Feasibility Study
Written by: Ms Maggs / Edited by: KJT
Chapter 93: Getting It Back – Part 4
August 24, 2005 (Day 124)
The Grissoms'
10:33 p.m.
Lounging in their luxurious bed, Gil was surprised he could feel so relaxed after spending time with his father. "It really went well tonight with my dad, didn't it?"
Glancing away from What to Expect When You're Expecting she smiled. "Yeah…it did. I really like Lina."
"I like how she keeps my father on his toes."
"Can I confess something terrible?" Sara closed her book and turned on her side. "All of a sudden during dinner I thought…oh my god, Lina is your dad's real housekeeper…they're actually living The Maid and The Employer fantasy, albeit unrequited at the moment and she's Cuban not French. How weird is that! They're living what we pretended today."
"Sara…" He turned to face her. "I'm just getting comfortable acknowledging I have a father. I really don't want to think about him having sex. The only person I ever want to think about having sex is you…and only with me."
"Sorry." Trying not to laugh she picked up her book and buried her face in it. A minute later she remarked, "All that talk about…"
Gil tossed his magazine and pounced. "Am I kissing Mimi, Boom Boom or Sara?" He grinned while loving the effects of pregnancy hormones on his wife. "It's getting hard to keep track of your alter-egos."
In sultry voice she replied, "Who do you want me to be, Baby?"
"My wife." After answering he kissed her. "My beautiful, pregnant wife." And kissed her again. "My wife who loves me even when I screw up and goes out of her way to cheer me up."
"Does that mean I should retire Mimi and Boom Boom?"
"Hell no!" He chuckled while chomping on her neck. "There's a time and place for all the women in my life."
As her husband taunted her body Sara mused, "Maybe one of these days you can surprise me with a new persona. Hmm…what kind of character suits you?" As her husband nibbled her ear lobe she said, "Maybe an astronaut? No…too scientific, which is too like you already."
"I don't know…I wouldn't mind trying to defy gravity with you." With that he rolled them 180 degrees.
Straddling her husband she laughed. "Definitely not cowboy and Indian Princess because that's so Nick and Carrie."
"Thank ya, ma'am for sparing me." He placed his hands on her hips coaxing her to rock. "But suddenly I'm thinking you would make an excellent cowgirl and me your stallion." Wiggling his brows he confessed, "Dale Evans always did make me a little randy."
"Oh sure…" She guffawed. "…all you have to do in that one is lie there while I take you for a ride."
"It sounds even better when you say it." Fired up he whinnied. "What's my stallion's name, cowgirl?"
"Dreamer."
The Rusty Spur
10:36 p.m.
When Carrie emerged from the ladies room, she was greeted with a dreamy smile and another bottle of beer. "Tell me your name again, cowboy," She flirted while wrapping her hand around the neck of the bottle and leaning against the wall.
"Travis." Apparently Carrie's ten minutes in the ladies room were spent letting the beer kick in while psyching herself up to be a bit more playful.
Lifting the bottle she took a long sip of the lackluster beer. It was nasty, but they were supposed to be co-eds and this was a country bar so pricey wine was out of the question. "Why do you keep handing me bottles of beer? I'm starting to think it's your only move." Luckily she had consumed half a bottle of quality wine back at the hotel before catching the cab. With all this thinking about booze, she suddenly realized a buzz was coming on strong. "Tell me…is beer all you got in your bag of tricks, Travis?"
Placing his hand on the wall and positioning his body in front of her so their eyes met and their mouths were only inches apart, he replied, "I bought you another beer because I didn't want you be thirsty for what I have planned."
"Oh really…what's that?" She was already fighting the urge to kiss him.
When Nick saw she was dying to kiss him he backed away to frustrate her. "You know your way around a pool table, Missy?" He knew Carrie was a shark because, the Blakes had a table in the basement and they didn't leave the house after learning of Carrie's abuse. She had told him, if it could be played in the safety of the basement, every member of the Blake family was a pro…pool, ping-pong, darts, board games, card games, you name it.
"No, I don't know how to play pool." Tilting her head she wondered why he pulled away when she wanted to kiss him so badly. "Do you think you could teach me a thing or two?"
In perfect bad boy bass he answered confidently, "I know I can." Staring at her ruby red lips he taunted her.
Unfortunately a waitress holding a tray full of shot glasses broke the trance. "Dollar shots. Any takers?"
Carrie eyed the different brightly colored drinks. "Hmm…I'll take a red one and an orange one. You can give Travis here the bill because buying me drinks is his thing."
As Nick watched Carrie force down the two shots of god knows what, he realized she had never heard the saying…beer before liquor never sicker, liquor before beer never fear. Knowing that she already had wine and beer he knew she had a lot to fear.
"Those were good," Carrie proclaimed while her esophagus burned from what she was certain was battery acid. "I'm ready for my pool lesson now." She couldn't believe people actually paid to be tortured with those drinks.
Following her to the rear of the bar where the pool room was, Nick thought of the painful lesson Carrie would be learning in the morning…if she made it that long without puking. "Missy…did you eat something before you came out tonight?" Travis wouldn't have cared but Nick had to know.
"A bag of Sun Chips and a half bottle of wine. Why? You wanna buy me some food now? Is that your next move?" Now that he mentioned it she was starving.
Quickly he did the math…empty stomach + weight of 115 pounds + no tolerance for liquor + half bottle of wine and four drinks in less than an hour disaster in the making.
"Actually…" Carrie noticed a woman nibbling on nacho chips with oozy cheese and jalapeños piled on top. "I'd love some nachos while we play."
"Sounds great," He replied while thinking…nachos with all the trimmings, I'm gonna hate seeing those come up later. But the rule was no interference, and since Carrie wanted the full college experience, how could he prevent her from getting shit-faced beyond reason and praying to the porcelain god? "Since you don't know how to rack 'em…" He handed her a twenty. "How about you grab me another beer and order whatever you'd like? I'll set us up here." Since the poolroom bar was in plain view he felt comfortable letting her go on her own.
"Sounds like a plan," She teased, slipping ever so slightly out of her role. "Be right back, Travis."
