Authors: Holly Copella
Wiley grinned proudly and
possibly blushed. “Nope, no practice needed there.”
“Got one more freebie?”
Tucker suddenly asked while appearing a little too enthusiastic.
“Buy a ticket.”
“One?” Tucker asked then
laughed. “I’m cashing my entire paycheck.”
Melanie appeared disgusted
and walked away with a huff. Dina returned to the bar and appeared curious as
she watched Melanie leave.
“Hmm? What did I miss?”
Dina asked.
“Casey kissed me,” Wiley
cheerfully replied.
Grey, Ruger, and Diesel
entered the tavern and approached them at the bar. Diesel stood behind Casey
and massaged her shoulders, catching the attention of the men at the bar.
“What do they have to eat?”
Diesel asked.
“You’re a bottomless pit,”
Grey scoffed then looked at Casey, who enjoyed her shoulder massage from
Diesel’s massive hands. “Did you want to get a table?”
“Yeah, sure. Who’s
designated driver?” she asked.
Grey frowned and raised his
hand.
Casey laughed then grinned
at Wiley while indicating her group. “We’re going to need a pitcher of
martinis, three shots of tequila, and a soda for my poor brother.”
Diesel spun Casey on her
bar stool, picked her up into his arms, and carried her to the table. She let
out a playful scream then laughed.
Ruger rolled his eyes and
shook his head. “It’s going to be a long night.”
N
early an hour later, the
tavern was quickly filling with locals who had finished bowling at the local
bowling alley. Bowling league nights brought in large crowds even without live
entertainment. There was no music, leaving the dance floor vacant. Casey,
Ruger, and Diesel drank shots and laughed drunkenly at their table while Grey
appeared bored and sipped his soda. Casey slipped her hand into Diesel’s
pocket and felt around for change. He grinned and held his hands up to allow
her free access. He seemed disappointed she only went for the change. Casey
took her newly found change and headed for the jukebox across the dance floor.
She selected some songs and danced seductively to the first song as it played
while scanning more titles. Diesel approached Casey from behind, placed his
arms around her, and danced slowly and seductively with her. He spun her in
his arms and they danced close to the slow song. Dina approached Grey from
behind and rubbed his shoulders.
“I’m on break. Care to
dance?” Dina asked.
Grey looked back at her,
smiled as he took her hand, and joined her on the dance floor. They danced to
the slow song, although not nearly as close and seductive as Casey and Diesel
had danced. Melanie watched the couples dancing from her position at the bar
and frowned. She was obviously bothered by their dancing. Tucker also felt
compelled to watch Casey and Diesel dance close. He shook his head and looked
back at Vaughn while frowning.
“No one can compete with
that guy,” Tucker muttered. “Look at him. He’s built like a tank!”
Vaughn briefly glanced at
them as they danced seductively. Diesel obviously knew no boundaries, and
Casey didn’t seem to protest.
“I always pictured her with
someone smarter,” Vaughn remarked lowly while casually sipping his drink.
Tucker looked at Vaughn
with surprise and suddenly laughed. “You’re jealous!’
Vaughn appeared embarrassed
by Tucker’s loud outburst and fidgeted in his chair. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
Tucker continued to chuckle
softly and remained humored. “Whatever. I’ve had my limit,” he announced with
a sigh. “Want a lift?”
“No, I’ll get a ride home
with Wiley,” Vaughn replied. “I want to discuss a few things with him.”
“Oh, God, just let the
bachelor auction go,” Tucker groaned. “You’ll be fine.”
“It has nothing to do with
that,” Vaughn replied.
Tucker obviously didn’t buy
it. He chuckled softly while standing. “Beware of booze and Melanie.
Remember what happened the last time you combined the two.”
Tucker patted his shoulder
and left the tavern. As the song ended, Diesel gave Casey a big bear hug then
escorted her back to the table for more drinks. Grey approached Vaughn at the
bar and took Tucker’s seat.
“Why don’t you join us,
Sheriff?” Grey asked.
Vaughn glanced from Grey to
their table then minded his drink and shrugged. “I don’t want to intrude.”
“Intrude on what?” Grey
snorted. “Those three are already half wasted. I could use the conversation.”
Vaughn considered his
comment then nodded and joined him. Vaughn and Grey approached the table as
the others laughed and did another shot.
“Okay, make room, you
lushes,” Grey announced loudly. “Darwood Falls’ finest is joining us.”
Casey moved from her chair
to open up a space. Diesel grinned at her and patted his lap, indicating a
free spot for her to sit. Casey bypassed him and casually sat on Ruger’s lap.
