Back in the Saddle (Jessica Brodie Diaries #1)(71)

I twisted and turned, sucked in and coaxed the dress over my big head, over my C-cup, and down around my hips, which must have been bigger than they were two years ago. Damn!

But wait, what’s this? Wait....

No, turns out the h*ps weren’t bigger, the butt muscles were. I knew that, but judging by my reflection in Ole Hopeful, which normal people called the mirror, the dress fit! It fit! And it looked sensational!

All I had to do now was throw on a smoky eye, some bronzer, and natural lipstick. Oh yeah, and find a place to go.

My body would have sagged if the dress let it.

Lightning bolt. Candace!

Candace had better be out! And if not Candace, William’s friend Adam. He was hot. I wouldn’t mind taking him for a spin before I headed to Australia. People could talk all they wanted, I wouldn’t be coming back.

I called Candace but it rang out. I left a message. Then I texted for good measure. I went through my phone to find Adam’s number—he’d snuck it in there as a “lifeline” when we were at Froggy’s that one time.

“Hello?” he said. The lifeline must have been one-sided because it was obvious he had no idea who was calling.

“Adam?”

“Yeah? Who’s this?”

“Oh, hi. It’s Jess. Jessica. Uh...Candace’s fr—”

“Jessica. Yeah, course. How are you? Long time.”

“Um. Yeah.” Oh God, I was nervous! I was in the beginning stages of regretting this decision. I hardly knew the guy! Last time I saw him I very obviously wanted his friend. I wasn’t that girl to go for one guy, get denied then go for his friend! I hated myself a little.

Not to mention I had strange guilt pangs.

“What’re you up to?” he asked with ease, probably hearing my hesitation.

“Oh. Um. Well, I was visiting Gladis—my land lady Gladis—wait, you know Gladis. Anyway, she’s in the hospital. For her hip. Nothing serious. Uh...” My brain was screeching at my finger to hang up the phone to save my person from further embarrassment!

“I heard about that. Is she okay?” Adam said into my stuttering mess of an explanation. He was obviously trying to help me feel legit about this phone call.

“Oh, yeah. Yeah no, she is. She’ll be fine, thanks for asking. Anyway, I was... Well, no one is home here—they are at the hospital. Um, I went, but then...I had to get out of there. And well...” My stuttering was painful even to me! I took a big breath to steady myself before I went on.

Adam filled the gap with, “‘Cause Willie showed up, you mean?”

“Um. N—how did... That wasn’t the reason I left or anything, but... That is beside the point, actually.” I shook my head to clear it. “Look, I was just wandering if maybe you wouldn’t mind getting a drink or something? I don’t really have anyone here to hang out with and it’s Friday night. Big empty houses and all—it’s kind of spooky. So...”

He chuckled. “Yeah, I knew why you was callin’. Candace showed me your text after she heard me say your name. I was just seein’ if you could form the words on your own.” He outright laughed this time.

“Thanks Adam.”

“No problem, Jessie girl. Anyhoo, we’re at McClarin’s.”

“Who’s we?” I asked with trepidation. I hoped William was still with his parents.

“Moose, Ty, Candace, me. You in about twenty.”

I laughed to extinguish my nervousness. “Thanks Adam. I found a cute dress in my closet that I really wanted to wear out.”

“The closet is a good ol’ place to look for lost clothes.” I could actually hear him rolling his eyes. “Candace is dressed nice, too. You’ll be with company.”

“Yay! Okay, see you in a bit!”

“Yup. Bye.”

I hung up and did a halting happy dance, not able to move much in the dress. I hadn’t been out in forever!

I skipped to the bathroom to do hair and make-up. I didn’t mess up once. It was my lucky night.

I found some cute shoes to go with the dress and headed out to the car. I would drive there and get a cab back. I was in a great mood until I heard a certain country song that fit my situation a little too well.

But then, they all did, didn’t they? They were either heart breakers, or had broken hearts. The story of life.

I held it together, refusing to let the melody and word combination into my heart, until I heard, “I see you leanin’, bound to fall, I don’t want to be that mistake.”

At that moment I paired William with all the words, seeing myself trying to fall for him, and him trying to keep me at an arm’s distance. He was a gentleman for Gladis’s sake, so he wouldn’t let me into his bed, but he didn’t want anywhere near my heart.

It finally hit me. The cold hard truth finally beat its way through my hopeful defenses and made me admit to it. He was not unattainable because he was handsome, rich, had manners, confidence, charisma and grace. He was unattainable because he didn’t want me like I wanted him.

I would have completely broken down by the side of the road where I was currently idling, but I didn’t want to destroy my eye make-up. I would have turned around and gone home, but I didn’t want to explain why I was to those waiting for me.

I decided I would not let William ruin this night, as he had ruined so many others. He wouldn’t even be there tonight, and Adam and Moose always treated me well, plus Candace and Ty were there. I would put on a brave face and go. To hell with him!