Ready to have a little fun with the tipsy girl, Nick called out, "Hey, Missy!" Once again he enjoyed the view from head to toe…particularly her bare thighs at the hem of her skirt. "You're aren't gonna take my twenty and run off with the bartender are ya, Sweetheart?" Leaning against the table he shot her a fiery look guaranteed to make her melt faster than snow on a hot summer day.
As Carrie stood in the center of the room tingling from the way Nick was looking at her, she wondered was it the role-play making Nick look sexier than ever or the combo of the hat with the scruff? Finally she remembered she was supposed to flirt back. "Um…I don't know…the bartender is kind of cute. Maybe you should give me a reason to come back." Leaving her lips parted she coaxed him with her eyes. Take that cowboy! I can give heat as good as you.
"Give you a reason to come back, huh? Hmm…" With his gaze locked on hers he closed the gap between them. "Will this do?" Placing his hand on the small of her back he clasped her body tightly to his and burned a kiss over her lips. Much to his surprise, Carrie returned it with a hunger that left him aching for more.
His ravishing kiss sent the pit of her stomach into a crazy swirl and Carrie, even though she was in public, let her body react without consulting her head. Instinctually her hands caressed Nick's muscular back while her hips ground into him and her tongue explored the recesses of his mouth. It didn't take long for her to feel his heated reaction bumping against her own eager body. Then she realized she was giving too much too soon and interrupted the passionate kiss. "Um…I'll be right back," She breathlessly announced before staggering towards the bar fanning herself.
Stunned by the heat generated, Nick reached for his beer on the shelf behind the pool table and missed. Carrie was truly growing into her new found sexuality. Watching her at the bar it was clear every man in her vicinity would love a taste of what he just had and it shook him. What if now that she was comfortable with her body she'd change her mind about settling down? What if suddenly she wasn't afraid to put herself out in the dating world and wanted to explore her options? It wasn't something he never had to worry about before, and he really didn't think he had to now…but there was no question that she was enjoying the attention being lavished upon her.
"Don't sweat it." Seated on a stool at the next table, a fifty year old cowboy with a gut bulging over his ornate silver belt buckle raised his beer. "I saw the look in her eyes. You're gettin' lucky tonight."
Nick listened to the man while keeping an eye on Carrie giggling at the bar. He didn't know what concerned him more…all the guys leering at her or Vicki Lynn shooting daggers at Carrie's back.
"She's one sexy piece of tail. Better enjoy it while you can, son. Because once you settle down and get married, the good times are over." He pointed at an enormous woman stomping their way with a plate full of nachos. She was wearing a frayed t-shirt that said Red Hot Mama, and jeans two sizes too small. "That's my missus." He cackled when he saw the young man's reaction. "Yup…that's what they end up lookin' like after they squeeze out a few puppies. I got me a triple-wide livin' in my double-wide. She used to look like the one you were just kissin'. Now I have to down a bottle of Jack just to get the courage to mount her." Slapping his thigh he ordered, "Sow your wild oats boy! Every last one of 'em."
As the man laughed like a hyena, Nick downed the contents of his beer bottle while reminding himself that his mother birthed seven children and had somehow maintained a healthy body, a sense of style and most importantly…all her teeth.
"Your gal's on her way back, boy!" The man declared, ready to live vicariously once more and hoping this time he'd hike the girl's skirt up enough for a glimpse of panty. "Show her some attention!"
Townhouse 89
Babs's Place
10:43 p.m.
As excited as he was to be finally getting physical attention, Hodges was starting to wonder about Babs.
She had a great sense of humor and she a fantastic body for a forty-eight year old.
The kissing was hot.
So was the touching.
And her place was real nice.
But now that she had him naked and locked to the headboard with pink furry handcuffs while she opened her dresser drawers gathering supplies, he was starting to get cold feet.
He rationalized that it was just his insecurities making him sweat and not the fact that she just grabbed something that had an electrical cord.
Maybe if it hadn't been years since he'd been with a woman.
Maybe if he had been with more than three women in his lifetime.
Maybe if his heart hadn't been ripped from his chest, shredded into teeny tiny little pieces and thrown on the ground to be stomped on over and over by his fiancée ten years ago, he'd have an ounce of self esteem left and would be able to trust women.
In his mind he cursed her for the billionth time…god damn her to hell for destroying my peace of mind! And, as he lay there anxiously watching Babs heat a jar of oil, he was sure that his ex-fiancée was the root of all his problems. It was all because of what she did to him on that cold rainy evening a decade ago…
"Honey, I'm home!" David soared into the living room of the tiny one bedroom apartment with a dozen white daisies. They were her favorite flower and today was the fourth anniversary of the day they met. He remembered it like it was yesterday…he, a twenty-six year grad student and she a twenty-one year old cashier in the university cafeteria. It was love at first sight. She was so flustered she couldn't count his change and he was so enamored he left his tray of food on the counter after he paid. They went out that night and were in love before dawn. It was kismet and they were the quintessential definition of soul mates. "Honey!"
"I'm in the bedroom."
Of course she was he thought…no doubt coming up with a little anniversary surprise. Now that she had two modeling jobs under her belt for the local department store she was really getting into fashion. He especially loved the lingerie she had been bringing home. Now if only she would get the courage to wear some of it. Maybe that's what she was doing right now. "Happy Anniversary!" He excitedly greeted while holding out the daisies. "What…"
Two suitcases were on the bed and she was filling them with her things.
"Honey…what are you doing? Did you plan a surprise trip for our anniversary?"
"Yes." She zipped the first suitcase. "But I'm going alone."
"What?" Lowering the flowers he grasped to make sense of the situation.
"It's over Davey. We're over." Sighing she told him, "It's been over for a while. You have to know that."
"Over?" Gulping for air he remarked, "Are you kidding? Everything is great. We just got engaged six months ago. We're planning a wedding. We're soul mates." His heart rate sped. "Is this a joke for our anniversary?"
"I'm going to LA to model." She zipped the second suitcase.
"You got a job there?" Flustered, he stepped forward and took her hand. "That's great. I'll give two weeks notice and go with you. I can find a job there no problem. We'll come back here for the wedding."
"No." She shook her hand free. "I'm leaving this little town behind, I'm leaving everything behind…including you."
"Who are you! Where is this coming from!" Dropping the flowers he clutched his head. "We're getting married! Your parents are planning a wedding with my parents. You ordered a dress. How is this happening! You love me!"
