“Of course she is.” Shelby giggled and then instantly wished she could learn to keep her mouth shut. Unfortunately, she’d never been able to. Whenever something entered her head, it rushed out of her mouth like a waterfall. “I’m a huge fan of the old television show. You know Miss Ball was quite the looker in her movies.” Shit. Shut up. “And talented, too.”
“You’re from Wilde, aren’t you?” Lucille asked. “I remember you used to be a cheerleader for the Wilde Wolves, right?”
“My cheering days were a long time ago,” she said, still thinking these two were being quite rude. Wilde and Elko never mixed. Why had she agreed to this date? Justin had tricked her into saying yes was why. Back at the ground breaking ceremony, she shouldn’t have agreed to take the cowboy to her office. That mistake had led her down this flight of fancy, something that could never be—her with the Champions.
“That’s where I know you from,” the brunette said with a sneer.
“Shelby, this one is Trixie.” Alex frowned.
Not Ethel? She stifled another giggle.
“Ladies, if you will please excuse us,” Alex continued. “I’d like to be alone with my date.”
“When you get tired of Wilde trash, we’ll be here for you, Alex,” Lucille snapped. “Willing and waiting.”
Instant rage filled every cell of Shelby’s body. It was high school a
ll over again with Elko girls ridiculing her. God, how long would she have to suffer their slurs? She jumped to her feet and got right in front of the bitch. “Who you calling trash? Don’t you know we Wilde girls are always packing? Kind of dumb of you to push me, Elko, don’t you think?”
“Come on, Lucille. Let’s get out of here.” Trixie pulled the other woman back. “She’s not worth it. Doc will call us later. He always does.”
Lucille glared at her for a bit before finally leaving with Trixie.
“Wow, Shelby. I’ve never seen those two back off so quickly.” Alex, still sitting, looked at her. “I’ll never have to worry about you taking care of yourself.”
“You’re right about that, Dr. Champion. I can take care of myself quite well. I’ve been doing it for a very long time.” Her insides were still burning from being called trash and finding out he’d been with those two skanks. What kind of man would bed women like Lucille and Trixie? Maybe Alex was all sexy gift wrapping with nothing inside. “Perhaps I should call Norma and Lily to come get me and that way you can have your standby ménage tonight.”
“I would never lower myself to their standards, Shelby. The whole town knows about those two.”
“He’s right about that, dear,” an elderly woman at the table behind them said. “They are a disgrace. You two look quite good together,” the woman added with a wink.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
The lady smiled.
Shelby looked around the whole room. Everyone was blatantly staring at her. Some were nodding their approval. “Seems like I’ve created quite a stir.”
“Not you, sweetheart. Them. Lucille and Trixie.”
“No, it’s me,” she said, feeling so foolish for acting so rashly. High school was over. “I’m really sorry for making a scene. I get a little crazy around Elko girls. You know how it is between Wilde and your hometown.”
“Not with me, it isn’t. Those two need to apologize, not you. They like causing trouble. Always have.” He stood up and put his arm around her. “They’re more suited for Justin than me.”
Was he teasing or serious about Justin? She wondered.
“Shelby, how about we move to the next phase of this evening’s festivities? I’m ready to dance. How about you?”
She wished there was another place to dance in Wilde other than The Masters’ Chambers, but there wasn’t. If there were, she would’ve suggested they leave Elko right now. “If it’s away from here and those two in the corner, I’m more than ready.”
He walked her to the exit of the restaurant, which unfortunately led right past the table Lucille and Trixie were sitting at.
As they passed, Shelby couldn’t hold back her sarcasm. “Good night, ladies. Don’t trouble yourself by waiting by the phone. This cowboy’s mine.” She was shocked to have said that out loud, so unlike her. My time with him might only be for the evening, but they don’t have to know that.
As they walked out the door, Alex burst into laughter. “You are too much, Shelby.”
“You have no idea, Dr. Champion.”
“The dance hall is to our left. Only three blocks away.” He pulled her in tight. “How about we walk there?”