“Oh my, is that really its name? I mean, surely, with a name like that it has men and women laughing the entire time they attempt to hold on.” I watch the way her tongue chases after the straw until she finds it, sucking it like her life depends on it.
“That’s really the name, brought it down here from my hometown where bull riders would use it as practice. Stick around long enough and you’ll see some real entertainment. I’m Wolf, by the way.” I hold my hand out to hers.
“Reese, and I think I just might. I’m assuming this place is yours, considering your name.” The smile she gives me along with her small, much daintier hand engulfed in mine that’s riddled with callouses from work is a contradiction, but the way my body reacts to hers, I know that there’s no way I’ll let this woman leave tonight without me at least getting her phone number.
“You let me know when you need another one. I’m going to see if those guys over there need a fresh beer.” Letting her know I’m not going anywhere, not if I can help it.
“Oh, let me pay you, in case you get busy and I wander around?” She moves to grab her wallet out of her purse that’s hanging across her body, highlighting the size of her tits.
“I’ll show you around. Give me a few minutes, and don’t worry about the drink.” She settles down, and that’s when I make my way through the rest of the patrons at the bar. Since it’s the middle of the week, we aren’t too busy yet. That will change come the weekend, and that’s usually when I’ll let the bartenders I’ve hired work the crowds to bring in their money. I utilize that time to take care of the books, order alcohol, and then help out if the crowd gets out of control. Which seems to happen the busier we get into tourist season. One thing I’m banking on now is that Reese will give me the opportunity to do a whole lot more than show her around.
Two
Reese
The goose bumps that pebbled up on top of my skin still haven’t gone down since Wolf’s touch more than a few minutes ago. It probably doesn’t help that every time I try to be nonchalant, he catches me in the act of gazing at him.
“Aren’t you a pretty girl.” A woman takes the barstool next to me. My head whips around. A smile graces her face, short brown hair cut in a bob and blue eyes that sparkle with mischief.
“Me?” I ask, looking around while pointing to myself.
“Of course, you. I’m Julia. That’s my boy over there. I couldn’t be prouder of him. Not with the way I upped and moved, he didn’t bat an eye, just followed my move. Busted his tail until he scrimped and saved every penny working on any rodeo he could that was within driving distance, squirreled away that money. And when Mr. McKinley was ready to sell this place, Wolf paid cash for it.” She offers up this information freely, though it leaves me reeling. As if I’m an outsider and learned this in a way I probably shouldn’t have.
“Wow,” I breathe out, because I’m astonished. Wolf can’t be much older than me, and I’m twenty-five.
“Hey, Ma.” The man of the hour leans over the bar top, giving his mom a kiss on the cheek.
“Fancy seeing you here. Kind of slowing tonight, hmm?” She hands him a bag with what looks like Tupperware inside it.
“It’s only Wednesday, always a slow night when I’m working the bar. You know that. I see you’ve met Reese.” He nods in my direction, a grin showing off his perfectly straight teeth along with a dimple on the right side of his cheek.
“I should have put two and two together, the eyes, the hair. You two are clones.” I move to where I’m brokering the corner of my seat to watch the go-between with these two.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Reese. Since, you know, my boy here has seemingly lost his manners. Are you new here?” she asks while shaking my hand.
“Reese Miller. I’m here for the summer. The perk of being a schoolteacher is the time off, so I figured this would be a great place to visit.”
“Then you picked the right place. Wolf here will be the welcome wagon for you in Galveston,” she offers her son up like he doesn’t clearly work and owns a very successful business.
“It’s okay, honestly. I’m sure he’s busy.” I don’t want to put Wolf on the spot. I mean, what if he doesn’t feel this crazy ridiculous pull that I do between the two of us?
“Not busy, sunshine. You ready for another one?” he responds, using that same endearment he used earlier before he knew my name.