“I was around y’all and you know it. Besides, this town isn’t big enough for me not to know your business.”
“I ’spose you’re right about that.”
“I can tell you what you like. I’m observant.”
“You’re more irritating than my real-life little sister, Dallas. In fact, you’re worse, Mel.”
“Dallas is good people. Stop talkin’ about her like that. She and I were in high school choir together. Nice voice.” She grinned. “You like smart women.” She began to count off her fingers. “Ambitious women. Kind women. Strong women. You like—”
“Just stop. Why are you being so pushy about this? I know you’ve got plenty of other friends you could hook me up with if you wanted to, but I don’t want a hook up in the first place. I’m cool.”
He turned back towards the dart game. The truth of the matter was that affairs of the heart were tiresome. Women were stressful, no matter how nice they first appeared. There was always some bullshit later down the line. Jealousy. Accusations of cheating, even when he wasn’t. Emotional outbursts. Things had gotten significantly worse when he finally got some money under his belt. The gold diggers came out in droves, pressuring to get married. One lady had even poked holes in his condoms.
It was just too much. He’d put a pause on courting. Not pussy, but definitely dating. English was the type of lady where you weren’t going to hit and quit it. He realized that within ten seconds of looking at her, so there was no need to even try to use her for a mere one-night stand. Besides, women tended to lose their shit if he took them to bed. They’d become clingy and possessive, regardless of him saying right off the bat that he didn’t want anything serious. He was just that good. This wasn’t arrogance. He just had solid knowledge of the female body, sexual confidence, endurance, stamina, and a big dick and long tongue definitely didn’t hurt.
“You’re a good man, Axel, and after hearing my friend pour out her heart to me tonight, I just… I just thought that maybe y’all could at least be friends. I didn’t ask you to marry her or anything. Damn. A conversation and a cup of coffee never hurt nobody.” And with that, she walked back towards the bar.
Axel played a game of darts, and debated getting another beer, but thought better of it. The crowd began to thin out as closing time approached, and the last call for alcohol was made. He caught sight of Melanie speaking to another bartender. Money was going between their hands. Initially, he thought they were settling the tips, but then they both shot him a glance, and they went back to counting.
Melanie, you’re a real piece of work. Think you’re slick. You and Legend stay on some shady shit. I still love ya, though.
His gaze then traveled to the woman who’d gotten under his skin within a matter of seconds.
English was now messing around on her phone, and the goofy nerd man was nowhere in sight. More than likely licking his rejected wounds behind the wheel of his Thunderbird, or perhaps, jacking off to release some tension in the men’s room. He watched from a distance, as she slid her blazer back on, then talked to Melanie for a bit. After a while, the two of them hugged from across the bar counter. She grabbed her purse and made her way towards the exit. Meanwhile, Greek was still going off about another college basketball team that had let him down.
Just then, his phone vibrated in his pocket.
He’d been ignoring calls, texts and emails since he’d arrived at the bar, wishing to be left alone, but he shot a look at Mel, figuring she was texting him English’s number, just as she’d vowed to. She in fact had her phone in her hand, but he didn’t bother to check. Instead, he followed English out of the bar. The scent of her perfume lingered in the air as he walked past the door.
He could hear what sounded like keys dangling in her hand as she approached a white Lexus with matching leather interior. Oddly enough, it was parked right next to his truck.
“Hey, English.”
She paused and turned in his direction.
“Yes?”
“Do you mind if I call you sometime?”
“I do mind.” She chortled, then turned around and kept walking.
“Well, Melanie bet someone some money that I’d call you, so we may as well let her get a little extra cash.”
She paused once again and spun to face him.
“And just so we’re clear, I wasn’t in on the deal. I was a victim of her scheme as much as you.”
“She wouldn’t do something like that.”
“Look, I’ve known that woman since she was barely out of diapers. I don’t know how long you’ve known her, but she’s a chameleon. She’s been through a lot of shit, and it shows. Melanie is a sweet girl, but she’s always in survival mode. You can be her best friend in the world, and she’ll still make a buck off you, if she can, all while helping you stand up straight for auction.”