Times Like These

Dave’s was pretty busy for a Tuesday night, and I’m sure at least half of the people in the bar were here because Wilson had called them. As we got out out of the car Matt chuckled to himself, “I feel like we’re going to see a lot of rednedcks tonight.” “You probably will, but trust me when I say you’ll love it here.” Dani said, grabbing his hand. “It’s just like Tom’s.” “But with rednecks.” I added with a laugh. Brian wrapped an arm around my shoulders and kissed the side of my head, “So, what are we drinking tonight?” “No tequila. Unless you want her to sleep in the bathroom.” Dani said, pointing a finger in my direction. “That was one time when I was sixteen, Danielle.” I said with an eye roll. “Yeah and you haven’t touched the stuff since.” I laughed and nodded, “You’re damn right I haven’t. Tequila does NOT make my clothes fall off, it makes me a sloppy disaster.” Brian laughed loudly and said “No, that’s Jack Daniels’ job.“ I rolled my eyes with a smile and opened the door to the bar. As soon as I walked in, half the people in the bar started cheering and I was pulled into multiple sets of arms. “Look who’s home! What’s up Killa?” Wilson’s cousin, Zach said. “Hey! I missed you guys! Y’all been staying out of trouble?” I asked, looking at Zach’s wife Laura, who rolled her eyes and shook her head. “You know they haven’t.” Eventually everyone noticed Dani walking in with Matt and enveloped her in a million hugs as well. I laughed and grabbed Brian’s hand, leading him to the bar. “Hey Dave!” I shouted over the music. “Hey trouble! How’s California?” The older man asked, pouring me a Jack and Coke. “California is good. Really good.” I told him, looking over at Brian with a smile. “This is my boyfriend, Brian. Bri, this is Dave.” Dave smiled and shook Brian’s hand, “What are you drinking?” “Jack and Coke for me too please.” Dave poured his drank and slid it across the bar before he spoke again, looking him dead in the eye. “I’m not going to have to fly to California and hunt you down one day, am I?” I laughed loudly and pulled Brian close. “Stop Dave. He’s a good one.” “Okay,” he said, looking at Brian suspiciously, “I just worry about you. I don’t want to see you go through that again.” Brian squeezed me tight and looked across the bar at my old friend, “You won’t have to worry about that, Dave. I don’t plan on getting rid of her.” Dave smiled and nodded before going for talk to other customers, and Brian and I walked to a table
before he spoke again. “People really love you here.” “Yeah. Perks of living in a small town.” I shrugged, “I’ve known a lot of these people for most of my life. Dave has known me since I was seven. He and my dad are drinking buddies, so he has always kept an eye on Dani and I while we’re here.” Soon my sister and Matt joined us with shots of Jack, and Matt looked at me with a grin. “So, you singing yet or what?” I smiled and shook my head. “Sanders, the night has just begun. Be patient.” He laughed and raised his glass, “To the four of us and what I’m sure will definitely be an interesting night.” We clinked our glasses together before slamming our shots, ready for whatever the night brings us.

——————————-BRIAN POV———————————-

Being in Georgia with the twins has been an interesting experience to say the least. They’re from such a small town and it seems like they know so many people. Nikki has been so happy since we’ve been here, I’m pretty sure her face is stuck in a permanent smile. When Wilson invited us out tonight, I wasn’t quite sure what I was expecting, but I know it wasn’t this. We were in a bar that played mostly country music, and the girls were throwing back shots and drinks with their old friends like it was nobody’s business. They were both pretty drunk, Matt and I were pacing ourselves to make sure someone was able to drive them home. Their group of friends consisted of probably about twenty people, and apparently most of them grew up together. Watching Nikki interact with Wilson made me laugh, he was fiercely protective over her, especially after what she had been through with her ex. But you could tell they were more like siblings than anything. Wilson was in the middle of telling the story about Nikki breaking her hand when she cut him off with a loud squeal. “This is my SONG!” She shouted from her seat beside me. She started dancing around in her chair and singing along, and I looked over at Dani who was doing the same thing, and eventually the entire bar was singing ‘Family Tradition’, including me and Matt. The more she drank, the thicker her accent got, and I loved it. She put this little twang on the end of my name when she said it, and she would say y’all a whole lot more. “Hey y’all! One more drink and then I think it might be time to go home.” She said, swaying a little bit. “Orrrrrrr maybe no more drinks and it’ll be time to go home.” She giggled, leaning into me. “What do you think Bri? You ready to go home?” “I’m ready whenever you are babe. Just say the word.” I looked over at Matt and Dani, who were also getting ready to leave, and felt Nikki leave my side. “I’m going home, you fucks!” She shouted to her group of friends, receiving hugs and fist bumps from everyone. I told everyone goodbye and grabbed my girlfriend’s hand, leading her out to the car. Once the cool March air hit her face I heard her inhale deeply. “I love it here.” She sighed, “But not as much as I love being in Cali with you.” I turned around and looked at her with a smirk. “Is that so?” I asked, pulling her closer. She put her hands around my waist and nodded, standing on her tip toes to kiss me. “Yep. It’s my favorite place to be.” I leaned my forehead against hers and looked into those blue eyes I’ve grown to love so much. “It’s my favorite place too. I love you, Nick.” “I love you.” I kissed her one more time before opening the passenger door of the car, “Let’s get you home so you can sleep off all this Jack.” She laughed as she got into the car, “You know exactly what I needed.” I shut the door and walked around to the drivers side and got in, “That’s not all you need.” I told her, wiggling my brows. I drove the four of us back to Jan’s house, where we didn’t see Dani and Matt for the rest of the night, and after Nikki pretty much ripped off my clothes and had her way with me, we both fell asleep quickly, wrapped in each other’s arms.

When we woke up the next day, Nichole surprisingly wasn’t too hungover. She took about four ibuprofen and drank an entire Coke and seemed to be fine. We were all sitting on her mom’s front porch enjoying the spring breeze and talking when a dark SUV pulled up in front of the house. Nikki immediately stood up and walked toward the edge of the porch, Jan going to stand beside her. As the driver got out of the vehicle, I saw Nikki grab her mother’s hand and heard her softly whisper “No” before everything became a huge blur.

Notes