Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
“It’s finished. Can I have another cranberry and vodka now?” Tulsa lifts the empty glass, the ice clinking around. The only other noise is the classic rock thrumming through the speakers. The televisions are showing a baseball game, but they’re on mute.
“Yeah, sugar, you can have another, but it’ll be your last.” Hank gets to work on taking the empty glass away and concocting what I think has to be the bitterest drink you can order.
“That’s not fair. You can take my keys,” Tulsa Rose ponies up, tossing her keys on the bar top. “I’ll stay in the back when I’m too tired, if you wouldn’t mind taking me home whenever you close.” I slowly walk toward them. Hank nods at me, garnering Tulsa’s attention.
“Something tells me your ride is here, sugar. You want another drink, it’s going to be up to Ledger, and I’m thinking he’d rather you don’t puke in his truck,” Hank tells her as I move behind her, my fingers dragging along her back.
“She can have another one. If she’s anything like her brother, there won’t be a mess, just a killer hangover the next morning,” I tell Hank as I sit down beside her.
“I can order for myself. Hank, I love you. I’ll have one more. Ledger, don’t annoy me and ruin my buzz.” I watch as her tongue comes out and wraps around the small straw, pulling it into her mouth like she would my cock, a sight that will be happening very fucking soon.
“Love you, too, sugar, but even I know where my limit is. You’re going to be hurting tomorrow, Tulsa.” Hank hands her another drink. I give him the look. He gets it and knows she’s cut off even if she doesn’t think so.
“Butterfly, what has you drinking like a fish in the afternoon?” I ask, moving so I’m sitting sideways instead of facing straight ahead like Tulsa is. Another healthy sip, sucking back half the contents in her glass, has my eyebrows arching. It seems she’s gearing up for battle, and knowing Tulsa, she’ll be ready at dawn to fight anyone’s demons, including her own.
“A lot of things. One, you know it’s been seven years, seven years, and I still don’t have your number? A girl needs that to apologize.” Her pointer finger is up as she uses her other one to point at it. I start to say something. “Nope. Hush. This is my time. Two, why are you so nice and have such a… a… shit, I forgot what I was going to say.” She’s got both fingers up. The vodka is catching up to her, and it’s about time I take her home. A yawn hits her, and she moves her hand to cover her mouth.
“Butterfly, mark my words, you can have my number and anything else you want of mine.” I move in closer, telling her the words in a low voice so no one else can hear.
“Oh, okay.” Yep, it’s time to put the lightweight to bed. I’ll be lucky if she makes it to the truck at this point.
“Hey, Hank, can you handle the Tahoe? I’m going to take Tulsa home. She’s going to start fading fast, and I’m thinking it’s going to be with her head on the bar top soon. Might be bad for business,” I ask, taking my card out to pay her tab, not even getting a beer for myself.
“Yep, I’ll have Max follow me to her place after closing. You know where the keys will be.” Every year, Hank takes care of me when I let myself grieve the loss of my best friend, the feelings I have for his sister, the guilt that eats me up because of it. Soon, the day is going to come when I’ll have Tulsa Rose as mine for good. There’s nothing standing in my way anymore.
“Thanks.” Hank takes the card even though I know he doesn’t want to, especially when it comes to Tulsa Rose. He’s got a soft spot for her that he rarely shows anyone. The Montgomerys have a way of doing that, burrowing so deep without you even knowing it until they’re firmly inside, never leaving.
“Not a problem. Sugar, it was good see you. Don’t be a stranger now that you’re home.” He wraps his hand around hers, squeezing it lightly.
“I’m never leaving, Hank. Make sure you tell this one.” She hooks her thumb in my direction.
“I think he’s well aware, as are you. Now go take a nap, and not on my bar.” I slide off my stool. Tulsa does the same, a little more unsteadily, making me wonder just how much she had to drink.
“Oh God, why is the room spinning?” She closes her eyes, one hand on the bar to hold herself up.
“Fuck it.” I move, one hand going to her back, the other beneath the bend of her knees. Her arms wrap around my neck, and I’m walking to the door.