L
"Lisa Manoban going to the honky-tonk. My, my, my, what a funny thought," Jisoo said in an amused tone that said she understood exactly why I was here.
"Funny," I agreed. "Where we headed, Jisoo?" I asked her, to distract her from going any further with the teasing and embarrassing Jennie.
"Head toward the Alabama line. It's about thirty miles that way," she told me. I'd figured it had to be a drive. No places in Rosemary Beach or its surrounding areas were where you would find honky-tonk patrons.
Jisoo talked about work that day and all that Jennie had missed. Some drama with cart girls. Apparently, one had the hots for Jimin, who was a server in the restaurant at the club. She got mad at another girl because she was flirting with Jimin. Jimin was well loved among the cougars at the club, too. Problem was, Jimin preferred men. It was a big secret, because Jimin liked the tips he got from the older female members. So they were all wasting their time. Most people didn't know he batted for the other team.
Jennie found this funny, and I enjoyed listening to her laugh. I even turned the music down so I could focus on what she was saying to Jisoo. She tried to include me some, but mostly she listened to Jisoo talk.
We pulled up in front of a bar I recognized. I should have known we were headed here when Jisoo had said to head toward the Alabama state line. This wasn't just any bar. It was a famous one. Rednecks from all over made their way here to have a beer.
Jennie opened her own door before I could get to her. I decided to back off some and let her enjoy herself. At least the best that I could. I walked beside them as Jisoo explained about the bar and why it was famous. After opening the door to the bar, I stepped back and let them enter. Jennie's eyes were wide as she took in the place. Jisoo explained that the live band would start up soon, and Jennie's smile got bigger. I didn't look around. I knew men were checking her out, and I wasn't sure I could handle it. I kept my focus on her. Then Jisoo mentioned tequila shots. Bad idea.
I moved behind Jennie and placed my hand on her back. She might not realize it, but it showed possession, and these assholes needed to know I was with her. I led them over to an empty booth farther away from the dance floor. The music was so damn loud I couldn't hear Jennie's soft voice.
Jennie slid in on one side, and I made sure to stand so that Jisoo had no choice but to push me aside or sit across from Jennie. Then I slid in beside Jennie. Jisoo didn't miss my move and shot me a glare. She wanted Jennie to hunt for cowboys tonight.
I wasn't going to make that easy. Even if Jennie wanted to,
I wasn't sure I could physically allow her to without beating some ass-wipe's head in.
"What do you want to drink?" I asked, leaning down toward Jennie's ear so she could hear me. And so I could smell her.
"I'm not sure," she said, and glanced over at Jisoo "What do I drink?" she asked her.
J
Jisoo's eyes went wide and then she laughed. "You haven't been drinking before?"
I shook my head. "I'm not old enough to buy my own alcohol. Are you?"
She clapped her hands. "This is gonna be so much fun. And yes, I'm twenty-one or at least my ID says I am." She cut her eyes to Lisa. "You need to let her out. I'm taking her to the bar."
Lisa didn't budge. She looked back at me, "You've never had alcohol?"
"Nope. But I intend to remedy that tonight," I assured her.
"Then you need to go slow. You won't have a very high tolerance." She reached out and grabbed a waitress' arm. "We need a menu."
Jisoo put her hands on her hips. "Why are you ordering food? We're here to drink and dance with cowboys. Not eat."
Lisa turned her head toward her so I couldn't see her face but I could tell her shoulders had gotten stiff. "She's never drunk before. She needs to eat first or she'll be bent over puking her guts out and cursing you in two hours time."
Oh. I didn't like to throw up. Not at all.
Jisoo rolled her eyes and waved her hand in front of her face as if Lisa was an idiot. "Whatever, daddy Lisa. I'm going to get me somethin' to drink and I'm getting her something too. So feed her fast."
The waitress was back with a menu before Jisoo was done talking. Lisa took it and turned back to me opening it up. "Pick something. No matter what diva the drunk says you need to eat first."
I nodded. I didn't want to get sick. "The cheesy fries look good."
Lisa held up the menu and the waitress came running back. "Cheesy fries. Two orders and a tall glass of water."
Once the waitress nodded and walked off, Lisa leaned back and tilted her head to look over at me. "So you're at a honky-tonk. Was it everything you hoped it would be? Because I'll be real honest, this music is painful."
Smiling, I shrugged and looked around. There were guys in cowboy hats and then those that just had on regular clothes. Some had large belt buckles but for the most part they looked like people in my hometown.
"I just got here and I haven't drunk or danced yet, so I'll let you know after that happens."
Lisa smirked, "You want to dance?"
