Truthfully, I was a little disappointed to see her with another guy. I wasn’t sure why; this was all new to me. I mean I don’t even know the woman! I met her once! Helped her move in, and stayed for dinner with her and her brother and her friends because she asked me to? Why am I so up in arms and so messed up? What is going on with me?
This isn’t like me at all. I don’t usually get so curious about a girl that I look her up. Which, my god is she successful. And from what I’ve seen her success skyrocketed overnight. It built and simmered then in the last year it really took off and this book is about to make her career blow up even further. Everyone wants this book! Hell, I want it. The cover was elegant, plus I did get a glimpse of the excerpt, it’s about this series of dreams she had when she was younger? That was as much as I could speed read before she kind of took the book away, tucking safely in her arms. I looked up the title; Sweven, it means a vision seen in sleep, and I read a bit more on it, and her. It only made me want to know her more.
“Dude no wonder you’ve been all over the place.” Trent laughs pulling me from my thoughts as we drive to our next destination.
“What do you mean?”
“Your neighbor? The whole you being off your game at work, always in a haze and shit? Not to mention always being on the phone with Cas.”
“What does me talking to my sister have to do with my neighbor?”
“You’re into her! Cas is smart, you haven’t ever like properly dated and you need advice, and God knows you aren’t going to ask me. I mean you barely ask me for help with stuff at work. Why would you ask about the cute neighbor?”
“What makes you think I wouldn’t ask Saylor?”
“Because you’re too nice, he’s freaking out and the baby isn’t even here yet. Dude is a wreck. He’s tripping, I offered him an edible the other night to calm his nerves, and he freaked out! Like freaked the fuck out like what if Ariela grabbed one?!? He watched me pull them out of my pocket, Connor, he watched me pull them out of my pocket, I think he needs an intervention but that’s after I deal with you. Plus, you’re not exactly known for asking your friends for help.” He laughs.
“Dude it’s his first kid and you know they’ve been wanting this for a while, of course he’s a bit of a mess.”
“Don’t deflect!”
“How am I deflecting? She’s, my neighbor! I met her like two weeks ago? Not even.”
“And all of a sudden you’re mending fences?” He scoffs.
“What’s that supposed to mean? And I love my family man! You of all people know that!”
“I never said you didn’t! But you’re a doofus! Why are you so stubborn to admit that you finally see something in this world worth a damn and you’re not just walking around on autopilot! Why can’t you just admit that you found someone you like? You think she’s pretty and her personality is making you want more? You have a crush.”
“Okay, I think we’re past crushes! I plan on talking to her again, she was busy tonight what more do you want?!?”
“DUDE YOU LITERALLY DOODLED HER NAME ON ONE OF OUR INTAKE FORMS TODAY?!? And I saw you looking at her Facebook in your office this morning on the computer!” Okay, as much as I hate to admit it maybe he’s right. “I think you have a crush. You talk about her, like none stop, and I don’t even think you realize it. Every day the first thing out of your mouth at work after seeing how we are is… damn, I didn’t see her this morning I wonder what she’s doing? Or her jeep wasn’t there? I wonder where she was this morning? Or oh damn the Tahoe was there again, is it bad I kinda hope it isn’t a boyfriend… or oh her brother was there. Or AW she has CATS AND A DOG! Like dude stalking much?”
“I do not talk about her that much!” I sneer. “Also, I’m not stalking her.”
“BULLSHIT! Just yesterday you wouldn’t shut up in the group chat about the book she’s set to publish in October!”
“Oh and, speaking of she invited me to her early release…Okay! Fine, I get it!” I say feeling the heat rush to my cheeks, thankful it was dark so he couldn’t make fun of me for that too. “I just want my sister’s advice. She’s the closest I can get to talking to mom.”
“Should have guessed it was that…” He sighs, relenting. “So, did you say yes?” He asks and I can hear the smirk in his voice.
“What kind of question is that?!? Of course, I said yes!” Jesus he’s right.
“And the guy with her?”
“Funny story actually.” I smile.
