The Wannabes (3 page)

“Holy shit, Ryder. You should just walk around like that all
day, every day,” Stella remarked. She placed a hand on his back side. Ryder
moved away from Stella, looked at Corbin and rolled his eyes. Corbin smirked
back.

“I am going to get dressed and when Alex gets back, I am
cooking my famous tacos for you beautiful ladies.”

“You can cook in a towel, or an apron, or nude,” Stella
flirted.

“That’s how burns happen, in all of the wrong places.” Ryder
winked at Stella and then left the room.

“Damn that man is so hot.” Stella fanned herself then turned
to Corbin. “Do you want to go have a few drinks with me tonight?”

“I think I am staying in.” Corbin knew that Stella’s out for
a few drinks would end up in an all night drunk fest.

“Oh come on!” Stella whined. “Listen, I am sorry about what
I said about Rob. It just pisses me off that you sit here and pine for him
while he is out doing whatever. Just two drinks. I am buying.” Corbin heaved a
sigh. “Just two drinks and then I’m coming home.”

“Yay!” Stella clapped her hands. Ryder reentered the kitchen
fully clothed. Stella turned to him, “Hey, sexy. Care to join us for a couple
drinks tonight?”

“Who’s us?” he asked. He began drying his hair with the
towel.

“Me and Corbin,” Stella replied. Ryder removed the towel,
his hair was a wild mess. He looked to Corbin and she shrugged.

“Are you going to Rebels?” he asked. He went into the
bathroom and came out with a hairbrush. He began raking it through his tangled
mess.

“Sure,” Stella shrugged.

“Good. Alex already informed me I had to be there tonight.”

“It’s a date!” Stella squealed then left the room. Ryder
stopped brushing and shook his head. A small smile played on his lips. Corbin
couldn’t help but chuckle.

THE MEAL WAS filled with constant
pleas from Corbin’s roommates for her to translate different words into French.
Ryder seemed to hang onto every word she spoke. After his comment of how sexy
she sounded when speaking it and after devouring too many tacos, Corbin excused
herself and ran a bath. She poured some bubble bath in and then eased into the
warmth. The day’s events filled her already busy mind. She couldn’t get Ryder
out of her mind. She loved Rob deeply and felt guilty for even thinking about
touching Ryder. She blamed all of her pent up dirty fantasies on the lack of
her sexual life. She and Rob hadn’t fallen into the sack for almost two weeks
now. He claimed to either be too tired or too busy. She had tried everything to
get him excited, but nothing worked. She was tired of trying. So tired. She
closed her eyes and tried to relax but the ache between her legs wouldn’t
relent. She ran her hands over her arms and then her breasts. She trailed her hands
down to her thighs and then up her inner thighs. Her breath hitched in her
throat. Just as she reached between her legs, a knock on the door snapped her
back to reality.

“Hey, can I come in? I need to brush my teeth,” Alex asked
from outside the door.

“Oui,” Corbin muttered. She soaped up the loofa. She felt
herself blush again.

“Sorry,” Alex replied.

“It’s ok,” Corbin sighed.

“So you , Stella, and Ryder are coming tonight?”

“I guess. You know Stella. Once she has the party mode going
on she doesn’t leave you alone.”

“Oh yea, I just hope we don’t have to make a trip to
Muscello to bail her ass out of jail.” Corbin laughed. The bathroom door opened
and Stella sauntered in. She stood in the doorway.

“Which shirt should I wear?” She held out two tops that were
same design only different colors.

“Could you shut the door?” Corbin covered her boobs. Stella
moved into the bathroom and shut the door.

“Wear the red one,” Alex said through a mouthful of
toothpaste. Stella turned to Corbin.

“Yes, Stella, the red one.” Stella nodded then walked out
the bathroom, leaving the door wide open.

“I got it,” Alex said. She pulled the door shut then
finished up. Corbin watched as she primped her hair and applied lipstick.

“Are you almost done?” Corbin asked, raising her eyebrow.

“Almost.”

Corbin sank back into the water. “I swear, every time I get
in the shower or tub, you and Stella sense it .I am going to call the landlord
again to get the damn lock fixed.”

“That’s because we like to check you out,” Alex teased. She
turned to Corbin and blew her a kiss.