I did want to dance but not with Lisa. I knew how easily I'd forget that she was just a friend. "Yes, I do. But I need a shot of courage first and I need someone to ask me to dance."
"I thought I just asked," she replied.
I put my elbows on the table and rested my chin on my hand. "You think that's a good idea?" I wanted her to admit this wasn't a good idea.
Lisa sighed, "Probably not."
I nodded.
Two plates of cheesy fries slid in front of us and a frozen mug with ice water was set down in front of Lisa. The food looked surprisingly good. I hadn't realized I was so hungry. I needed to keep up with how much I was spending. This was seven dollars. I wasn't going to spend more than twenty dollars tonight. That might mean I only got one drink but Lisa said I needed to eat so I was going to eat.
I picked up a fry smothered in cheese and took a bite.
"That's better than peanut butter sandwiches, isn't it?" Lisa asked with a teasing grin. I nodded and picked up another fry.
Jisoo slid in on her side of the booth carrying two drinks in small little glasses. They were yellow. "I figured I should start you out easy. Tequila is a big girl drink. You're not ready for that yet. This is a lemon drop. It's sweet and yummy."
"Eat a few more fries first," Lisa interrupted her.
I took another fry and quickly ate it followed by another. Then I reached for the lemon drop. "Okay, I'm ready," I told Jisoo and she picked hers up and grinned. I watched as she put it to her lips and tilted her head back. Then I did the same.
It was really good. Only a small burn in my throat. I liked lemon. That was nice. I put the empty glass down and smiled over at Lisa who was watching me.
"Eat," she replied.
I tried not to giggle at her but I couldn't help it. I laughed. She was being ridiculous.
I took another bite of my fries and Jisoo reached over and got a few fries too.
"I met some guys at the bar. I pointed you out and they've been watching us since I sat down. You ready to make a new friend?"
Lisa moved slightly closer to my side and the warmth from her and the warmth in my stomach made me want to stay right here by my… friend. Which was why I needed to get up. I nodded.
"Let her out, Lisa. You can keep the booth warm for us in case we come back," Jisoo said.
Lisa didn't move right away and I started to think she was ignoring her or she was going to make me eat some more. She finally slid out and stood up.
I wanted to say something to her. Anything to make her smile and stop scowling but I didn't know what to say.
"Be careful. I'm here if you need me," she said in a low whisper as she stepped close to me. I just nodded. My chest tightened and I wanted to crawl back in that booth with her.
L
"Come on, Jennie. Time to use you to get us free drinks and men. You are the hottest sidekick I've ever had. This should be fun. Just don't tell these guys you're nineteen. Tell everyone you're twenty-one," Jisoo said.
My hands clenched into fists as I sat back down in the now-empty booth.
"OK," Jennie said.
I couldn't watch her go over there. I wouldn't be able to stay away.
I wouldn't look. I wouldn't look.
Ah, hell, I was gonna look. I had started to turn around when a blonde walked over to me and sat down on the table in front of me. "You so don't fit in here," she said, with a Southern drawl that was thicker than usual.
I glanced back at Jennie. She was smiling up at some guy with curls. Fuck. She was happy, though. He wasn't touching her. She looked like she was enjoying herself. I had to let her do this. If I didn't need to drive them home, I would get drunk. It would make this much easier to deal with.
"She yours?" the girl asked, sliding her leg over to dangle beside me.
I turned back to her. "No. She's . . . we're friends," I explained.
The blonde leaned forward, presenting me with a view of her large and very bought-and-paid-for tits.
I was an equal-opportunity kind of girl, so I had no problem with that. Nice tits were nice tits. Hers were nice. I just wasn't interested. I had Jennie to watch out for.
"She's crazy to run off with someone like him when she has someone who looks like you sitting here waiting on her," the girl said, moving her leg closer to me.
I looked back at Jennie, who was talking to the other guy now. Jisoo was with the one with the curly hair. Jennie seemed fine. I had to stop watching her. "She's, uh, never been to a bar before. She's exploring things," I said, turning my attention back to the blonde.
The blonde moved her leg up to set her heeled foot on the seat beside me. I glanced down to see a direct view up her skirt. Red panties. Nice.
I slid a finger down her thigh before moving her skirt over so she wasn't flashing me right here where the whole damn bar could see . . . or where Jennie could see.
"Might want to close those," I said, with a smile to ease the rejection.
She laughed and moved to stand up and slide in beside me. "Maybe if I sit here, then you can't keep focusing on your friend, who seems to be enjoying herself just fine. And if I open my legs, no one but you and I can see," she said, leaning toward me so her tits were on display again.