The rest of the drive to our favorite watering hole (aka Frawley’s Bar and Grill). I explained to him that the guy with Huntleigh (I hadn’t caught his name) was just her close friend that she was helping out, by pretending to be his girlfriend so that he didn’t have to deal with his sister’s peer pressure. I was grateful my sister wasn’t like that. Trent got a kick out of that. But he did make it a point to clarify that he would be the one picking my outfit for Friday. As in his words I needed to dress to impress. Which to be honest I was grateful for the help because, it was a dress coded event, and I didn’t really know what classed as black tie optional from my wardrobe? I’ve not been invited to many high-end events. I know Cas would know, but I’d rather have my fit picked before I ask her to be my plus one. So, it can be a night that we get to enjoy ourselves and she can have a night off from everything.
But Trent’s reasoning was that she had a close male friend who she was pretend dating, which in his words meant they clearly had history. His words. I personally didn’t really care about all that. I mean I think she’s cool, she’s a knockout too, but if she isn’t into me than okay. I don’t know. Maybe it’s the way she ran away as fast as she could muttering “oh my god he’s so pretty”, or how red her face was? Maybe she’d been drinking. I could be reading it wrong. But a guy can dream right?
“Where’s the third troublemaker?” Alice asks as we take our usual spot at the bar.
“He went home to be with the wife. How’s your night going Alice?”
“Going pretty good, you boys plan on stirring a ruckus or behaving?”
“When have we ever stirred a ruckus in here?” Trent smirks.
“Anytime you’re in here. Going to tell you the same thing I tell those two,” She gestures to the two sitting at the end of the bar by the juke box and I’ll be damned if that didn’t look like Huntleigh… “Just because you’re related to me, or the owners in their case. Don’t mean you get a free pass. Behave yourselves.”
“Yes ma’am.” We laugh as she gets our drinks and puts our order in.
The lighting in the bar was way to dim to definitively make out if that was Huntleigh and her friend. As they sat there looking at a phone. Laughing and talking about something. As the girl had her head on the guy’s shoulder. They were sharing some nachos, great choice. The nachos here are the best around.
“Hey, I’m going to go put on a song, okay?” I say getting up and sliding my drink over to Trent so he could watch it.
“Sure, just leave me here why don’t you?” He teases. “What song?”
“You’ll see.” I smiled getting up to go over to the juke box.
Partially for the song, I was feeling nostalgic. But mostly for the closer look at the couple at the end of the bar. They were right beside the juke box. I wasn’t really sure if I wanted to ask if it was her or not? I felt a bit odd about it, especially with what happened earlier. So, I just focused on the song, finding the right one.
As I was looking for the right song, I couldn’t help but overhear, the couple’s conversation. Fully confirming that it was her. Piquing my curiosity even more, okay, if I’m being honest, I was purposefully looking through the songs just to eavesdrop. Rude, I know. My mom would have been disappointed, my father probably would have kicked my ass for it, but I swear I have good reasons? I mean it’s Huntleigh? I wanted to know more about her? Okay, probably not the best reason. But still… I was also still kind of trying to find the song. It was my dad and mom’s song.
She had her head resting on her friend’s shoulder sipping a drink as they talked. Best I could gather it was about her parents? I clearly came in mid conversation. As the energy was way different than what it had been when they were laughing moments before.
“Did you talk to them about it?” Her friend asks.
“About what?” Huntleigh’s voice was dripping with sarcasm.
“About them being dismissive about your huge life change all because they’ve got their plates full? I mean I know –
“I don’t care. It doesn’t matter. They’re busy. I’m already moved out and they already RSVP’d to my party so I should just take what I can get.” She says coldly.
“So we’re just going to pretend that your feelings aren’t really fucking hurt that they’ve made time for Jake and not you? And that it totally doesn’t bother you that for years they’ve used you as a go between and they’re still doing it, and when you put a stop to it, they told you, that you were exaggerating?”
“Can I get another?” She asks before turning back to her friend. “Why does it even matter?”
“Because Le, your dreams are unfolding, and your parents need to be a part of it? Not to mention, why is that your place to hold everything together?”
“I genuinely don’t care anymore.”
“But you do, Huntleigh. I’ve known you long enough to know, you hate what alcohol did to your family, and you hate that you like it. So when you’re leaning on it there’s something wrong…”
“Can’t I just want a drink, without suspicion?” She scoffs.