"I don't."
"You do!"
Looking straight into his eyes she coolly said, "I've slept with a half dozen guys in our bed in the last two months."
"Wh…" His gaze turned to the dainty floral comforter covering the mattress. "You…in our bed? What's gotten into you? Where's the girl I fell in love with? Are you on drugs? If you have a problem I…"
"I'm too good for this town. I'm too good to be the mousy wife of a Lab Rat." She flipped her long red hair off her shoulders. "That's what Kenny told me."
"Kenny?" Dizzy from the shock he whimpered, "Who's Kenny?"
"He's going to be my manager in LA." After slipping the diamond off her left hand, she grabbed David's hand and pressed it into his palm. "You're a real sweet guy, you'll find someone else more suited to you."
Stunned, he stood staring at the ring in his palm. "This isn't happening."
"It's happening."
"Don't..." When he lifted them from the ring, tears poured from his eyes. "Whatever the problem is we can work it out."
"The problem is I'm not a small town girl anymore." She grabbed both suitcase handles. "I have dreams. I'm gonna make it big. First modeling then movies. I'm gonna be a star and I can't see you on my arm walking the red carpet to the premiere of my first movie. Can you?"
"You're out of your mind." He batted away the tears and in desperation pleaded for her to reconsider. "You've been out of it since your grandma died. You're in some sort of shock. You need help. Let me get you some help. I can forgive you about the other guys. Just don't go."
"Goodbye, Davey," She replied without emotion before marching out of the bedroom.
"No!" He raced after her grabbing her arm. "I can change. I can be more exciting. I thought you liked it here. I thought you like our life the way it was. Now that I know you're unhappy I'll do whatever you want to make it the way you want it. Let me go to LA with you."
Huffing she told him, "Don't embarrass yourself by begging. I'm moving in with Kenny in LA and I don't think he'll want you there too."
He dropped to his knees holding out the ring. "Please take it back. Put it back on. Please put it back on."
"Get it through your head, it's OVER!" Coldly she shouted, "Look at me! I'm not the same stupid little farm girl I was four years ago. I'm the sexiest thing this town has ever seen! Guys fall all over me when I walk into a room. I thought you were the best I could do, but now I know better. I know what I want and it's not you!"
"On our anniversary you do this to me?" His heart cracking in half he whimpered, "I hate you."
"Good…it will help you get over me faster." With that she opened the front door and kept on walking. "Have a nice life."
"I hate you!" He screamed as he struggled to his feet. "Go to LA! They won't want you!" In the doorway he screamed as she tossed her luggage in the trunk. "You're nobody, Vicki Lynn! You'll always be small town! LA will chew you up and spit you out for breakfast! I hate you!" He stood there screaming as she pulled out of the driveway. "Go to hell you lying cheating white trash whore! I hate you! I hate…" His knees weak he stumbled into the house. "I…" Staring at the ring he had saved up for a year to buy he fell back against the wall, sliding down it until he was sitting on the floor. "How could she do this?"
"David?" Babs greeted her guest with a smile. "Where were you just now?"
"In hell!" Looking at the flamboyant woman waving incense over his naked body David cried out, "Do whatever you want to me, I don't care! Beat me with your electric rod! Burn me with your hot oil! It doesn't matter. Ravage me! Match my inner pain with some outer pain! Not that I'll feel anything because that tramp Vicki Lynn sucked the life out of me ten years ago. I'm yours for the taking, Babs! Leave nothing behind for them to autopsy!"
"Uh…okay." Babs sat up and stowed her two sticks of incense. "But you should know, the electric rod is my curling iron and the hot oil is to wax my eyebrows. I have to work tonight and I was getting everything ready for later."
"Oh."
Desert Arroyo Townhomes
Pool Area
10:47 p.m.
"Oh, great! Just great!" Tawny, physically exhausted from the hectic day of moving and mentally exhausted from the intervention at Jim's, was desperate to return to the townhouse and get some rest. Unfortunately, Greg had other plans. "Greg would you stop it and…"
"Tawny!" He called out from the center of attention. "Come dance with me!"
Storming over she informed him, "I told you ten minutes ago that we need to go home. I'm beat. I've been moving all day and I…"
"One more dance!" Exuberant, he called over to the DJ. "Play a slow for me and my girl."
"No…don't!" She told the tenant playing DJ while tugging Greg out of the crowd. "Can't you hear me?" Staring into his drugged eyes she heatedly told him for the fourth time, "I'm exhausted! I'm pregnant, remember? I want to go home and get some rest! Now!"
"Fine…if you don't be with me, that's cool." Letting go of her hand he snipped, "You can do whatever you want but I'm hangin' here."
"Excuse me?" And while she knew he was in a highly irrational and overstressed state, she was in no mood for bullshit after dealing with Ellie. "I've done nothing but help you all damn day! Is it too much to ask you to come home with me when I'm beat from moving our shit and carrying your babies? What the hell, Greg! You're out on disability from work because of your back injury and emotional trauma. Do you really think you should be partying! It's our first night in a new place and I want to spend it together!"
The yelling brought the music to a halt and the crowd to a hush.
On a roll she kept going. "I need my sleep because tomorrow when your wasted ass wakes up…you're not going to be able to move because you've been jumping around like a lunatic when your back is thrown out. And guess who is going to have to take care of you? Me! So excuse me, Party Boy, if I want to get some sleep!"
Bill whispered in Theo's ear, "This is exactly why I swore off women in college."
"I can't believe you." Greg ran his fingers through his unkempt mane. "All that talk about wanting me to sing again was just bullshit. Because here I am…singing and having a great time and you can't wait to end it."
Mandy yelled, "We love your singing, Greggy!" And a bunch of other partiers chimed in.
"See!" He told Tawny. "They love it. You hate that don't you? You hate that I'm actually the popular one tonight instead of you. You like it when I'm the loser. It makes you feel better. It validates you."
"What! Where the hell is this coming from? I don't care about being the life of the party. I stopped caring about that a long time ago." Clutching her head she was at a loss for words.
"Come on…don't try to hide. I read all about it in your little chick chat, remember? Calling me a freak…telling Carrie and Sara that I have no experience…going on and on and on about Nick and driving the peg home…how only he has the right stuff to pull it off." Dizzy, he grabbed onto the back of a lounge chair so he wouldn't fall over. "And what about your big purchase, huh? Yeah…that's right I found it. Looks like you're dreaming about a little more than Warrick's lips!"
