22. Twenty-Two
Twenty-Two
Tessa
“ L ord have mercy,” my roommate Caleb mutters from the corner of his mouth as we stand side by side in the saloon’s parking lot and watch Jake unfold his lean body from his truck.
Caleb decided I was in dire need of some big city flair to shake up my small-town existence, after I’d broken down sobbing on the phone a couple of nights ago.
My mom was having a particularly tough day, and after twelve straight hours of watching her suffer, I hadn’t been able to hold it together anymore.
Despite my protests, Caleb hadn’t hesitated to book the next available flight to Texas, and I’d picked him up from the airport this afternoon.
Fast forward a few hours, and here I am, about to introduce the two most important men in my life and praying they’ll hit it off.
I tried my best to prepare my friends for my very exuberant and outspoken roomie’s arrival, but the warning only stoked their curiosity.
Hence our little impromptu get-together at the local honkytonk.
I’ve missed Caleb something fierce since leaving LA. We’ve lived together for years and have grown as close as siblings. It’s important to me that my circle of friends accepts him, which is why I’m currently chewing my thumbnail down to the quick.
Jake is heading toward us, looking drool-worthy in his trademark outfit of well-worn jeans, cotton shirt, and flannel button-up.
The various shades of blue making up the plaid pattern make his electric eyes pop even more than usual, and when he flashes us a smile that shows off his dimples, Caleb gives an audible gasp that earns him an elbow to the ribs.
“Jake, this is Caleb. Caleb, Jake,” I make the necessary introductions when he comes to a stop in front of us, waving a hand between them. Caleb rubs his ribs and gives me an are-you-freaking-kidding-me look before he catapults himself forward, holding out his hand in greeting.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you. Tessa has told me so much about you, and let me just say her description of you did not do justice. ”
“Erm. Thanks, I guess,” Jake replies, looking visibly uncomfortable under my friend’s blatant perusal. But Caleb’s just getting started.
“I’m serious. Now I totally understand why Tessa was always moping around the place, binge-watching old sitcoms instead of going out to join the dating pool.
I always thought she set the bar too high and would never find someone to live up to her ridiculous expectations.
But now that I got a good look at you, I get it.
Gosh, look at that jawline. The brawn. I’d fan myself, but Tessa asked me to keep the theatrics to a minimum—"
“Alright,” I interrupt, wrapping an arm around Jake’s waist for moral support. “Enough with the compliments. It’ll end up going to his head, and he already has a very healthy ego.”
Jake frowns down at me. “Are you saying I’m arrogant?”
“Not arrogant, baby. Self-assured, maybe?”
“That’s just a fancy way of saying I’m a conceited asshole.”
“Would I be drawn to you if you were an asshole?” I ask. “Your confidence is actually one of the things I find most attractive about you. But it’s the potent mix of self-assurance and that kind heart of yours that I can’t seem to resist.”
“Nice save, sweetheart,” he drawls in his Texas twang, almost making the other man swoon beside me .
“Nice to meet you, too, Caleb. I also heard my fair share of stories over the past few weeks and am looking forward to getting to know you better. I got a text on my way over,” he informs us.
“Megan and Carter are already inside. They’re holding a booth for us.
Why don’t you go find them while I get the first round? ”
“Smoking hot and thoughtful. Maybe I’ll change my mind about small towns by the end of this trip. Find myself a southern gentleman of my own. Do you have any unattached gay brothers, by chance?”
Jake gives a booming laugh. “I do have a brother. Very handsome, or so I’ve been told, which makes him very popular with the ladies. So, unless I’ve missed some major tells, I don’t think you’d have much luck.”
“Shame,” Caleb pouts, linking his arm with mine and pulling me toward the bar’s entrance.
“Let’s go scope out the merchandise, then.
I’ve never met a real-life cowboy, and I’m feeling lucky tonight.
Could you get me an apple martini, please?
” he asks as he pushes past Jake, who still seems a little blindsided by my straightforward friend.
“Not sure that’s on the menu here, but I’ll see what I can do,” he promises, following us into the foyer before breaking off toward the bar .
As it turns out, my apprehension at merging my two lives was unnecessary, for Caleb quickly wins everyone over.