It was obviously non-sexual in nature, but Ruger proudly clung to her
regardless.
“Every time,” Diesel scoffed
and shook his head. “How does this happen?”
Ruger smiled drunkenly and
held up his middle finger to Diesel behind Casey’s back.
Diesel smirked and chuckled
softly. “One day, you little Muppet--”
†
I
t was over an hour later.
Dina brought more shots of tequila to the table and placed one in front of
everyone except Grey, who remained sober and appeared bored. Vaughn was almost
as drunk as the others were and shook his head at the offer of another shot.
“No, no. I shouldn’t.
Really--” he insisted.
Vaughn picked up his shot
glass along with the others, clinked glasses with them, and drank the
contents. They all laughed and slammed their shot glasses down. Casey, still
seated on Ruger’s lap, glanced across the crowded tavern. She placed her arm over
Ruger’s shoulder and whispered something in his ear. He, too, glanced across
the room. Wayne, Ryan, Blain, and Fred entered and stood just inside the
doorway. They scanned the tavern as if looking for something in particular.
Grey and Diesel glanced in the direction of the door as well now. The table
became unusually quiet. Vaughn remained pleasantly drunk, noted the looks, and
glanced behind him. The Harford boys looked at their table. Vaughn stiffened
and sat straight while glaring back at the four by the door. Wayne nudged Ryan
and motioned for his brothers to follow him to the pool area. It was unknown
which occupant at the table they feared or were attempting to avoid.
Casey snorted a laugh and
patted Ruger’s chest. “I think you scared them away,” she remarked drunkenly.
Ruger snickered in
response. “I think that honor’s all yours, my dear.”
Vaughn started to stand.
“I’m going to go back there and arrest them,” he announced in a drunken tone.
“You’re off duty,” Grey
casually reminded him.
Vaughn returned to his seat
and felt his chest for his badge. He suddenly frowned. “Oh,” he replied with
a defeated sigh. A strange smile crossed his face. “In that case, I’ll just
kick the crap out of them instead.”
“Maybe you should hold off
on that tonight,” Grey announced with a tiny grin on his face.
Vaughn appeared to consider
the comment then sighed. “Yeah, maybe you’re right.”
Melanie approached Vaughn
from behind and affectionately rubbed his shoulders. Vaughn grinned and
caressed the hands on his shoulders without looking back.
“How are you boys doing
over here?” Melanie asked.
Vaughn eyed the hands on
his shoulders with bewilderment then looked at Grey. “Who’s behind me?
“That would be Melanie,”
Grey casually replied.
Vaughn quickly pulled away
from her hands, turned in his chair, and glared at her. “No, no. You need to
go away.”
Melanie smiled sweetly,
returned her hands to his shoulders, and clung to him from behind. “One dance
for old times’ sake,” she cooed.
“No, just stay away from
me,” Vaughn announced firmly then looked at Grey. “A little help here.”
Grey appeared surprised and
held his hands up. “What do you want me to do? Rough up your ex-girlfriend?”
Vaughn pulled away from
Melanie and stood drunkenly while facing her. “Just stay away from me, Mel.”
Melanie placed her hands to
his chest and attempted to cozy up to him while smiling seductively. “Oh, come
on,” she said sweetly. “Just one dance.” Her hand traveled his body despite
his attempts to keep her away.
Her wrist was suddenly
grabbed, stopping her hands from traveling his body. Melanie appeared
surprised and looked at Casey, who now stood before her. Casey glared at her
with hostility and annoyance.
“He’s off limits,” Casey
scoffed.
Melanie smirked and pulled
her wrist from Casey’s grip. All four men watched the exchange in silence.
“Not to me, sister,”
Melanie snapped and gave Casey a quick once over. “We used to date.”
Casey’s glare was cold and
unpredictable. She wasn’t in the mood to deal with the little bitch. Not
tonight. “No, you got him drunk, seduced him, and made him think you were
pregnant to keep him around.”
“This doesn’t concern you,
bitch,” Melanie lashed out.
Ruger, Grey, and Diesel
laughed and ‘ewe’ softly, which only encouraged the situation. Vaughn just
watched with possible surprise and sank back into his chair. Casey may have
been drunk, but she certainly didn’t show it now.
“These are my boys,” Casey
informed her with a stern glare while casually indicating the table of men.
“You stay away from my boys, or I’ll show you just what kind of bitch I really
am.”
Melanie appeared
unimpressed and sneered at her. Casey maintained her glare and moved into a
fighting stance with her eyes locked on Melanie.
“You should probably back
away slowly,” Grey announced with a tone of concern. “She doesn’t have real
good control when she’s drunk.”
