Authors Note: Chapter 10 everybody sorry it took so long enjoy.

Chapter 10

"Seriously dude what is up with your wife?" Riven asked Nabu as he balanced his phone on his shoulder while he halfheartedly scanned a rack of flannel shirts so he could have as Layla put it the "perfect outfit" for country theme night.

"She's been sick you know that." Nabu told him.

"I'm not talking about her being sick." He said as he looked at a blue flannel and shoved it back on the rack with a sigh.

"Then what are you talking about?"

"Her strange behavior yesterday. Duh."

"Not sure I follow you. What was strange about yesterday?"

Riven rolled his eyes he knew Nabu knew what he was talking about but he began to clue him in anyways. "She kept putting me and Musa together during setup for theme night. The checking of the music and stereo equipment. Not to mention the time when she knocked Musa off the ladder when she was hanging streamers if I hadn't been there to catch her who knows what would have happened."

"Okay first…" Nabu began, "She had you two checking the sound equipment because you know more about it than we do. And the ladder thing was a complete accident she was about to get sick and ran for the restroom. Plus she felt horrible about and she kept apologizing all day to Musa about it."

"Alright well what about the times when she'd "accidentally" push us into one another?"

"Her being clumsy." Nabu said.

"Layla has never been clumsy."

Nabu sighed, "Look man she's my wife no matter what you say I'm going to have an answer in her defense."

"Fair enough." Riven said, "But if I didn't know any better I'd swear you told her how I felt about Musa."

Nabu was silent for a second, "No of course not didn't say a word."

"Good." Riven said, "I'm going to finish looking for a stupid outfit then I'll see you tonight."

"See you tonight bye." Nabu said in a rush.

"Bye. She Knows." He said with a sigh as he hung up the phone.

"What are you wearing?" Layla asked as he walked into work.

"Clothes." Was Riven's snide remark.

"I can see that." She said.

"Would you rather I came in naked?" he asked her.

"No I wouldn't, but I expected you to show up in more than a pair of jeans, a red flannel, bandana, a cowboy hat and boots."

"What did you expect I'd show up in long-sleeved shirt with a vest, chaps, cowboy hat, stirrups on my boots, toy gun strapped to my hip while riding an inflatable horse?"

"Yes." She said. "Now where's that outfit?"

"Not happening crazy lady." He told her, "And if you're so gung-ho about tonight where's your outfit?" He asked gesturing at the plain white t-shirt and jeans she had on.

"I haven't changed into it yet."

"What're you waiting for we're opening soon get a move on chop-chop" he said clapping his hand together.

"You do know I'm your boss right." Layla said crossing her arms

"Yep."

"It's not nice to sass your boss it could cost you your job."

"You're not going to fire me." Riven said in a matter of fact tone.

"Oh really wise guy and why's that?" Layla challenged.

"Because it would upset Nabu you firing his best friend who shows up to work whenever you need him. Plus it be kind of hard to find someone to show up tonight in a crazy cowboy outfit on such short notice."

"Fine you have a point just go help Nabu finish getting the bar ready while I change."

"Yes mam I reckon I'll do just that." He said in an awful southern accent while tipping his hat.

"That is the worst impression of a southern accent I've heard." She said.

"Never claimed to be an actor just trying to get into the country theme for you."

"Then I suggest you don't use that on the customers you'll scare them off."

"Dooley noted." He said and walked to the bar.

"Hey Riven."

"Hey Nabu." Riven said as he took in his appearance jeans topped off with leather chaps with fringes on the ends. A somewhat dressy blue long-sleeved shirt with vest also with fringes on the front, a bandana around his neck and a brown cowboy hat, cowboy boots with stirrups, and a toy gun. Riven inwardly groaned. "Please tell me you don't have blowup horse stashed somewhere and is that a sheriffs badge?"

"No I don't have a horse and actually it's a deputy badge Layla's the sheriff."

"Of course she is."

"It's not like that we did a coin toss to see who'd be sheriff and she won. So let's get everything ready so we can open."

"Okay." He said.

The two began getting everything setup and Riven doubled checked the sound equipment to make sure everything would go smoothly for the band tonight.

"Put this on." Layla said to Riven holding out a vest and toy gun with a holster.

"Seriously." He said.

"Yes." She said sternly.

Sighing heavily he took the items and put them on. "Where's my badge?" he asked teasingly.

"If you'd of put more thought into your outfit like Nabu and I did you might have gotten one." She said back.

"Sorry but I don't think I'd look that great in that ensemble." He said gesturing toward her.

