month that Lex has had off from the nightclub. Even better, it’s one of The Wayside’s exclusive themed nights. Yet all I can think is: I could be riding Leif’s cock right now.
I still don’t know if I’ve cracked the password code. But I’m completely relying on getting in to be the distraction I need, to confirm that I haven’t, in fact, gotten myself addicted to some Viking’s battle sword.
“Password?” a monotone voice sounds from behind a door.
Only a set of shadowed eyes become visible through a viewing window. I lean in, covering my mouth from the rest of the line still waiting, and whisper, “Honky tonk honey.”
I feel Lex jump beside me and latch onto my arm as a guy steps out of the shadows, gesturing for our wrists to stamp before we’re ushered through a door. Thank God whiskey will distract my sex-addled brain, I’m sure.
Lex tugs on her frayed mini skirt, the sound of our matching cowboy boots bouncing off the bare walls of a dark hall.
Time seems to pause for a moment before we’re thrust into a second room, and the honeyed twang of country music fills the air.
Lex squeals beside me as she takes in the room. People dressed in an array of chaps and cowboy hats, tasselled vests and big buckled belts. I jump along with Lex, matching her excitement.
This is what I needed. Not a fucking man. Just time with my best girl where we can shake our arses and sling back some shots.
We race straight to the dancefloor to join the sea of people, getting lost in the surrounding energy.
Sweat glistens on our necks, and our mouths dry out before we fight our way through the thick crowd to the bar to order some drinks.
While we wait for our whiskey sours, I laugh when I notice the big, tattooed bartender from last time sporting his own cowboy hat. I didn’t realise it was possible for the guy to look even more grumpy. Once we have our drinks in hand, we snag a high-top table to dance around while we sip at our drinks.
“Thanks for convincing me to come out tonight,” Lex shouts to me over the music.
“We needed this! I miss you now that you’re working most weekends.”
I’m not entirely unhappy with the company I keep as an alternative to my bestie, but I needed this reminder that men are not the centre of my world. Never have been. Never will be.
Lex smiles over at me right as the beat changes to a punching synth riff that demands our presence front and centre on the dancefloor. I let myself get lost in the rhythms, moving with a freeing grace. Lex and I grin like goofballs at each other until the smile halts on her face.
“Hello, Siren.”
I whip around to the cool tone and see a tall guy dressed in a vest and tie, even though the rest of the bar is thick in our western era. Shit, it’s that Caleb guy, her hookup from last month. Just like I suspected, he’s here. And it looks like he’s been hoping to see her, too.
“I’m just going to get a drink.” I try to catch Lex’s attention, wanting to make sure she’s okay for me to leave her, but the two of them only have eyes for each other.
A satisfied smile covers my face as I make my way over to the bar for a drink. Ordering another whiskey sour, I turn back to check on Lex. Caleb has his hands locked around her waist, entirely wrapped in her orbit. While I wait, the tattooed grump that said he was brothers with Lex’s crush stands next to my bartender.
“Does your brother ever not wear a tie?” I shout to him.
His eyes fly up to meet mine before they search behind me. He must spot his brother in the fray. I see his eyes flare in surprise before they hurriedly return to the cocktails he’s mixing.
“Doesn’t really know how to loosen up,” he says.
“My friend as well. Guess they’ve found something in common then.”
He looks behind me once more before looking up at the ceiling, drawing in a visible breath as if he’s trying to inhale patience. I’m guessing there’s a heavy make-out session happening behind me, so I’ll keep my eyes straight, but I can’t deny the internal fist pump on behalf of my girl. Especially in the middle of a club. She favours the shy side. If this Caleb guy unleashes a little of her inhibitions, I’m all for it.
Once I have my cocktail, I move further down to a quieter section of the bar to people watch. It’s not long before I’m pulling out my phone to scroll. My heart leaps a little from a text waiting for me.
THE ONLY VIKING YOU NEED: Keep those boots handy for the next time I’m over.
I giggle, remembering the selfie I sent him before we left the house of my cowgirl getup.
ME: Got yourself a cowgirl kink, do you?
Three dots immediately bounce across my screen, making beats stutter frantically in my chest.
