I lazily walked through the aisles browsing the shelves and over thinking this thing I had going on with Wayne. I wasn't dumb to the fact that he liked me, heck I liked him too. Was this a new girl in town thing? I quickly laughed that thought out of my mind. In about an hour I was satisfied with all my items and so I checked out and left to get ready for work. As I walked out the automatic downs I noticed that the once empty parking lot was now occupied with the greasy haired tweekers from the night before. I shook my head and headed to the truck minding my own buisness. I had just placed the bags in the bed of the truck when I felt the leader's blood shot eyes on me.
"Hey aren't you that shirt tucker from last night?" His wispy voice called out. I tried to ignore him as I tied my bags closed.
"I guess she is so hill billy she can't talk now," he mocked with his friends. I heard a chorus of laughs ring out as I took a deep breath and got in my truck. When I went to drive off I rode past them and might have "accidentally" slung some nasty old drink from a lone cup in my cab at them. I heard them hiss and cuss as I drove away and couldn't help but laugh.
I made it back to my little apartment in record time still full of mirth. After I quickly put up my groceries I quickly set into getting ready for work. I worked on my hair and made sure my make up was just right. Of course I made sure my cleveage was perfect. It was Thursday and I wanted the big bucks. I grabbed my coat and made sure all the lights were out, except my kitchen light. Quickly, I grabbed my purse and locked up. About 3 hours later at Modeans, it was looking like a lucrative night. The rush had just started to settle in as I worked the room refilling beer and passing out food. I had over heard Bonnie pout about something but I could care less. I was hustling and charming the pants of the mostly guy crowd. I stepped behind the bar to get another round for an obnoxious table when I heard a familiar voice.
"Hey Jess!" I looked up to see Daryl standing in front of me. Instead of his cover alls he was in a button and blue jeans.
"Hey! What can I get for you?" I smiled happy to see him.
"We got a table over there in the corner we were hopin' you would serve us." I looked to where he was pointing and seen Wayne leaned back in a chair and Dan with his elbows on the table. I felt a relief and warmth spread through me.
"Yeah, sure what do you guys want? Puppers?" I suggested as I pulled 3 bottles of beer out from the cooler. He agreed and I popped the top off them and added them to my tray. I followed Daryl to the table and passed out the beers with a smile.
"How is everyone?" I asked as stood up straight. Dan and Daryl both told me they we good and thanked me for lunch. I looked at Wayne and subcontiously bit my lip he had changed in to a long sleeve button up shirt and a fresh pair of jeans. His hair was neat and he smelled so nice. I was sure by now I smelt like sweat and alcohol. I cleared my throated and made some excuse to get away before my face was beaming like the sun. How could one guy look so good?! I carried the tray to the other table of men. They cat called me as I passed drinks and when I turned around one of them grabbed a hand full of my backside. I sighed as I jerked away and looked up to see my new found friends had noticed. For a second I could tell Wayne had seen the whole thing his posture was ram rod straight again but before he could get up and. march toward them a tall tan and dark haired woman stepped infront of him. I slowly continued my walk back to the bar which brought me by their table. The woman's rich voice sang through the air,
"Hey, Baby Daddy," she teased as she pulled up a chair to sit by him. I felt a little sick,
"How are you Tanis?" I heard Wayne ask, "Is there something I can do for you?" I shut out everything else and hit myself in the back to compose myself. My great mood was crashing fast and I needed to rally. I had a few minutes before I needed to handle another round. So I sank into the floor. I could not melt over some Joe Schmoe I had only just met. I let out a breath and stood up, I was suddenly so hot I could have stripped right there. I shook out my arms and took some more deep breaths. I peeked out from behind the plastic curtains at their table. She had her hands on his legs as she smiled. I. happened to noticed that Dan and Daryl were out of beer so I steeled myself and came out from the kitchen area to get the drinks. In a matter of a few practiced moves I was ready to deliver their refreshments. I walked to the table slowly and at that moment I hated Wayne's usual lack of expression. I tried to hold a neutral expression as I came to the table and passed out beers.
"Who's the hickette?" Tanis spat as she looked back at Wayne.
"Tanis, this is Jess. She is new in town," he answered in his tale tell voice. She looked back at me and gave me a once over.
"Get me a Puppers," she commanded rudely as she flung her hand shooing me away. I rolled my eyes,
"So sorry, hon, I can't I have to take my break. You boys have a good night." The chill in my voice was undeniable. I marched off to the counter and found my boss cleaning a glass.
"I'm gonna take my 30 is that okay?" Gail seen I was in a rounchy mood and gave me the go ahead. I grabbed my coat glanced back at Wayne's table and walked out. I dodged through groups of people smoking and made my way to my truck. I found the safety of the driver's side and leaned against it.
"Why, if it isn't Miss Hilly Billy." Stewart's voice sang. I whirled around on the spot and stomped toward him and his small following.
"Call me that one more time and I will beat the meth out of you," I hissed. He back away a step or too but ultimately stood his ground.
"Ew, she can speak," he teased, "I was beginning to wonder if you were about below the average intelliengence of an ordinary shirt tucker." The curly haired guy that clung to him laughed. They were all clearly high and stupid. I was at my limit as I sucker punched Stewart in the face and watched him go down like a ton of bricks. Curly Locks screamed as the others scattered. he went to the ground and cried over the tweek's body. I shook out my wrist, it was going to bruise for sure, but I did not care. I watched as the skid groaned back to reality. I waited until he was mostly conscience before I said anything.
