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“She looked so cute at the party,” Georgia hollers as I walk over to the sink and quickly wash out my bowl and fork.
“Must take after her dad.” I wink. “See y’all later.”
Blake and I have a great evening at the community hall. It’s always some fun and the time passes quickly. I’ve been doing it for years. Laura Delaney isn’t here tonight, so I can put my competitive edge away and stuff around a little with my daughter.
Blake’s friend, Juliette, is here though, and her mom, Amber, has got a crush on me.
I know this because she’s always giving me eyes at school pickup, being extra friendly and tries to touch. She’s a nice enough lady, but not really my type. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t sleep with every woman I meet.
I admit, I did go through a few women after my divorce and I was having a lot of fun there for a while letting loose. All on Blake’s off week of course.
“My, my, aren’t you just the swaggering cowboy out there.” Amber beelines for me when we’re taking our break. Blake is chatting to Juliette, showing off her new boots just out of ear-shot.
“Oh, I try my best,” I chuckle, trying to keep it light. I figure it’s best in these kind of awkward situations.
“Where did you get Blake’s new boots, they’re just divine!”
“Her mother bought them for her birthday. I’m not sure where she got them.” I’m tempted to use the term ‘my wife’ again, but I refrain. Everyone who lives here knows we’re divorced.
It’s also something I did not want to be discussing. I thought this would be the last place I’d be talking about my wife. It seems there’s no escaping it.
“Blake’s as cute as a button. A little bit like her daddy,” she goes on.
I smile to myself. Amber is a nice looking woman, I can’t deny that. With curves in all the right places, and a huge rack. She has long, chestnut hair down to her waist, and big, full, pouty lips. She’s attractive, sure. But she scares the fuck out of me. I’ve heard she’s a wild one in bed and likes to get a little freaky.
“I know plenty of people who would describe me very differently.” I smile and try to switch tact. “That cowgirl hat might just take out first prize.” She’s wearing a leopard print shirt with tassels, and has the same leopard print sash which ties around her hat.
“Thanks, I made the ribbon myself. I’m good with my hands.” She flutters her eyelashes and gives me a not-so-subtle wink.
I laugh good-naturedly. At one point I would have said yes. I know how to show a woman a good time, I ain’t selfish with it, but my dick is limp thinking about Amber when all I can think about is Eden.
“Good to know.” I press my lips together just as we’re called back out to the dance floor to resume the second half. I spot Blake and start walking. “See you out there.”
“Bye-bye.” She finger waves.
I make my escape and put my arm around Blake when I get to her. “Havin’ fun, honey?”
“Yeah, but I think Juliette’s mom likes you, Dad,” Blake giggles as we make our way back out to the floor.
“Nah, she’s just being nice,” I say, twirling my darlin’ around. “You’re the only girl Dad wants to dance with tonight.”
11
Eden
I park in Kirk’s driveway and give my reflection one last check over in the rear vision mirror. I made a special effort to tame my curls, and thanks to a fair amount of hairspray, my hair is staying put no matter what.
I’ve kept myself sane on the drive, listening to a couple of podcasts and then singing away to some of my playlist. Granted, it may contain way too much Backstreet Boys, but nobody has to know.
I’ve also managed to distract myself from thinking about Brooklyn for most of the way.
I’m still coming to terms with our non-divorce. To him it may not be a big deal, but to me it is. I’ve been toying with the semantics of it and I’m finding it hard not to be mad at Brook. He’s known for being aloof and easygoing, but this is ridiculous.
That said, I felt bad for him standing there at the barn when I left Blake’s party, but I had to get out of there. I know he hasn’t been himself lately, and this whole debacle is why.
He’s not the happy-go-lucky guy I know.
I talked to my best friend, Carrie, last night about some of it, and she was very sympathetic.
