A/N: Did you know that howdy is an abbreviation of how do you do? Well, I didn't. Anyways, howdy! I hope you're all doing swell. 😀
Chapter 12
Sookie was afraid that going to work the morning after her date was going to be awkward, but it really wasn't. Sam gave her a warm smile when she ducked into his office to hang up her coat and stick her purse in the deep bottom drawer in his desk.
"Hey, Sookie."
"Good morning, Sam."
"I had a really good time last night."
She smiled.
"So did I. Thanks again."
They looked at each other for a moment and she blushed a little.
"I'd better get going on prep."
She cut up the lemons and limes behind the bar and made sure the salt and pepper shakers and napkin holders and sugar dishes on the tables were all topped up. Jane Bodehouse was waiting outside when Sookie turned the sign to open and unlocked the door.
Holly arrived a couple of minutes later. She put her coat and purse away and tried not to look at Sam — or the clock — when she tied on her apron. Sam's mind had been elsewhere and he walked back to his office, oblivious. Holly let out a big breath.
"Whew. I did not need a talking to this morning. I feel bad enough as it is."
"What's the matter?"
"I was just as sick as a dog when I got up this morning. I'm feeling a little better right now, but not that much."
Sookie wondered if Holly wasn't pregnant, but she made sure to stay out of her head either way.
The lunch crowd started to arrive shortly after and Sookie and Holly were busy until past one-thirty. By two, Sookie was down to three tables and was able to take a breath or two. She went back to the walk-in for a carton of craft beer. Sam followed her inside.
They looked at each other for a few seconds and then Sam stepped forward and kissed her. She kissed him back for entirely too long before she pushed him away. She would have been flushed if it hadn't been so cold in the refrigerator. She bit her lip and then kissed him again, chastely.
"I need to get back to my tables."
Sam smiled, happy for the reaction.
"I gotta go out to run some errands. I just wanted to kiss you before I left."
She smiled back at him and left the cooler.
It was nearly an hour before the Norcross workers on the seven to three shift would start pouring in and her last table had just gotten up to leave. The door opened and a figure filled the doorway. Where Eric was blond and pale, this man had olive skin tanned brown by the sun and she guessed that he did some sort of manual labour in the great outdoors. He had inky black hair and piercing green eyes and Sookie shivered when they met hers. He was very handsome, and she liked the way he smelled. Her nipples tightened and she had to squeeze her thighs together to soothe the throbbing between her legs. She wondered, not for the first time, if she was turning into some kind of slut because of the attack behind the Grabbit Kwik. She flushed, for real this time.
"Hey. My name is Sookie and I'll be your server today."
Holly was on break and Sookie led him to a table in her own section. The man sat down and smiled up at her.
"Hello, Sookie. It's very nice to meet you. My name's Alcide."
Her heart skipped a beat and she shivered again. She took a peek in his brain, even if she knew she shouldn't, but his was snarly and hard to read. Kind of like Sam's, but different. She was kicking herself when she thought that maybe she could kiss him not too painfully, too. His smile was wide and contagious.
Alcide, dear. What big teeth you have.
She didn't know where that thought had come from and she pushed it aside.
"Well, hey, Alcide, it's nice to meet you, too. Can I get you something to start?"
"Yes, ma'am. I'll take a Bud Lite and your phone number."
She laughed.
"Does that line usually work?"
"Honestly? I've never tried it before. Is it working this time?"
She laughed again.
"Maybe… I'll go and get you that beer."
She didn't give him her phone number, although she was glad Sam was out of the bar for a while. It didn't hurt to flirt a little bit. He ordered a burger with fries. She brought them out to him a few minutes later.
"Here you go! A Burger Lafayette."
"Lafayette. Named after the city? I've been to Lafayette and it isn't very appetizing."
She smiled. "Nope. Lafayette is our cook. These burgers are his specialty. He steeps the patty in a special sauce that he invented. They're real popular."
"I bet you are, too."
She laughed.
"Not really. Can I get you anything else? Another beer?"
"Well, I'd still like your phone number."
She laughed again. He smiled the wide smile and shrugged.
"Can't blame a guy for trying."
She was contemplating adding her number to the bill when Sam came back. His expression darkened when he saw Alcide.