“Get out.” Corbin picked up the shampoo bottle and playfully
tossed it at Alex. Alex dodged the bottle and opened the door.

“Shall I leave this open?” Alex teased.

“Alex…” Corbin placed her face in her hands. Alex laughed
then shut the door. Corbin pulled the plug in the tub then stood. It was then
when she realized she forgot to grab a towel. “Shit.” She groaned aloud. She
cracked open the door and peeked out. No one was in sight.

“Can someone get me a towel?” Seconds later a tattooed arm
shoved a towel through the cracked open door. “Thanks,” Corbin croaked.

“Just returning the favor,” Ryder said. Corbin momentarily
thought about ripping the door open and pouncing on him, but her senses came
too as she heard Stella begin asking Ryder about how she looked. She told
herself that there was no way someone like Ryder would be interested in her.
She slathered herself with lotion then wrapped the towel around her body. She
cursed herself for not bringing clothes into the bathroom. She grabbed the door
knob and opened the door slowly. She heard Stella still barraging Ryder with
questions. She hoped to just slink through the kitchen but as soon as she
entered, Stella stopped her.

“Do you want to do another hit?”

Corbin turned to her. She clung tightly to her towel. “Nah,
I’m good.” Ryder was sitting on the counter, his eyes seemed to be taking her
in as he licked his lips. Corbin dropped her eyes to the floor then hurried to
her room.

“Holy fuck,” Corbin said, once she closed the door and sat
on her bed. Her heart thudded in her chest. She took some deep breaths and a
few minutes to gather herself. With a shaky hand she began applying her makeup.
She slipped on a pair of jeans and an off the shoulder top. She finished the
outfit with a pair of brown boots. She checked her reflection in her full
length mirror took a deep breath and made her way to the kitchen. Alex was
washing the dishes and Ryder was drying them while Stella sat at the table
painting her fingernails.

“Need some help?” Corbin asked, as she approached Alex and
Ryder.

“I think we got it,” Alex replied.

“You look nice,” Ryder said, looking her up and down. Corbin
watched Alex elbow him.

“Thanks,” Corbin pulled at her shirt.

“Don’t forget about what I said earlier.” Alex shook a spoon
at him. Ryder saluted her. Corbin wondered what she was talking about.

“The first time I seen her in clothes that fit her I about
shit my pants, and I don’t go that way. But… if I did… I am so jealous of her
rocking body. If I had all that going on, I would never hide it,” Stella
blurted. Corbin turned to her and crossed her arms. “I’m sorry. You know how I
get when I am high. I can’t ever shut up.”

“That must mean your high all of the time,” Alex quipped.
Stella flipped her off. Corbin took a seat at the table. She watched Alex and
Ryder talk back and forth and joke around together. Corbin’s two brothers had
moved away from River Junction soon after their dad died. That left Corbin
alone with her already sick mom, and too many bills to pay. Corbin took care of
her mom for about a year by herself, then after no longer being able to, and
having to sell the family home, she opted for her to go the Friendly Manor. It
was close to home and she went to see her every Sunday.

“Gotta get to work.” Alex dried her hands.

“See you in a few.” Ryder waved her on. He took a seat at
the table too. Corbin fidgeted next to him.

“What time are we leaving?” Corbin asked.

“As soon as my nails dry.” Stella blew on her nails. Ryder
shook a cigarette out of his pack and lit it. He offered one to Corbin.

“No thanks.”

“She only smokes when she is wasted,” Stella informed.

“Oh, another one of Corbin’s secrets revealed.”Ryder took a
long drag off his cigarette. Corbin tucked her hair behind her ear.

“You ain’t heard the half of them, right Corbin?” Stella
laughed.

“Stella, please shut up!” Corbin groaned.

“Maybe after tonight a few more of those secrets will come
out,” Stella continued on. She nudged Ryder.

“Are your nails dry yet?” Corbin covered her face. Stella
continued laughing.

“Yep! Let’s roll!”

“Oh God, help us,” Corbin sighed.

ONCE AT REBELS, they took seats at
the bar.

