I spin around quickly, causing his hands to fall off my shoulders, and hold the dress against my breasts. “What?” I whisper, searching his face.
Clearing his throat, he scrubs his face. “Change quickly because you are going to be late at this point,” he grunts out and leaves not only the closet but my room.
I stand there confused once again. Is it just me? Am I reading into things too much, or am I just now taking notice?
**
Making my way inside, I search the run down bar for a guy in a blue shirt. Like that fucking helps. I’m so glad Tenn told me to change because this place is a fucking dive, and I would’ve looked like the belle at the ball, except the ball is a dirty ass pig pen. Rolling my eyes, I head to the bar takin
g notice to my feet sticking to the unwashed wood floors. Not sure sitting on this stool is a good idea, I lean on the bar, regretting it when my arm sticks on something.
“What can I get you, darlin’?” the graying haired bartender asks.
“Anything in a bottle,” I say. I definitely don’t trust drinking out of a glass in this joint.
He slides a Bud Light to me, and I toss down five bucks, taking a long sip.
“You aren’t one of my regulars, so either you are from out of town or you are meeting someone,” the bartender says, running his hand down his long, gray bread.
“I’m meeting someone, but I’m afraid I don’t know what he looks like.”
He looks around and grins at me. “What’s his name?”
“Ted,” I say, feeling a bit uncomfortable in this place.
“Ted, get your dumb ass over here,” he yells, and I look over my shoulder.
A man who looks about ten years older than me comes walking over. His tall, lanky body shuffles my way as he pushes his black curly hair out of his eyes. Tenn wasn’t kidding, he’s in a t-shirt that has clearly seen its day and jeans that have holes in them and not because he bought them that way.
“You must be Regan,” he says, sticking his hand out to me.
I shake it and force a smile. “That’s me.”
We make our way over to a small table, and he orders a round of shots and beer for us. “I hope you don’t mind me saying, but you are beautiful.”
It’s sweet, it’s a wonderful compliment, but I already know this isn’t going to work. I’m not attracted to him, and this place is disgusting. I glance down at my phone before smiling at him. “Thank you. So how do you know Tenn?”
“He works on my car,” he says smiling, and I almost puke. His teeth are as yellow as a fucking lemon.
Holly can’t call fast enough. I need out of here, and once I am Tenn better fucking run. “Oh cool. So you hang out here much?”
He laughs, and I widen my eyes, disgusted by his corn teeth. Yuck. “Everyday. I’m here more than I’m home,” he says like it’s a good thing.
My phone rings, and I look down at it. “Excuse me, it’s my mother,” I lie. “Mom, what’s up?”
“Mom? You know this this Holly, right?” she asks, not playing along.
“Oh my God. No, I’m on my way now. Just stay put until I get there,” I press end and shove the phone into my purse in a hurry. I look up at Ted, and he is watching me with a yellow smile. “Ted, I’m so sorry, but there was an accident and I need to get my mom to the hospital.”
I jump up, and he follows right behind me. “Shit, you want me to drive you?”
Oh Christ. “Oh no, no. It’s alright, I’ll be fine. Thank you, though. It was nice meeting you,” I rush out and quickly walk to the metal door that will lead me out of this hell hole.
I get home and Tenn is sitting on the couch watching TV. “Home already?”
I throw my purse at him, just missing his head. “What the hell have I done to you? Are you trying to punish me for something?”
“You haven’t done anything,” he says, jumping up when I charge the couch.