“You wouldn’t dare,”
Melanie scoffed with a snort.
Casey kicked for Melanie’s
face. Melanie suddenly gasped. Ruger yelled something in Mandarin. Casey
stopped her kick short of her face and collected herself. Melanie appeared
alarmed, gasped, and hurried away.
“Now sit down and relax,”
Ruger firmly said.
Casey obediently sat on the
first available lap and helped herself to the drink on the table before her. Diesel
watched her and chuckled. Grey groaned and shook his head. Casey eyed Ruger’s
disapproving look from across the table and appeared bewildered. She suddenly
realized she was sitting on Vaughn’s lap. Casey laughed, leaned against
Vaughn, and playfully clung to his neck.
“Well, good evening,
Sheriff Holt. How did you get there?” she teased.
Vaughn grinned and laughed
drunkenly at her. “You are so wasted.”
Casey smiled, patted his
chest, and giggled. “And
you
are seriously aroused.”
Diesel and Grey burst out
laughing, while Ruger just rolled his eyes with disgust. Vaughn drunkenly
grinned and clung to her with his face nuzzling her chest. Melanie stood near
the bar and watched Casey cling to Vaughn while sitting on his lap and
laughing. Vaughn caressed her leg through her jeans without care and received
little to no protest. Melanie sneered with disgust, shoved past Dina, and
headed into the backroom. Dina watched Melanie storm off then glanced at the
table containing her friends. Sheriff Holt appeared to be holding little back,
as he was obviously enjoying Casey’s presence on his lap. Dina grinned and
laughed softly. Melanie entered the pool area and pushed past the few patrons
brave enough to hang out in the pool area with her four cousins. She
approached Wayne with a disgusted look on her face.
“What are you going to do
about Casey Remington?” she demanded to know.
Wayne straightened from
making his shot and glared at her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“She beat the crap out of
the four of you,” Melanie snapped. “What do you intend to do about it?”
Wayne snorted a laugh and
mocked her. “Step on your tiara, did she?”
“You could say that,”
Melanie huffed while folding her arms across her chest.
“Fight your own battles,
princess,” Wayne snorted. “We have better things to do.”
Melanie glared at them,
appeared disgusted, and returned to the bar. They laughed at her as she walked
away.
T
he Remington farmhouse was
well-lit in the night setting with Grey’s jeep parked out front alongside
Ruger’s car. Casey rode her horse at a leisurely walk along the driveway
toward the barn. She stopped the horse before the hitching post, attempted to
dismount, and fell onto her backside by the horse’s front legs. Casey giggled
while looking up at the horse from where she sat on the ground by his hooves.
The gray horse looked at her on the ground and snickered.
“Stop laughing at me.”
She clung to the stirrup to
pull herself up to her feet and stumbled toward the house. Storm followed her
to the porch. As she walked onto the porch, she heard the strange, hollow
thump. Casey suddenly realized she was being followed. She looked back at her
horse with his front hooves on the second step of the porch. She burst out
laughing.
“Oh, that wouldn’t have
gone over well,” she remarked in a drunken tone. “Ruger would flip if he found
you in the living room tomorrow morning.”
She motioned for the horse
to follow her as she stumbled back toward the barn. Storm casually followed at
a leisurely walk and stopped near the gate. She unsaddled the horse, leaving
her saddle on the hitching post, and opened the gate to the paddock. Storm
excitedly ran through the open gate, crossed the pasture, and immediately
rolled on the ground, grinding dirt into his once clean coat. She knew he did
that on purpose. Casey stumbled back toward the house and entered the dimly
lit kitchen. She was about to walk across the kitchen toward the backstairs
when she suddenly stopped. Vaughn sat on the floor before the island counter
in the exact spot he had held her the night she was stabbed. He held his head
in his hands with his elbows resting on his bent knees and stared blankly at
the floor. Casey watched him a moment in silence. Seeing him like that almost
instantly sobered her. A flood of bad memories swept over her.
“Sheriff?”
Vaughn drunkenly looked at
her then stood with some difficulty. “Grey said I could sleep on the sofa.”
“That’s not the sofa,” she
casually informed him.
“Yeah--”
Vaughn stared at her with a
strange look. Casey attempted to read his look but she couldn’t get past his
dark eyes. His drunken state was concerning.
“Haven’t I always looked
out for you?” he suddenly asked.
“Are you okay?” she asked
softly.
Vaughn moved closer to
Casey and looked into her eyes. She stared back at him even though she wanted
to avoid looking into his dark eyes. She didn’t need the memories from that
night haunting her tonight.
