I own none of the characters from October Road or the song Something to talk about By Bonnie Raitt.
People are talkin', talkin' about people
I hear them whisper, you won't believe it
They think we're lovers kept under covers
I just ignore it, they keep sayin'
Laugh just a little too loud
Stand just a little too close
Stare just a little too long
Maybe they're seein', somethin' we don't darlin'
Let's give 'em somethin' to talk about
Let's give 'em somethin' to talk about)
I want a little somethin' to talk about
I want your love
Well I feel so foolish, I've never noticed that
Baby you're actin' so nervous like you're fallin'
It took a rumor to make me wonder
Now I'm convinced that they're goin' under
And I think 'bout you everyday
Dreamin' 'bout you every night
Hopin' that you feel the same way
Now that we know it, let's really show it baby
When you come there'll be somethin' to talk about
A little mystery to figure out
I want you somethin' to talk about
I want your love
Give 'em something to talk about, babe
I got some mystery, Why don't you just figure out?
Let's give them somethin' to talk about
How about love?
Ooh hoo let's give 'em somethin'
(Somethin' to talk about)
Hey a mystery won't hurt
(Somethin' to talk about)
There is somethin' to talk about
How about love? Alright
Eddie Latekka walked into Sully's Bar & Tavern and immediately scanned the bar for her. It was Friday night and it was more crowded than usual so it took a few minutes before he was able to lay eyes on his favorite bartender. Sully's was an okay place to hang out; there was nothing spectacular about it but if Eddie was being honest with himself, the bartender, Janet was the reason he spent so much time there. The two of them were really good friends; one of his best friends, and he enjoyed spending time with her. She was sweet, thoughtful, funny and honestly, she was easy on the eyes. Actually, he thought that she was really pretty; her long dark curls that he imagined running his fingers through; her beautiful blue eyes that he could spend hours staring into.
He stood in the doorway and just watched her work. She was great at her job and everyone loved her. She had an attentive personality which made people, drunk or sober want to open up to her including him. They had spent many a late night at the bar talking about most everything. Hers was the only advice regarding Nick's return after ten long years which ultimately led to him to forgive his friend. He trusted her advice more than he had ever trusted anyone before and she has never steered him wrong.
"Dude, what are you doing?" Ikey came up behind him. "Scoping out the place for hot chicks?"
"Yeah sure." He answered, reluctantly, pulling his eyes away from the bar; from Janet.
"Any possibilities?"
"Maybe." His gaze wandered back towards Janet, she caught his eye, grinned and waved. He gave a little wave back.
"Come on. There is Nick and Owen." Ikey said, pointing to their friends.
"I'm going to go and grab us a pitcher."
"Sure you are." He, like everyone else he has witnessed the shameless flirting between Eddie and Janet. Eddie rolled his eyes, gave Ikey a shove and made his way to the bar.
"Hey gorgeous." Eddie flirted when Janet was finally free.
"Who are you talking to?" She joked.
"You know you are gorgeous." She snorted. "On second thought…"
"What can I get you?"
"Buy one for the house?"
"Of course. Pick your poison Latekka."
"Surprise me."
"That's a dangerous request Eddie allowing the bartender to choose your drink."
"I like to live dangerously."
"It's your funeral." She proceeded to mix them a couple of shots. When they were ready, they clinked their glasses and downed their shots.
"Damn, that was good. What was it?" Eddie asked.
"My own little concoction."
"It's delicious. What's in it?"
"I will never tell."
"I'll get it out of you one way or another."
"Good luck with that." She gave him a wink. "Now can I get you something because if not, I've got other customers waiting."
"None as hot as me."
"Well there is Alan down at the end of the bar and then we've got…" Eddie reached out and placed a finger over her mouth to stop her from talking.
"I get it. I am not the hottest guy in this joint." She reached out and moved his finger and managed to hold onto his hand for a few seconds without being so obvious.
"You are one of the hottest guy here tonight but it's my job to deflate that ego every once in a while because if not, you wouldn't be able to get you and your ego through the door."
"Thanks for looking out for me."
"Always." Janet reluctantly pulled her hand away from his. "So what can I get you?"
"A pitcher for me and the guys."
"You got it." She grabbed a pitcher and filled it up. "Here you go sir."
"Thanks ma'am."
"Have fun."
"Do you have a break any time soon?"
"I'll have one eventually."
