On The Rocks

So our relationship changed… morphed into a constant state of bickering and snide comments when we were around each other. Except for that one time, at her father’s funeral… where I got to hold her for no more than five seconds, and all the past was forgotten.

But then we went back to our feuding state, and now I’m getting ready to see her and hopefully have a calm sort of interaction.

As if on cue, the front door to the bar opens and I see the silhouette of Gabby framed by the noon sun behind her. Even her outline looks stunning and, as she steps into the gloom of the bar, I can see her features a little more clearly without the sun distorting her image.

She still wears her chocolate-brown hair long, cut in loose layers that frame her face. It’s her face that makes Gabby… well, Gabby. She has some Cherokee somewhere deep in her line, at least that’s what her mom says, but it must be true. Her cheekbones sit high on her heart-shaped face, and her hazel eyes are exotically slanted. Her skin is golden with light freckles across the bridge of her nose. She has the most amazing lips… full, generous, and as I remember, so very soft. Even now… dressed in a plain white t-shirt, boy-cut Levis, and a pair of worn work boots, she’s without a doubt the sexiest woman I’ve ever known.

And probably ever will know.

She’s starred in many fantasies I’ve had while in my shower jacking off, and just the thought of that causes a stirring down in my pants.

Mentally shaking my head to get my thoughts out of the gutter, I stand from the bar stool and make my way over to her. But before she acknowledges me, she glances over and sees Brody behind the bar. She doesn’t even spare me a glance but turns his way, walking right up to him.

“Hey Brody,” she says in that soft, southern voice, giving him a huge hug.

I see him jerk with surprise over the contact, his body stiff for just a few seconds. Then he remembers that this is Gabby… like a little sister to him as well, and he returns her hug for a brief moment.

I hear her softly say, “I missed you,” and I watch as his arms tighten around her just a bit, while he stares at me with an impassive look over her shoulder.

My heart hurts so badly as I see the way he struggles with personal contact and kindness. My heart also expands at the same moment when I see how softly caring Gabby is to my brother. I’ve seen plenty of people over the last week turn their nose up at Brody, completely bent on considering him a murderer and nothing more. I’ll be forever grateful to Gabs for making him remember that he’s her friend and always will be.

Turning to me, Gabby gives me a polite smile. “Hunter… good to see you.”

I raise my eyebrows, amused by her show of aloof professionalism. There’s certainly no warm hug for me… no words of how much she missed me.

But then again, I didn’t expect any, and it sticks in my craw for a delusional moment that she can be warm and caring toward my felon of a brother, but have a cool politeness for the guy that kissed her senseless.

No, that won’t do at all.

I step up to her and grab her in a hug, trying hard not to laugh when she yelps in surprise. “Hey, Gabs. I’m sure you got a hug in there for Brody’s brother, right?”

I feel her body stiffen against mine and her hands come up to rest on my biceps, not to return the hug but to push me away. I let her struggle futilely for a moment, and then I release her from my hold. Sneaking a glance at Brody, I see that he’s watching us with the briefest hint of interest before he returns to stocking the bar.

“Well, let’s go back to my office, and you can show me your bid.”

I turn around, but not before I relish the confused look on Gabby’s face. There… that will teach her to show indifference to me.

Opening the door to my office, I motion her in before me and follow behind. She stops halfway into the room, and I can’t help myself from walking up right behind her and stopping just inches from her body.