“I have to get back to work. I’m sorry about running into you. Have a nice day.”
I tell her to stop, but she doesn’t. Instead, she picks up her pace.
“Hey! What are you doing here?” My sisters voice interrupts me, ending my pursuit. I’ll catch up to her another time. It’s a mission of mine.
“I need some food for my place. This is a grocery store,” I respond cockily. She slaps my shoulder.
“No shit, smartass. I just meant it’s the middle of the day. Why aren’t you working?” I look back at the woman’s retreating form, her hips swaying temptingly.
“I am working. Trust me. Don’t worry about me. Who is that, by the way?”
“That’s Hanna, JD’s granddaughter.”
“Oh. I heard about his passing. How’s the town holding up?”
“Sad.” She crosses her arms. “But Hanna’s story is brutal.”
“And how do you know her story? Breakroom chatter?”
“No, she and I have been hanging out this week. I’ve been taking her shopping, showing her around, and today is her first day working.” She nods in Hanna’s direction, and something overtakes me.
The man training her puts his hand on her back. It’s low. Way too low. But why the fuck would I care? She’s a conquest for me while here; that’s all. But seeing her smile shyly, tuck her hair behind her ear, and let him touch her? Yeah, I don’t like that.
“Easy, tiger, you look like you’re trying to melt off Jesse’s flesh. What’s your deal?”
I finally look back at my sister, and her brows furrow.
“Oh hell no. Damn it, Theo, you are not going to use her like one of your fuck buddies. She’s a sweet girl; she doesn’t need another blow to her life. You are a bomb that could implode it. Find a new one-night Betty, and leave Hanna alone. Got it?”
“I didn’t say I wanted her,” I lie through my teeth. I really shouldn’t want her. But here we are.
“Good. Besides, I’m taking her out to Dean’s Bar and Grill tonight, and I invited her a guy. I’m trying to set her up.”
My head whips back to Brenda, unwillingly tearing my eyes away from Hanna. “With who?” I try to say with finesse, an uncaring façade.
“Jesse’s brother Anthony. He’s recently single, and I think they would hit it off.”
“I thought he was married.”
“He was, but they got divorced after his wife was caught sleeping with the pastor.”
“Goddamn it. Could this town be any more fucking cliché? Anyway. How you holding up? The other day was rough.” She starts to move, fixing items in the aisle, avoiding eye contact.
“I don’t know. I’m still really hurt. I just want to forget about him and move on.” Her voice cracks. There are tears in her eyes, but I don’t acknowledge them. She and I are yin and yang, but the one thing we could say makes us similar is our lack of emotional expression. It’s not really our thing. Especially not mine.
“He was a dick, sis. Come on now.”
“I know, but can we not do this here? Or like… ever again? I just want to act like he never happened.” She wipes at her errant tears before turning on me. “Finish your shopping. I got some paperwork to get to. See you Sunday at family dinner.” She hugs me, catching me off guard, and by the time I realize it’s a hug, she moves, leaving me there to watch her walk off.
I wait a minute, debating what to do, but if I know anything about Brenda, it would be to leave her alone when she needs it. And now, more than ever, she needs it. That guy must have really meant something to her.
I grab the rest of my items and head to the register, looking around me to see if I can spot Hanna, but she isn’t up at the front. I in no way want any type of relationship other than a physical one. It’s like pursuing a one-night stand; you see something you like, that you’re physically drawn to, crave them, entertain them, buy them a drink, and then you share a flood of orgasms. This is no different. I want to use her body and bring her pleasure while selfishly taking mine. I guess I know where I will be going tonight.
Dean’s.
It’s busy tonight, the dirt parking lot filled, and the grass banks along the highway are also lined with cars. I walked here, seeing as this place is less than a mile from my home. That’s the thing about this town—basically everything is within walking distance unless you are way on the outskirts.
When I step in, the loud country music blares, people hollering their conversations, drunk people whooping and making scenes, and it’s like redneck heaven. Sad that this is the highlight of nightlife here in town. In New York, everywhere is a happening place; there is so much to do. How pathetic is it here?