"I do look hot" She said giving a twirl her short jean layered flare skirt fanning out as she did. Her top was a short sleeved dark blue blouse with slim cow hide colored vest. Her sheriff's badge pinned neatly to the front a black cowboy hat and white cowboy boots completed the look. "Is everything ready to go? We'll be opening soon." She asked getting straight back to business.

"Yes everything's ready and raring to go." He told her.

"Raring?" she asked cocking her head

"Theme night."

She nodded, "Let's get a break in now we'll be pretty busy and on our feet most of the day and night."

"You know Layla I'm surprised you didn't rent a mechanical bull for tonight." Riven said as they all sat at the bar.

"Oh my god a mechanical bull ride Riven you're a genius. I've got to go make some calls maybe I can get on by the end of the night."

"Honey do we really need one." Nabu called after her, "think of the lawsuits if some drunk idiot falls off and hurts himself."

"That's what mats and signs saying we're not at fault for any injury sustained because of the ride are for." She called back.

"Thanks a lot man." Nabu said with sigh.

"What? It was just a passing thought and I doubt she'll actually be able to get one on such short notice." Riven said.

Nabu just shook his head and poured himself a soda and sat at the bar to enjoy this slight bit of peace before the place became packed.

Musa walked in and headed straight for the bar she slammed her hands down on the counter startling Riven since it was such a weird outburst for her. "Bartender give me a beer." She demanded with a smile.

"A beer really?" He asked surprised.

"Yeah why?" she asked, "Am I not allowed to have one?"

"No you can have one." He said as he grabbed a bottle from behind the counter opened it and handed it to her. "But you don't normally order booze."

"I know." She agreed. "But I left James with my dad for the night so I plan on getting completely trashed." Then she reached into her purse and pulled out her keys and handed them to him. "Don't let me have these no matter what I say."

"Don't worry I won't" He said as he slid the keys into his pocket. "Friends don't let friends drive drunk."

She smiled at him and took a swig of beer. "Oh my gosh did Layla actually rent a bull ride for tonight, that's awesome. I'm going to go ride it." She said took another drink and went for the machine.

Riven watched as she made her way to the machine as climbed up her skirt hiking up a bit revealing her soft perfect thighs. Riven quickly shook his head not letting his thoughts go any further than that her face focus on her face. Turning his attention upward he noticed something shining in the light off of her red blouse wait a minute was she wearing a sheriff's badge. How come everybody got a badge but him? He watched as the machine twirled her around slowly swaying this way and that. Then she yelled at the operator to kick it up a notch "Now that's what I'm talking about." He heard her shout as the ride sped up. As the ride spun her round and round up and down she took off her cowboy hat and waved it around in the air shouting "yee-haw" but a few seconds after she was bucked off the ride and landed with a thud onto the mats laughing happily. Layla helped her up and she headed back to the bar.

"You've got to try that thing Riven. It's a lot of fun."

"I'll pass I don't want to fall on my ass and look like an idiot in front of everyone."

"Wow" she sighed exasperated

"What?"

"Nothing." She told him taking a drink of beer, "I just never took you for the self-conscious type."

"I'm not self-conscious."

"Oh Yeah." She challenged leaning forward onto the bar showing a bit of cleavage, "Then prove it take her for a spin."

"I'd rather take you for a spin." He thought then immediately chastised himself, Instead He told her flatly"I can't I'm working."

"Excuses." She said leaning back, I think you're just chicken."

"I'm not chicken I told you I'm…"

"Working." She finished for him. "I know. Hey Nabu." She called noticing him coming out with an order of food.

"Hey Musa how's it going?" He asked with a smile

"I'm doing great." She told him, "Are you busy?"

"Not at the moment why?"

"Great because I just challenged Riven to a bull riding competition. Think you can man the bar for a few minutes?" She asked sweetly.

"I don't see why not."

"Awesome lets go Riven." Musa commanded as she started for the ride.

"Wait when did this become a competition?" He asked trailing behind her.

"It's simple the one who stays on the longest is the winner."

"And what's the prize for winning?" He asked going along with her game.

"Why the glory of holding the fact that I beat you over your head of course."

"Really and what if I beat you."

"Pfft like that would happen I've already been on this thing so I know how it works" She said with an air of confidence. "Now watch the master and see how it's done cause I'm about to take you to school cowboy."

"Master yeah right. You went on it once." He mumbled under his breath.

He watched as Musa climbed up onto the machine radiating confidence and determination. This time she didn't try to joke around and swing her hat in the air. But paid close attention to the movements of the machine as it moved up and down, then would sway this way and that adding circles to the mix whenever. Then got faster and faster until finally she was thrown off onto the mats.

