The Wild Ones (Book 2 in the Smalltown Superstars Series)

7

They took dinner in the bistro on the boardwalk by thebeach. It was a beautiful ocean view where they could enjoy their leisurelymeal. Brook could smell the salt water in the air and feel the cool oceanbreeze caress her skin. LA was so beautiful and watching the evening sunsetting over the water was magical. She would never see anything like this backhome in Alberta.

Notthat she did not find her home beautiful; after all, where else could you findtowering mountains that reached high to the heavens next to an endless stretch of black fertile ground. Ridebareback across the prairies under the vast blue sky, or spend the day on oneof the countless crystal lakes. LA was spectacular,it was beautiful in so many ways; but for this country girl, there was nothinglike being back in the heartland.

“Didyou like the meal?” Dawson asked leaning back in his seat.

Brooklooked down at the plate filled with empty crab shells. She had to admit theseafood platter he had suggested were very good. Not something she wouldnormally get at home. Alberta was pretty much beefand potatoes sort of place. Not that seafoodwas not available, but it certainly didnot taste like this. “It’s much better than the stuff you get at therestaurants at home.” She admitted.

“Thatis because out here it’s fresh. Back home it’s not. It’s all packaged andfrozen and what not. Just isn’t the same.” Dawson smiled.

Brooklooked back out at the water. “I bet we could walk right out there and catchthem ourselves.” She suggested

“Probably,but why would you?”

Brooksmirked as she picked up the half empty bottle of beer she had been drinking.“You are a true-blue city slicker. You aren’t into fishing, are you?” Sheasked. She could not get over how different Dawson was from his older brother.

“Godno.” He said cringing. “My grandfather would always insist I go with him and Liam.I hated it; the trip was always so boring.Sitting for hours on that boat doing nothing in the hopes that we might get tocatch a fish. Only later to have to kill it, gut it, and stink like dead fish.I never saw the fun in it.”

“What about to catch the fishfor dinner?” She suggested.

“IfI want to have fish for dinner I’ll buyit at the store,” Dawson said picking uphis drink. “It’s faster to go to the store, andI smell better afterwards.” Brook laughed at him. “What is so funny?”

“Youare such a sissy.”

“Oh,so it is a macho thing to go fishing?” He asked.

“Whydo you even have a boat if you don’t fish?”

“Ilike boating, speeding around the lake and water skiing. That sort of thing. Ofcourse, I haven’t had the chance yet because I work a lot.” He admitted takinga sip of his beer. The waitress came and removed their finished plates. Dowsonordered dessert and another round of drinks. “Are you sure you don’t wantsomething better? Champaign, wine, a margarita? Price is no object.” He assuredher.

Brooksmiled and handed her now empty beer to the waitress taking the fresh cold one theyoung woman had brought her. “No, I’m notone of those girls that can sit there and swig that sweet Champaign or thosesparkling wines. I’m no want-to-be hand-me-down princess or Barbie doll.” Shesaid raising her beer with pride. “I’m a redneck through and through. Shootingwhisky or downing beers in a tavern is more my kind of thing.”

“Alright, I just thought I would offer. Besides whatis wrong with the Barbie dolls?” Dawson asked looking out over the beach at allthe pretty women in bathing suits trying so hard to look like they weren’ttrying at all. “They seem to be very popular.”

“If you like girls with nosubstance. Women who starve themselves to satisfy some absurd standard ofbeauty. The kinds that have those fake nails, and fake lashes, and fake breast,and god know what else. There’s more product on them and more plastic in themthan you could imagine. It’s like buying a Cadillac and finding out you got aBuick.”

“Whatabout you? You fit those absurd standards. I mean look at your body, and youdon’t seem to starve yourself.” He said pointing out what he felt to be a flawin her opinion.

“Perhaps,but I also bust my hump ranching with my brother, farming for my Mama and Daddy. I also help out at the church, take care of my land and animals, not tomention all the energy I put into the Iron Horse every day after I have alreadydone all the other stuff. I’m not exactly painting my nails and watching Oprah.I work hard.” Brook said defensively.

“Well, it shows,”Dawson said not trying to start a fight.

