I spent an hour with Mrs. Smith, hearing all about her life in Granite Falls and her children. Blue was the only one that stayed in the small town but she seemed a little sad that the rest of her children had moved away and had families while Blue was left behind. He seemed like a good guy, even if he did look like a bit of a bad boy in his pictures. After she finished talking about her family, she turned the conversation to mine. She told me a few things about my grandmother I didn’t know, and raved about her pies. She didn’t know my father much and said he was a bit of a loner. I kept an eye on my watch and when it got close to six, I realized I needed to go if I was going to meet Axe at the bar. I was a bit unsure about going out with a guy I had just met, but I felt like I did owe him at least one drink for changing my tire. I definitely didn’t have to sleep with him—not that I would have any idea what I was doing if I did. I said goodbye to Mrs. Smith and promised again I would say hello to Blue when I was at the bar.
Chapter 4: Axe
I don’t know why the fuck I came back to Granite Falls after my third stint in prison. Every time I returned, it was more of the same. The locals didn’t really like my business ventures unless they were customers. The sheriff and I had a long history of disagreeing on how to make money. I didn’t see anything wrong with selling weed to the locals, especially if they wanted to buy it—hell it was legal one state over. The town seemed to have a grip on me that I couldn’t explain. It wasn’t like I had a family to keep me there and I sure as fuck wasn’t going to find love in the shit hole of a small town. If Samantha showed up for the date, she was going to be the first girl I had even shared a drink with since I got out of the big house. I hoped it might lead to more than a drink. I definitely needed to get my dick wet and Samantha was beautiful as fuck. She was easily the hottest girl I had seen in Granite Falls. I walked into The Water Barn and looked around. There was no sign of her, but it was early, so I walked to the bar and took a seat on a stool.
“How’s it going, Axe?” The bartender, Blue, walked over and leaned against the edge of the bar.
“Same old shit.” I let out a sigh. “How have you been?”
“About the same.” He smiled. “You want a beer or something stronger?”
“Let me get a shot of Jack and a beer. I’m waiting for someone.” I pulled my wallet out of my pocket and tossed some money on the counter.
“Coming right up.” Blue tapped the bar and walked towards the rack of liquor.
The Water Barn was bustling with activity, which was unusual for such an early hour. It was usually an older crowd, but I saw a few familiar faces. They were too busy with their drinks or their games of pool to notice me. I knew they would notice Samantha if she showed up. There was no way she was walking into The Water Barn without turning every head in the room. I looked back towards the bar and noticed that Blue had gotten held up with an order at the end of the bar so I waited, tapping my fingers on the bar in anticipation. Blue finally finished with the patron on the opposite end of the bar and walked back to me. He put a shot of Jack in front of me and started pouring my beer. I downed the shot as the beer was ready and immediately chased the shot with a bit of amber lager. Blue was pulled away again and had to deal with another customer before finally coming back to my end of the bar.
“You been riding much since I got locked up? You and Steve hit the highway any?” I sipped my beer again.
“No, I think he put his bike in storage once you went away. I’ve been busy with worth and taking care of Mom.” He poured a shot and discreetly downed it. “How was prison?”
“It sucked...” I grunted and sneered as I laughed quietly. “As usual.”
“How long until you’re back in business?” He leaned against the bar. “It has been dry as shit around here since you’ve been locked up—but hey, more people are buying booze.”
“I don’t know if I want to do that shit again.” I shook my head back and forth. “The sheriff will be on my ass and the mayor even gave me a hard time when I got caught before.”
“I thought he was buying from you.” Blue poured and downed another shot.
“Yeah, not that he would ever admit it.” I sighed angrily. “I don’t know, I might have to do it if I want some money, but I’m going to try and stay legit for a while.”
“That sucks.” Blue shook his head back and forth.
You could have heard a pin drop in the bar when the doors behind me opened. Every voice went silent and even the jukebox seemed to skip a verse in the song it was playing. I knew it was Samantha before I ever turned around. She was the only one who could have gotten that reaction. Blue whistled quietly as I turned around and held my hand up to get her attention. Her face went from one of concern to a smile as she recognized me and started towards me. She was absolutely ravishing and seemed to have recovered from her earlier dance with a flat tire. She walked up and I pushed a stool out with my foot, pulling it close the second she sat down. Her eyes flickered and a smile crossed her face. I could have gotten lose in those eyes for eternity—I could almost see my soul staring back from her emerald colored orbs. Her gaze was so innocent and it was clear she didn’t understand how much of an oddity she was in Granite Falls.
“You made it. What do you want to drink?” I looked to Blue who had his eyes fixed on Samantha.
Keeps your eyes to yourself, buddy.
“You must be Blue.” She turned her attention from me to the bartender. “Your mother says you need to come see her and if you’re not in church on Sunday, she’s going to skin you alive.”
“You know my mother? It looks like you’re drinking for free tonight.” Blue’s lips spread to a smile. “Nice to meet you—”
“Samantha.” She extended her hand and Blue shook it. “Your mother lives next to my grandmother’s place.”
“Oh!” Blue’s eyes seemed to flicker with understanding. “I’m sorry about your grandmother.”
“Thank you.” She nodded with a hint of sadness in her eyes. “I’ll have whatever Axe is drinking.”
“So this is who you were waiting on.” Blue chuckled as he walked over to fix her a beer.
“You’ve been telling people about me?” Samantha turned to me.
“Everyone in town is talking about you.” I turned towards her and lifted my beer to my lips. “Surely you noticed the wind literally being sucked out of the room when you entered.”
“Yeah, I don’t really understand what the hell is going on.” She raised her eyebrows in confusion.
“You clearly don’t know much about Granite Falls.” Blue walked over and put her beer down on the bar.