"When you do come and join us."
"Maybe I will." Janet smiled as Eddie walked away from her and she regretfully returned to work. Every time that he came into the bar, it made her day or night.
The friendship that she shared with Eddie was an unlikely one but it was a friendship that occurred naturally over time. At first it was a bartender/patron relationship; he ordered beer and she served it to him and one of his flings at the time. From there the flings became less and she was only serving him his beer. On slow nights, they would pass the time talking about anything and everything. If she closed he stayed with her until she was done. One night, after the bar was closed they brewed a few pots of coffee and talked until the sun rose. Occasionally, they would hang out together outside of Sully's, usually at his place watching the current sporting event that was on the television. It was a friendship that she had come to treasure and she hoped maybe one day they could be more so until that happened or until they each found someone she would continue to flirt. It was fun; especially when he flirted back.
"Janet break's over." Sully yelled from behind the bar. "We're backing up here."
"Looks like I've got to get back to work." Janet told Eddie. She took him up on his offer and joined him at his table for her break.
"You better finish that beer that I just poured for you. I don't believe in wasting alcohol." Eddie told her.
"Of course you don't."
"Drink up girl." Janet picked up her semi-full glass and began to guzzle it.
"Drink. Drink. Drink. Drink. Drink. Drink." The guys at the table chanted as she emptied her glass. When it was empty, she slammed the glass on the table and before she could stop herself, she let out a large burp.
"Atta' girl." Eddie said proudly.
"That was very unladylike." Janet giggled.
"Not at all. In my opinion, a real lady isn't afraid to let one out."
"You are crazy Latekka." Using his arm to steady herself, she jumped down from the chair but stumbled a bit. Eddie was on his feet instantly.
"Careful." He grabbed her around the waist to steady her.
"Thank you. I'm good. " Eddie kept his hands on her waist for another few seconds. He wasn't ready to take his hands off of her.
"Are you sure?"
"It's all good."
"JANET!" Sully yelled.
"I gotta go." Before Eddie could react Janet was gone and he had to return to his chair.
"Seriously dude, ask her out already." Owen told him.
"Ask who out?" He asked, taking a slow sip of his beer.
"Don't play dumb Eddie. You know who we are talking about." Nick told him and Eddie continued to play dumb. "Janet. You need to ask Janet out."
"No way. We…Janet and I are just friends." Ikey, Nick and Owen all snorted at the same time.
"No one, not even you believe that." Owen said.
"Dude, it's obvious to everyone that you are into her and she is into you." Ikey informed him.
"We are just friends…period." Eddie insisted.
"What's wrong with dating Janet?" Nick asked. "She's a beautiful, great girl."
"She is a beautiful great girl but it's not like that with her. We are just friends." No one at the table believed him. "Now can we change the subject?"
"Sure thing buddy." His friends decided not push the issue any more. They knew they wouldn't get anywhere. Eddie would ask her out when he was good and ready and not a minute before.
"Looks like your boyfriend is going to make sure you get to the car." Karen commented. As usual, Eddie hung around until the bar was closed. Since Janet wasn't the only staff member left and since she had to be back in the morning, she was the first one allowed to leave.
"He is not my boyfriend."
"Not yet but soon I'm sure."
"Why would you say that?"
"Girl, Eddie is so into you."
"He is not. We are just friends."
"Of course you are friends but there is more there."
"No there isn't." Janet argued as she dried glasses.
"It's so obvious Janet. You two are always standing next to each other; laughing at each other's stupid jokes…"
"My jokes are not stupid. Eddie's yes but mine are not." Janet interrupted and Karen ignored her.
"When you think no one is watching, you two will stare at the other and you guys are always finding ways to touch each other."
"I act the same around you so does that mean that I am attracted to you?"
"Very funny Janet."
"What's funny?" Eddie asked walking over to the bar.
"Nothing." Janet answered feeling her cheeks turn red.
"I thought it was funny." Karen added just to torment her friend. Janet threw the towel at her.
"I'm outta here."
"I'll walk you out." Eddie told her and Karen nudged Janet knowingly. Janet ignored her and just grabbed her purse from under the bar.
"Let's go. Goodnight Karen. Goodnight Sully." Janet called.
"Night kiddo. Be careful." Sully called back.
"Yeah. Be careful Janet. Make sure you take all necessary precautions." Karen said and Janet glared at her as she walked around the bar. "You know, like wearing your seatbelt."
