31. Aspen

Thirty One

Aspen

Aspen: The Tequila Cowboy. 9 pm sharp. Be there.

Theo: My pregnant ass in a bar? I can see the rumors now…

Theo: “Theo Matthews was caught dancing on the bar chugging a bottle of Jose with her belly hanging out”

Penny: I’d be the one to leak that… because honestly sounds bad ass.

Aspen: I’ll let you pass this time

Aspen: What kid doesn’t want to hear that their mom was dancing on the bar while pregnant?

Penny: TRUE LOL

Theo: ??

Boone and I were the first to arrive at The Tequila Cowboy. It was no surprise when we saw the bar packed with people. Considering this was the only place to go in town, they created a great atmosphere. The neon signs and a jukebox added a little nostalgia, an homage to the Western dive bars you see in movies.

Mac was tending the bar with another local boy, Dudley. Those two together could handle the influx at any point of the night. Watching them bartend was like watching witchcraft. They had charm and wit that kept people drinking all night.

Boone and I walked up to the only free space at the bar and stood to wait our turn. Mac saw us and gave us a wave, indicating he’d be over when he was done. Boone tipped his hat and leaned his elbows on the sticky bar top.

Tonight, he was wearing a long-sleeved baby blue pearl snap shirt and dark-wash jeans. He looked delicious with his messy hair and nice boots. I’d take this man anyway, dirty or dressed up; he could do it all.

I decided to go with a tight black dress that fell right above my knees. It was strapless and paired well with my knee-high cowgirl boots. My curvy figure filled out the fabric, which Boone had already commented on a million times. He couldn’t keep his hands to himself. He either grabbed my ass, wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, or held me close while placing kisses up and down my neck. If I let him, he’d say “fuck it” and take me back home. He already told me as much. I liked that he was placing his claim on me in public. I felt safe and secure.

Eyeing him up from the side, Boone caught me glaring and smiled. He stood up to his full height and took position behind me, bringing my body close to his front.

“This dress is driving me crazy,” he mumbled in my ear, nipping at the lobe. On instinct, my head rolled to the side to give him full access.

“I know. That’s why I wore it,” I replied, savoring his mouth on my skin.

“Dirty girl,” he groaned, and I laughed as we swayed back and forth.

Mac finally freed up and made his way directly towards us, groans and boos came from some of the other people waiting.

“Take it easy,” Mac scoffed. “This lovely couple is just as thirsty.” He smiled at us and leaned closer to talk over the music. “These people, man, I’m telling you.”

“Can I get a Banquet and a tequila sunrise?” Boone ordered for us. I love that he knew what drink I was going to order.

“You got it.” Mac nodded and headed to the well on the opposite side. I glanced down at my phone to check the time. She must’ve been reading my mind because Penny finally walked in the door. If there was one thing about her that I’d want everyone to know, it would be that she was never on time for anything.

Seeing her, I could understand why. Penny was dressed to impress. She wore her long chestnut hair in loose curls and a bandana on her head, flat and tied with pieces framing her face, which matched her bodycon bright printed dress. She wore low nude heels, which was not like her. She was trying to get someone’s attention.

Rhodes and Logan chose not to come, and Theo stayed home because the baby wanted Hot Cheetos and a movie instead.

When Penny saw me, I waved my hand in the air to call her over. Her face lit up as she jogged over towards Boone and me.

Breaking from his hold, I hugged Penny. “You made it!”

“I had to look good!” she whispered in my ear, tilting her head towards her target behind the bar.

“I figured. Hurry, get up here so you can order.” I pushed her towards the bar to take our standing spot.

Standing wasn’t what Penny had in mind because she leaned over to the gentleman sitting at the stool closest to us and mumbled something in his ear. The man smiled and stood instantly, heading to the other side of the bar. Boone and I exchanged a look, which Penny saw and giggled.

“I told him that hot blonde over there was into him and he should shoot his shot.”

I barked out a laugh while Boone shook his head and said, “That’s impressive.”

“A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do.” She shrugged and took his seat. I knew she would be here all night just to catch a moment with Mac.

Mac returned with our drinks and said he was leaving the tab open. I patted Penny on the shoulder as Boone and I made our way to the dance floor. When I glanced back, Mac was fully leaning over the bar, inches away from Penny. She was doing the thing with her hair, twirling it around her finger. That girl was determined, something else I’d want people to know about her.

Boone took my free hand and spun me around, my ass now against his front. I started grinding against him with my drink in my hand. His free arm came around my front and held me closer to him. Between the atmosphere and the music, I was having a blast. Dancing with Boone song after song had me panting by the time we finished our first drink.