“Big place.” Ryder looked around the bar. The stage was in
the back, three pool tables were lined up in the middle and tables were
scattered about. Two guys in cowboy hats were playing pool. Ryder jumped up and
dug a quarter out of his pocket and placed it on their table. The cowboys gave
him a nod then continued on with their game.

“Let’s do a shot!” Stella shouted. “Hey Alex, I’m dying of
thirst here!”

“Calm your tits, Stella. I’ll be with you in a minute,” Alex
shouted.

Ryder sat back down next to Corbin. He nudged her with his
knee and she turned to him and met his gaze. “You any good at pool? I need a
partner.”

“Don’t play. I have terrible aim.”

“I’ll be your partner. I love playing pool.” Stella leaned
over Corbin and gave his leg a squeeze and pat. He watched Corbin’s gaze go to
Stella’s hand. She shook her head.

“Can you get off of me? I can’t breathe,” Corbin gave Stella
a little push.

“Sorry, just can’t keep my hands off of him.” Stella gave
Ryder a wink. Ryder rolled his eyes then pushed Stella’s hand off of his leg.

“Then trade me seats. You can violate him all you want.”
Corbin stood and walked to the jukebox. Stella slid over next to him. She raised
an eyebrow at him. He was used to the ladies who threw themselves at him.
Granted, he did enjoy a good lay but the whole scene was getting tiring. Ryder
looked past Stella and admired Corbin’s ass. She was leaning over the jukebox.
A dirty sex scene played through Ryder’s mind. He was oblivious to the
conversation Stella was blasting at him.

“Corbin is not your type,” Stella blurted bringing him out
of his fantasy. He shifted his gaze back to Stella. “And besides, she is taken,
off the market so to speak.” Ryder ran a hand through his hair and cleared his
throat. Off the market meant nothing to him. He had bedded countless numbers of
women who had boyfriends or were married. He decided to play out this little
game with Stella. He leaned into her and whispered in her ear:

“That’s never stopped me before.” Stella shivered.

“You are so naughty,” she purred. Ryder sat back in his seat
and laughed. Corbin sat back down next to Stella.

“Sorry about the wait. What can I get you guys?”Alex asked.

“Three shots of tequila to start out with,” Stella said
enthusiastically.

“I’ll stick with Busch light. No shots for me.” Ryder nodded
to Alex. Stella placed a hand on her hip.

“Ok then two.”

“I’ll have a nerd,” Corbin said. Ryder chuckled

“What the hell is a nerd?” He leaned over Stella.

“Grape, apple, watermelon and cherry pucker, and a splash of
7up,” Corbin said. Ryder heard the intro to Jackyl’s song, Billy Badass, start.

“Very popular drink with the ladies. I am surprised you
don’t know that.”Alex gave him a wink.

“Yea, I guess I have been out of the loop too long.”

“So, what do you think of the place?” Alex handed him his
beer.

“It’s pretty cool, kinda empty.” Ryder took a sip of his
beer.

“Once the races are over it will pick up, tomorrow night it
will be a packed house. White Rock always brings in a lot of business. In a
couple of weeks Filthy Wilma is here. ”

“Are they a chick bands?”

“No, all guys. They bring a lot of women in.”

“Sounds good.”

“I knew you would say that.” Alex rolled her eyes.

Ryder smiled and then leaned over Stella again.

“Jackyl fan? Another secret has been revealed.”

“I enjoy some of their songs.” Corbin shrugged. Ryder opened
his mouth to speak again but felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see the
cowboys.

“You’re up rock star.”

“Ma’am, can we get two more Buds?” the other cowboy asked.
He tipped his hat at Alex. Ryder turned back to Alex and caught her blush. She
looked at him and shrugged.

“Stella, we’re up.” Stella slid off her barstool and gave
him a hug. Ryder instinctively wrapped his arm around her waist.

“You smell so good,” she whispered in his ear.

“Well, I am glad I don’t stink,” he whispered back. Stella
laughed and then walked away to pick out a cue. He glanced Corbin’s way and
caught her watching them. He began racking up the pool balls, singing along to
the song that was playing, making sure to stress the lyrics, “I am a mother
fucker…I am Billy badass.” That was one of his signature songs when Infected
Whiskey was together. Corbin smiled then turned away.

That’s one point for me,
Ryder thought to himself.