“AndI still find time to go fishing.” She teased. Dawson laughed at her obvious jabat him. Brook placed her beer on the table and leaned forward. “I got to know,you spend what like twelve or fourteen hours a day at your office working onlyto come home and spend all night working and you do this every day, of everyweek. I mean the way I hear it, and I hearsecond and third-hand information here,but you work from the second your eyes open until you lay down at night. Younever do anything else. Never have time for anyone or anything.”

“Isthere a question in there somewhere?” Dawson asked.

“Whatis the point?”

“Tohave a better life.” He said.

“Butwhat is the point if you don’t live it?” Dawson went quiet; his face went blank for a moment as he liftedhis beer and took a big swig. He did not answer her, and she got the feeling he did not have an answer. Brook sat backin her seat and looked back out over the beach. “I suppose it doesn’t matter.We all live the way that makes us happy I was just wondering was all.” Shenoticed Dawson rub his jaw once more out of the corner of her eye. A pain ofguilt stabbed at her. “Does it still hurt much?” She asked noticing the slight discolorationbeginning to form.

“Abit. You hit pretty hard.”

“Onewould think you could take a hit better than that after all those jealousboyfriends and hubbies I’m sure you have tangled with.” After all hisphilandering there was sure to have been some spats in his past.

“Ido my best to avoid attached women,”Dawson confessed.

Brooklifted one skeptical brow. She knew all about him and Annie Archer. Dawson hadcarried on a six-month affair with his brother’s wife when he was much younger.His qualms about attached women must have been new. “When did you instigatethat rule?”

Dawsonflashed a wicked smile knowing just what she was thinking. “About the same timethe doctor was bandaging my broken ribs after Liam beat me. I realized then Idid not have a taste for dealing with jealous lovers. Single women are far lesscomplicated.” He rubbed his jaw once more. “Of course, they don’t usually slugme.”

“So,Annie was the one and only attached woman you fooled around with?” She askedcuriously.

“Firstand last.” He said with all seriousness.

Brookcould not help but wonder what had ever possessed him to pursue Annie Archer, in the first place. She recalled that the womanhad been a beauty with her long blonde hair and her baby blue eyes, but she hadbeen his brother’s wife and therefore should have been off limits. The reason he did it had always been a question onmany of the townsfolk’s minds. Of course, no one would ever ask it would not beproper. The matter was a family affair between Liam and Dawson.

Dawsonstared at Brook and then cast his eyes down to the table in shame. “You want toknow why?” He said quietly.

“Ididn’t ask,” Brook said, but yes, she wasdying to know like everyone else.

“Youdidn’t have to I can see the question in your eyes. I see it in everyone’seyes. You can tell they all want to know, butno one will ever ask. It drives me crazy.”

Brookcould understand how that might be frustrating to see the scorn and scrutiny inthe face of everyone you meet. “So why Liam’s wife of all people you could havehad?” She asked outright.

Dawsonwent silent he took a swig of his beer and then sighed. “Short answer…jealousy.At the time Liam had everything. He had his whole life together in a perfectlittle package. Land, house, perfect job, friends, a beautiful wife. I, on theother hand, did not. I was still living out of my parent’s basement like a bumtrying to figure out what I should do with my life. Things just came so easy toLiam, they always had, and I hated that. So, when Annie threw herself at me onenight how I could say now? I mean it wasperfect, his wife wanted me, and when I was with her it was like for a briefperiod I had a piece of his life. Sounds stupid now but it made sense then.Then he caught me, and I wished I hadnever touched her. If I could change only one thing in my life that would beit.”

His remorse seemed genuine. Dawson seemed truly sorryhe had ever betrayed his brother’s trust, and not only because he got caughtlike so many other cheaters. He seemed to regret hurting his brothermore than having been caught. “You must have been very mad when Liam broke yourribs,” Brook said.

“Ishould have been I suppose,” Dawson saidsolemnly. “But to tell you the truth I got what I deserved.”

Itpleased her to hear him say that. He was willing to accept responsibility forhis sins unlike so many. “Still that can’t have been the only scrape you haveever been in.”

