Chapter 1 – Davis
The drinks and
congratulations are flowing around Club Z. My best friend Zane just found out
his wife, Briar, is carrying his baby and has decided we need to celebrate. And
he’s right it’s a time for celebration. They didn’t have a traditional start to
their relationship, but it’s working for them. I can only hope someday, in the very
far future, I’ll have what they do. But until then I’m content being
me. Davis Price. Card shark. Stripper. All-around player!
You could say
I play the field. But it would be a huge understatement. I don’t only play the
field, I fucking own it. I’m that good. The kind of good where I only have to
flash my dimples and draw on the southern charm that comes from my small town
Georgia roots, and the girls come running, begging for one night with me. I’m
more than happy to give them that night, and on a very rare occasions I go back
for seconds. But none of them, and I mean none,
turn into a relationship. I’ve never been the “boyfriend”. As we’ve already
pointed out I’ve been with plenty of women, it’s just not one of them has had
the honor of calling herself my girlfriend. That title comes with way too much
drama for my liking, so I steer clear.
A shot and a
bottle of beer is set in front of me on the bar. I down the shot and pick up
the beer, but before I can take a drink I feel my cell phone vibrating in my
pocket. I pull it out to find my sister calling. I hit the talk button and make
my way outside so I’ll be able to hear her.
“Hey little
sister.” I answer with my normal greeting.
“Hi big
brother.” She answers back. I nod at the bouncers, Trey and Vin, as I pass.
Then when I’m far enough into the parking lot that the music from inside is
muted I ask.
“So what’s
wrong?” I love talking to my sister. We’re only a year apart in age and we’ve
always been close, but it’s after midnight my time so it’s after three in
Georgia. She’s never up this late unless something’s wrong. I hear her sigh
through the phone and it causes me to grit my teeth. My mind is in overdrive
and it’s leaning more towards guy problems. I might be a player, but that
doesn’t mean I allow guys to treat my sister the way I treat girls. If that
preppy ass guy she’s dating did anything to hurt her I’ll be driving back to
Georgia tonight to teach him a lesson.
“It’s not me.”
She rushes because she knows how my mind works almost as well as I do. “It’s
Dixie.”
Fuck!
That’s almost
as bad as someone hurting her. Dixie has been my sister Dallas’ best friend
practically since the moment they were born. Seriously, they were delivered
just hours apart in the same hospital. To top it off Dallas’ parents lived
right across the road from ours. From day one those two were attached at the hip.
As my momma would say they’re two peas in a pod. So Dixie was around, a lot,
which made her like family to me. She hated that because she’s always had a
little crush on me. But I refused to mess around with Dixie. I’d have had to
see her at too many family get togethers after it went south for it to be worth
it.
“What’s wrong
with Dixie?”
“Well she’s
moving out your way and she needs a place to stay till she can get a job and
get on her feet.” I can tell Dallas’ is leaving something out, even if I didn’t
know her as well as I do. I’d be able to hear the shake in her voice. Something
bad has happened with Dixie. It had to have if that girl’s moving this far away
from my sister.
I lean against
the closest car and run my free hand through my hair. “Dallas, what aren’t you
telling me?”
“Please,
Davis. It isn’t my story to tell. If Dixie wants you to know she’ll tell you
herself.”
“So it was
bad.” I come to my own conclusion.
“Yes.” Dallas
answers on a sob.
“Is she in
trouble with the law?” If she isn’t going to give me all the details I at least
need to know if helping out is going to land me behind bars.
“Not in the
way you’re thinking.” She responds still crying. She just gave away more
information than she probably wanted to with that answer. But I won’t push her
on it because I can hear how upset she is. I’ll get the whole story from Dixie
when she gets here in a few days.
“Fine. She can
stay with me.”
Dallas sighs
in relief. “I owe you one, big brother.”
I shake my
head even though she can’t see it. “I’ve told you before. Helping you out is my
job as your brother, so you don’t owe me a thing.”
“Have I told
you today how much I love you?”
“Seeing how
it’s a new day, nope. But don’t worry I already know and I love you too.”
“Momma and
Daddy miss you.” She changes the direction of the conversation.
“I miss them
too. Tell them I love them and I’ll try to come visit sometime soon.” She
agrees and then I get back on topic. “When should I expect my new roommate?”
“Umm…” Dallas
mumbles.
“When will
Dixie be here, Dallas? I need to make sure I have the apartment ready in time.”
“Dixie?” I
finally let my shock leak out.
“Hi Davis.”
She says forcing a smile on her face.
Remembering
that Dallas is still on the phone I tell her that Dixie’s here and I’ll call
her later. Then we say goodbye and both hang up. By the time the phone’s back
in my pocket I’m close enough to grab Dixie into a hug and I’m just about to do
that when the bruising around her right eye catches my attention. I can tell
she’s tried to cover it with make-up, but there’s only so much Cover Girl can
really hide. Not even thinking I reach out to touch her cheek right below the
bruising. She flinches and with a shake of her head says. “Please don’t.”
I let my hand
drop to my side, where it automatically clenches into a fist. I’m going to
fucking kill who did this to her. I close my eyes to try to calm myself down.
