“Nah. When you know you know. You know?” Dolly hiccups and then laughs. “My parents knew each other a hot second before they got married. I'm the same way. I’m really starting to think it runs in the Jennings bloodline.”
“But you’re not married,” I say, giggling, then a half snort comes out, making me laugh even harder.
“I would be if baby daddy wasn't tripping.” She does a dramatic eye-roll. The soon to be baby daddy moves in a little closer to her. He’s been doing it slowly for some time now, and I’m not sure he’s aware he’s doing it, but he’s almost caging her in. He’s giving a very clear sign that no other man can talk to her. Yet he doesn't seem to be making a move himself. He just doesn't want anyone else to, either.
She blows her hair out of her face, and I can't hold back my laugh. At this rate my stomach is really going to hurt in the morning. Both from the drinks and laughing.
“I think Blake is amazing. And I want to throw a saddle on him.”
“Gross. Too far, Luce,” Dolly says, holding up her hand in a stop motion. “I will say, I’ve never seen him smitten over a woman before. Not that many haven’t tried to get his attention, but he’s never responded. But you, oh, he’ll be having you it seems.”
I sit up and start to tell her something else, but I do it too fast and my head swims from all the quick tequila. As I'm about to tip out of my stool, a set of hands grabs my arms a little too tight and pulls me to stand before I can hit the ground.
I feel my stomach roll as I look up into the eyes of a stranger.
“I’ve got you, baby.” The man pulls me even snugger to him. “Let’s dance.”
His whiskey-laced breath hits me, and I want to vomit. The stench of cigarettes comes second, and I don’t know how much longer I can keep the tequila down. He moves against me, and I shove at him, wanting him away from me. His hands are digging into my arms.
“Get your hands off me you—”
Before I can finish my sentence, I’m out of his grasp and safely beside Dolly. Blake is in front of me, and all I can hear is the sound of a loud crack and then a thud as the stranger hits the floor. He’s laid out cold. The band stops playing, and I see Blake’s back moving like he’s breathing hard. His shoulders rise and fall rapidly as he stares down at what he’s just done.
“Holy shit. I’ve never seen Blake lose his temper,” I hear Dolly say. “She as good as roped.” She giggles the last part. I don’t even look over at her. I’m unable to take my eyes off Blake.
The whole room falls silent, and the bar patrons all look at Blake. When Blake turns around to face me, there is an edge of anger on his face, but it’s not directed at me. When he reaches out I go to him without a second thought, knowing he can make me feel better. Simply being near him soothes me. Like coming home when you’re not feeling good. I might have had too many margaritas, but my body knows he’s a safe place.
“Jimmy. We’re gonna talk later about you serving them,” Blake says over the top of my head.
I glance over at Dolly, and the guy from earlier is behind her. “I’ll give Dolly a ride home, Blake. Make sure she gets there safe.”
“Thanks, Brandon, I’d appreciate it,” Blake says to the guy, and I see Dolly cross her arms. “You sure it’s not too far out of your way?”
“No, it’s fine. Anything to get a break from the Johnson farm. You know how June is.” Brandon rolls his eyes, and Dolly purses her lips at the mention of this June girl. Brandon grabs a hold of her and they walk away.
“Let me take you home,” Blake says, making me looking up at him.
“Yeah. I think I’ve had enough fun for one night.” I glance down at the guy on the floor. He’s still out cold. Nobody has come over to help him up, and I can’t say I’m sorry about it. The band starts playing again like nothing happened. Thank God Blake got here when he did.
To my surprise, Blake scoops me up in his arms, and I lean into his chest, smelling his familiar scent of leather and sunshine. It makes my head stop spinning, and suddenly I’m so tired I can’t hold my eyes open.
In fact, I’m not able to open them again until I feel Blake shifting me around and picking me up again. It’s then I realize we’re back at the farm and he’s carrying me into the house.
“I don’t feel so good, Blake. Can you lie down with me?” I don’t know where my boldness comes from, but it’s the truth. The tequila has gone straight to my head, and I don’t want to be alone. I also know he doesn't want to, either.
I’ve only been drunk one other time, when Fernanda and I snuck some gin from my dad's liquor cabinet, and I swore I’d never drink again after I spent the next day throwing up. I guess I didn’t learn my lesson so well.
“Wasn’t planning on letting you be alone tonight, Lucy.” The use of my nickname makes me smile. His jealousy tonight showed me one thing is certain. He wants me. Everyone always says Blake is the calm and funny one of the Jennings brothers, but tonight he snapped. He didn’t like seeing another man touch me, and something in me liked that. I inspire passion in him, and he’s doing the same to me. He’s making me feel things I’ve never felt before.
“Nobody calls me Lucy but you,” I mumble against his chest. My eyes are heavy again as I let him carry me.
But before sleep takes me fully, I feel his lips on my forehead. “I’m gonna be calling you more than that real soon.”