Page 14 of Storm Warning
Nancy nods, her smile shining all the way to her eyes. “Got it, hon.” She turns to Daisy who, of course, orders a water since her purpose for being here is always a bit more business focused.
“Evenin’, ladies.” I hear the fake drawl and stifle a groan. Without even looking, I can already tell I’m not going to like whoever this is. What does a girl have to do to have a moment of peace?
Just try and ignore him. He’ll probably leave.
He clears his throat in the most obnoxious way. “Excuse me sexy, Big Daddy requires attention.”
Big Daddy? Boy, he really picked the wrong line.
I take a deep breath, preparing myself for whatever bullshit interaction is about to ensue. Readying myself to make this dumbass regret bothering us in the first place. He can thank Hayes for the extra sass tonight.
Turning in tandem, Daisy and I are met with a short man. The type of pipsqueak you find pretending to be at least six feet tall online with a fake Friendspace picture because he was blessed—no cursed—with a face only his mother would love. And he repulses me so much I’d be tempted to say even she questions it. If I were to guess, he’s older than us by at least five years; I can spot a gray or two in the loose strands of mistybrown hair that hang out from the sides of his…messy bun? What an odd choice to pair with his shitty little beer logo cowboy hat, floral button up, and cargo shorts.
He looks ridiculous, but I’d bet ten to one that he thinks the total opposite.
I consider turning away because even thinking this was the move is laughable, but then he clears his throat as he eyes us up and down like a gluttonous pig, and something about that pushes me over the edge.
“I couldn’t help but notice ya from across the bar, and I’m sure had ya been turned the other way, ya woulda noticed me too, so I figured I’d save your tight little asses the trouble and make my way over to you.”
For being probably one of the most unappealing men I’ve ever laid my eyes on, I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Standing multiple inches shorter than Daisy and I, the wannabe cowboy really has a massive set of balls with every line that passes through that nasty little mustache on his thin, crusty lips. I consider silencing him, but my sour mood has me looking for a fight today and I find his gall to be rather entertaining.
Daisy is too kind and, of course, questions him, hoping that will be enough to make him stop. But that is just not how Nashville works. Men here are different. Less worried about how stupid they look because there are so many overly intoxicated women just hoping to find a cowboy. Half the time they don’t even realize that the hat perched on said cowboy’s head is one they bought on the very same street as this bar.
“…all I have to do is wink and I have women on their knees.” I have no clue what the prick said prior to my zone out, but everything I’ve heard is enough for me to knock him on his stupid ass.
Holding back a cackle, I open my mouth to egg the idiot on. It’ll be that much more fun to ruin his day by telling him to get lost. But before I can speak, some other dumbass chimes in.
I turn to look at the makeshift Robin Hood, only to meet the familiar warm brown eyes of a tall sandy blond haired cowboy. His face is unforgettable. Though, I’d probably never admit that to him. No doubt thechampion, from months ago.
Great, now there are two idiots that I have to make disappear.
This one at least knows how to properly place his hat on his head, but apparently still can’t tell when to mind his own fucking business. I didn’t need saving then, and I sure as hell don’t need saving now. Especially from him. Not now, not ever. I can’t decide who to tell to fuck off first while I half listen to their idiotic banter. Again, snapping out of my daze when I quite literally hear the shorter guy stomp his foot like a child.
“Do either of these broads belong to you?” He pauses for a very brief moment, adjusting his bent up hat, not giving any of us a chance to answer. “No? Okay, then let me work my magic and continue giving blondie over here butterflies.” He winks in my direction, and a swell of disgust courses through me. My hands clench at my sides as he continues, “The name’s Russ, baby.” He scoots closer toward me and strokes the side of my arm, wrapping his little sausage fingers around my wrist. His touch sends me over the edge.
What is it with men thinking this is okay?
I cannot wait to ruin whatever delusional world this fucker lives in.
I wrench my arm from his hold, and, to no surprise at all, his grasp is as weak as he looks. A vicious smile remains on my lips as I lean in to meet his gaze.
“That’s real cute of you to assume.” I keep my tone sweet, but laced with venom. Leaning forward, I pat the top of his hat, making sure that his childish outburst is rewarded with a gesture only a child would receive. I decide to lay on how I feel extra thick, so I add, “And you sure are making me feelsomething, but it sure as hell isn’t butterflies. So how about you find your Momma, since I can only assume you got in here with someone who actually meets the height requirement of an adult, and get thefuckaway from us.”
His mouth gapes open, but words don’t come out. Whatever confidence this pitiful excuse of a man possessed seconds ago dies like a flame being snuffed. It’s like the cat got his tongue as he accepts his defeat and scurries away from us. I hope he not only learned his lesson, but that he tells everyone he possibly can to stay away from us. Maybe then I can actually enjoy my night.
Unfortunately for us, the other guy doesn’t follow suit.
“I’m Rhett.” He shakes Daisy’s hand then aims for me. My gaze flicks to his outstretched palm then back up to his stupidly handsome face. I school my features into the most unfriendly scowl I can muster. One I hope silently says,leave. I’ve been touched enough for tonight, or a lifetime really, and I hope that’s abundantly clear.
“So, what brings y’all here? I’m sure that dumbshit wasn’t on tonight’s agenda,” he says, glancing toward where the previous asshole skittered off to. And while I fully agree with him, I don’t laugh at his joke. No need to stroke this guy’s ego since he’s just as unwelcome as the last one.
I take a long sip from my glass. I know his type: his looks alone would make any girl interested and then he uses his talent to do the rest of the heavy lifting. Always excited to share how wonderful he is in every way, only to turn around and prove the opposite. Hayes was my final straw, and my drink makes it that much easier to tell this guy where to shove it.
“Listen, Cowboy, we didn’t need any kinda saving, and we sure as shit don’t need you to replace the last asshole to cross our path. Why don’t you just mind your own business and leave us alone?”
His grin deepens along with my anger towards him. “Well, ain’t she a firecracker?” he says, earning a soft chuckle from my wonderful, but oblivious friend.
It only takes Daisy five seconds to decide she likes this shithead, and even less time for me to decide I don’t. I look around the room for an excuse to get him away from us. But it’s no use. Daisy’s too trusting and already dishing about what she does for a living. An obvious mistake since I now hear hope in his voice as he pitches the idea of us potentially going somewhere with him.