Glancing over at Penny and Mac who were still talking. I was pretty sure that man forgot he had a job to do.

“Let’s go check on them and get a shot,” Boone said, leaning his head closer to my ear. I nodded and stepped away from his hold.

On instinct, I grabbed his hand and interlaced our fingers together. He squeezed back as I guided him towards the bar.

Standing next to Penny, her attention was fully on Mac, who was now helping a couple of guests at the other end of the bar.

“Earth to Penelope!” I shouted, waving my hand in her face.

Penny shook her head like she was coming out of a daze. “Sorry, he’s just so mesmerizing,” she said, laying her head on her hand like she was daydreaming.

“Just ask him to hook up already,” I pushed, wanting her to pull the band-aid off.

“No!” she squealed. “I have to be cool about it. If I come on too strong, he may run.” Shaking my head, I smiled to myself.

“Let’s get a shot, calm those nerves.” I winked and nudged her with my arm. “I’d like that,” she sighed.

When Mac finally returned, Dudley was nowhere to be found.

“That fucking bastard left me here alone,” Mac cursed, lining up a row of shot glasses. The bar was finally calming down now that everyone was served. Most of the crowd funnels out after nine or so since it’s an older clientele.

“We’ll take a round of the dealer’s choice,” Boone said, leaning over me. Mac smiled and held up a finger. He spun around, grabbed a bottle of Buffalo Trace, and filled the glasses to the brim.

“Fuck it, I’m taking one too,” Mac said and handed out the shots. I took mine and held it in the air, everyone else following. He counted down and we all tipped it back, the warm liquor sliding down my throat. Shaking my head, I slammed the glass down.

Boone and I left Penny at the bar again, not getting another drink. Instead, we went to the floor and Boone danced with me for the second time tonight. He held my hands in his and moved us around with such grace to one of my favorite songs, “Play Something Country” by Brooks and Dunn. I couldn’t help the smile that bloomed on my face as we moved in sync, taking over the dance floor. He spun me and dipped, running his tongue from the base of my throat up to my chin in a slow, teasing motion.

“Boone!” I yelled, laughing out loud. He smiled and brought me back up.

“You look so good, I had to see how you tasted.”

By the time we were done, I was sweating and three songs had passed. Boone’s hair was matted under his hat and I could feel my face burning up. I left my hair down though, fanning myself with my hands.

“I need a drink. You stay here, I’ll grab you another beer,” I insisted as I pointed my finger at him and backed away.

When I got to the bar, I found my spot next to Penny again. Just like I predicted, she hadn’t moved all night, soaking up any time Mac had when he wasn’t serving someone. The stool to her right was empty, and I needed to sit. I plopped down and let out an exhale. I haven’t danced like that in, well, ever.

“You two are adorable!” Penny said, laying her head on my shoulder.

“I’m really happy,” I confessed, smiling like a dork. This was the best I’d felt about myself and my life in a really long time, probably since I started managing The Coffee Cup.

Boone made me feel like a new person, a person I really liked to be. With each moment we spent together, I knew I was falling in love with him. He consumed my thoughts, living in my mind all day and night when we weren’t together. I craved his voice and his touch. I wanted to sit and listen about his day, tell him all about mine. He was becoming my person , which used to scare me, but now it felt right.

As Mac approached, he asked, “What can I get the two love birds?”

“I’ll take another sunrise and Boone will have Jack and Coke.” I decided to change it up, gotta keep him on his toes.

Grabbing both of the drinks from Mac, I returned to the dance floor. My legs stopped short as my mind processed what I saw before me.

Boone was standing on the checkered space we called a dance floor, with a woman in front of him. My blood boiled, and my cheeks grew hot as I laid eyes on Miranda Yert. I couldn’t fucking believe that she had the balls to even walk up to Boone. She stood in her short flowy white dress and cowgirl boots, the fabric barely covering her ass. Her crusty bleach-blonde hair was straight down her back. If I squeezed the plastic cups in my hands any harder, they would burst and liquor would end up on the floor.

Miranda laughed obnoxiously, like whatever Boone said was the funniest thing in the world. It wasn’t because the man wasn’t that funny. She did the same flirty thing Penny did, twirling her hair around her pointer finger, but she looked desperate doing it.

My feet finally moved, one in front of the other as I stomped my way to Boone. I felt the opposite from when I saw her at the Rodeo. Tonight, I wasn’t shy or scared, I was pissed.

He saw me as I got closer, and when I was close enough, he reached out and tucked me underneath his arm.

“There she is,” he said, placing a kiss on the top of my head. Miranda’s face fell flat like she wasn’t expecting me to interrupt.