"Herveaux. What are you doing here?"
The big man shrugged.
"I was in the neighborhood. I thought I'd stop by."
Sam grunted.
"Well, what did you want?"
"Lunch. And it was tasty. Thanks, Sookie."
She had snuck up behind Sam and put the bill on the table. He put down two twenties and stood up. It was more than enough to cover it and leave a very generous tip. He was every bit as tall as Eric and even wider at the shoulders. She shivered again when she looked into his eyes. There was just something about him…
"You're very welcome. It was real nice to meet you, Alcide. Come on back anytime."
She ignored Sam's mental or don't. She did not like it when he played the jealous boyfriend. She enjoyed her time with him; he was sweet and charming when it was just the two of them, but he got crazy possessive when any other handsome man even looked her way, and she was over it. She shot him a dirty look. He had the decency to look cowed but he still gave Alcide his own dirty look before the big man left the bar.
Sookie turned to look at him.
"I like you, Sam. I like spending time with you. But we aren't a couple. For right now, I'm keeping things casual. And that means that you don't get to insert yourself into my conversations like that."
His shoulders fell. He had hoped the kiss in the walk in had sealed their relationship, but he guessed not.
The Norcross workers started to trickle in and soon almost all the tables in her section were full. She and Holly were busy right through til five when the evening barmaids took over.
Sookie took off her apron and went into Sam's office for her jacket and purse. She thought about staying for a pint or two with Jason, who would no doubt be showing up soon, but she decided she'd skip it. She was tired and her thigh was aching a little.
Sam smiled up at her from his desk.
"Hey, Sookie."
"Hey, Sam. I guess I'm going to head out."
"I'm sorry about how I acted. I am jealous but that's no excuse."
She shrugged one shoulder.
"Thank you."
"Listen, I'm going to need you to come in Friday night instead of Friday morning, okay? We really need the coverage."
She frowned.
"I'm sorry, Sam, but I have plans Friday night."
"Please? I wouldn't ask if I didn't need you."
She looked at him, suspicious. Friday night would certainly be a lot more lucrative than her lunchtime shifts, but she was really looking forward to her date with Eric. She wondered if somehow Sam knew about it.
"I'm sorry, Sam, but I just can't."
He sighed. It was just as well; he didn't think Arlene or Danielle would agree to give up their Friday night shift, anyway.
She paused at his office door and decided, screw it, aching leg or not. Rather than heading out to the employee exit, she turned right and went to the bar instead. Jason was holding court and it was very clear to her that he was the centre of the group of customers and everyone arranged themselves around him.
"Hey, sis. Have a seat. Or are you still working?"
She smiled.
"Nope. I just wanted to unwind a little before I headed home."
He grinned and raised his beer. There was an empty pitcher in front of him and he was already a little tipsy.
"To unwinding."
He called Arlene over and asked for a glass and a fresh pitcher. He poured Sookie one as soon as it arrived. Sookie took a long drink. She decided she'd made the right decision.
It was nice being waited on for a change. She ordered a chicken basket and took another drink of beer and chatted with her brother and some guys she'd gone to school with.
Every time the door opened, she made sure to take a look. It was a long time until closing but she knew part of her was there just in case Eric showed up, even if it would be awkward with Sam around. She wouldn't mind getting to know the big guy from earlier a little bit better, either. After her third beer, she decided she would definitely give him her phone number.
Thinking of him, her face felt hot and she felt warm tingles between her legs, but she put that down to the beer. She had another sip.
Sam ambled over to their table with a dish towel slung over his shoulder when Jason got up to use the bathroom.
"Hey, Sookie. I guess you decided to stay a little while after all. It's nice to see you let loose a little bit."
Of course, he'd seen her let loose a little the night before, but she guessed that didn't count.
"Yup. I just wanted to hang out with my brother for a little while."
"Well, if you need a ride home, I'd be glad to take you. I don't know that your brother is fit to drive."
She smiled at him.
"Thanks, Sam, but I'm not ready to go home just yet. And the bar is too busy for you to leave right now, anyway."
"Well, just keep it in mind. It isn't far. It wouldn't take me more than a couple of minutes."
Jason sat down again and asked Sam for a fresh pitcher. Arlene dropped it off a couple of minutes later.