"I always wear my seatbelt."
"What was that about?" Eddie asked, holding the door open for her.
"I think Karen has had too much to drink."
"Okay. Whatever you say." They walked silently to Janet's charger.
"You've got to be kidding me." She exclaimed when she saw the flat tire.
"Looks like you got a flat."
"Thank you Captain Obvious." Janet snapped.
"It's no big deal. Give me a minute and I'll change it."
"I'm perfectly capable of changing a tire." Eddie motioned to the car.
"By all means; have at it."
"That's a great plan except for one little problem."
"What's that?"
"I don't have my spare." She admitted softly.
"What? How could you not have your spare?"
"I needed it a few weeks ago. When I changed it I left it at home in my garage."
"Good place for it." Janet rolled her eyes. "Come on, I'll give you a ride home."
"Good and then you can give me a ride back here so I can change the tire." Janet instructed.
"Tonight?" She nodded. "No. I'm not bringing you back tonight. It's already after two. I'll bring you back in the morning and we can take care of the tire then."
"That's ridiculous Eddie. You shouldn't have to get up and bring me back here in the morning."
"It's either that or you can walk home."
"Arrghhhhhhhh. You are such a pain."
"One of my best qualities. Come on. Let's get you home before you turn into a pumpkin." Eddie grabbed her hand and led her to his truck.
"For that to happen you would have to be Prince Charming." They arrived at his truck. He unlocked the door and helped her in.
"I'm sorry. Did you say something about me not being Prince Charming?" He winked at her and then shut her inside his truck.
During the short drive home, Janet did her best to convince Eddie to take her back to the bar so she could change her tire but he continued to refuse. She was just trying to make sure he got enough sleep because when he doesn't he is a bear to be around. Eddie refused because it was an excuse to see her again.
"Hey, I meant to ask you something." Eddie told her. They had just pulled into her driveway and were sitting in his idling truck.
"What's up?" Was he really going to ask her out, she wondered.
"Phyz deleted the latest episode of "Sons of Anarchy" off of my DVR. I know that you watch it so you gotta tell me what happened." Janet let out a laugh.
"I can't."
"Why not? Because I won't take you back to your car tonight. You are really mean."
"That would be childish and I am a mature woman."
"That you are."
"I'm not telling you because I haven't watched it yet."
"So does that mean that it's still on your DVR?"
"It does."
"Good for you."
"It's going to take me some time to come down from my second wind. I was going to watch it. Would you like to join me?"
"Well if you insist…"
"You are ridiculous. Come on."
Eddie got out of the truck came around and opened Janet's door. He swung an arm around her shoulders and walked to her front door talking and laughing as they did, neither of them noticing the car that had slowed down in front of her house.
Janet began to stir. She was so comfortable and she wasn't ready to wake up just yet but the sun shining in her eyes and her bladder had other ideas. She pried her sleepy eyes opened and immediately had to squint against the sun that was shining in her eyes from the living room window. The first thing she realized when she woke up Eddie's arm was wrapped around her and his chest had become her pillow. They must have fallen asleep last night while watching "Sons of Anarchy."
"Crap!" Janet bolted straight up hitting Eddie in the process.
"What?" He grunted.
"I have to be to be at work in forty-five minutes. I can't believe I slept this late." Before Eddie could respond or fully wake up, Janet was throwing the blanket at him and running into her bathroom. Eddie sat up, rubbed the sleep from his eyes and a minute later he heard the shower turn on.
He stood up and rubbed his lower back. He was getting to old to sleep sitting up on a couch but he had to admit, he hadn't slept that good in a very long time and he figured that had to do with the woman who slept with her head on his chest. They began to watch "Sons of Anarchy" on the couch next to each other. She fell asleep fifteen minutes into the show and when she did her head landed on his shoulder. He could have woke her up then, sent her to bed and went home to his own bed but he couldn't make himself get up. Janet looked so comfortable, peaceful and beautiful, sleeping with her head on his shoulder that he couldn't wake her. He adjusted her body so she was lying with her head on his chest, covered them up and wrapped an arm around her and fell asleep himself a few minutes later. He wasn't worried about not finishing the show. It just gave him another excuse to hang out with her. After he stretched he went to the kitchen to start the coffee.
"Are you decent?" Eddie called from the other side of the bathroom door.