“No, because you won’t even kiss anyone if they’ve been drinking and the few times I have seen you drunk or drinking there’s always been emotional distress tied to it. It’s always a cry for help. You want to be seen. Or did you forget how we met?”
“I didn’t forget how we met.”
“Then talk to me?”
“I just can’t do it anymore, Drew. I spent years working my ass off on a passion project and no one ever wanted to know anything about it or gave two FUCKS about it. All it was, was just a hobby… the number of times I wanted to just give up… and now everyone wants to show up for me. And say, that’s my girl. She did so good. I was there from the start.” Her voice cracks as she lays her head on the bar. “I did this alone.” She whispers as her friend – Drew, rested his head on her back.
To be honest, with you I was still scrolling through the songs, lost in their heart wrenching conversation. About to click on the song when Trent staggered over, I’d kind of forgotten about him. He was hammered now, and his feelings were a bit hurt that I abandoned him. My bad…
“Hey. What happened to not ditching, me?” He looks at Huntleigh and her friend, then back at me. Piecing it together.
“Don’t you dare.” I muttered as he cracks a grin, one I’d seen one too many times, before he does something extremely embarrassing. Too late, he’d already tapped Drew on the shoulder, and I swear to God this boy, I love him like a brother but he’s so dumb.
“What the hell?” The guy stood up with full intentions of fighting (understandably he was currently dealing with his friend having a rough night) and Trent thought that was hilarious because of course he did. It’s Trent.
“Damnit, Trent.” I sigh. “Please don’t hurt him. He means no harm.” I say stepping forward and pulling Trent back as he smiles proud of himself as Huntleigh grabs her friend.
“It’s you.” He forces a laugh, though he was clearly ticked off. “Are you stalking us?”
“Hi, uh, sorry, yeah, it’s me. No, not stalking. This is our favorite place to eat. Frawley’s has the best burgers in town. Among other things.” I say awkwardly, trying to resist the urge to wipe her tears. Or comfort her in some type of way as she is clearly still very distressed but trying to hide it.
“Nachoes are pretty good.” She says quietly.
“For sure.” I smile. “How goes the date? You know until Trent, and I crashed it.”
“It’s turning into a group hang out, we’re waiting on friends.” She forces a laugh as she casually wipes her face, attempting to hide the remains of the conversation that they’d just had. “You guys could join us. If you wanted? Finish that conversation we started earlier?” She says, pulling her sleeves down over her hands.
“Yeah, we’re all going to sit around, shoot the breeze, and maybe play some cards and play some pool later. If you guys are down?” Drew says, though he seemed to catch onto the fact she was just trying to avoid the conversation they were having. “I’m Drew by the way.”
“I’m Connor, and this is Trent.” I laugh offering him my hand. “And that’s about what we were planning to do so I don’t see how it would hurt… if you’re sure?”
“I’d like that.” She smiles, taking a sip of her drink.
After taking a minute for the four of us to get to know each other, Trent and Drew went to go play some pool to quote give us space before the rest of their group got there. Leaving us sharing some of the baked apples that Frawley’s is probably best known for.
“So, you and Drew?” I smile watching her as she sips her drink. Holding onto both of their things. “You guys a thing? Like actually?”
“At one point.” She smiles glancing over at him. “How about you? Gotta a lucky gal waiting?”
“Nope. Just me.” I laugh taking a sip of my drink. “Is there a lucky guy waiting for you who happens to let you be your best friends date on occasion?”
“Nah, just me and my goofy alt guy over there. Who happens to occasionally need a ‘girlfriend’ so he doesn’t get pawned off on his sister’s chosen one. I mean we have other friends. It’s not just us…I’m sorry. I talk to much sometimes.”
“You’re fine. But she’s got one ready?”
“Oh yeah. An old classmate of his. She’s like a mutual friend of the groups.” She laughs.
“That’s amazing. I mean I feel for him. I’d probably run for the hills if my sister tried to set me up with someone against my will.” I chuckle a bit.
“I know right? It’s wild. Speaking of wild? You hang out at Frawley’s?” She does a complete one eighty and it’s the cutest thing.
“Yeah, Alice is my brother in law’s sister.”
“Really? Elijah is your brother-in-law?”
“He is, have you met him?”
