Tommy had heard his brother's warning about Tara, but didn't really pay attention. As far as Tommy was concerned if Sam didn't want her, then she was fair game. He kept an eye on her during the rest of the night. He was pleased by the good looking ladies that came into the bar and Jessica seemed sweet and was probably real easy to please, but Tara had that edge about her, that bitter look in her eyes that showed she had burned too many bridges and people didn't want to get on her bad side, which left Tommy intrigued. If someone annoyed him he just let it all out and in a weird way, he wanted that from Tara too. Even though he didn't know her-yet. It was coming near to closing time and Tommy watched Tara go to the back walking up to her when she dropped her Jacket.

"Ya forgot this" Tommy held the Jacket in his hands and Tara reached for it, but he jerked his hands away.

"Stop playing" She told him.

"Got a date or something?"

"Like you give a damn" Said Tara walking closer to him and yanking the Jacket out of his hand. Tommy smiled and held out both his palms and shrugged. "Feisty"

"Whatever" Said Tara as she pulled her coat on and Tommy smirked, which annoyed the hell out of her.

"That's what I've heard about ya anyway"

"Look kid, I don't care what you've heard"

"That ya a brawler, that ya start stuff" Said Tommy goading her, but Tara decided to do a little goading of her own.

"Ain't it past your bedtime?"

"Why? Wanna join me?"

"Tommy, I need ya to pick up those glasses" Said Sam as he emerged from the shadows. Tara gave him a grateful nod and disappeared while Tommy picked up two shot glasses on the counter and put them in the sink and went to see his brother who was now in the office.

"Glasses my ass" Tommy said to his brother.

"Tommy I've done told ya about Tara"

"So? I can't even talk to her now?"

"Don't play dumb, there are plenty girls around that fall for that stuff save it for them"

"Ya sure ya not screwing her?"

"Tommy, don't talk to me like that" Sam said, a little appalled by him.

"Ya cussed our mama out worse"

"Your mom, you mean"

"You asshole" Tommy turned and left the office but Sam chased after him and grabbed his arm.

"Look I'm sorry"

"Let go of me" Tommy said bitterly as he shook him off and went outside to get some fresh air. He walked along the path kicking stones and rubbed his eyes as wind blew crap in his face and looked up to hear a familiar voice.

"Dammit Mama, let me in , for god sake"

"Don't ya dare take the name of the lord in vain" Lettie Mae told her.

"Mama, I don't have the patience for this" Said Tara, but Tommy did, hoping that she wouldn't turned around to see him acting weird.

"Mama I can holler all night, I'll make ya look real bad"

"No change there" Lettie relented and opened the door while an embarrassed Tara stepped in turning to shut the door but stopped as she saw Tommy looking straight at her, and he waved with a condescending smile. "Shit" Tara muttered as she shut the door. Tommy smiled and went back to Sam's place ignoring Sam and going to "his" room. He knew it would take a while to get used to clean sheets and quiet nights but it still wasn't home. Still, the girls were pretty and they could help take his mind off the shit-pit that he called his life right now. Jessica seemed cool, and although he had a strong attraction to Tara, there was no reason why he couldn't have both, right?