“Afew when I was a boy. Your brother and mine would pick on me but nothingbesides that no.”

“Nobar room brawls?”

“Notevery man on earth feels the need to resort to physical violence,” Dawson stressed. “You, mydear, have spent too much time around brutes in the sticks.”

“Andyou too much time on your phone in an office,”Brook said picking up her fork and digging into the chocolate cake he hadordered. She took a big bite of the sweet cake and watched the brilliantcolours of the sun setting. It had been quite the day.

***

The nightlife inLA was as hot as the days. Dawson and Brook joined the party down by the hotelpool. It was the largest and most extravagantly designed outdoor pool Dawsonhad ever seen at any other hotel with six interlocking pools and poolside bars.The waters were warm with torches and lanterns lighting the pool deck andsurrounding patio space. There was live music with everyone both in and out ofthe pool enjoying themselves.

Brookand Dawson had stopped in their suite to change into their swimsuits. Dawsonhad changed into his red trunks. Brook had shed her shorts for the bottom halfof her bathing suit and a sheer black silk mini-wrap-around that she tied abouther hips. The sight of her in that itsy-bitsy bikini stirred his body. He wouldhave been more than happy to have spent the evening locked away in the roomwith Brook, but Dawson had a feeling shewas not about to go for that proposal.

Soinstead Dawson took Brook down to the pool party where they lounged in the warmwater shooting tequila and whiskey from the poolside bar. They had turned itinto a game, every time they heard the musician play a classic rock song theytook a shot of tequila and if they played a new popular tune, they took a shot of whiskey.

Dawsonwas impressed by how well Brook tolerated her alcohol. She was a very smallwoman who had been drinking for the better part of the last five hours, and still,she seemed fairly in control of her faculties and motor control. Of course, shewas not entirely unaffected, but thenneither was he. The last song ended and the band began to play Sweet Emotion byAerosmith. Dawson and Brook both reached for the tequila shooter in front ofthem.

Dawsonshot back the liquor, and it burned itsway down his throat. He slammed the shot glass back down on the bar and lickedthe salt off his hand before biting into the slice of lime that was in front ofhim. He looked at Brook watching her do the same thing. Her tongue lapped the salt off the back of her hand and then she picked up the lime wedge andbit into it. Brook could make anything look sexy. What he would not give tohave her run that tongue over his body.

“So,tell me,” Dawson asked splashing her playfully, “why isn’t there a Mr. Right inyour life?” He had been wondering just why a girl like Brook was still single.She was gorgeous, fun, wild and untamed. It amazed him that no man did notalready have a claim on her.

“I’mnot looking for Mr. Right.” She said. “I’m too young to settle down. I stillgot too much living to do to tie myself to any one person.”

“Whatabout Mr. Right-now? Aren’t you interested in just having someone to have funwith?” He asked curiously just how far hecould get with her if he played his cards correctly. Was she the type that wanteda commitment? Was Brook the type that demandedexclusivity? Or was she the fly by night casual no strings attached kindof girl that wanted nothing more than to satisfy her urges and then go abouther own life?

“Ilike my life just as it is.” She answered with a smile. Her answer wasmaddeningly unhelpful.

Thebartender poured them both another shot and added it to their room bill. Dawsonrecalled that Brook worked nights at a bar back home. “It must be nice not to be the one serving the drinks at theparty for once.” He commented.

Brookshook her head. “I don’t sever drinks.”

“Butyou work at a bar? What do you do if you are not a waitressor bartend?” Dawson asked wondering what else there was to do. Brook pointed overat the band that was entertaining everyone. He then remembered how well she hadplayed at the community picnic on Sunday. Was it possible she did it for aliving? “You’re the entertainer?” Dawson asked with some surprise.

“Threeto four nights a week.” She said proudly. “The rest of the time I freelance atother bars in surrounding towns.”

Dawsonwas amazed. It must be a strange job to be up on stage singing every night forstrangers. “It must be a nerve-racking job.” He commented.

“Atfirst yes, but I love it, it’s the best job in the world,” Brook said. She was glowing as she talked about playing herguitar and performing. She did love it; he could see the passion in her eyes.