“Here you go, Cowboy,” I replied, trying to sound flirty. I handed Boone his drink and refused to look away from Miranda. She had a snarl on her face.

Boone sipped his drink. “Oh, how rude of me, Miranda. This is my girlfriend , Aspen.” I couldn’t help the smirk that took over; I was seconds away from letting laughter spill out. Boone knew damn well she and I had history, which meant she clearly knew my name. My rage quit and joy took over after hearing him call me his girlfriend. The jealousy that lived inside me dissipated as I waved at her, flashing a sweet smile.

“It’s nice to see you again, Miranda,” I cooed.

She was livid, her finger no longer intertwined in her hair. “You too, Aspen. I have to say, I’m shocked to see Boone here with a girl like you”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, unable to come up with a quick retort.

“Well, so basic and boring. You need some excitement, don’t you Boone? Not someone who cares more about men in books than real life.” Miranda smiled, running her tongue along her canine. She was trying to strike a nerve in me, trying to push me to back down like I’ve done so often in the past. Instead of letting her win, I snuggled up closer to Boone to show off my position versus hers.

Boone must’ve picked up on it and took matters into his own hands. “I think it’s time to grow up. I don’t think jealousy is a good look on you, Miranda. But on her?” Miranda’s eyes opened wide like Boone had physically slapped her. “It’s fucking hot.”

Boone tilted his head down, removed his hat from his head, and did the last thing I thought he would. He placed that khaki cowboy hat on top of my head with a long kiss against my lips. He let his tongue slip in, making a show as he pulled me closer by the small of my back. I fed in, letting Miranda see just how boring I was. When we came up for air, she was gone. It was clear she left in a huff and hurry because her bleached hair was nowhere in sight.

“Suck it, Miranda,” Boone whispered against my lips before coming in for another peck.

“Girlfriend, huh?” I asked, still staring into his eyes after the kiss. The mustache twitched as he smiled.

“You like the sound of that, Darling?” he quipped back. I reached up, running my fingers against the fabric of Boone’s hat. Placing it on my head was a symbol that tonight, I’d be riding him. Instead of answering his question with words, I went on my tip toes and kissed his cheek. Boone’s hair was a mess, slicked with sweat; somehow, he made it hot.

The night continued smoothly. Miranda didn’t show her face again. Embarrassment finally set in for her when she was humbled by Boone.

Boone ended up taking a seat at the bar while Penny decided it was time to “show off” on the dance floor. She and I danced together like we had the last time we were at The Tequila Cowboy. A drink in our hands and nothing but good vibes. Penny and I swayed our hips to the sound of “Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy” by Big & Rich. Boone watched me with an intense stare, sipping his Jack and Coke. The song was an ironic choice considering I was wearing my cowboy’s hat.

I saw his eyes darken from my spot on the dance floor. It was taking everything in him not to spring off that seat and have his body against mine. I loved teasing him like this because I knew exactly how I’d be paying for it later.

Blowing him a kiss, Penny wrapped her arms around me and twirled me around so my back was now facing Boone.

“You’re driving that man mad!” She giggled into my ear. I tilted my head back and laughed.

“Isn’t that the point?” I replied.

After some more dancing and laughing Penny and I decided to call it quits. I only had two drinks and a shot all night, which meant I was perfectly sober by the time we decided to leave. Boone on the other hand was not. When I approached the bar again, I saw 4 empty shot glasses and two empty rock glasses next to him while he was mid-conversation with Mac.

“There they are!” Mac said. “You two were a hit. I don’t think anyone in this place had their eyes anywhere else besides that dance floor.”

I looked at Boone, who had a smirk on his face, and his eyes were half closed. He was completely drunk because the next thing he did was sweep me off my feet, literally.

Boone bent down and threw me over his shoulder. “Boone!” I squealed, trying to make sure my ass wasn’t out. Boone took his hat back and placed it to cover my dress from riding up.

“I’m bringing you home,” he grunted, walking me out the door. Before it shut, I waved at Penny, who stood there, thrusting her hips at me. “But, I can’t drive so you’re the one getting us home.” He plopped me down next to the driver’s side door.

“Me?” I said in surprise, pointing at myself. “You want me to drive your truck home?”

“How else are we going to get back so I can finally put my hands all over you?” He reached into his front pocket and pulled out a set of keys. Boone grabbed my hand and placed it in my palm. Opening the door, he motioned for me to climb in. “After you, my beautiful girlfriend.”

I climbed in, a smile forming from ear to ear. Boone Cassidy trusted me enough to get us home in his precious truck.