She glanced at the timer by the operator of the ride. "Thirty seconds beat that."

"No problem." Riven said as climbed onto the bull. "See you in sixty seconds." He told her and nodded letting him know he was ready to begin.

Musa just rolled her eyes as he began his turn. "I'll most likely see you ten." She said to herself.

She watched him intently as his body swayed perfectly with the movements of the ride. He was good she admitted he might actually beat her score. Then it picked up speed moving faster and faster until he at last fell off. She looked at the clock and smiled proudly as she walked and stood over him. "Twenty seconds. I win." She boasted.

"Second place isn't so bad." He told her from his position on the ground.

"Oh yeah and why's that?" She asked looking down at him.

"Cause I can see your sexy purple lace underwear." He said with a teasing grin. "Tell me does the bra match."

Her face turned beat red at the comment then she swiftly kicked him in his head "Pervert." She said turned and stormed off to the bar grabbed her beer and headed for a table.

Riven stood up rubbing his head. "I'm a moron." He said to himself as he made his way back behind the counter.

"Dude she looked embarrassed yet pissed what'd you say to her?" Nabu asked.

"Oh you know I just let a different part of my body speak instead of using my head and made a comment about seeing her underwear."

"Man you never let the other guy have the reigns unless it's in the bedroom and only then when the time is right because he could ruin the mood."

"Believe me I know", Riven groaned. "It just sort of slipped out without me having enough time to filter my thoughts."

"You know why it happened though right?" Nabu asked.

"Me being a dumbass."

"Nah its cause you won't tell Musa how you feel so all your pent up feelings are coming out the wrong way."

"Dude will you quit trying to play therapist. Besides I don't want to be that guy."

"I'm not playing therapist just a good friend." Nabu said. "And what guy."

"Can I get a pitcher of whatever's on tap and three glasses please?" A blonde woman asked.

Riven filled a pitcher and grabbed the glasses the woman paid and headed off to a table.

"The homewrecker." He clarified. "She's with someone I don't want to ruin her chances if he makes her happy."

"That's the thing though I don't think he makes her happy. Maybe he did at some point and I don't know what goes on behind closed doors but even when I see them here it's as if Musa's actions are forced and just for show."

"Yeah I noticed that too."

"Nabu sighed "Look I don't know if she and Derrick are happy but it's obvious that the two of you have feelings for each other. So make with the romance already."

"And what about James?" Riven asked.

"What about him does it bother you Musa's got a kid."

"Not at all. I'm just worried how something like this might affect him."

"James is still a baby he'll have a lot easier time adjusting to the changes than an older child. If you decide to pursue a relationship it won't be easy and someone will always get hurt in a situation like this. Just know that whatever you choose I'm behind you one hundred percent."

"Thanks."

"No problem." Nabu assured, "Now go apologize to Musa about your rude comment, I've got the bar for a few."

Riven nodded but before heading off to see Musa he grabbed a napkin laid it flat and molded it into the shape he wanted then went to her table.

"What?" Musa asked angrily taking a drink of her beer as he sat down across from her.

Taking a deep breath "I'm sorry I was an inconsiderate moron and should never have made a comment like that. Please forgive me." He said sincerely and offered her a rose he'd made out of the napkin.

"Wow it is a rare thing for you to apologize and give flowers all in the same day. Did you make this out of a napkin?" She asked taking the rose from him.

"Yeah it's not like we have actual flowers around."

"You're forgiven I'm partly to blame anyhow I shouldn't of stood over you like that giving you the peep show."

"So would it be safe to say that we're both idiots."

"Yes it would." Musa agreed.

"Then would you like to dance with this idiot?" Riven asked offering his hand

"I'd love to." She said taking his hand and he led her to the dance floor.

No sooner did they get on the floor did the bands upbeat music change to something slow and he was willing to bet that Layla had something to do with it. But he didn't care all that mattered was that he got to hold Musa in his arms even if only for a short moment. Her body fit perfectly with his as they swayed glided and twirled across the dance floor to rhythm of the music. "I should get back to work." He told her regrettably as the third song ended.

"Okay." She nodded, "I need to sit down it's been awhile since I've worn heels for this long my feet are starting to hurt."

"You're wearing boots not heels." Riven reminded.

"Hey they've got a heel just because it's not a pointy stiletto doesn't mean it won't bother your feet."

"I'll take your word on that." He said and scooped her up into his arms.

"What're you doing?" she asked surprised as she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

"What?" He asked innocently, "You said your feet hurt so I'm taking you back to your seat. Beats walking doesn't it."