"That was a joke! I'm not going to use it! Ask Catherine, she was there!" She vehemently assured him. "I bought it because you refused to sleep with me!"
Theo whispered in Bill's ear, "Looks like someone is living with a woman when he really should be living with a man. Because if he's refusing to sleep with that pretty young thing, he's got to be queer."
"So Catherine's joking about my sex life now too…great. Who isn't joking about my sex life?" He turned to the crowd. "Who here has heard a joke about my sex life! Raise your hand don't be shy. Half of Vegas and all of LA County knows about my inadequacies already." Taking Tawny's hand he blurted, "You know how she got pregnant? I forgot to…"
"Greg!" Tawny grabbed his hand. "Stop it! This is the trauma, the pills and booze making you crazy. You're out of your mind. Shut up and come home with me right now! You need to sleep this off and…"
"I don't need sleep!" He screamed at the top of his lungs. "If you want to sleep that's fine!" Grabbing his head he tensed. "I don't want to sleep, god damn it. That's all you've been doing is telling me to sleep. Stop telling me to fucking sleep!"
Holding her emotions in check she demanded, "Where are your keys?"
After reaching into his pocket he dangled them in front of her.
While she took them she snapped, "Don't bother knocking because I won't answer."
"What!" He yelled after her. "You're locking me out!"
"That's right." She didn't look back. "It's tough love. I'm sure it's a new concept to a spoiled brat like you."
Jim Brass's Apartment
11:05 p.m.
"I know it's tough but it's what you need to do." Behind a closed bedroom door, Heather sat on the bed next to Jim holding his hand and whispering. "I know it feels good when she pops back into your life. It feels good to see her and touch her…to know she's alive. But it's not…"
"You really expect me to kick her out after I just got her to come back?" Overwhelmed, he covered his mouth with his hand.
"Jim..." She knew the pain in his eyes was only a fraction of what he felt in his heart. "You gave her an ultimatum and now you have to follow through."
"If I kick her out tonight and she ends up dying…"
"The way she's living she's already dying…physically from the drugs and mentally from the shame." She wrapped her other hand around his. "You have to force the issue. You're a doormat right now. You've given her all the power and she knows she has it. She knows all she has to do is show up and say 'Hi, Daddy' and you'll do anything for her. You need to show her that's not an option anymore. Take back the power in the relationship and let her feel what it's like to be Tawny and really not have anywhere to turn."
After a couple of deep breaths Jim nodded. "You're right…I know you're right. It's just so…"
"Hardest thing you'll ever do." Heather stood and coaxed him up. "So don't put it off."
Together they walked out of the bedroom to rejoin Ellie in the living room.
"That was quick," Ellie quipped. "I'm surprised a dominatrix isn't louder in the sack."
"Ellie…" Jim gave his daughter one last long look in case he never saw her again. "It's time for you to go."
"What?" Lowering her cigarette she gaped.
"If you're not willing to rehab then you leave me no choice." Dying on the inside he marched straight to the front door and opened it. "Get your stuff."
"You called me!" She screamed while stuffing her things in the shopping bag of clothes Tawny brought over.
"That's right, I did call…because I love you and I wanted to help you. You've made it clear you don't want either of those things so…" He pointed outside. "…there's no point to this for either of us. I won't call again. If you ever change your mind, you know where to find me and you know what to say."
"Go to hell." With her shopping bag in hand she darted through the door into the night.
Jim watched her hustle down the street.
"There's a good chance she'll think it through and come back, Jim." Heather moved to his side.
"Yeah." Biting back his tears he thought of everything out there that could hurt his little girl tonight.
With her hands on his shoulders she whispered, "You can't help her if she doesn't want to help herself."
The Rusty Spur
11:22 p.m.
"Travis!" Carrie called out while leaning over the pool table trying to make an impossible shot. "Can you help me out here?" She slurred while maintaining her position much to the delight of all the men in the room and to the dismay of the local women who weren't appreciating the sexy new thing in town.
"Whatcha need, Darlin?" He asked while coming up beside her. "You want me to help you line it up?" When he positioned himself behind her, memories of the previous night's exploration of position number three came flooding back. Particularly the way she begged him to prolong the experience because it felt so good. "Um…" Swallowing hard he wrapped his arms around her and grabbed the stick. "You uh…" How was it possible that she smelled better than when she entered this dive bar? "If you bank off the…"
"Travis…is that a gun in your pocket or are you happy to see me?" Always wanting to utter that ridiculous line, she cracked up.
Dropping the stick he announced, "Game over, Missy."
"NO!" Bolting around she glared because she was having way too much fun to call it a night.
Taking her hand he explained, "I meant the game of pool." Seeing her get riled fired his desire.
"Is that you, Missy?" A man's voice called out from the entrance to the poolroom, getting both Nick and Carrie's attention.
"Ren!" She greeted him as though he were a long lost friend. "What are you doing here!"
"I always come to The Spur when I don't have a date." He grinned while noting the man Carrie had spoken of nonstop as she tried on outfit after outfit. For some reason he thought he'd be bigger. "And try as I might…I couldn't get a date tonight."
Nick gaped at his fiancée. "How do you know him?"
"Ren is the first friend I made since coming to Flagstaff." When he reached her Carrie giddily made polite introductions. "Ren, this is Travis, he's a cowboy from Texas up here visiting his cousin Jack…and he's an excellent pool instructor. We just met tonight here at…The Spur." She gushed with pride from sounding so bar savvy and 'local' "Travis this is Ren, he's a cowboy from Montana and the manager of Western World Apparel here in town…where I do all my shopping."
Nick relaxed when he realized Carrie met the man shopping. But then he wondered if she had told him she was going country dancing because there were only three bars offering it and what if Ren was tracking her down? "Nice to meet ya." Taking Carrie's hand he announced, "Hate to run, but we were just heading to the dance floor."
"Have a good time." Ren tipped his hat before heading to the bar.
While removing the button down shirt covering his tee, Nick inquired, "You know how to two-step, Missy?" He figured he better get some dancing in while Carrie could still stand on her feet.