“Oh yeah. Next to Leo, Elijah has broken up more fights between my brothers than Drew has.”
“Brothers? You have two?”
“I do.” She smirks as Drew cuts in, wrapping his arms around her completely oblivious to what was going on around him.
“You do what? Think he’s hot? We all know that.” He says resting his head on her shoulder with a bit of a laugh. “Do you have my phone still? Micky is late or something? Oh, sorry was that not what we’re talking about over here?” He says meeting my eyes, surely my face matched the thoughts in my head, God was this guy blunt.
“Here, no, not what we were talking about.” She says offering him the phone.
“It died, can I have yours?” He asks, kissing her cheek. “Shit, I’m killing the vibe, aren’t I? Are you sure it’s not what you were talking about? I’m getting vibes…”
“I’m pretty sure the only vibes you’re getting are the ones from this.” She grabbed his dab taking a hit. Damn was not expecting that, and neither was he…
“I – no. Le, I can tell. I know you. And I recognize the look he has… you dig her, don’t ya? Also give me that. You’re not supposed to smoke!” He says taking it back and shoving it in his pocket.
“You can ignore him.” She smirks.
“Don’t tell him to ignore me. Don’t ignore me. You like her? Right? Come on. Man to man?” This guy was a trip. Honestly, I could listen to this guy all day, he was my kind of people, but the way he was embarrassing her, she might get him back for this later.
“I do like her. But I like to take my time to get to know someone. Think it takes time for things to happen. Friendships to bloom. Or more.”
“She’s the same way. Likes a solid foundation.” Drew laughs. “See, pays to have an annoying wing man. She likes those slow burns, love letters and shit. She’s a romantic.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re trying to get rid of me?”
“I’m not. I’m just trying to make sure you don’t chicken out. Especially considering Micky just walked in. – shit- Hello Mckinnley! It only took you forever!”
“What’s up sis? Dipshit.” A familiar voice, Mckinnley Frawley. The son of the owners. Asks as he walks up and wraps his arm around Huntleigh from behind her. “What’re you doing hanging out with this shit head?” he gestures to me with a smirk. “And what are you drinking?”
“Good to see you too, Kinnley.” I laughed, feeling a pit of anxiety well up in my stomach.
“Hi, Micky. This is my neighbor. But I guess you two know each other?”
“We do. But that’s not a topic for tonight. Are you enjoying your night?” He watched her closely as she tried to stand up, nearly falling.
“I am. Another great day being the Ellsworth daughter.” She laughs as he caught her. “Where are the boys? And how was the gig?”
“It was great, and they’re not going to be here tonight. Jake is on his way, he was leaving O’malley’s and Harry and Lorren are in the parking lot. How much have you had to drink?”
“Only a few. I’m good. Swear.”
“Dude, you’re a mind reader.” Drew says staring at him wide eyes and yeah, the guy is out of this world right now.
“Okay. Just checking. Well, I guess this is a thing?” Kinnley gestures to me and his sister.
“Mckinnley Frawley. I’ll be damned I must be drunker than I thought.” Trent laughs, walking over to join us. “Haven’t seen you since you and Braden got in that fist fight in the barn and nearly killed each other.” Shit.
“What?” Huntleigh looked between me and Kinnley with her eyebrows knit together, confusion evident on her face. “Braden? Hot Shot, Braden?”
“Hot Shot?” I ask amused.
“Huntleigh and Braden had a few awkward moments in their time.” Kinnley smirks, helping his sister into the booth.
“The girl you two were fighting over wasn’t your girlfriend?”
“Not that particular night.”
“My apologies because I didn’t know you were his brother.” She clarified with a bit of a laugh.
“What’d you do to him?” I was honestly bursting at the seams with laughter.
“He might have spent a whole year thinking I was in love with him? Because I didn’t really pick up on him crushing on me and put a stop to it until he tried to kiss me at a party and I shoved him and ran away?” She spills it all in one breath. Her eyes locked on mine, never leaving as she explained it.
“God damn.” Trent and Drew both say staring at her with their jaws on the floor. “Fuck that’s cold even for you Le.” Drew adds.
“I was scared! I’d never kissed anyone before, and I didn’t know! Plus, I was like head over heels in love with someone else! I didn’t even know he knew my name! Let alone that he liked me? Or wanted to make out with me! I can’t help it!”