Megan instantly falls in love with his quick wit and no-nonsense attitude, and once Carter and Jake get over their initial shock of being shamelessly hit on by a man, they hang on his every word as Caleb entertains us with stories from our shared college days.
Within half an hour, our mismatched group is interacting like we’ve known each other for years.
Relieved everyone gets on so well, I decide another round is in order, and my two main men graciously offer to help carry the goods.
We stand behind a row of people, waiting to gain access to the overcrowded bar, when Caleb takes advantage of an opening and pushes between a couple of patrons to get to the counter.
A huge, intimidating-looking guy glances our way before he sneers at my friend.
“How about some personal space there, faggot?”
I instantly cringe at the mean-spirited slur, but it doesn’t even faze my roommate. It’s glaringly obvious he’s found himself on the receiving end of such hateful behavior enough times to let it roll off his back, and my heart aches at the thought.
“Why?” Caleb asks innocently, arching a perfectly shaped eyebrow at the rude redneck.
“Are you that insecure about your own sexuality, you’re worried my being gay might rub off on you?
Let me tell you, John Boy, it doesn’t work that way.
If you caught yourself glancing at your buddy’s ass in the past, it’s more likely you’ve been drawn to men your whole life, but your homophobic parents brainwashed you into believing that’s not an option.
So, you resigned yourself to a lifetime of fantasizing about lil’ Bubba over here without ever reaping the rewards. ”
John Boy, as my friend so adequately christened him, turns a deep crimson and narrows his beady eyes at Caleb, drawing himself up to his full height.
“Are you implying I’m into dudes?”
Caleb gives a casual shrug, not the least bit impressed with his posturing.
“If the shoe fits, Cinderella.”
Jake, who’s been hovering behind us throughout the hostile interaction, gives a low chuckle.
“Something funny, Nelson?”
“You have to admit, he’s quick on the trigger, Daryl,” he says, making it obvious the two men know each other. “Come on now. Don’t be a dick. I promised my friend a taste of that southern hospitality we’re so famous for, and then you come along and give us all a bad name.”
“Listen, if you want to spend the evening sidling up to a guy who’s itching to hide his dick in your ass, that’s your choice. But I have a right to protect myself. ”
Jake snickers, shooting the homophobic douchebag a pitying look.
“I hate to break it to you, Daryl, but just because someone’s into dudes doesn’t mean he wants to screw every male in his vicinity. It’s quite obvious Caleb has standards, so you can rest assured that your hairy ass is safe tonight.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Daryl asks, glaring at Jake who steps closer to him.
“It means you might think you’re awfully charming, but the reality is you’re just a narrow-minded hillbilly with shitty manners, and that’s just not a combination most people find attractive.
” Jake shrugs and Caleb looks at him like he’s just transformed into Superman before his very eyes.
Daryl, on the other hand, looks less than impressed.
“You always were a smug fuck, Nelson. Even back in the day, before your daddy bit the dust and your success went to your head. You think you’re better than us?
” he asks, gesturing to his friend, who’s kept out of the interaction so far.
“Let me tell you something. You ain’t. Never have been.
Never will be. You were raised by a good-for-nothing drunk, just like I was.
The difference between you and me is I’m man enough to accept who I am, and you’re still in denial.
” Daryl smirks, high-fiving his buddy like we’re back in middle school .
“Nah, man. The difference between you and me is I’ve always known I don’t have to go down that road.
That I had a choice in the matter. Seems to me you’re pretty content following in your daddy’s footsteps.
” Jake leans forward and continues in a low but steady voice.
“I know what it’s like to grow up with someone who rules the house with an iron fist. To live under the same roof with a man who gets off on belittling his offspring because that’s the only time he ever gets to feel powerful.
And I know that it’s real easy to take all that anger and lash out at innocent people.
But it’s not my friend’s fault your old man was a coward who enjoyed beating his own kid.
All he wanted was to order a drink. He wasn’t looking to get into it with some asshole who hasn’t gotten over his daddy issues, even though it’s been a fucking decade since he died.
So, why don’t you shut the fuck up, turn around and keep shooting beers with good ol’ Larry over here?
” Daryl pushes away from the bar and gets right into Jake’s face.