“I would have taken care of
you,” he informed her gently. “Why didn’t you let me take care of you?”
His comment stunned her.
She tensed and became uncomfortable. She wasn’t sure how to respond. What he
was saying didn’t make any sense. Perhaps it was just because he was drunk.
“I think we’re both too drunk
to be having this conversation,” she informed him gently. “You can sleep it
off in my parents’ bedroom.”
Vaughn took a step toward
her. Casey immediately took a step away and backed into the island counter.
Without warning, he pulled her into his arms and held her against him. Casey
appeared slightly surprised, tensed, and braced her hands against his chest to
hold him back. His hands firmly caressed her back and shoulders as he buried
his face into her neck. Memories from that night flooded back into her
consciousness. She’d been attempting to suppress those memories, but her
drunken state and his actions brought them all back in a tidal wave of
emotion. She remembered him holding her. She heard him crying. The memory
was sobering and one she had tried hard to forget. Her dreams in the cemetery
weren’t dreams at all! They were memories of Vaughn. He had been holding
her. He was the shadowy dark figure who gave her so much comfort. She had
heard him in her unconscious state! His was the voice that pulled her back
from the light! Although he never admitted it, he must have been in ICU with
her when her condition deteriorated. Casey remained tense in his arms as she
attempted to sort out a flood of emotions and memories. Her head was spinning
from too much alcohol and this new realization. It was almost too much for her
to take in! Despite her weak attempt to hold him back, Vaughn held and
caressed her.
As he nuzzled her neck, he
whispered softly, “I only slept with Melanie; because I was so drunk I thought
she was you.”
His words stunned her.
Casey exhaled a soft groan and shut her eyes. She uncertainly slipped her arms
around his neck and returned the embrace. Vaughn slowly lowered his mouth to
hers and trembled as he brushed his lips past hers. Casey tensed but didn’t
pull away. He kissed her warmly but passionately, sending shockwaves through
her nearly numb body. She suddenly felt defenseless as she sank into his
comforting arms. Casey uncertainly returned the kiss with few inhibitions in
her drunken state. His kissed turned more aggressive as he firmly ran his
hands along the curves of her body. She couldn’t seem to convince herself to
stop his traveling hands, and she didn’t know why. After all, she hated him!
Didn’t she?
†
E
arly the next morning,
sunlight flooded Casey’s bedroom. Vaughn slowly moved beneath the covers and
groaned softly while holding his head. He slowly sat up, realized he was
naked, and appeared bewildered then startled. He looked around the empty room and
uncertainly shook his head. He again held his head while reaching for his
pants on the floor. He dressed and wearily stumbled from the bedroom. Vaughn
walked onto the porch while still holding his aching head. Casey sat reclined
on the railing in a tank top and her sleep shorts, looking slightly
disheveled. She glanced at him as he approached her on the railing.
She snorted a soft laugh.
“God, you look like I feel,” she muttered and hid her smile.
Vaughn slowly and
uncertainly sat on the railing across from her, shut his eyes, and groaned
softly while placing his head to the support beam behind him.
“I don’t remember much
about last night, but should I be apologizing?” he asked softly as he glanced
at her.
Casey snorted a laugh and
appeared humored. “Any fun you had in my bed last night was a solo act.”
He seemed surprised by the
statement and stared at her. “So we didn’t sleep together?” he asked softly.
“Yes and no,” she replied
teasingly. “You were supposed to take my parents’ bedroom, but I found you
passed out in my bed instead. Since there was no way in hell I was going to
sleep in my parents’ room, I opted to sleep in my bed. You just happened to be
there.”
He didn’t seem convinced
and pressed further. “And you’re sure nothing happened?”
“You were already naked and
passed out long before I got there,” she assured him.
Vaughn groaned softly and
shut his eyes with possible embarrassment. “Can you possibly not mention to
anyone that you found me naked in your bed?”
“I’m sure I could, but what
fun would that be?” she teased, taking pleasure in his embarrassment.
He cast a look at her and
grinned despite his aching head. “You love torturing me.”
“You’re a big boy,” she
said firmly. “You can handle it.”
He snorted a laugh and
stared at her a moment longer. Casey stared back at him briefly then felt
compelled to look away. After their conversation last night, she found it even
more difficult to look him in the eyes. Apparently, he didn’t remember much of
it. He continued to study her then finally looked away and across the secluded
property. The farm seemed completely isolated from the rest of the world.
“It’s so peaceful out
here,” he remarked softly.