When I feel I have a little control I open them back up. Through a clenched jaw
I tell her as gently as possible. “Tell me what happened.”
She hangs her
head, letting her hair cover her face. She stays that way for several minutes before
she finally lifts her head back up and I see the tears shinning in her eyes.
Her voice is small when she asks. “Can we talk about it later?”
I want to push
her for an explanation, but seeing her so fragile stops me so I nod my head
instead. She’ll explain everything when she’s ready. I just have to be patient.
“I’m sorry to
just show up like this, but Dallas insisted you wouldn’t mind.” She says as she
wraps her arms around her middle. She looks fragile, so different from the
strong girl I use to know. It makes me want to smash something with my fists,
preferably the face of the jackass who did this to her.
“Dallas is
right.” Is my only answer, because I’m still trying to calm myself down.
“I know you’re
working, but do you mind if I go on to your apartment?”
I shake my
head to clear the thoughts of payback. “Of course you can. Let’s go inside and
I’ll get you a key and write down the directions.”
She stays
anchored to the side of the Camaro. “Can I please just wait here for you?”
“Sure. I’ll only
be a couple minutes.” I give in, though I’d rather her be where I can see her.
I stop beside Vin and Trey before going back into the club and ask them to
watch out for Dixie until I come back. They both give me a strange look, mostly
because they know my reputation, but they agree. I stop behind the bar pulling
out the pad of paper that Dex keeps to write drink orders on. Then I make my
way to Zane’s office.
The doors
closed so I knock. I can faintly hear people rushing around inside. Seems I’ve caught
him and Briar in the middle of their “celebration”. After a few minutes Zane’s
strained voice calls. “Come in.”
I open the
door, not even trying to hide my knowing smile, and slip in to one of the empty
seats in front of the desk. Zane’s sitting in his chair, sorting through
papers, trying to look innocent. Though no act is going to hide that his shirt
is buttoned up crooked. I look over my shoulder at Briar, who’s stretched out
on the couch along the wall by the door. She’s typing away at a laptop, but her
flushed face is a dead giveaway.
I turn back to
Zane now fully grinning and ask. “You do realize you can’t actually start on
number two while number one is still baking, right?”
A giggle slips
from Briar and Zane narrows his eyes and instead of responding asks. “Do you
need something?”
Scooting
forward I put the pad of paper on his desk and swipe a pen out of a cup full of
them. I start writing down directions to my apartment. Zane coughs to get my
attention. I look up at him and he raises an eyebrow in question.
“Oh yeah. I
need my spare apartment key.”
He pulls open
his top desk drawer and digs out his keys. He slips my key off the ring and
slides it across the desk. “Are you leaving early? You haven’t even hit the
stage tonight.”
I pocket the
key and then go back to writing out the directions. “Nah. Just had a bit of a
surprise visit from family and she needs the key.”
“She?” Briar
and Zane ask in unison.
I nod instead
of responding. I’ve finished the directions now I’m reading through them to
make sure they’re easy enough that she’ll understand them.
Something hits
me in the head and I look down to see a crumpled piece of paper. Looking up at
Zane I ask. “What the hell, Z?”
“If Dallas is
in town you can take some time off. I’ll cover your dances.” Briar gasps at his
offer, probably remembering the last time he danced, or as they like to
remember it…their wedding night. I wave off the offer as I toss the pen back in
the cup.
“No need. It’s
not Dallas. I’m good to cover.” Should I
take the time off? I could drive back to Georgia and kill the guy who laid his
hands on Dixie. I’d have to get the full story from her first and I don’t think
she’s ready to give it. I guess I’ll give her some space till she’s ready to
spill, and then make the trip. Until then I continue to work.
Another wad of
paper hits me in the head. I throw this one back. “Stop throwing shit at me!”
“If you’d stop
spacing and answer my damn questions I wouldn’t have to.” Zane shoots back.
“What
questions?” I ask confused.
Briar slips
into the empty seat beside me, apparently deciding my life is more exciting
than whatever was on her computer. “The question was ‘who’s the she that’s staying
with you?”
“Oh. It’s
Dixie.”
“Why the hell
is Dixie here without Dallas?” Zane grills.
“Who’s Dixie?”
Briar asks looking between the two of us.
“My sister
Dallas’ best friend.” I explain.
She scrunches
up her perfect face and says. “I thought you said she was family.”
“Well she’s
not blood, but she might as well be. They’ve been friends since birth.”
She nods her
head in understanding then repeats Zane’s earlier question. “So why’s she here
without your sister?”
“Trouble back
home is forcing her to relocate and since everyone else she knows is still
located in Georgia I was her only option for help.” I explain the little bit I
know. Maybe I shouldn’t be spilling Dixie’s secrets, but Zane and Briar are as
good as family in my eyes and family helps each other. And I have a feeling
I’ll need both their help with Dixie’s situation before it’s really over. Even
if the only thing they help with is coming up with my bail money.
“Whose ass are
we beating?” Zane growls as his hands that are laying on top the desk ball in
to fists. See I told you he’s family.