"Do I know how to two-step!" She whooped. "I learned to two-step before I could walk." He looked even hotter now in the tight black t-shirt and black hat.
Tossing his shirt over the wood railing around the dance floor he grinned. "Alrighty then." Leading her to the floor he wondered what her two-step would be like when plastered. Thirty seconds later he had his answer and his boots had Carrie's footprints all over them.
"They must do it different in Texas than Kansas." As hard as she tried she couldn't make her feet do what her brain wanted. "Damn!"
"Just relax and let me lead, little lady." The DJ was playing Chattahoochiewhich had a faster tempo than the song he used to teach her and she was consistently two beats behind.
"I stink!" She cried out while letting go of Nick's hands out of frustration. Then, much to her surprise, well-endowed red haired woman probably in her early thirties swooped in and took him away. "What the…hey! Give him back right now!"
Nick watched Carrie standing gaped-mouth while he danced away with Vicki Lynn who probably did learn to two-step before she could walk. About then Nick realized Carrie didn't know how this worked, that she was supposed to steal him back on the next pass.
Vicki Lynn grinned like a wildcat. "She's a sexy little thing but she dances as well as she'd fill out that tube top without the miracle bra she's wearing underneath. You know what they say…if you can't move on the dance floor, you're not worth much between the sheets. As you can see, I know my way around the wood…floor."
"Yeah…" Nick grinned at the professional barfly. "I'm sure you know every inch of wood in this place."
As Carrie stood there watching her man circling the floor with another gal she felt a hand firmly take hers.
"Come on, Missy." Ren tugged her onto the hardwood. "You can't let Vicki Lynn make you stand on the sidelines." He started leading. "It's just four steps, fast-fast-slow-slow."
"Right!" Coming back strong she bellowed her favorite Dirty Dancing line with a twist, "Nobody puts Missy in the corner!"
"Little faster now," He goaded. "There…you got it." Not really, but she was too drunk to know he was lying to make her feel better. "Look at me not your feet."
When she looked up at him she sighed, "Has anyone ever told you that you kind of have a Brad Pitt Legends of the Fall, thing going on?"
Shyly he answered, "I get that a lot, yeah."
Nick did a double take when he saw Carrie dancing with Ren. "I knew that guy was hot for her!"
"Ren? Oh please." Vicki Lynn chuckled. "He's a Bible-thumper. Probably still has his cherry…unless you count what he did with farm animals back in Montana."
Nick nodded. "He wouldn't sleep with ya, huh?"
"Can you believe it? I'm famous! I was in a TV commercial once!" She hissed, "He's got to be queer because what guy doesn't want me!" She accented her point by gripping her dance partner's ass.
Nick smiled and sweetly replied, "Actually, there's a list of guys who don't want you tacked up in the men's room right over the urinals. It had thirty-six names, but now it has thirty seven because I added mine." And while it was a horrible slam, he had a sneaky suspicion the desperate 'ho would think otherwise.
"Oooh…keep up the sweet talk, bad boy." Vicki Lynn salivated. "And I'll ride you till dawn."
Meanwhile, Ren was instructing Carrie on more than dancing. "You gotta show that hussy Vicki Lynn she doesn't get to keep your man. Get ready…I'm gonna pick up the pace so we're even with them." That way she could smoothly cut in and dance Nick away.
"Okay!" Carrie eyed the man-stealer getting ready to pounce. "Hey, Red!" She called out when she was next to the thief. "Get your hands off my man, witch!" She thrust herself in between Nick and the chick, shoving her hard.
Ren couldn't believe sweet Carrie from California with the emotional luggage issues could get so ornery. "You were supposed to take your guy back…not take her on!" Nobody ever purposely egged on psycho Vicki Lynn.
Having witnessed many a cat fight in his days on the prowl, Nick knew trouble was on the horizon. "Honey, you should…"
"Did you just call me a bitch, Bitch?" Vicki Lynn shoved back.
Carrie politely replied, "No…I called you a witch, but now that you mention it, the other…" Before she could finish Vicki Lynn had her by the hair pulling her into the middle of the dance floor. "Ahhhh!"
Nick instinctively lunged for Carrie but was grabbed by two imposing male patrons each six five and weighing over three hundred pounds. Wayne, the bigger of the two said, "Stay out of it, this is for the ladies to resolve."
"Get the hell off me!" Nick shouted as he pointlessly tried to break free.
Dave, the smaller of the two giants laughed. "Unless you have some kind of hidden superpower, don't bother, Slim. You're not going anywhere until we let you go. And we're not lettin' you go until we see some girl on girl action. Vicki Lynn hasn't gone off in a month so this should be real good. Face it…it's out of your hands so sit back and enjoy, after all…they're fighting over you."
Wayne nodded. "I'll let go after I see some boob."
Ren leaned in. "Nick…that's your real name, right? There's no reasoning with these two so save your strength and stop buckin'." He tipped his hat and smiled. "I'll watch over your girl."
"And that's supposed to make me feel better?" Nick spat. "You're trying to get with her!"
"Hey now!" Ren took off his hat as he backed away grinning. "My mama raised me right. I'd never steal another man's fiancée. I can't stand that washed up tramp Vicki Lynn, is all. She goes round tellin' people I'm queer just because I don't wanna go where a thousand men have tread. On my mama's grave…my intentions are pure." With that he blended in with the crowd surveying the fray.
Watching the two women wrestle, Dave pondered aloud, "I wonder if the little one has panties on under that skirt."
"HEY!" Nick glanced up the seven inches required to see Dave's eyes. "Watch your god damn mouth, that's my lady you're talking about! And yes, she's got panties on underneath!" He hoped so anyway because in a catfight, if the girl was wearing a skirt…it invariably came up. Carrie would never go without undies, but he wasn't sure about Missy. "OH!" He winced when he saw Carrie take an elbow in the breast. The nightmare was getting worse by the second but, he knew if he incited the locals things would only get worse. So he played it cool, reminding himself these fights usually centered on humiliation, not injury, and trusting that Ren meant what he said about watching out for Carrie.
"Your lady is cussin' up a storm, Slim, and she's got a hell of a hip check." Dave's smile widened. "She's a real spitfire isn't she? Must be wild in bed! No one's lasted this long with Vicki Lynn. She usually has them cowering by the third hair pull."