"I told you to shut your mouth. Next time I won't give you a warning." I threatened before I turned to walk away. The small guy called me a monster and carried on. I looked up as I cradled my wrist to my chest and there was Wayne standing just at my front bomper. He had an unlit cigerette dangling from his mouth. His brow was raised as he caught my eye.
"I need to go get some ice," I curtly spat as I got to my driver's side door. Wayne turned without a word and walked back into the bar. My. good hand unlocked the door to my truck in a clumsey way. In a huff I climbed into the driver's seat and let my head rest against the stearing wheel. Tears started to well up in my eyes, mostly from anger, when I heard boots walk up to the open door.
"Here put this on yer hand ," Wayne's voice stated as he handed me a small plastic bag of ice.
"Thanks," I muttered under my breath. Wayne took his cigerette back out and lit it. I smelt it's pungent oder as I continued to look at the floor board, "I think I need to go back in," I finally decided. It was better to get some distance between Wayne and me. I was wanting to get way more invested than I wanted. I when to move from the seat but a warm body stood in my way.
"Move Wayne," I commanded as I teied to move past him.
"Negative," was all he responsed calmly. He finished his cig and flicked it, in regular fashion.
"Wayne, I need to go back in and get back to work," I reasoned even though I knew I probably couldn't carry a tray with my arm anyway. He leveled his his eyes at me,
"I told Gail, you laid out a skid. in the parking lot and that you might've sprained yer wrist in the process. I was gonna take ya home for the night."
"Wayne!" I scolded, "Why did you tell her that?! I can't lose this job I just started!" Wayne looked away and stared into the night. He didn't say anything for a while and then moved away from the door. I climbed out of the cab and stood to face him. My anger started to boil again as he ignored me. In a fit I stalked past him and into Modean's. As I came through the door Gail set her gaze on me.
"Heard you had a row with some skids," She commented as I moved toward her.
"Yeah," I answered in some embarassment. Gail held up my purse from the office and I heart sank. I was getting fired. I saw Tanis out the corner of my eye with a nasty smirk on her face.
"Go, home and let your hand get better," she swiveled as she dropped my bag on the bar top, "But don't be late for your fuckin' shift on Monday. Here is your cut of money from tonight." My mouth hung open as I took the money and my purse from the counter.
"Thank you," I managed. When I turned to walk out Dan and Daryl waved good bye while Tanis's face soured.
The hum of my engine filled the air as I reached the front of my truck. Wayne was behind the wheel his elbow hanging out the window. The passenger side door was wide open so I walked to the cab and got in. His arm reached across me and shut the door. I smelt the sweet cologne and hint of cigerette on his clothes.
My mind was slowly winding down but my pride wouldn't fully let my anger fade.
"Thank you," I forced from my mouth. Wayne was quiet for a minute as he manuvered us out of town.
"Isn't Tanis going to wonder where you're at?" I questioned. The hum of my truck washed out the quiet space between us. I knew I wanted to pick a fight to keep my anger going. It was a big flaw in my character. My therapist said it was a way to protect myself from becoming too close to somebody emotionally. My chest felt heavy as I waited for the yelling, but the argument never came. Wayne just drove. In no time we pulled up into the drive. He turned off the truck and moved to get out.
Everything was so robotic with him. I sat in silence as I watched him make his way to me. The passenger side door protested a little as it swung open.
"I'm not dying you know. My wrist is just sprained," I said as he helped me out of the cab. We made our way up the stairs and he unlocked my door for me. He stood for a split second as I entered my apartment.
"Well come on in," I snapped as I tried to get my shoes off by the door. Wayne came in and followed suit when our shoes were sat neatly beside on another. I threw the ice in the sink in a bit of rage and started to strip off my shirt. I didn't care. what I was doing I was just pissed. Next, went my jeans leaving me only in some black, boy cut, underwear and a matching bralette I huffed as I picked up the clothes and threw them into my small laundry room. I turned back to Wayne and in that moment the anger started to ebb away as I realized I had just stripped in front of him. I blushed as I wrapped my arms around me. I was as vulnerable as it got. My wrist was soon forgotten. As I got the courage to look Wayne in the face.
I saw how his eyes appraised me and I faught the urge to look away again. He was still emotionless never giving away any hints as to what was running through his mind.
"I'm sorry," I stated hesitantly. "I have no right to ask you about Tanis. It none of my business what you have with her. I have had Bad day ever since we parted ways earlier and I took it out on who ever was convenient." A chill ran up my spine as I broke out in goose bumps. It reminded me that I was standing practically naked infront of a man I had just met. "Oh, and sorry about just stripping. I just had to get out of thoes clothes the baggy leaked all over me."
In a flash he closed the distance between us.
"First," he droned, "I accept your apology. Second, Tanis and I dated briefly. It didn't work out. Third, the skid deserved it." A laugh came out of my chest unvoluntarily and a smile took its place on my lips. I knew he genuinely ment everything he said and I relaxed a little. My eyes lingered on his lips as I wondered what they tasted like, probably beer and cigerettes. He noticed my preoccupation and started to lean in. My body moved willingly with his until our lips brushed together. It felt like fireworks sspread through my body as the kiss intensified. Suddenly, he had pushed me up against the refrigerater as my hands grabbed at his tucked shirt. There were too many clothes still as tasted the beer on his tongue. we pulled a part as his hands worked on helping me with the obsticles in our way. After he shed his shirt we stopped for a moment.
"Wayne," I breathlessly called.
He looked intently at me at his hands stayed on my hips.
"Are you sure you want this?" I asked timidly, " I mean, it would be a lie if I told you I haven't thought about this at least once today," I admitted. I saw a genuine smile spread across Wayne's face.
"I think the same would go for me," he said as he brought his lips back down to mine.