"Yeah…" Musa nodded a blush coming to her cheeks as people glanced at them as they made their way back to the table and he sat her down.

"Now if you need anything else I'll be at the bar." He gave her a wink and went back to work.

"Nice work." Nabu congratulated. "When I said to make with the romance I didn't think you'd sweep her off her feet so soon."

"I didn't sweep her off her feet. She said they were bothering so I carried her back to her seat."

"Whatever. You made a chivalrous gesture and woman eat that stuff up. You my friend have scored massive brownie points. Now if you'll excuse me I have to get back to my job some food orders are starting to pile up."

Riven sighed and got back to work as well filling drinks and keeping the counter clean every now and then he'd glance over to wherever Musa was weather she was dancing, playing pool, or just enjoying her drink. In fact she'd come up to the bar often and they'd exchange small lingering hand touches whenever she'd get a drink. He'd even seen her sneaking peeks at her but when she saw that he noticed she'd quickly look away. There little flirtatious game continued that way for most of the night until finally it was closing time and everyone had left but the four friends.

"Riven I need my keys." Musa slurred out.

"No you're not driving in your condition." He told her flatly.

"I'm not drunk." She said with a wave of her hand. "See I'll prove it. Watch me walk a straight line." She began putting one foot in front of the other wobbling with each step until finally she tripped over her feet and fell to the floor. "Ouch. I totally meant to do that. So I'm not drunk." She told him trying to stand back up and failing.

"Ooh she's at this stage huh." Layla said coming up behind Riven and placing her arm on his shoulder.

"Yep." He replied.

"I haven't seen her this trashed in a while, you know what stage comes next right?" She asked.

"Uh-huh I know."

"Can you handle it?"

"Yeah don't worry I'll make sure drunkzilla's okay."

"Alright we'll get this place cleaned up tomorrow. Nabu and I are off to the hospital. Time to pay up on our deal."

"I hope it's nothing serious."

"I'm sure it's not Nabu's just over thinking things." She assured him.

"Yeah you're getting sick every day is nothing serious." Nabu said coming up to them.

"Let's just get this over with." Layla said not wanting to argue. "Good luck with Musa." She called over her shoulder as she headed for the door.

"Riven." Musa whined. "I need help."

With a sigh he walked over to the drunken damsel on the floor. "Come on." He said taking her by the arms and helping her to stand. "I got ya." He told her when she stumbled and fell against him.

"You're really handsome."

"Thanks."

"And muscly." She said running her hands across his chest.

"Let's get you home." He told her grabbing her hands to stop there wandering. "Where do you live?"

"At my house." She told him.

"Yeah that helps." He thought as he sat her down in a chair. "Stay here don't get up."

"Yes sir." She said with a salute.

He went behind the counter and grabbed her purse her driver's license would have her address. Quickly looking through it he found no trace of her license. "Why would she leave home without it? That's one of the most crucial things you take when you leave the house." He'd yell at her later for now he'd just take her to his place.

"Time to go." He said then picked up her cradling her in his arms then carried her to his truck all the while trying to ignore the feel of her hands as the explored his torso and back. He set her down so he could unlock the door and she brushed lightly up his arm with fingers. Still ignoring her he helped her inside then got inside and she scooted close to him and started caressing his arm and moved to his stomach then started moving south. "NO!" He growled.

"Why." She asked innocently

"Because I'm going to start driving and it's very distracting not to mention you're drunk it wouldn't be right." He told her plainly.

"I'm not that drunk."

"Says the girl who couldn't stand up a few minutes ago." He countered.

"That doesn't count as Rafiki would say it's in the past."

"Past or not you're not to touch me like that while I'm driving understand."

"Fine." She pouted and linked her arm around his.

"Hey what'd I say?"

"I'm not gonna touch you." She told him. "I'm just… I'm just going to lay my head right here." She said resting her head on his shoulder. "You're warm and I like the feel your arms they make me feel safe."

His pride swelled at that but he said nothing as he started his car and drove home. As soon as he got home he parked is truck and turned it off. "Musa we're here. "He told her softly.

"Mmm" She mumbled raising her head and it immediately fell back against the seat of the truck.

"Okay." He sighed out getting out of the truck he went and unlocked his door and came back for the passed out girl in his front seat. "Come on." He gently pulled her out of the cab and into his arms walked backwards into the door to shut then made his way inside kicking the door closed behind him. Going to his room he laid Musa on the bed took off her boots and tucked her in. Afterwards he went and grabbed two aspirin and a glass of water and set it on the bedside table. And once again took up a spot on his couch to sleep for the night.