"Give me a sec." Janet grabbed her robe, tied it around her and opened the door. "Yeah?"
"Thought you might need this." He handed her a coffee mug.
"Thanks."
"No problem."
"I'll be ready in about fifteen minutes. Can you please load my spare tire in your truck?"
"When are you planning on changing the tire?"
"My lunch break."
"Really? Your lunch break?"
"Yep."
"Your wish is my command."
"Janet when were you going to tell me?" Hannah burst into Sully's fifteen minutes after it opened and planted herself at the bar in front of Janet.
"What are you talking about?"
"You and Eddie."
"What about me and Eddie?" Hannah sighed in irritation. "I'll be right back." There were a couple of customers at the other end of the bar. When she returned to Hannah ten minutes later, she was thoroughly confused. "Hannah, why is everyone asking about me and Eddie?"
"We've been waiting for it to happen and it finally did. It's about time. Now I want details."
"What happened? What details?"
"Okay, you are not one to kiss and tell but I am your best friend. You have to tell me."
"Kiss and tell? What supposedly happened?"
"Okay, I will play along. Last night you and Eddie finally got lucky."
"Got lucky?" It finally clicked. "Oh my…you think…everyone thinks Eddie and I had sex?" She whispered loudly.
"Very good. Now details."
"We did not have sex. We are just friends. Why does everyone think we had sex?"
"Sharon Culler saw you and Eddie going into your house last night and Lizzie Smith, Alex William's mom and Angie Parsons saw Eddie's truck still in your driveway this morning. Are you denying that?"
"No I'm not. I had a flat and Eddie gave me a ride home. He came in to watch television and we fell asleep on the couch. That's it. That's all that happened."
"Janet I am your best friend. You can tell me. You have nothing to be ashamed of."
"Nothing happened." She snapped. "Why is everyone in my business?"
"It's okay if you don't want to talk about it."
"There is nothing to talk about." Janet walked away from the bar into the back room where she pulled out her phone and called Eddie.
"Miss me already?" Eddie answered in greeting.
"Did you have sex last night?" Eddie was silent and Janet thought she lost him. "Hello?"
"Yeah. I'm here. What did you say?"
"Did you have sex last night?"
"No I did not. I was with you. Did you have sex last night?" He asked, playing along.
"I didn't but guess what?"
"What?"
"Apparently, we did have sex and we had sex with each other."
"What are you talking about?"
"We were spotted going into my house together after work and it was noted that your truck was in my driveway all night and now everyone thinks we had sex. I've been at work for a half an hour and four people have already asked me about it." Eddie burst out laughing. "I do not find this funny at all."
"I think it's hilarious."
"At least someone does."
"Relax Janet. It is funny. The way the gossip mill runs in this town is crazy. By the end of the day you will probably be pregnant and we will be eloping." The sad truth was, he was probably right. "Look, I have an idea."
"Are you going to hire a skywriter to say that we did not have sex?" She asked hopefully.
"Would it be such a bad thing to let people think that we did have sex?"
"YES!"
"Why?"
"Because we didn't."
"Do you have any idea how many girls would run with this?"
"I am not like other girls."
"No Janet, you're not."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"Not at all. It's refreshing."
"Thank you. Now what's your idea?"
"People in this town are gossip whores so they want to talk, let's give them something to talk about."
"Isn't that a song?
"Why yes it is."
"What are you suggesting Latekka?"
"Well Meadows, I am suggesting that when you are asked about last night don't deny it but don't confirm anything either."
"I can't confirm something that didn't happen."
"Really Janet?"
"I don't know."
"Come on, it will be fun."
"Fine." She said giving in. He was impossible to say no to.
"Sweet. I'll call you for an update."
"You are crazy; you know that right?"
"I do."
"By the way, I saw you through the window by my car changing my tire; the tire I told you I would change."
"I didn't have anything better to do on this beautiful Saturday."
"You are so infuriating!"
"Gee, that's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me." With an exasperated sigh, Janet hung up on him and he just laughed and a few minutes later when he saw her glaring at her through the window, he just waved.
Throughout the day, Eddie and Janet were both questioned about the state of their relationship and like Eddie wanted, they neither confirmed nor denied any type of relationship which really got the tongues wagging and just to egg everyone on halfway through the day he brought her flowers. Eddie thought it was hilarious and after the initial irritation wore off, Janet was getting a kick out of it as well. It amazed them both how quickly gossip spreads through their small town.