When Nick saw Carrie break free of Vick Lynn's hold he screamed, "MISSY! Grab beer from a table!" And when he saw her drink from a mug he clarified, "NO! Throw the beer in her face!" Carrie's naiveté was shining through. "Look for a pitcher!"
"OH!" As she darted around the room trying to shake Vicki Lynn, Carrie finally understood the instructions. That's when she saw Ren nonchalantly standing in the crowd extending a full pitcher of beer. "Thanks!" Grabbing it she waited for her enemy, then hurled its contents right in her face. "Bullseye!"
Nick beamed with pride. It was a perfect shot. Vicki Lynn's mascara was running down her face leaving streaks on her cheeks, and her white shirt was now soaked and see-through, providing the perk the male patrons were hoping for.
"Yeah!" Wayne salivated. "That's what I'm talkin' about."
"You got your boob show now let me go!" Nick yelled.
Wayne looked down at the delusional man. "That's shirt-covered boob. It doesn't count."
Vicki Lynn, angry as a wet hornet, was ready to sting. "You're goin' down, Prissy!" She lunged for Carrie, wrapped her fingers around the ends of her tube top and yanked it to her hips. Then, pulling on it, she spun her around and around until the shirt ripped in two, sending both women sailing to the floor.
"Shit!" Nick blurted as he saw his woman on the floor in her strapless red bra. Rearing up like a bronco he tried once more to break free. "God dammit! Let me go. NOW!"
"You really need to learn to relax, Slim." Dave casually replied, "How about giving her a chance? Look…she's gettin' back in the game."
Carrie rose to her feet and rushed her enemy, mimicking what she saw in a movie once. "You'll pay for that you man-stealing tramp!"
The sound of a table overturning and glass breaking incited the crowd, including one man named Perkins who hollered, "It ain't a party 'til somethin' breaks!"
From her position on the floor Carrie saw Vicki Lynn scrambling to her feet but at the last second, Carrie managed to grab her ankle and send her crashing against the wood.
"Oh yeah!" A man jumped up on a chair whistling. "We've got chick wrestling!"
The crowd went wild with glee as Nick watched helpless on the sidelines knowing that Vicki Lynn would be attempting a de-bra "MISSY! Watch your bra!"
Ren cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted. "And watch her claws, Missy!" He had heard stories of permanent scars on men's backs.
Nick breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Carrie's skirt flap up and there were indeed a conservative pair of black satin panties underneath, which was really no more than she was showing at the pool earlier.
As the women jockeyed for control their voices strengthened.
"Viper!"
"Priss!"
"Ho!"
"How many pairs of socks did you stuff in your training bra, Prissy!"
"Silicone slut!"
"Small-titted loser!"
Finally, Carrie managed to pin the witch on her stomach. That's when she saw a golden opportunity. There, peeking out from her low-rise jeans was Vicki Lynn's scarlet g-string. In one slick move Carrie reached out, grabbed it and gave it a solid yank. "How do you like that!" With her fingers still coiled around the string she kept tugging. "A pain in the ass for a pain in the ass!"
The crowd winced and pulled back as Vick Lynn yelped for mercy. "You win! I'll give him back! Now let go!" Once free, she raced off the floor, grabbed her purse and bolted for the door in humiliation.
"YES!" Nick cheered from the sidelines. "Way to go, Missy!" He hadn't seen that g-string move before and was quite impressed.
Releasing his grip Wayne remarked, "And you were worried. She kicked Vicki Lynn's ass! That qualifies her for local hero status."
Nick rushed over just as Carrie was being helped to her feet by Ren. "Thanks…sorry for thinking you were scammin' my girl."
Ren tipped his hat. "Not a problem."
"Thanks, Ren!" Carrie bubbled. And when someone foisted a shot glass full of brown and white creamy booze in front of her she accepted it and swallowed its contents with ease.
While Carrie was too inebriated to notice she was shirtless, Nick helped her into his button-down, then he grabbed his drunk and disorderly fiancée's hand. "Okay, Missy…time to go."
"What! No way!" Swaying like a tree in a tornado, she stared in disbelief at the three Nick's standing before her. "The party's just starting. I won!" Throwing up her arms she jubilated, "Woo hoo! I won! Wait…what did I win?"
"Me." Trying not to laugh he attempted to fix her wild mane. "But you already had me, Darlin' so the fight wasn't necessary."
"A shot for the winner!" The waitress announced as she handed Carrie a double. "Congrats on getting rid of the wicked witch before midnight. We haven't been that lucky in a while. It's okay to come out now men! She's gone!" She held up a glass of her own. "To Missy!"
"To Missy!" The crowd replied before guzzling.
After gulping the nasty concoction and grimacing, Carrie gripped Nick's shoulders. "I'm the belle of the ball! They're cheering me! They really think I know what I'm doing! HA! I fit in!"
"With a bunch of drunks in a Podunk bar," He sweetly replied while taking her hand. "I'm so happy for you, Honey."
Dazed, she listened to them buzzing about her. "Wow! I've never been cheered in a bar."
"Probably because you've never been in a bar," He reminded her.
Throwing herself at Nick she bust out laughing. "How would you know that…Travis? You just met me." Suddenly her feet slid out from under her. "WHOA!"
Catching her as she slipped he informed her, "You told me you just turned twenty-two and had never been in a bar before, remember, Missy?"
"Oh yeah." And since it was too hard to think, stand and talk she decided to stop thinking, let Nick hold her and use her mouth to crush a kiss against his.
Realizing she was on the path to a new form of embarrassment, public indecency, Nick lifted Carrie, circling her legs around his hips. Next he headed for the door, tempting her with a line that felt ridiculous coming out of his mouth when sober. "Baby, you've got me so hot I have to get you out of here." The second half was true. The first half would have been if he substituted worried for hot. "I have a motel room next door."
"Nice planning."
"I had a feeling we'd need one." Aside from using it at the end of the night, he had used the room earlier to pass the time, thoroughly enjoying the solid three hours of peace and quiet spent there watching a ballgame and snacking.
As Nick carried her through the parking lot and over to room seven of Ted's Motel, she chomped on his neck and nipped at his ear. "I'm wearing a skirt so I can keep my boots on, Baby. I bet you like that, huh…because access issues waste time." When they flew through the door her feet hit the floor for the first time since leaving the bar and she stumbled back against the wall. "Right here!" In one quick move she shucked her panties and tossed them in his direction. "Drive it home, Baby!"
