“Just do it, okay? Let me worry about my health,” Jessica snapped.
“Hey, whatever you want, babe.” Bruce showed her where the injection should go on each side before sliding the small needle into her skin. “You know, since you’re around horses, vets normally use Carbocaine or mepivacaine. It lasts longer than lidocaine, too. You should check around the barn to see if there is any stuck in a cabinet somewhere. All this stuff is pretty cheap, so nobody keeps a close eye on inventories of it.”
He shot half the syringe into one side of her kneecap and the rest on the opposite side. He rubbed his hand along her silky leg. “You always did have great legs, and now you have a very sexy scar on this one.”
Grimacing from the sting of the shot, Jessica said, “That’s where they put the pins in. And you run that hand any farther up my leg and I’ll have to call up that bad-tempered redhead you live with and tell her you were hitting on me.”
Bruce jerked his hands up and held them aloft in surrender. “Hey, just giving you a compliment. No need to threaten my manhood. Let’s go see if this works.”
They headed into the smoky bar and took a table away from the dance floor. They ordered two sandwiches and a couple of beers. Before they’d even gotten their food, Jessica’s knee felt very numb.
“Okay, time for a little two-step to test it out.” Bruce stood and offered a hand. Unlike a lot of former athletes, he kept himself in good shape. Jessica was surprised that she was able to move comfortably for the first time in months. The knee was nearly painless. She grinned up at Bruce and he twirled her around a few times in celebration.
Back out in the parking lot, he pulled two more vials from his car. “That’s two hundred dollars, little lady.”
“I thought you said this stuff was cheap.”
“Risk mark-up. My contact takes a risk swiping it, and I take a risk selling it to you.” He held the vials just out of her reach, and his eyes grew serious. “Be careful, Jess. Use it too much and you’ll do permanent damage to your knee and never feel it. How do you think I screwed up my football career? Total knee replacement is no fun and a real career ender.”
“I’ll be careful,” she said, handing over the money. She couldn’t wait to ride Rampage free of pain.
Lantern-shaped lamps lined the main drive as cars pulled up to the house and deposited their guests. The cars were then parked near the gymnasium by valets. The yard was illuminated by string after string of lights, and the large brick patio served as a dance floor. A live country-western band cranked out Garth Brooks and Shania Twain tunes for the dancers while caterers pulled sizzling burgers and tangy barbecue ribs off a hot grill.
The dance was the biggest local fund-raiser put on by the Parker Foundation each year. This year’s western theme promised to be a fun evening for both the upper crust who paid five hundred dollars a plate to attend and students of the youth equestrian program who, along with their families, were honored guests.
Skyler paused at the edge of the lights to wipe the pointed toes of her dusty western boots on the back of her jean-covered legs. Attendance was mandatory for center staff, but Skyler didn’t mind. At least the party’s theme allowed her to dress in something comfortable. Her tall frame fit well into the faded Levi’s and dark blue V-neck knitted top that accentuated her broad shoulders.
“Hey, Sky. I’ve been waiting for you to get here. I need a dance partner.” Clint Hansen’s eyes glowed and he held out his hand as an invitation. “Come on, let’s show these shufflers a step or two.”
“I do declare, I just can’t resist such a handsome devil,” Skyler replied in her best Scarlett O’Hara voice.
“You have to let me lead,” Clint warned.
“I guess you’ll never get better if I don’t let you practice. Lead on,” she replied with a mock sigh.
She was teasing, of course. Clint was an excellent dancer. He was several inches taller than Skyler’s six feet and was ruggedly good looking. He knew and accepted Skyler’s sexual orientation, but her height and graceful athleticism made her the perfect dance partner. They appeared to be the perfect couple as they glided a fancy two-step across the dance floor, Clint twirling Skyler and her following with ease.