Dream Catcher (Woodland Creek)

“Yes. Put on those stretchy jeans that show your butt off and the dark green sweater with your brown boots.” I looked down at my standard yoga pants and tank top. I had been taking notes for a paper I needed to finish for the semester when Reagan tugged the notebook from my hands, placing it on a shelf after shifting an old softball trophy I kept around for some stupid reason. I only played one season as a kid, but I still loved to watch the occasional game.

“Um, okay.” Before I could protest, Reagan was pulling me and dragging me over to our shared closet. We couldn’t share anything except a few pairs of shoes because I was all short curves and she was a tall, willowy giraffe compared to me. She pulled out the clothes and pushed me inside the bathroom to get ready.

“We’re going to meet the boys in town at the local pub.”

“We are?” I said through the door. I had a feeling she meant Warren and Jase. We’d been a bit of a rare foursome since I came to Woodland Creek, though Warren was more absent than usual on our friendly jaunts due to his own classes and work. I popped my head out of the bathroom to say something, but she was ignoring me.

“Mascara, mascara, mascara.” She chased me back in like an annoying bird.

“Okay, sheesh.” Waving her away, I riffled in the drawer for some black lengthening mascara.

“Do you ever say anything besides short answers?”

“I do.” Reagan shook her head and mumbled to herself.

“I don’t know what he sees…” Leaving off the last bit, I shut the door and got dressed.

* * * * *

Vider’s Pub was packed for a Friday night, but it was also only one of two places in town to hang out. We’d driven over in Reagan’s car, a black Ford Focus, since mine was still at the garage being fixed. Seeing as how my budget was used for books this semester and I hadn’t gotten my scholarship funds yet for student teaching, I was waiting to repair the front end of my car. At least it had a new door that matched the rest of the green paint on the outside.

There was that.

“This place has the best quarter beers in town on ladies’ night.” Reagan danced us toward the end of the bar where Jase and Warren waited in a low booth seat, towing me behind her.

“Hey, brat!” Jase put his arm around Reagan and used his knuckles to mess up her hair. Both laughed and pushed back at each other. It was obvious they were attracted to each other but hadn’t done anything about it. At least they were getting along right then. Usually they were pecking at each other over something petty.

“Kerri-man!” Jase nodded at me as Warren nudged him in the chest. “Dude, what?” Both were being funny and Jase nursed his beer while Warren sat back with a soda.

“Hey, Kerri.” Warren moved over in the booth so I could sit next to him. I slid in and immediately Jase and Reagan followed suit, trapping me inside the booth.

“Hey, I haven’t seen you around lately.” He was being friendly and I missed that, seeing him and being around his kind presence.

“Work, class, you know. Did you start your student teaching job yet?” I could tell something was on his mind and I let it go, enjoying the time spent with him. He was a new friend to share conversation with even if I was attracted to him.

“Mmm. Two weeks ago. I have a class full of seniors right now.” It was true our lives were busy, but I had kind of hoped to see him a little bit more than once a blue moon.

“Is that what you studied in your undergraduate program?” Warren leaned closer and listened with interest. That was a change from Dillon, who typically ignored my career aspirations, and I shut him from my mind.

“I wanted the younger kids, but I’m told I’ll have them next semester.” Shrugging, we smiled maybe a little less awkward now.

“Guys, it’s official!” Reagan yelled over the crowded room to our table, interrupting our conversation. We waited expectantly when she embarrassed me. “Kerri finally told that d-bag ex of hers to go suck it.” I was uncertain if that was good news yet. Was I supposed to rejoice announcing my ‘official’ breakup?

“Cheers to that!” Jase tossed down his drink and ordered a round from a waitress nearby.

Groaning. “Reagan, I doubt all of Woodland Creek needed to know this.” So much for keeping a low profile and my privacy from my nosy roommate.

“Smile, Kerri. It’s a new day!” Signing, Reagan took a drink of her beer and pushed one in my direction, humming the rest of the broken lyrics to herself.

“That’s good, right?” To my side, Warren, who hovered over the table, gently poked my thigh underneath it, getting my attention.

“Uh, yeah. It needed to happen.” I took my beer and started to peel the label off. I didn’t know why telling Warren made this all weird.

“Good.” Was all he said, and after two drinks and some appetizers, I felt his arm reach out behind the seat of the booth and pull me in next to him. Goosebumps popped up on my skin even though the bar was warm. Yes, dumping Dillon was definitely a good thing.

“God, get a room.” Jase laughed and Warren responded with a low growl. His mouth was practically touching my neck and nerves incapacitated me momentarily. I finished my beer and asked for a third, maybe it was a fourth. I didn’t know, but my breasts felt strained against my sweater and my jeans too tight. Alcohol swam in my stomach and I couldn’t shake off the sensation that everyone was looking at me with sharp teeth and eyes too big.

WARREN