Because only family would risk a night in lock up to help you out.
Briar gets out
of her chair and moves around the desk to sit on Zane’s lap. She rubs her hand
up and down his chest, all the while whispering something in his ear. When his hands
are no longer fisted on the desk, but instead resting against her soft curves I
know her ploy is working. I stand up done with the interrogation and move
towards the door.
Briar calls my
name stopping me. “Davis?” Not dropping my hand from the door knob I look over
my shoulder. She doesn’t wait for me to ask what before she continues. “You
tell Dixie if she needs help with anything I’ll be there.”
“And if you
need help dealing with her trouble. I got your back.” Zane adds.
I smile at
Briar and give Zane a chin lift. Without a word I’m out of there and making my
way back out of the bar. They know I appreciate their help no need to throw out
flowery words.
Dex is
standing behind the bar chatting up a couple of customers. I throw the pad of
paper his way. He catches sight of it before it can hit him in the face,
managing to catch it. He flips me off and I laugh the rest of the way out of
the bar. That asshole is too damn slick.
My laugh dies
in my throat when I walk out the exit and find Vin chatting up Dixie. He was supposed to watch out
for her not make a move on her. I get the sudden urge to stomp over and stake
my claim. To show the muscle bound jackass whose territory he’s crossing into.
But I come crashing back to reality, remembering she isn’t mine. Never has
been. I don’t claim girls. I fuck them and leave them. I don’t like these kind
of urges and the only sure way I know to get rid of them is to remind myself
why I love my freedom. Spending the night wrapped around some stranger should
help with that. I’m long overdue for a one night stand. Hope Zane doesn’t mind
me breaking his number one rule, No
messing with the customers. Who am I kidding? I’ve never followed that rule
to begin with.
I stride over
to where Dixie and Vin are standing beside her car. I pull the key out of my
pocket and hand it and the directions over to her. I give Vin a look letting
him know to give us a minute alone. He smiles at Dixie and tells her. “It was
nice meeting you. I hope I see you around.”
She smiles
back, but knowing Dixie the way I do I know it’s her forced smile, and
responds. “Thanks. You too.”
I watch him
walk away and then turn my attention back to her. She’s rolling the key around
her right palm, while she looks over the directions she’s holding in her left. When
she looks up to find me watching her she gives me her genuine smile. “Thanks
for this.”
“No thanks are
needed.”
“Yeah, they
are. I’m sure me staying with you is going to mess up your…” she hesitates,
swallowing hard like the words she’s going to say next are hard for her.
“social life.”
“Social life?”
I ask confused, but then it dawns on me. “Hell no! I don’t bring women back to
my apartment. If I do that they can stalk my ass when I end it and I sure as
hell don’t want that.”
She shakes her
head. “I see you haven’t grown up.”
I straighten
my back and cross my arms against my chest. “Why should I when I’m having so
much fun?”
She leans into
me, placing her hand against my chest, and looking up at me with those big
blue-green eyes says. “Because sometimes it’s more fun giving someone the time
to show you everything they have to offer. The one night stands would never
be satisfying, ever again.”
My body goes
tight at her words practically screaming please
show me, but my head is reminding me over and over that this is my sister’s
best friend. This is Dixie. I’m not good for anything but one night stands and
she deserves more than that.
As much as I
hate doing it, I take a step back to dislodge her hand. She doesn’t show any
disappointment, maybe because she was just trying to talk reason in to me
instead of putting a move on me. With what she’s been through recently I doubt
she wants to rush into another man’s arms so soon. So she must only have been
trying to talk reason into me.
I change the
subject. “Do you think you’ll be able to find the apartment alright?”
“Um…yeah. The
directions you wrote down look pretty easy to follow.”
I uncross my
arms and let them fall to my sides. “Well I better get back inside. I have to
go on sometime tonight.”
“Of course.
Sorry I bothered you at work.” She says as she pushes the key into her skirt
pocket.
“It’s no
problem. Zane doesn’t mind. And Briar said if you need help getting settled to
get ahold of her.” I relay the information Briar asked me to.
“Dallas told
me Zane got married. Tell Briar I’ll probably take her up on that.” I nod. She
motions to the car. “Well I’ll get going. Should I leave a light on for you?”
I remember my
plan to hook up tonight, feeling suddenly embarrassed I look at the ground. Rubbing
the back of my neck I tell her. “Actually no. I’ll probably be out late.”
“Umm. Okay.
Well I guess I’ll see you later.” I look up in time to see her getting into her
car.
When she’s in
the driver seat with the door firmly shut I go over and with an arm resting on
the roof of the car I lean down to talk again. “Be careful. And don’t hesitate
to make yourself at home. Eat all my food. Drink my beer. Clean up all my
messes. You know what you’d normally do.”
“Ha! Nice try.
I’ll drink your beer and eat your food, but you’re picking up your stinky socks
yourself.” She shoots right back.
“I thought it
was worth a shot.” I chuckle. Then telling her bye I straighten and move away
from the car. I watch her pull out and head down the road. When I can no longer
see her tail lights I head back towards the bar. Time to find my next one night
woman.
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