Sam couldn't keep his eyes off her, no matter how busy it was. He was supposed to meet with Eric the night and he absolutely did not want the vampire to show up with Sookie half drunk and vulnerable. He decided to give him a call.
"This is Eric."
"Northman. It's Sam Merlotte."
"I know who it is. What do you want?"
Sam ground his teeth. He did not like Eric one bit.
"Something came up. I can't meet tonight. We'll have to do it tomorrow."
Back in Shreveport, Eric narrowed his eyes.
"Very well. I will see you then."
And sooner than that.
Eric hung up the phone.
Sookie was just getting ready to ask Sam for a ride half an hour later when the door opened. Her breath caught in her throat. There he was, with his long blond hair and chiseled features and the nicest ass she'd ever seen, hiding behind him. He scanned the room and smiled when he saw her. He walked over to their table. Every woman in the bar noticed.
"Hello, Sookie. I'm glad you're here."
"Well, I'm glad you are, too. Are you here to see Sam?"
"No. Actually, Sam just called and cancelled our meeting for tonight. I wonder why…"
Sookie was drunk enough to roll her eyes and they both laughed.
"Well, why are you here, then?"
"To see you."
She blushed and Jason cleared his throat.
"Hey. Eric, right? It's good to see you again."
He stuck out his hand and Eric reluctantly shook it.
"And you."
He dismissed Jason and took a chair from a nearby table and set it down next to Sookie. The man who'd been sitting in that seat decided not to challenge the big man when he got back, especially after Eric looked into his eyes. He stood awkwardly for a minute and then took an empty chair from another table. Eric took her hand and kissed it.
"Are you ready to leave? I don't believe you are in any condition to drive yourself home."
Jason cut in.
"Hey, man. I can give her a drive."
Eric looked down at the empty pitcher — their third — and back up to Sookie's brother.
"I do not think that is a good idea."
Sookie drank the last of her drink and swayed a little when she stood up. She took some money out of her purse and set it on the table for supper and her share of the beer. Eric took her arm and they headed outside. Most people in the bar stared.
Sam hadn't noticed Eric come in. He glared at them both as they walked past the bar. Sookie said, "G'night Sam! Eric's going to give me a drive home, so you don't have to. I'll see you tomorrow morning."
Eric grinned.
"Yes, good night, Sam. I will see you tomorrow night."
They went outside and Sookie looked at the red Corvette parked far away from the other cars. Her little yellow hatchback was behind the bar in the employee lot.
"I guess I'm going to have to call Sam in the morning for a drive."
He smiled at her.
"Hand me your keys. I will drive you to your house in your car."
"Jeez. You don't have to do that. It's a long walk back."
"I don't mind."
She didn't argue. They walked around the building and she dug in her purse for the keys and handed them over. He helped her into the passenger seat and got in behind the wheel. She smiled at him.
"I guess you know the way home by now."
The drive to her house was short and soon they were at the end of her driveway, parked in front of her farmhouse. He got out and opened the door for her and walked her up to the porch. He handed her the keys. She stuck them in her purse, as if she wasn't going to need them to get in the house in the next few seconds. Instead, she looked up at him, inviting him to kiss her. He obliged. He fisted her hair and made sure to make her knees weak. It would have, even without the alcohol.
He nudged her forward until she had her back up against the door. He kissed down to her neck and spent some time there. She had her head thrown back and her fingers threaded through his hair.
He panted in her ear.
"Let me in."
He meant the house, but her as well.
She was panting, too. It took her a few seconds to compose herself.
"I'm sorry, but not tonight. Thanks so much for the drive, though. I'll see you on Friday."
She didn't dig around in her purse for the key. He was mostly disappointed and somewhat affronted but part of him rejoiced. He loved a challenge. It would make the reward that much sweeter. This time he didn't argue.
"Friday, then. I will pick you up at eight-thirty."
Her smiled relaxed some.
"I'm looking forward to it."
So was he.
She waved and he walked up the driveway until he was out of sight. He ran the rest of the way to Merlotte's. He considered going back inside to tease the dog, but he decided against it. There was no need to rub salt in the wound. And he didn't want Sam to know he had been at her house for such a short time.