If I could actually get up the desire to play with those toys she was intent on flashing at me, then I might not be so wound up. But not being able to see Jennie was pissing me off. "Look, you're hot. No doubt. But I'm here to keep my friend safe. It's about her," I explained, as my eyes found Jennie walking toward the dance floor with the guy she'd been talking to. His hand was on her back now. Not mine. Jealousy was painful, and I'd never experienced it before. But damn, when it takes hold of you, then you feel it. You fucking know what it is.
"See, she's dancing. Not at all worried about you," the blonde said, pressing closer to me and sliding her hand up my leg.
I reached down and grabbed it before she slid it over my cock. Even if I didn't want to fuck her, my damn cock would react to the attention and give her the wrong idea. I put her hand back in her own lap.
J
"Some friend you got there. She was offering to take us both on. I explained I wasn't into that kind of thing and she pointed you out. All I could see was that curly hair of yours and I was intrigued," Dalton said handing me a lemon drop.
"Thank you. And yes, Jisoo is a lot of fun. She brought me out tonight. This is my first time at a place like this."
Dalton nodded his head in Lisa's direction. A tall leggy blonde was perched on the edge of our table. I watched as Lisa's finger ran up the side of her thigh. Sure didn't take her long.
"That why your sis came out with you tonight?"
Dalton's question reminded me why I was here and I tore my eyes off Lisa and the girl's leg. "Um, uh… something like that."
I put the glass to my lips and drank it down quickly.
"Can we… I mean do you want to dance?" I asked when I put the glass back on the bar.
Dalton stood up to lead me onto the dance floor. Jisoo was already pressing her body against Nash in ways that should be illegal in public. I was not going to dance like that. I hoped Dalton didn't expect it.
Dalton took my hands and put them around his neck before sliding his hands around my waist and pulling me closer to him. This was nice. Kind of. The music was slow and sexy. Not exactly something I wanted to dance to with a stranger.
"You live around here? I've never seen you in here before," Dalton said lowering his head to my ear so I could hear him.
I shook my head. "I live about forty minutes away and I just moved there. I'm from Alabama."
He grinned. "That explains the southern twang in your voice. I knew it was thicker than any of the locals in this area."
Dalton's hand slipped further down my waist until his fingers were brushing against the top curve of my bottom. This concerned me a little.
"Are you in college?" he asked, his hand sliding an inch lower.
I shook my head, "No. I… uh… work."
I searched the crowd for Jisoo and didn't see her anywhere. Where had she gone? As much as I hated to I looked over toward the booth to see if Lisa was still there. The blonde was now in the booth with her.
Dalton's hand slipped lower until it was cupping my butt completely. "Damn girl, your body is incredible," he murmured in my ear. Red alert. I needed help.
Wait. Since when had I needed help? I hadn't relied on anyone in years. I didn't need to start acting helpless now. I put both hands on Dalton's chest and pushed him back. "I need some air and I don't much like strange men groping my ass." I informed him and spun around to head for the exit. I did not want to go back to the booth and watch Lisa make out with some girl and I sure didn't want to find another dance partner just yet. I needed fresh air.
Stepping outside into the darkness I took a deep breath and leaned up against the side of the building. Maybe I wasn't cut out for this kind of thing? Or maybe it was too much too soon. Either way I needed a breather and a new dance partner. Dalton wasn't gonna work out.
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"I can make you forget she exists," the blonde said, moving her mouth to mine.
"Whoa." I grabbed her head to stop her. I didn't kiss. Not mouths I knew had been on too many cocks to count. "Not going there, sugar. Sorry, but you're right. She has me all kinds of wrapped up. She might not want me that way, but she has my complete attention. No one else is gonna compare."
The woman stuck out her bottom lip in a pout that looked ridiculous, then ran her leg up my side. She wasn't giving up easily. "One kiss. Just one really good kiss," she said, leaning into me again.
I had to hold her body back forcefully this time. "I don't kiss mouths that I know have sucked a cock that isn't mine," I said bluntly, knowing it would stop her.
She froze, and her eyebrows shot up. "You mean you only do virgins?" she asked, incredulous.
I laughed and shook my head. "No. I mean I don't kiss. I fuck, but I don't kiss," I clarified.
She leaned back and looked at me. "Really? And girls are OK with this?"
I had started to respond when I saw that Jennie's date was alone on the dance floor. Fuck! Where was she? "Move," I demanded, shoving the woman back so I could get out of the booth. "Now, dammit, move!" I yelled.
She scrambled backward, glaring at me, but I didn't have time to explain. Jennie was gone, and I didn't see her leave. I was supposed to be watching her. I sucked at this.
I had to find her. Her dance partner started for the door, but some woman walked up to him and distracted him. I'd deal with him later if I needed to. Right now, I was going to see if Jennie had gone outside.
