Page 11 of Smokey's Distraction
Smokey.Ashley whirled around.
“Why in the hell were you sneaking up on me?” She shoved one hand into the front pocket of her leather jacket.
“I wasn’t sneaking up on you. I saw you go out and thought you were having a smoke.”
“I’m not. I’mtryingto get to my car.”
“I thought we could talk for a bit.”
She shook her head and drops of water flew around. “I can’t. Goodnight.” Ashley pressed the button of her car’s key fob and the headlights lit up in the parking lot.
“I forgot where you said you were staying.”
“I didn’t.” Her breath was a visible puff of vapor, mingling with his.
“Then, where are you staying?”
She opened the car door, tossed her purse on the passenger seat, and then looked up at him. “Look”—she waved her hand between them—“thisisn’t going to happen, so why don’t you go back in and attend to your fans?”
He quirked his lips. “Is this about those chicks who were flocking around me?”
“No, this is about me not being interested. I know it’s hard to comprehend, especially for a guy who’s used to getting all the women, but”—she dug her finger into the soft leather of her jacket—“this time, you’ve struck out.”
“You don’t know shit about me.”
“I know enough—cocky as hell, loves the attention women give him, and a player.” She shook her head. “Like I said—not interested.”
Ashley closed the car door, switched on the ignition, and turned on the windshield wipers; then she backed out of the space and drove away. Glancing in the rearview mirror, she saw Smokey, almost lost in the orangey glow of the streetlight above where he stood as snowflakes swished all around him.
Maybe I was too harsh back there. Anyway, why do I give a shit how many women hit on him?“Because he reminds me of Dad,” she muttered under her breath. But she’d come into contact with quite a few men like her father, and it’d never been any big deal.
No, there was something else going on.
“I’m attracted to him. There … I said it. Anyway, who cares? I won’t see him again—there are over nine thousand people who live in this town.”
Ashley turned up the radio, gripped the steering wheel, and slowly headed back to the hotel.
2
Smokey stuffedthe last bite of his roast beef sandwich in his mouth as he stared at the car races on the big screen television. Several of the club girls sat on the worn green couch against the wall, whispering and giggling. Hubcap, Tiny, Cruiser, and Blade sat on the couch facing the television, chugging beer and yelling at the screen.
“How’d you make out with that sweet piece last night?” Bones asked as he pulled out the chair.
“I saw you come back inside Blue’s alone,” Animal said.
Smokey wiped his mouth and pushed the empty plate away from him. “Why the fuck are you here bothering me instead of hanging with your woman?” He leaned back in the chair and stretched his legs out in front of him.
“Olivia took Lucy to a movie at the mall.” Animal laughed. “You struck out, didn’t you, dude?”
“I can only strike out if I’m playing the fuckin’ game—which I wasn’t,” Smokey replied.
“It looked like you were into her,” Bones said. “She was pretty hot. I saw Diamond talking with her at the bar before you came in. I was thinking to chat her up but got distracted by a killer blonde who knew how to fuck. I’ll be seeing her again for sure.”
Animal laughed and patted his friend on the back. “Is this one gonna be around for a while?”
Bones shrugged. “Maybe.”
“I’m betting on two weeks max,” Smokey said.