“So, you ran away?” Drew laughs. “Where did you run too? When did this happen?”
“I ran to Micky; who else?” She whispers.
“Yup. Boy didn’t know what he was going for. I did warn him a few times that he didn’t want to go down that road, Huntleigh is a bit unpredictable. We were all seventeen. It was Braden’s birthday party. Technically it was the after party because it was just, me, Hunt, Braden and like two other of our friends, and my girlfriend at the time, we were all smoking and he didn’t listen to me. What was it he asked you to do? Like how’d he get you over to the clearing?”
“He said that you could see the moon really good and he also promised that you and everyone else would be right behind us. And it was this whole elaborate set up. Like really elaborate… I felt really bad about it. Did not realize what was happening… no one ever said I was smart.”
“Is that why you two got into it?” I asked, taking a sip of my drink.
“Not exactly. Tell you another time.”
“Braden tried to kiss you…he tricked you then tried to kiss you. That boy is messed up.” I mutter, thinking to myself, he tried to steal my girl before she was even mine. Little bastard. Kidding of course. I know she isn’t mine… but still kind of funny, don’t you think? “And you shoved him… you probably should have punched him.”
“I’m not that mean.” She laughs. “I honestly didn’t know he liked me.”
“The elaborate set up wasn’t a clue?” Trent asks. “How elaborate are we talking though?”
“There were rose petals and candles, wine, he raided Cas’s wine cabinet he told me about it. Bro was really trying to show her that he liked her. He had a crush on her since like the first time she ever came to one of our games, he was smitten. Who’s the cutie in the bleachers? Then she comes running up to me, and his jaw basically unhinges to drop. He goes what the FUCK? How do you know her? He pretty much called me too ugly to be with her and I said EW dude that’s my sister. You know I’m adopted right? It was a whole thing.” Kinnley laughs.
“She is kind of oblivious.” Drew laughs. “I told her like five thousand times that I wanted to take her out just the two of us and she looked about like she does right now. Very confused, very deer in the headlights.”
“No, you told me to get dressed we were going to IHOP you were hungry and wanted pancakes. I just assumed that everyone was either in the car or that they were meeting us there. Then you also said, hey, you still want that midnight beach trip?”
“I believe that I specifically asked you if you would go skinny dipping with me. I don’t know how much more forward you can get than hey I want to see your body. And everyone knows if you want to win a girl over you win their pets over, and maybe their family but for sure their pets. Listen, the dog who hates everyone loves me.” Drew pleads. “I was trying to get through that thick skull of yours that I liked you as much as you liked me! Now, listen brother,” He turns his attention to me, his eyes were bloodshot and hazy but still a rather stunning blue to be honest with you. “A hint of advice. If you want to actually successfully take her on a date. Plan the damn thing on your own. Have it planned out a to z before even asking. Then you tell her what to wear or at least suggest okay? And make sure you spell it out. IT’S A DATE! She’s not great at reading between the lines god bless her. Better yet tell Lorren and make her pick the outfit.”
“Okay.” I laughed. “Noted.”
“To be fair, you guys did go to IHOP a lot as a group. She wasn’t really wrong in being confused.” Kinnley defends with a grin.
“For the record I didn’t veiw that as a flirty thing, Drew. We’d all been skinny dipping together and, and you before we even started dating, I always just didn’t care. I was just comfortable with you.”
“Yeah I know, the first night you ever slept in my bed you drooled all over me? Who does that? You also took your pants off in your sleep. You’re a sleep stripper. Do you know how insane that is?” He asks with wide eyes.
“Who is a sleep stripper?” Huntleigh’s older brother Jake asks as he walks up. “Oh my god, you’re both hammered? Who the hell is driving you two home? Also, what are you doing here exactly?” Jake asked with a half-smile as the rest of their group comes to the table. “And who is he? Also what’s going on there? Like seriously how much has she had to drink?” he gestures to his sister who was staring at me her head in her hands as she sips her drink. I think she was more so staring through me than at me. But she was feeling some type of way for sure.
“I invited them.” Huntleigh says with a smile, sliding further into the booth as her friends and brother take a seat.
“I’m Trent.” Trent says raising his hand.
