(Thank you psion53 for reviewing the story. I hope everyone continues to read, enjoy & review)
Patty was woken up in the middle of the night by her brother's way off key singing. Her eyes opened only to see the room still dark, singing meant at least for now he was in a happy drunk mood instead of his normal mean drunk mood & just tried to pull a pillow over her head. Maybe just maybe she could block him out & get some sleep. She then heard one horrid sound joined by a second dear lord Drew must of wandered back with him. She prayed to which ever god would listen that they would not know she was awake & just leave her alone. To her relief the sound finally stopped & she fell back asleep.
When she woke the next morning she rushed to get in the shower before her brother woke knowing he would be a bear once a hangover hit. When she faced the beds she had to cover her mouth to stop the hyena type laugh that was surly boiling up inside her. Over on her brother's bed is seems Drew never left last night/this morning as he was asleep next to Stephen spoon fashion. How his long mane in Stephen's face did not wake her brother she had no clue. She quickly looked for her phone taking a photo of it. Putting it away she moved to the bathroom with her clothing for the day. She double checked the lock before striping of her night clothing & into the shower.
Only after she was under the water did she allow herself to begin to laugh. For a moment at least she thought of maybe trying to blackmail the two of them, that wouldn't of made her much better then they were though & how long would it really last? Yeah sure people in the company would get a real good laugh, but then what? Her laughter stopped & she shivered trying not to think of how bad Stephen's rage would be towards her.
She finished out & dried quickly & got dressed. Before she had a chance to open the door. "What thee blowdy hell Stephen!" Drew's voice bellowed.
"ME WHAT BOUT YE! YE IN ME BED YE BLOWDY FAIRY!" She tried not to shiver hearing both men yelling.
"Me the fairy, ye the one trying to get a good grab!"
"I twas doin no such thing…"
"Ye had me pin like I was a prime catch!"
"I barly had the arm on ya."
"But you admit it was on me."
"Round ya waist, nay me fault your hair soft as a lass' locks."
"OH that just about does it I should haul back & deck ya one."
"Go head try it…com ere & plant it right here" she could picture Stephen pointing to his jaw "Or would ya rather it be ya soft lips planted there." She heard them begin to tussle & she just moved herself closer to the far wall closing her eyes just wanting to block it out.
She heard the hotel room door open then shut & it was a few moments before she heard pounding on the bathroom door making her jump. She moved to open it. She didn't want to but she had no choice. She was met by the glare of Stephen. "Ya tell anone what ya saw or heard I rip ya head off ya got me?" She lightly nodded not meeting his gaze as she slipped past him into the room. He walked into the bathroom shutting the door. Well more like slammed it. She pulled out her phone really thinking of deleting the photo. She wasn't sure why she didn't but she couldn't, at least not yet. Who would see it besides her anyways?
She started to pack while Stephen finished up & started packing himself as they had a few hours drive ahead of them for the next city. About half way there she didn't know why she picked then to tell Stephen what she heard.
"Steph?"
He was focused on the road but she could see in the mirror his eyes shift faintly. He features softened ever so faintly he didn't even remember the last time she used the cropped version of his name.
"Aye?"
"I heard something yesterday I think you should as well." She took a deep breath. "I was told Drew was already hitched."
"Well yeah I am sure he been telling the lass' left & right he be taken."
"No Steph…not that he is to be hitched...that he already is."
"And who ya been hearing such rubbish from?"
"Does it matter?"
"Aye it matters, that place notin but a big rumor pot. That why I don't what ya round them folk too much…they filling ya head with such thins."
"Even if I tell ya I heard it twice…well the first not sure if it was married or engaged."
"Well there ya have it…engaged….to ya. Maybe the second misheard it."
"Brutha they said he been hitched six months. Our betrothal is nearly six years. I was not even in the states with ye six months ago."
"Six is six once gen they must of misheard from month to year."
Patty sighed turning her focus out the window as Stephen just continued to drive. They got to the next hotel & checked in before going to grab a small bite to eat. She took a nap while Stephen went to track Drew. He found out his room & knocked on it. Drew opened it looking at him.
"And what ya blowdy want now? Come to apologize have ya?"
"No…we need to talk, about Patty." Drew moved to let him in.
"What bout er?"
"I feel a fool even asking ya this." He looked down a moment then back a Drew. "Do ya have another girl."
"Hey man I won't be foolin ya." Drew sheepishly shrugs. "I will admit I plowed a few fields over the years."
"But that it ya just slept with one here or there."
"Aye, hey I just turned 19 when I made that deal with ya. Six years a fella got needs ya know."
"Aye I know which is why I not beat ya for sleeping behind her back."
"So what bring this on all thee sudden? Ya not trying to find a way of backing out are ya?"
"Nay at all, I be glad to be free of her in two months. Be glad to be able to go back to plowing my own fields. I still wonder at times why I bother getting her the job ere, been notin but a bother keeping a rein on her. Nay I came asking ya cause there some silly rumor it seems that ye are already attached to someone." Drew has a brief look of worry on his face, but he quickly covered it by laughing.
"And it was more then likely started by one the fields I plowed, that just had wishful hopes is all. Thin no more of it Stephen, you be free of dear sweet Patty soon enough." Drew smirks patting his friend's shoulder escorting him to the door. Once it was shut Drew's face grew dark wondering where he had slipped up.
The rumor was true, but he dare not let Stephen know. He had wanted Patty for years, still did & no one would stop him. It was not love though, just a hidden desire a desire he would fulfill soon. How did it get out about his American wife though? They never traveled together, didn't room together. He had gotten her to believe it was best for both their jobs if no one knew. He would sneak off like a thief to be with her. Before Stephen came on the road she would even come to his room under the pretense of business. Now with Stephen there & more so Patty he couldn't have her come see him. He still went off when he could to be by her. He shook his head he didn't care it was early he needed a drink as he grabbed his room key heading out.