Boys South of the Mason Dixon
Page 39

Dallas leaned back in his chair. Tucking a strand of dark hair behind his left ear, he said, “I ain’t scared of no bronco.”
“That’s ‘cause you’re still a stupid little shit,” Bray replied with a smirk.
“I’m bigger than you,” he shot back.
“You’re bigger than all of us,” I added. “But that bronco is larger than you, though apparently not your ego.”
His grin grew, ignoring the second part of what I said. “Yeah. Ain’t that a bitch. Momma also loves me best.”
Bray rolled his eyes, replying, “You’re the baby. Poor woman ain’t got no choice.”
Dallas wasn’t upset about that at all. Shrugging, he unfolded his frame to stand, reaching for the cowboy hat on the chair beside him. “And I’m the handsomest.”
“Then why do they all want to suck my dick?” Bray added.
Dallas barked with laughter. “Damn, it’s good to have you back.”
I had to agree with him. The darkness in his eyes told me he wasn’t completely back. But I’d watch him closely until he was.
“You working today?” Bray asked me.
“Yeah, I am,” I replied.
“When are you heading back to Florida? Don’t y’all have to start workouts and practice soon?”
I wasn’t sure I was going back. I didn’t want to say that yet. Momma would be disappointed if I didn’t go back, get my diploma, so I said, “Next month we’ll begin.”
Dallas took a long swig from the gallon of milk, then looked at me. “You really gonna stay that long?”
“I need to make sure Momma is taking her medicine regularly.”
Bray snorted. “And that Dixie is okay. Don’t deny it. You’re afraid to leave until you’re sure she’s fine.”
I wasn’t going to deny it. “That’s true,” I replied honestly.
Dallas was staring at me. I could see the surprise in his expression, but I didn’t comment any further. Momma came walking in the door with a basket of eggs on her arm. “If you just drank directly from that gallon of milk, I’m gonna tan your hide.”
Dallas shook his head, looking all innocent. “No, Momma, I was just getting it out to pour me a glass.”
“After he took a long swig, that is,” Bray offered, taking the eggs from momma.
Dallas glared at Bray who couldn’t care less.
“Don’t none of us want your backwash, boy,” Momma scolded, her frown remaining in place as she went to the stove to get the lard and flour, getting everything ready to start preparing breakfast.
“That heifer’s gonna have her baby this week. She’s got the look. It’s about time. I was sure she’d have that calf in May. Need to move her to the small ring,” she said. That was meant for all, but Bray nodded.
“Yeah, I noticed. I’ll get Dallas out there with me and we’ll take care of it.”
Momma stopped and put her hand on Bray’s cheek. “You good? Worried me sick. Ain’t no girl worth that.”
He nodded but his eyes betrayed him. She seemed appeased so she dropped her hand to get back to cooking.
“Neither of them other two came home last night. This ain’t a boarding house. If they aren’t here in the next hour, they’ll be sleeping with that heifer for a week.”
Dallas looked at me apologetically. “Dixie broke up with Steel. He’s struggling. Brent stayed with him.”
Momma stopped and turned to me. She didn’t say anything at first. I was ready to defend myself. It wasn’t fair that everyone blamed me for what Steel was going through.
She just said, “Guess that was coming. Good thing. She didn’t love him right.”
That’s all she said. We went on to discuss what needed to be done on the farm until we ate and then left for work.
Just as I was walking out the door, she called my name. She’d waited until the other two were gone. “Keep an eye on him. He ain’t right just yet.”
I knew who she meant, so I nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I will.”
Dixie Monroe
THE CLOCK ON the wall finally said it was lunch time. At noon, the salon closed for an hour. Everyone was free to spend their break as they pleased. The other employees usually used the tanning beds during this time or styled each other’s hair. I occasionally got a wash and cut, but most of the time, I just read a book and ate a sandwich.
Today, however, I had other plans. I had decided the front desk needed a little sprucing up. A nice pot of flowers would do and I knew just where to get them. This was not what Asher and I had agreed on last night, but I wanted to see him. Maybe say hello. It wasn’t like I was taking him lunch and making a scene for the town to talk about.
I called out to let them know I was leaving for my break and then headed out the door, making sure I flipped the sign on the door before I locked it up. This was the only salon in Malroy and it always closed for lunch. Customers expected it. But we still turned that sign around in case anyone forgot.
For the first time in three years, I had opened my eyes that morning and a smile had spread across my face. A real one. It was so big, it had hurt my cheeks and I’d loved every second of it. That feeling of joy, excitement, hope were all new to me now. It was a wonder I’d even gone to sleep last night. I couldn’t have dreamed up a better night if I’d tried. When I’d been younger, I had imagined something like that daily. But over time it began to hurt too much to even think about it, so I’d forced myself to think of other things just to stop the pain and tears as I closed my eyes at night.
Those tears were a part of the person I’d become now, but I wouldn’t miss them or the hollowness inside my chest. Asher hadn’t promised me anything, but what he’d said was all I needed to hear for now. He loved me. He wanted to meet me there again tonight. And then again the next night.
I hurried down the street. Denver’s Feed and Seed was only half a mile from the salon and walking there was faster than driving because there were three stop lights between the two stores.
The wooden furniture that I was sure everyone in this town owned in some shape or form in their backyard and on their porches, was displayed out front. Bright yellow sunflowers decorated the space and I had to admit even I wanted to go sit down and enjoy some lemonade. It was very welcoming. I wondered if Asher had unloaded all that. Probably had. That just made me smile even more. I didn’t care at all about how goofy I must’ve looked grinning all alone while walking down the sidewalk.
Turning onto the gravel parking lot, I scanned the flowers on display for something affordable since I was buying these out of my own pocket. As I looked, my eyes also searched around for any signs of Asher. I didn’t want to be obvious, but I knew he’d know immediately why I was here.
I made my way to the side of the building where the store’s entrance was. Just as I stepped into the shade of the overhang, I heard a female voice that made me stop in my tracks.
“Time to eat, Asher. I got you the roast beef with that dark sauce you like to dip it in. I ate a few of your fries, though.” The voice belonged to Hannah and it was flirty. It also appeared to be very familiar with what Asher liked. I didn’t know if I should continue walking in their direction.
“Did you get me a sweet tea?” he asked and I saw him then walking in from the back. His sleeveless undershirt was dirty and clung to his sweaty skin. He was wearing his cowboy hat and it shaded his eyes. I couldn’t see his face, but his tone was friendly. And he seemed pleased.