THE ONLY VIKING YOU NEED: Just a you kink.
And there goes my heart. Little tramp, giving it up so easily. This is not the way we roll.
My palm does a frustrated glide down my face. There’s a divide between my head’s normally clear direction and my heart’s protest for connection. I can feel it pleading for just an iota of leniency in my crusade to deny the notion of domestication. I need to pull back, just to ensure I’m not getting in too deep here. I’m nowhere near ready to say goodbye to the orgasms, but my heart needs the reminder to stay in line.
With that decided, I’m about to put my phone back into my clutch when a call comes through from Trevor, the tech guy who works in the offices above the salon.
We traded numbers when I first signed my lease. I wanted to ensure he could talk to me if trades were disrupting his business. It was important to me to establish that friendly relationship from the get-go.
I waited eighteen months for the perfect space to open up on Main Street. There was no way I was going to fuck up my dream by tainting a relationship with other businesses who also rented in the building.
Given that it was nearing eleven, this call is a butt dial or an emergency.
Please be a butt dial.
I quickly answer the phone. “Just a sec, Trevor!” Racing through the bar, I make my way back to the quiet hallway we entered through. I stampede through the door, feeling as though I’m breathing in ice shards.
Man, I should probably try running now and then. I’m more of a marathon fucker than a runner, though.
“Sorry, Trev. What’s up?” I clutch at my side while I wait for my lungs to catch up.
“Claire. I’m so sorry to bother you on a Saturday, but building security called me.” Fuck, definitely not a butt dial. “A pipe has burst in my office, and unfortunately, it’s gone into your salon. Part of the ceiling has collapsed.”
“Oh my god!” Tears fill my eyes. This cannot be happening.
My floorboards were only just installed two days ago. They’re meant to dry for seven days to let the stain properly cure.
“I’m just waiting for a plumber to get here, but Arnie, the building security, knew where the shut-off switch for the water was, so it’s at least stopped running.
“Fuck. Okay, I’m on my way. I’m in the city, so I need to get a cab, but I should be there in around twenty minutes.”
“No worries. I’ll hold the fort until then.”
“Thanks, Trevor.”
I hang up and re-enter the bar to fight my way through the crowd to Lex.
I can see her standing right where I left her, still with Caleb and talking with another woman. A tiny, spitfire-looking thing with long, dark hair flowing down her back.
Her hands are waving around animatedly as she talks, but she’s going to have to wait.
“Lex!” I shout just as I reach them.
Like a beacon, she homes in on me, worried eyes taking in my panicked expression, no doubt.
She reaches for me, holding my hands in hers. “What? What happened?”
“The office above me had a pipe burst. It came through my ceiling and flooded the floor. Trevor just called me. I have to go there.”
“Okay, babe.” She nods. “Let’s go. Have you called a ride?” I shake my head, and she turns to Caleb.
“I’m sorry, I need to go.” He steps into her, holding a gentle hand around her arm.
“Can I help with anything?”
Lex shakes her head. “I just need to get my friend to her salon. Let her assess the damage.”
“I can drive you. I brought my car.”
Now, I’m an independent woman, but I’m also a desperate woman. I’m not feeling too inclined to deny this guy’s penchant to play white knight if it means I can get to the salon quicker.
“I don’t want to put you out. Who knows how long we’ll need to be there,” Lex says, and I squeeze her hands where they still hold mine, hoping she understands the gesture of shut up and let the man help .
“You’re not putting me out. Please.” There is such sincerity in his words. “Let me help.”
Lex looks over at me, so I pinch my brows and widen my eyes in pleading, delighting when she starts nodding.
He bends down to whisper something in her ear, causing a blush to coat her cheeks that I can see even in the dim lighting of the club.
And that’s the last time I smile for the night.
To: [email protected],
From: [email protected]
Subject: MAJOR CRISIS
LEE!!!
Major water damage at the salon! It’s like a sailor returning home to an untouched wife in here!! We are at DEFCON ONE! I repeat, DEFCON ONE!
Emergency plumber is here sealing off the busted pipe. I feel like Alice in Wonderland swimming in her tears right now. I need you here first thing Monday to talk me down and tell me it’s OKAY! PLEASE!
Claire