Experience told him she was so obliterated that she wouldn't remember most, if anything that happened from this point forward. And while Travis wouldn't have cared what Missy figured out the next day, Nick didn't want his fiancée to wake and realize he had her six ways from Sunday while she was rabid with alcohol-induced lust, minutes before she passed out cold. "You really want this?" He asked in a conflicted voice while Carrie frantically popped open his jeans.
Caught up in the fantasy her answer came in a hungry kiss. "Does that answer your question?" When she sensed his hesitation, she urged in a lusty tone, "Come on…don't make me wait." The room was spinning in sync with the jumbled thoughts in her head. "I know you're a pro at this. I've heard about your reputation with the ladies, Travis."
When she drove her hands under his tee, peeling it up and off him, his body reacted. "I…" She had the same rowdy look in her eyes that he'd seen many times in women's eyes over the years and it triggered a mixture of emotions. For Carrie, this fantasy was about experiencing something she never had and now wanted, while for him it was a reminder of what he had gladly left behind.
"Baby come on…" Running her hands over his bare chest she begged, "What are you waiting for?" Vulnerability returned to her voice and eyes. "I've been waiting my whole life for this night. Please don't stop. Please…" Taking Nick's hands in hers she brought them to her waist. "Don't you want me? Isn't that why you brought me here? Why can you do this with every other girl but not me? What's wrong with me?"
Closing his eyes Nick burrowed his face into her neck. "Sweetheart, nothing's wrong with you," He whispered against her ear finally realizing the fantasy wasn't only about having the wild night she never had. "Why…" Seeing the woman who he loved unconditionally so desperate to prove something rattled him. Why was this coming back up again between them? How could she still be insecure? Was it the Jacuzzi thing…Vicki Lynn? Or was her baggage simply not fully unpacked. "Carrie…"
"Yes?" Dizzy, her eyelids fluttered shut while he wound his arms around her, caressing her. "That feels better. You do want me, right?"
"Of course I want you." He felt her quiver in his arms when his fingertips grazed over her bare thigh. "Every guy in the bar wanted you. Didn't you see the way they were looking at you? Ren was dreaming about taking you to Montana, I'm sure of it. I can't blame him." During an Eskimo kiss he murmured, "You're the most desirable woman I've ever met."
"Really?"
For a moment their eyes locked.
"Really." Hypnotically he stroked her while draping the shirt off one shoulder and brushing kisses over her silky skin. "The second you walked in the place I wanted you. You looked fantastic standing there in this sexy skirt." His hands grazed over the back of it. "And your hair…and these red boots you're wearing….everything…you're so hot. Can't you tell? I can't keep my hands off you."
"Me?" Deliciously tortured by the slow pace he was setting she blissfully sighed, "You think I'm hot…like the others?"
"More than anyone…" His words were brushed over her lips in between tender kisses. "Incredibly hot…" He lifted her gaze to his. "I'm the luckiest guy in the world because you picked me."
Barely able to keep her eyes open she murmured, "You could have anyone tonight…"
"Carrie…believe me." He gently cupped her face in his hands. "So could you."
"But I only want you, Nicky."
Her words were music to his ears. "And I only want you…for the rest of my life."
Weak in the knees she clung to him, floating away on the next dreamy kiss.
The Grissoms'
12:12 a.m.
Spooning his wife, Gil whispered, "I know I'll be having pleasant dreams tonight after what we just shared." While romping with Mimi was undeniably fun, and bumping with Boom Boom was always a thrill, nothing exhilarated him like making passionate love to his wife.
"Mmm…" Sara moaned as she drifted.
After placing a tender kiss on her cheek, Gil closed his eyes, ready to get some sleep so he'd be rested for the hiking adventure tomorrow. "Better rest up for your adventure in babysitting."
"I doubt any amount of sleep will prepare me." Nesting deeper into her husband's embrace she closed her eyes. "Night."
"Good night, Sweetheart."
They weren't asleep five minutes when the doorbell rang.
"Is that the…"
"Doorbell." Gil rolled out of bed and grabbed his clothes that he had tossed over the chair next to his nightstand. "Stay here, Honey. I'll see who it is."
By the time his feet hit the hallway the bell had rung twice more. "I'll be right there!" He couldn't imagine who would be stopping by and figured it must be a mistake.
One glance through the peephole and he knew it wasn't a mistake but a crisis. "Tawny…" He greeted upon opening the door. "What's wrong?" Tears were pouring down her cheeks. "Here…" He took her hand. "Come in."
"I..." She stood in the hallway crying. "I'm tired. I'm so tired."
"Let's get you to the couch." With his arm around her waist he guided her down the hall. "Where's Greg? Did the two of you get into a fight?"
"Yes," She confessed as she trembled.
Gil sat her down on the couch and joined her. "What happened?"
Reaching into her purse she pulled out the hospital pamphlet on the after effects of trauma. "I should have been more understanding. I tried to reason with him but…." With a shaky hand she pointed to the emotional and behavioral symptoms listed…anger, anxiety, insecurity, emotional outbursts, apathy, withdrawal from loved ones, sleep avoidance, reliance on drugs and alcohol to maintain avoidance. "He's so out of it and I'm so tired. I couldn't deal. Not after Jim asked me to deal with Ellie…"
"Ellie?" Gil felt ten steps behind. "Ellie Brass is in town?"
"Yes." Grabbing a wad of tissues from her purse she nodded. "Jim called and asked me to talk to her. They had this plan to try and get Ellie to go into rehab. It was a really good plan. It was Heather's plan. She thought if Ellie knew I used to dance and got out that she would see she could too and if she knew that I…" Once again her tears choked her. "If I told her about not having a dad or a parent who cared about me then she'd realize what she's taking for granted. I wanted to help…I was glad to help, but when I started talking and when I saw she was taking for granted what I want so bad…" Blowing her nose she sank deeper into despair. "I'm so tired of taking care of me. Now I have to take care of two babies. I just couldn't take care of Greg tonight too."
Once again his guilt returned. Greg was doing great before the incident with Tucker. He was on cloud nine over the babies and taking care of Tawny. Gil slid his arm around Tawny, pulling her close. "You can rest here."