As he stared off, she was
finally able to look at him where he sat. Last night was burned into her mind,
and she was having a difficult time dismissing it. She no longer knew how she
felt about Sheriff Holt. Her mind was cluttered with the past and last night’s
events. She didn’t like how confused she felt. Being angry was easier. When
he looked back in her direction, she looked out across the pastures and again
avoided eye contact. She felt his stare on her for a long moment. She
pretended she didn’t notice. Grey walked onto the porch, startling both. He
was up early, even for him. He paused just past the doorway, stared at both,
and grinned deviously.
“I’m not interrupting
anything, am I?” he teased.
Vaughn shifted and appeared
uncomfortable. “No, and do you have to be so chipper?”
“It’s the sworn duty of the
designated driver to torment those hungover the next morning,” he replied then
chuckled. “You look like shit, Sheriff.”
“Thanks,” Vaughn replied.
“I wish I felt that good.”
Grey again laughed and
appeared too enthusiastic for the early hour. He then shifted his attention to
Casey, who didn’t appear nearly as hungover.
“Sometime after lunch, when
the lushes roll out of bed, we’re running to Dina’s apartment to pick up her
things,” Grey informed her. “Tucker offered Dina his truck, so we can move the
bigger stuff.”
“Dina’s moving in?” Vaughn
asked from his reclined position against the railing.
“We thought it was best,”
Casey informed him.
“I know she brightens my
mornings,” Grey announced while grinning.
Casey rolled her eyes.
Vaughn remained baffled by the comment.
“You still haven’t figured
out who attacked Dina in the parking lot the other night?” Grey asked as he
collapsed into the rocking chair.
“She said he was wearing a
mask, and she didn’t really get a very good look at him,” Vaughn replied. “She
was almost positive it wasn’t Wayne. His build was wrong.”
“Yeah, but it could have
been one of his brothers,” Casey informed him.
“Ernest alibied Ryan,
Blain, and Fred,” Vaughn replied with a sigh. “Supposedly they were all
together at home from midnight until morning.”
“That’s bullshit,” Grey
scoffed.
“I don’t have any evidence
to bring them in for further questioning,” he replied.
“That’s also bullshit,”
Grey added.
“Sometimes it goes that
way,” Vaughn informed him.
Grey appeared disgusted and
defeated. “Did you want a ride to town this afternoon?” he asked then
hesitated. “I could run you back now, if you’re in a hurry.”
Vaughn remained peacefully
reclined, smiled, and shook his head. “No, I think I’ll wait until my head
stops spinning. I have nowhere to be.”
“All right then,” Grey
announced with a little too much enthusiasm. “I should probably get some
coffee started. Sounds like we’re going to need it around here today.”
Grey entered the kitchen
and approached the coffeemaker on the counter. He hesitated, leaned on the
counter with both hands, and appeared to sink deep into thought. He finally
straightened, removed a bag of coffee from the cupboard and tossed it onto the
counter near the coffeemaker. He again hesitated. Vaughn and Casey were heard
talking softly on the porch. Grey’s lips curved into a sneer. He violently
and repeatedly punched the bag of coffee on the counter while grunting with
anger and rage. After the tenth hit, the sturdy bag ruptured, sending coffee
grounds scattering along the counter. Grey again placed both hands firmly on
the counter, hunched over the spilled coffee grounds, and attempted to control
his breathing as his psychotic look remained fixed on the ruptured bag of
coffee. Dina wearily entered the kitchen and stared at the scattered coffee
grounds. He saw her and quickly straightened. His look immediately turned
innocent and possibly charming.
“What happened?” she asked
with surprise.
“It slipped from my hand,”
he replied timidly.
†
I
t was early evening. Dina
removed clothing on hangers and hung them in the closet of the spare bedroom
while Casey removed clothing from a box and placed them in dresser drawers.
They busily worked in near silence. Dina looked back at Casey several times
between trips to the closet. She bypassed the box, sat on the foot end of the
bed, and watched Casey.
“I really appreciate you
doing this for me, you know,” Dina announced softly.
Casey glanced at Dina and
shrugged but kept her attention on filling the drawers. “We have the room, and
after what happened at the tavern, it didn’t seem right to let you stay in your
apartment alone.”
“I’ve been thinking about
your routine for the talent show,” she announced.
Casey snorted a laugh
without looking at her. “I’m glad someone is,” she announced. “I’m certainly
not.”
“They’re letting us
practice on stage tomorrow afternoon,” Dina informed her. “You should come
along and practice, you know, get a feel for the stage. It’s different being
on stage.”
“I don’t know,” Casey
announced then shut the drawer and finally turned to face Dina. “I’m having
stage jitters as it is.”