She leans over and squeezes my hand, bringing me out of my daydream. "I'm so happy for you, Tina." She sits back and picks up her cup. "So, you finally had a date!"
I lean back in the chair and let out a dreamy sigh. "Yeah. Kinda? I mean, we didn't go out but staying in his barn was really nice."
She leans forward, resting her arms on the table, and folds her hands. "Aww, Tina."
"No! I mean, we made it work. We'll go out – out, on a real date. I'm sure. But Sadie. I can't even...."
Her brows raise. "That good?" She winks.
I let out another sigh and lean my arms back on the table. "Yes. So good."
"Were you nervous?"
"Yes. No? I guess a little. He just made me feel so comfortable. I can't believe I didn't kick him in the nuts." She laughs. "Or poke him in the eye or something. I didn't even stutter!" She reaches out and covers my hand, squeezing.
"When it's right, when it's meant to be, then everything falls into place. I'm glad he made you feel comfortable, took care of you the way a man – a gentleman, should. I like Nash and think the two of you together are perfect."
I smile. "Me too."
I left Sadie's with a kick in my step. I called Misty and told her I was on my way and she told me not to rush so I took my time. Went home, took a long shower, and I gotta tell ya – my lady bits are pretty sore. Well, it's no wonder. I'm no expert but when I saw his length and girth, I was curious how in the hell it was gonna fit inside me. I mean – I thought all his other muscles were very large but oh, my God!
I make it to the shop by ten o'clock and I'm glad I did. There's a rush of people. I immediately walk to the counter, giving my good mornings, and start helping customers. By eleven, the rush was gone but now it's time to get ready for the lunch crowd.
"I'll go get the sandwiches ready," Misty says smiling. "After the lunch rush, you're telling me everything."
I turn to her, still wiping off the counter. "I don't know what you mean."
She smiles then starts walking toward the back room. "Yes, you do," she sing-songs. Damn! Does it show?
A few minutes later, I'm at the small table to the left of the counter, filling the different containers with sugar packets, creamers, and swizzle sticks. The bell over the door rings, telling me another customer is here. "Be right with you." I concentrate on filling the napkin holder, my mind still in the clouds from last night.
"Uh, morning." I startle then look over my left shoulder at Trevor. "Didn't mean to spook ya." He smiles and winks.
"Oh, not at all." I smile. God! I love my life. Cowboys everywhere and some of them are my friends. I could just stare at them all day. Although, nothing beats Nash. And I had sex with him! I feel my cheeks warm from the bright blush I'm sure is there.
"Got time for a cup of coffee with me?" He seems – nervous?
I look around the shop. Only a few people here, drinking and chatting. "Sure. Your usual?" He nods. I walk over to the counter and start making our drinks, noticing he went over to a table in the corner and sat down. Something's up. I wish Prie were here. Picking up our cups, I walk over to the table and sit down, placing his coffee in front of him. He nods, giving me a thank you, and puts his hands around it. He keeps looking everywhere but at me. "Trevor? You okay?" He clears his throat, his eyes flashing to mine then back down at his cup. "Hey, what's going on," I whisper. He looks back at me.
"Um. Well...." He takes a drink and then clears his throat again. I don't think I've ever seen him this nervous before which makes me extremely nervous. Trevor is the epitome of calm and cool so this can't be good. "Prie comes home on Monday." This I knew. "Tina. I think she's havin' an affair." Uh. Shit. What do I say to that?
"Why, uh....? What makes you think that?" I bite on the inside of my cheek, hating that she didn't tell him before she left. Then I think, why would he think that? "Um, Trevor? You know Grant is gay, right?" Surely after all this time he knows this.
He starts rubbing his finger on the outside of his coffee cup, nervously. "I know that. It's just...." Okay, this isn't like Trevor at all. "She's always spent so much time with...." With who? "Nash." Uh, didn't see that coming. "She's always told me they're just friends. Hell, he's told me that."
