“I’ll get you to talk to me again. Wait and see,” I shout as she comes to a stop and shifts into drive.
“You want me to talk to you?” she asks, sticking her head out the window. “I have a message for you.” She smiles sweetly.
I rub my hands together. Finally.
“Mrs. Tessle says if you speed down her street one more time, she’ll call the law.”
“Did she now?”
She shrugs one shoulder, her face indifferent. “You’re not above the law, Memphis, are you?”
God, the way she says my name has me ready to strip my clothes off and pull her against me.
“I guess not.” I laugh out.
She rolls her eyes at the same time she turns her head to look forward. Without another word, she hits the gas, and she’s leaving me behind.
Even though I know a part of her hates me, I know a part of her still loves me. Without that love, the hate would be gone. And she talked to me, she looked at me, she said my name. I’m not giving in until I have her back. I don’t care if I have to show up randomly at her house, if I have to follow her around town, or if I have to take Butter to the vet. She will talk to me, and I will explain. Jade and I, we started something a long time ago, and I ran off before it could be finished. I thought all these years would change something, but it hasn’t. The only thing that’s changed is how badly I want her. And that’s grown to an unexpected intensity.
I turn away and head into The Place, where I sit and have a beer while I wait for our food. During the day, it’s more of a restaurant than a bar. There are families gathered around the tables, having lunch and talking, and there are patrons seated at the bar, enjoying their liquid lunch. I left this place before I was old enough to even drink in here. Living in such a small town, a fake ID would’ve done no good when everyone knows how old you are anyway. I make a note to come back this evening and check things out and try and find some old friends to help pass the time. I’m handed a brown paper bag, and I toss a twenty on the counter before finishing off my beer and heading back to the garage.
Dad and I finish up work around five, and we both head back to the house to get cleaned up. I take a shower and pull on a pair of jeans and a fitted T-shirt. I grab my keys and head back out twenty minutes later. I’m driving down Main Street when I notice how full it is. Cars fill the small gravel parking lot of the bar and both sides of the streets. Surely, all these people aren’t at the bar, are they? I didn’t think that small building could even hold everyone.
I eventually find a place to park, and I have to walk almost a block down the road to go into the bar. The entire place is full. Every table is occupied, and a local country band plays on stage. The dance floor is packed with moving bodies, and every barstool is taken. I stand at the end and order a double Jack on the rocks. When I’m handed the drink, I slide over the money and turn my back to take the place in, looking for a friendly face. It’s busy for a Friday night, with nearly the whole town here for drinks and their famous fried chicken dinner.
I see Jade’s friend Pearl sitting at a table by the dance floor, and at her side is Blake Winthrop. I was lucky enough to play a year of football with him before he graduated from high school, and even though we’d only known one another for that one year, he was a good friend and made a lasting impression on me.
With my drink in hand, I walk over to their table.
I hold out my hand. “Hey, Blake. You remember me? We played football together my freshmen year.”
He looks up at me, and his brows pull together as he thinks. “Yeah, Memphis Styles, right?” he asks, shaking my hand.
I nod. “That’s right. How you been? I haven’t seen you since you graduated high school.”
He nods. “I’m good, man. Have a seat.” He pushes a chair in my direction.
I see the look Pearl shoots his way, but I ignore it. She must hate me because Jade hates me. But as soon as I get Jade back on my side, she’ll be on my side too.
“So, did that football career take you anywhere?” He picks up his drink, taking a sip.
I laugh and shake my head. “Nah, I enlisted in the army. Just got back home, actually.”
“Wow, that’s cool. Good for you. Not much has changed.” He just now seems to notice that something is off with Pearl. He wraps his arm around her shoulders.
“Not much has changed at all,” I agree.
“Sorry. The line to the bathroom was long,” Jade says, walking up to take her seat at the table, but she stops short when her eyes land on mine.
I take her in. She’s fucking beautiful. Her long black hair hangs nearly to her waist, and she’s wearing a black sun dress that has little blue and white flowers printed on it. At her narrow waist is a belt, which gives her the perfect hourglass shape. My eyes drop further, taking in her long legs. The darkness of her hair and dress make her alabaster skin look much more fair. I feel my mouth start to water when I think about what’s beneath that dress and how sweet she used to taste.
“Jade,” I greet her with a nod of my head.
She looks at Pearl. “What’s he doing here?”
She shrugs and doesn’t take her eyes off of me.
Blake leans forward and looks at the three of us. “Is there something I’m missing here?”
“No,” Jade interjects.
“Jade and Memphis used to date back in high school,” Pearl says, trying to play the mediator.
Blake nods knowingly.
“It was a long time ago,” I tell him, still watching Jade. “Please, Jade, don’t let me stop you from having a good time. Sit.”
She clenches her jaw but takes her seat once again. Excitement courses through me at the idea of getting her on that dance floor, like the good old days.
“So, what happened with the two of you?” Blake asks, looking from Jade to me and back.
“He took my virginity at prom, then up and left town without so much of a goodbye.” Jade shoots me a look.
Blake’s eyes double in size as he looks at me. He shakes his head and lifts his glass. “Sorry I asked,” he mumbles, tipping it back to take a swig.
Five
Jade
I come back from the bathroom and stop dead in my tracks when I see Memphis sitting at our table. Anger bubbles in my stomach and climbs its way up my throat, burning like acid. How dare he show up here? After the way he left? Didn’t he get the picture earlier when I ran into him? I don’t want to talk to him, don’t want to see him. I thought that was clear. Why doesn’t he just go back to wherever in the hell he’s been hiding for the last ten years?
I take a deep calming breath and push myself forward. I have a seat and intend on ignoring him for the rest of the night. However, I didn’t realize how hard that would be. His presence isn’t something that can be ignored. His strong frame is covered in rippling muscles. His blonde hair and green eyes are striking against his tanned skin. I could get lost in those eyes. They’re the color of grass early in the morning, fresh with dew, sparking with the rising sun, and so bright, they capture everyone’s attention. But that smirk, that’s what gets me the most. It’s sexy and teasing at the same time. It’s inviting but exclusive, only meant for me. And while that thought makes excitement course through my body, it also makes me raise my guard up. I don’t want to get hurt by him again.