Sweet bonefire smoke filled the clearing. The area was quickly beginning to fill with people. We had made it right on time even with a few distractions. I had chose to wear my jeans and a fitted long sleeve shirt. Its neck line plunged low showing off one of my favorite assets. My jacket was black and warm. It was my favorite one I had. Wayne's eyes followed me around the party as I met people or recognized patrons of Modeans. I chatted with a girl that came to the bar at least three times a week. Half way through a terribly boring story I excused myself to get some more to drink. I headed to a keg for my third cup of beer and was greeted by a tall, dark and handsome man. His teeth were white against his russet skin as he laughed at something one of his friends said. I manuvered past him to the spout when he noticed me.

"Hey, I haven't seen you before, gorgeous," he spewed with charm. I watched my cup fill up so as not to spill any of the amber liquid.

"That's a good observation," I answered sarcasticly. He laughed at my statement and tried to ooze the charm again.

"So, what's your name? Mine is John."

"I'm Janet," I answered with a fake smile and tried to go on my way. His hand grabbed the back of my shirt

and jacket.

"Hey! Look I'm not interested, buddy!" I yelled as he snapped me back to him. My body swirmed but to no avail. He pulled me up to his face that did not seem as harmless as before. He looked more like a predator who had got his prey.

"Listen, I'm gonna level with you," he stated as he pulled me close, "I know your name isn't Janet. I also know Wayne keeps his eye on you. I'm just wondering what is so special about a runt like you."

I could feel my blood boil and a familiar heat try to form behind my eyes.

"There is nothing special about me," I spat as my knee came up and connected with his crotch. John dropped me like a ton off bricks and crumpled to the ground. Before any of his friends could jump me Daryl and Dan showed up,

"Whats are ya' doin's to's this lady?" Dan bellowed. The other boys backed off immediately. Daryl pushed up his sleeves and fired a wod of spit from his mouth,

"If you're lookin' for a fight, we can fight," he dared. I got pushed behind Dan's big frame and for a few tense moments everyone around us waited on baited breath for a brawl to break out. Luckily, nothing came of the stand off and we made our way to where Wayne had been. Just as we walked up Tanis came out of the tall grass that lined the backside of the clearing.

"Well, if it isn't Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb," She sneered. In the fire light I could tell her lip stick was smeared a little and there was a bit of black mascara under her eyes.

"Where's Wayne?" Daryl asked as he peered around us. I felt a sick feeling come over me the more I stared at Tanis.

"He got a little preoccupied," she shrugged as she lit a cigerette from her jacket pocket. Her clothes looked a bit discheveled in the flickering light as stood looking in a compact trying to fix her face. Wayne came from the brush only two minutes behind her fixing his pants. He caught sight of me and stared as he raised his brows. I looked to Tanis who smiled like a cat who caught the canary. My stomach flipped and tears stung my eyes.

"You" was all I could manage before I blacked out. I didn't know who I was talking too, but the next thing I knew I was standing over Tanis as Dan held me from behind. In the dim light I could see her nose was bloody and her eyes beginning to turn black. My knuckles were slick and I could feel the blood dry on my skin.

"That is whatcha get fir bein' a skank," I called as Dan drug me away. Wayne stalked after us with his sleeves rolled up. We made it to a place that was quiet and secluded before Dan let me go. He excused himself as Wayne and I stood face to face. Wayne lit a cigerette and took a drag before he calmly said anything.

"What tha fuck was that all ah'bout?"

Some of my anger had ebaded, but not all. I looked up at Wayne to see if he would give up any information. He didn't.

"Wayne, Tanis made it seem like you and her had a good time tonight,"

"I don't like what your insinuating," He said as he threw the butt of his cigerette away. In a rare moment of outward emotion I could tell he was getting defensive. I sighed and finally let my anger deflate from me.

"I don't like it either." I resigned. "I think I just need to go home, Thanks for inviting me." I turned to walk away. The soft crunch of grass sounded beneath my feet.

Halfway to the house and barn I started mumbling to myself about how stupid this whole idea had been between me and Wayne. I needed to just stay low, not get involved with people, especially hot guys with an emotional display of a potato. I was so deep in my pity party I never heard the black GMC rumble up behind me.

"Jess," I heard my name called. Startled, I looked behind me to see Wayne duck his head back in the window. I stopped my pace and waited for him to pull forward. The passenger side door popped open as it pulled right along side me.

"Get in the truck, Jess I'll take you home. Its not safe to walk this late at night. My body moved to slide into the truck. I felt Wayn's body heat against mine as he reached over and closed the door. His sweet smell plus cigerettes and mint wofted to my nose. I loved that smell.

"Look, I'm sorry you got the wrong idea about Tanis and me," Wayne flat out stated. I looked out the window as the truck dipped and rolled through the rough field.

"Then what were you doing in the brush?" I asked still not looking at him. I wasn't mad anymore just curious.

"If you must know. I was taking a piss," he said flatly. A laugh escaped my lips as I chanced a glance at the man beside me. He looked at me his eyes full of mirth, while his face said nothing.

"That right hook of yours was a beaut' I have to say." His dead pan voice made it even funnier to me. I noticed he had taken a detour behind the barn in the dark shadows. He put the truck in park and turned off the lights and engine, everything except the faint sound of music coming from the radio.

"Wayne, what do you think you're doing?" I felt his hand gently cup my face. I melted onto it and leaned over the console.

"Just thought there would be a little making up to do," he answered in the dark. Our lips crushed together with tiny fireworks that never got old. As the cab of the truck heated up I began to feel frustrated with the distance between us.I felt myself slide across the console and land in Wayne's lap.

"I want you closer," was all he mumbled as the seat was pushed back from the steering wheel and laid down. A noise escaped my lips as his hands roamed farther north moving my shirt out of the way.

"Don't you ever get enough?" I joked as I pulled away from his lips. In the dark I slowly popped the buttons of his plaid. I sat up, strattling his lap as I worked my way down his body. I felt him swirm beneath me which felt delicious.

"You never answered me," I teased.

Wayne's breath caught when my hands played with the waist of his pants.

"Not of you," he finally answered. His rough hands pulled me quickly down to his mouth. In a flash my shirt was off and my jeans were on their way out too.

In the early morning dawn I pulled myself from Wayne's warm body. I searched for my shirt and moved over to the passenger seat. I heard Wayne groan a little in protest, but I continued to pull up my jeans. He popped an eye open and looked at me.

"You tryin' to sneak out on me?" He asked dryly.

"Why, Wayne, was that a joke?" I giggled. He half smiled at me as he sat up. He pulled on his plaid straightening the sleeves and collar. Once we were all dressed he cranked up the engine and we made our way to the road. I couldn't help the smile that was on my face as we glided by misty fields of hay and barley. We came to a holt at my apartment, most of the ride had been in silence.

"Come on, I will make us coffee and breakfast." I commented as I swung the door open. Wayne, just like the machine he is, complied with my direction and followed me up the stairs and into my home. I quickly set in making us something. I watched as Wayne took care of the coffee duty and some dishes. I never found our silence awkward instead it was comforting.

After we were done eating and the dishes were done we sat back at the table again.

"Wayne, can I ask something?" I asked timidly.

"Well, you just did, but go on," he answered in a witty manner. I smirked as we shared a smile,

"Well, I was wondering what this," I stated as I circled my arms between me and him, "is?"