"Then what's the problem? Why do you think that?" Hell, I know it's not Nash. At least I don't think it is. Wait! She's not even having an affair!
"I dunno. At the hospital when Shiloh was havin' Colt, they did a lot of whisperin' and then he ended up takin' her home. Then the other day before she left, she talked to him again but they always stopped talkin' when I got near." He takes off his cowboy hat and runs his hand over his head in exasperation. "I'm sure I'm bein' silly." He looks into my eyes, his full of concern and worry. "Tina. I can't lose her. She's my heart, my life. I don't know what I'd do...."
I reach over and take his hand. "No! Trevor. I'm sure it's nothing. You know Prie loves you with everything she is."
He looks down. "I – I know. I just. … " He looks back at me. "Can you talk to her? Find out what's goin' on in that beautiful head of hers?" He smiles. No girl in her right mind wouldn't want him. "You're one of her best friends. Please talk to her. I'd be mighty obliged."
"Of course I will." I smile. She'd better not have anything else going on, other than her secret pregnancy. I wanna kill her for not telling him before she left. Circumstances be damned.
He pats my hand. "Thank ya, Tina. You're a good friend." I really don't feel like such a great friend right now.
Trevor left shortly after and I felt weird and frustrated the rest of the day and night. For him. Now, like Trevor had said, Prie has become one of my best friends but even best friends can make bad decisions. By the time I help clean up the shop, I was angry at her for not telling Trevor.
He's gonna be a daddy! He deserves to know! BIG point against her on this one! HUGE!
He doesn't deal well with anything bad that happens to Prie and needs to understand everything surrounding her pregnancy. Okay, she may have a teeny weeny point for not worrying him on this one.
He worships the ground she walks on. He'll want to protect her, wait on her hand and foot, and pretty much make her rest 24/7. Okay, she'll feel like an invalid and she'll hate that. She might have another point here. Small.
He'd give her all his support, be comforting. Another loss of a point here. I mean, she needs that right now and throughout the pregnancy. Duh!
For fuck's sake! He's gonna be a daddy! I know! I already listed this one but it is that HUGE! MAJOR pointage removal!
I make myself crazy as I walk up the steps to my apartment and let myself in. So angry that I go into the kitchen and make some muffins just to try to cool off before I even think of attempting to call Prie. Once the muffins are made and put away, I settle down on the couch, pull my phone from my pocket and dial her.
"Tina! So good to hear from you!" She sounds – chipper. Happy. I don't know what I expected. Maybe still down, worried – concerned? That just makes me madder. "I can't wait to come home the day after tomorrow. How are you?" How am I? I'm about ready to explode, that's how I am.
"Prie. Trevor came to see me today." Let's just start here. Shall we? I'm actually pretty proud of myself for sounding so calm. I'm anything but.
"Oh?" she whispers. Silence except for hearing her light breathing. I open my mouth to speak when she does. "Everything okay? Well, I talked to him earlier today myself and nothing was wrong then. Did something happen since I talked to him?" Now she sounds worried. Way to go, Tina.
"No. Not really?" Now I'm at a loss for words. "Prie. Why didn't you tell him about your pregnancy before you left? I mean, I know why but still." Silence. "He's worried, Prie. He thinks something is going on."
"Oh." Her whispers and one small word answers are not helping.
"He thinks you're having an affair," I blurt. My non-filter is definitely still there.
"Oh, no!" Well, at least she's gotten to two small words. I roll my eyes. "With who?" Still two words!
"Um – Nash?" Why did that come out as a question? She starts laughing. I don't mean a chuckle or giggle, I mean full out belly hurting laughing. "Prie. I don't think this is very funny." She keeps going and I start getting angry again. "Oh, my God! Listen to you." Her laughter starts dying down. "Prie. He was really nervous and worried. I felt really bad for him." I hear her sniff.
"I'm a terrible, terrible person." She sniffs again and now I feel bad that I made her feel bad. "I'm so selfish."