Sobbing into his chest Tawny squeaked, "I'd give anything to have my dad back…to have him there to help me when I need it…and I really need it."
Gil thought of the time he spent with his father earlier tonight and how unappreciative he'd been of the reconciliation. That his dad really was trying so hard to make up for the past and the reality was if he needed something tomorrow…time, money, support…his father would be there giving it unconditionally. Just like Jim with Ellie.
Her heart breaking she clung to Gil. "I finally had someone to turn to and now he's screaming at me and pushing me away."
"Shhh…it's okay. It's late. You're tired and Greg's not himself. We'll work it all out in the morning." With his free hand he pulled the blanket off the back of the couch and spread it over her. "Right now, just close your eyes and breathe deep. You need to calm down for the babies." He could feel her heart pounding.
Breathing slower she whispered, "After six years I'm exhausted."
"Any time you need a rest you can come here." Out of the corner of his eye Gil saw Sara dressed and standing in the entrance of the living room.
Standing there watching and listening to Gil fulfill Tawny's paternal need her heart warmed. There was no doubt in her mind that her husband would be a fantastic father.
"That's it, Tawny," He coached. "Nice steady breathing."
Sara walked over and took a seat on the coffee table. Highly concerned she softly asked, "Is Greg at the townhouse? Is there a possibility that he'll drive to find you?" Catching her husband's eye she raised a brow.
No words were needed. Gil understood his wife's concern over a potential DUI tragedy. "Where was Greg when you left him?"
Calmer now, Tawny addressed their concerns. "I took his keys so he can't get in the townhouse and he can't use his car. He was in the pool area and he doesn't have his cell, he left it in the townhouse." Suddenly a horrible thought popped in her head. "Oh god…what if falls in the pool and hits his head…he could drown. He's so wasted."
"Calm down," Gil soothed. "I'll ride over there and let him in the townhouse, okay?"
Tawny nodded. "If he says anything bad about me, it's not true." The memory of Greg screaming and making accusations hurt her all over again.
Sara took her husband's place on the couch. "Tawny, he's not thinking straight." Sara looked up at her husband. "Call us when you know he's okay."
"Will do." Gil gave Sara's shoulder a squeeze before heading for the door.
Desert Arroyo Townhomes
12:37 a.m.
As David Hodges strolled through the complex breathing in the night air he felt like a million bucks. Vicki Lynn's curse was finally broken. From that moment on, he'd be a new man. A few hours with Babs had been more effective than years of therapy.
Now that he remembered how to have fun with a woman and had gotten his kicks, he was ready to try again. He was finally ready to put himself out there in the dating game.
Yes, indeed for the first time in a decade, everything was great for David Nathaniel Hodges. A quick glimpse into the community pool area and he knew the same could not be said for his new old buddy Greg. "Uh…what's going on!" He rushed over when he saw two cops dragging Greg away in handcuffs.
Officer Palducci calmly replied, "Sir, everything is under control, you can return to your townhome."
"No, you don't understand." He rushed around to meet the officers at the gate. "He's my friend…my co-worker."
"Hodges?" Greg slurred as tripped over his own feet.
"He's LVPD! Like me." Hodges grabbed his wallet. "Can't you cut him a break?"
The officer pointed to the irate woman staring out of her open townhouse window. "No can do. She phoned it in. Drunk and disorderly and disturbing the peace. Gotta take him in."
Feeling terrible for leaving, Hodges yelled, "Which station!"
"Trop," He replied upon reaching the squad car.
Hodges cringed. The last thing Greg needed was to be hauled into his own station. "There's extenuating circs!" He pleaded. "He was the CSI in the hostage situation yesterday. He's medicated. He's confused. He didn't know what he was doing!"
After tucking Greg in the back, Officer Palducci responded, "Sorry, Mrs. Lewis phoned it in and when we got here, he was holding a beer, belting out, King of Pain and peeing in a bush. We don't have a choice."
Hodges recalled that was the song Greg was singing the night he was depressed over Becca and ended up kissing him.
From the backseat of the squad car Greg started crooning, "With the world turning circles running 'round my brain, I guess I'm always hoping that you'll end this reign, but it's my destiny to be the king of pain. King of Payyyyyy-ainnnnnnnn!"
In one last desperate plea Hodges suggested, "How about you drive him around the corner and then release him into my custody? That way, the nosy neighbor will believe you did your job, but you'll be giving a break to one of your own who almost lost his life yesterday in the line of duty!"
The officer glanced over at the window where the woman was watching his every move. "He really was the guy in that hostage situation yesterday? Because he doesn't have any ID on him…"
"Yes!" Hodges saw there was a chance. "His name is Greg Sanders. His boss is Nick Stokes. If you don't believe me you can call Nick!"
"Well…" Officer Palducci turned to Officer Grant. "What do you think?"
Officer Grant shrugged. "I say we drive him around the corner, then call Stokes. If the story checks out we give him over to his friend."
"Thank you!" Hodges rejoiced. But the glee was short lived when he heard Greg projectile vomiting in the back of the police car.
Officer Palducci locked the patrol car door shut. "And you're cleaning up your buddy's puke while we enjoy the Starbucks you're buying us. Now put on a show for the neighbor and follow us."
Hodges turned to face the nosy neighbor and clutched his head yelling and jumping up and down. "My friend! Oh no! This is terrible!" That's when he realized he couldn't drive because he was intoxicated. Banging on the patrol car window he waited for it to roll down. "I can't drive, I'm above the legal limit."
Officer Palducci stepped out and unlocked the back the door. "Then ride with your friend and his spew."
"Uh…" Tawny's words echoed in his head…Hodges! You're a terrible babysitter! She'd blame him for all this. Then he remembered Irving was her brother. "Thanks for the ride!" While sliding into the car he stepped into a pool of vomit. "Karma's a bitch."
When the door locked, Greg slumped on his buddy's shoulder.
Hodges gave him a shove. "I just got my sex mojo back after a decade. Don't even think about kissing me!"
Next Chapter: Getting It Back - Part 5
Teaser: OUCH!
Posting: Monday
I hope you enjoyed the Hodges backstory and your time at The Rusty Spur. A little levity to balance the angst of G&T and Jim and Ellie.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Maggs