At the end of her shift, Eddie returned and talked her into joining him for dinner and drinks. He followed her home and waited patiently for her to shower and change and then the two of them returned to Sully's where they found a table for two. Quite a few people showed up and tried to join them but Eddie sent them away which in their minds confirmed the rumors.
"I've been thinking." Eddie announced as he shoved an onion ring in his mouth.
"That scares me."
"Maybe the nosy people of our town are right."
"About what?"
"Us." Janet almost choked on her French fry.
"Excuse me?" She managed to get out after taking a drink.
"Me and you."
"Yeah, I know that's what us means. What do you mean by us?" Eddie reached across the table and linked his free hand with hers.
"Everyone is saying that we should date."
"Yeah."
"Maybe they actually know what they are talking about."
"What are you saying?"
"Maybe we should give the whole dating thing a shot?"
"Me and you?"
"Who else would I be talking about? You are the one sitting here with me."
"Eddie…I…"
"Tell me that you don't feel something."
"I feel a lot of things."
"Every day someone has something to say about our relationship; usually it's someone wanting to know when I am going to ask you out."
"People ask me the same thing." She whispered.
"Today was worse than usual because of the rumors and it really got me thinking. Why not see if these fools actually know what they are talking about? Everyone says that we are perfect for each other so why not give it a shot?"
"I don't know. We have a good thing going now as friends. I'm not sure if I want to risk that. Your friendship is too important to me." Eddie began to rub his thumb over her knuckles of the hand he was holding.
"I like you Janet and I want to be more than friends. Do you like me?"
"Have we retreated back to elementary school? I feel like there should be a note that says do you like me; check yes or no."
"I can do that if you want but I feel like you are stalling."
"I am." He released her hand, got up, got up and went to the bar. Janet watched as he borrowed a pen from Sully and wrote something on a napkin. When he returned a minute later he handed her the napkin and he wrote "Do you like me? Check Yes or No." and Janet just had to laugh.
"Everyone keeps insisting that we are more than friends. Maybe we're too close to the situation to see what's in front of us. Maybe they are seeing something we don't." Janet's eyes dropped down to the table and she was silent. Eddie took her hand again. "Don't you think we should see if these yahoos's are onto something?" She pulled her hand away from his, dug into her purse until she found a pen and then she marked the napkin and passed it across the table to him.
"Really?" She checked the yes box.
"Really."
"You want to give us a shot?"
"Why not?"
"Wow. You really know how to flatter a guy. Do you have something better waiting in the wings?"
"No. There is nothing better than you Eddie." He suddenly stood up and pulled her to her feet.
"Dance with me." A slow song had just come on the jukebox.
"Is this for the benefits of the yahoo's of this town?" She asked as he led her to the dance floor, ignoring the catcalls from the other patrons.
"No Janet. This is for my benefit. I have wondered for a long time how it would feel to hold you in my arms and now, I'm going to find out."
"You held me in your arms last night while we were sleeping."
"But I was sleeping and so were you so that doesn't count." Eddie found them a spot on the floor, pulled Janet to his chest and wrapped his arms around her waist. She responded by wrapping her arms around his neck and laying her head on his shoulder and then they began to sway to the music.
"You're a pretty good dancer." She whispered.
"Don't sound so surprised."
"I can't help it. I am. No girl has ever said that you were a good dancer."
"I've never danced with another girl before." Janet sighed and pressed her body closer to his. Eddie grinned and tightened his grip around her waist. The current song ended and thankfully, another slow one started and neither made an attempt to stop the dance. Eddie bent his head and inhaled the scent of her hair. Everything about her, including her hair smelled good.
"Janet?" She lifted her face towards his and whatever he was going to say vanished from his brain. The only thing he could think of was how much he wanted to kiss her. He tried to form a coherent sentence but it wasn't happening so he simply lowered his head, closed his eyes and pressed his lips to hers. The moment their lips met their hearts began to pound furiously. Janet responded to his kiss with her lips and hands that ran through his short dark hair. They only broke apart when they needed to breathe.
"Maybe these Yahoos's may be onto something." He whispered resting his forehead against hers.
"I think that we should have listened to them a long time ago."
"In case you're wondering, that kiss was for my benefit."
"And this one is for mine." Janet tilted her head and pressed her lips to his giving the people in the bar something to talk about.