“He’s my plus one.” I smile as they sit down.
Trent and I slid closer to Huntleigh and Drew as the rest of the crew joined and we did brief introductions again, getting to know everyone a bit, and catching everyone up on what had been going on this evening. Essentially just a lot of small talk, while Huntleigh and Drew enjoyed their drinks.
“I love you so much and I’m glad you made it! If only our other four were here, they would adore this.” Huntleigh says laying her head against Lorren’s shoulder after about an hour of us getting into a flow of conversation again. “I can’t wait for them to come home. I miss them.”
“I love you too. Yes, we miss all of our little menaces. Except I do fear if Milo were here, we might have a bit of a turf war going on.” Lorren laughs. “Too much testosterone in one place can be a bit of a problem. It’s bad enough when there’s you and these three hellions.”
“Hey, I’ve behaved myself tonight. Leo isn’t going to get a call to drag me out of his bar.” Drew smiles. “I can’t say the same for Jake and Micky. Those two might be breaking beer bottles and everything before the night is over.”
“Damn.” I laugh. “That bad?”
“He hates my guts.” Kinnley laughs.
“I don’t hate you. I just don’t like you. Are you ever going to answer how much she drink tonight?” Jake asks changing the subject. “And who is driving you two home?”
“One of you. It’s your turn.” Drew laughs.
“Is it?” Jake asked with a smirk.
“Well, I’m definitely not fit to drive right now. And he definitely isn’t.” She points to Drew who was playing with playdough?
“Where did you get that?” Trent takes the words right out of my mouth.
“Her PURSE! Bro she’s got like candy and shit in here too! Coloring books, even a wolf? What the hell? When’d you put that in there?” He kept pulling things out of her bag with a big smile.
“Give me that! Mine!” She snatches her wolf away from him. “You can’t just put Phenix on a table! He’s more civilized than that!”
“It’s a wolf.” Jake laughed. “A stuffed wolf at that.”
“You monster!” She gasped, covering the Wolf’s ears. “You take that back! He is literally the representative of everything I’ve built my career off!”
“Yeah Jake! This wolf is what made your sister rich!” Drew laughs. “Well technically not him specially, the real one’s name is redacted.”
“Welp, y’all are being weird again. What’s the deal with you and Casanova over here anyway? You got the hots for her or something? I mean good luck with him around.” Jake gestured to Huntleigh and Drew as Drew stuffed everything, he’d taken out of her purse back in, and she held onto the wolf.
“Connor and I were trying to finish our conversation that we are apparently never going to finish.” She laughs resting her elbow on the table burying her face in the fur of the wolf, I’ve never met someone as fascinating as this woman – watching as Lorren reads a note and paying no mind to Drew messing with her hair now.
“Oh?” I felt like everyone’s eyes were on me, as Trent cracked up.
“Did you finally get her number?” Damn I hate him sometimes. “Or better?”
“What?” Huntleigh asks with wide eyes and very clearly confused. Those naturally wide eyes, bright, and doe like in the lighting. Her freckles lining her rosey cheeks as she looked around the table trying to figure it out. Her cat eyeglasses extenuating the winged liner she was wearing with a smokey eye still a tiny bit smudged from crying earlier.
“Did he land a date?” Trent asks her and I’m truly regretting all my life choices so far.
“I would love to get to know Huntleigh, and maybe even take it a bit further than just friends but I also know that great things take time. So, in due time.”
“Aww!” She gushes. “That’s so sweet! He’s so sweet. I feel the same.”
“He is.” Lorren laughs hugging her friend tighter. “He is very sweet.”
And that is how she’s stolen my heart. Or started too anyway. That light in her eyes, a sparkle of hope. A brightness that I never thought was possible to find in this world but she has it? She’s so beautiful. Not just outside. But her soul. It’s like it’s pulling me in.
If you made it to the end of the post don’t forget to leave a like and a comment! Hit me with your favirote part of the story so far? How do you think Huntleigh and Connor’s love story is going to play out? What’s the redemption part in your mind?
As always thank you for reading and thank you for your support! I hope you enjoyed the story as much as I enjoyed writing it and I hope to see you next time! Stay safe, love hard, and protect your peace ❤
XOXO Hails
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