“Haveyou ever thought about going pro?” He asked.

Brooklaughed. “No, I like playing, but I’mrealistic. I’m not going to be rubbing shoulders with Garth Brooks and GorgeStraight any day soon. No, I would be happy just playing a few local festivalsand a rodeo or two.”

Theband began a new song, and they bothreached for the shot of whiskey in front of them. They downed the shot andslammed it on the bar. “Woo wee girl you can drink.” Another man said as hereached the bar on Brook’s opposite side. He had been drinking like everyone atthe party. “Let me buy you another one?” He offered.

Dawson took a deep breath trying to keep hiscool; this had been going on all day men coming up to Brook at random trying topick her up; first in the elevator, then in thelines back at the amusement park while they were talking. One had evenbeen so bold as to approach her on the boardwalk while they were having dinnerto ask for her number. For the love of god, she had been seated with anotherman enjoying an intimate dinner, and still, they tried to pick her up. Some peoplehad no respect and even less class. Now,this fool was trying to move in.

Hewas not one to normally mind competition, butthings were beginning to get a bit ridiculous. Dawson was becoming exceedinglyfrustrated with the consistent interference of other men. He could not takeBrook anywhere without suffering the unwanted attention of any number ofpoaching jerks. “I’m fine, thank you, butno.” She said returning her attention to Dawson.

“Heybaby, don’t be stuck up…” He said grabbing her hand.

Brookpulled her hand away and before she could speak Dawson intervened. “Buddy backoff, she is with someone.”

Theother guy just narrowed his dark brows at Dawson and then offered him a grin.“Yeah sure, my bad.” Finally, someone with some sense, or so Dawson hadthought, but not two seconds later the same guy was trying to get Brook’sattention again. “Maybe I could get your number, or maybe just your room numberand we could hook up later and…”

Brookturned away. “Not interested.”

Hegrabbed her arm and forcefully turned her back to him. “Hey, I was talking to you.”

Dawsoncame around Brook and took the man’s hand off her pushing him away. He wasoutraged at this guy’s unmitigated gall for having touched Brook in such amanner. “Just where on earth is that ok? I don’t know where you come from butwhere I come from you leave a woman alone after she tells you no.”

“I’mjust trying to talk to the pretty lady.”

“Shedoesn’t want to talk to you.”

“Saysyou.”

“Saysme.” Brook piped up from behind Dawson. “Why don’t you go drown yourself in thedeep end?”

Theguy glared at them both and muttered something under his breath as he took hisdrink and moved on to the next woman. Dawson turned around and looked at Brookinspecting her arm to see if that fool had left a mark on her flawless skin.“Did he hurt you?” He asked.

“I’mtougher than that,” Brook said looking upat him with smiling eyes.

“Youare just a magnet for jerks, aren’t you?” Dawson teased her reaching up to brusha stray lock of red hair from her face.

“Youdevelop a thick skin after some time.” She said picking up her last shot anddrinking it down. Brook placed the empty shot glass back on the bar and slidthe last shot over to him. “Drink up and let’s go back to the room. I think Ihave had about enough nightlife for one evening.”

Dawsonwas more than happy to coop himself up alone in a room with her. He picked upthe shot glass and downed the sweet liquor. Placing the glass back on the barDawson nodded his head to the edge of the pool. “Let’s get out of here then.”They waded to the pool’s edge and climbed out. Dawson took two thick whitehotel towels from the stand and handed one to Brook. She wrapped it aroundherself and dried off a bit while he tossed Dawsontowel over his shoulder.

Theynavigated through the party back inside the hotel and took the elevator up totheir floor. Once inside the room Dawson picked up the ice bucket and took itdown the hall to the ice machine he had seen coming off the elevator. He filledup the bucket and returned to the room. “What is the ice for?” Brook askedsitting down on the edge of the bed.

“Theminibar.” Dawson grinned placing it onthe table and taking two glasses from the top of the mini bar.

Brooklaughed. “Don’t you think we have drunkenough?”

“Weare both still upright so that I wouldsay no.” He smirked wickedly. “We are on vacation. What happened to the wildwoman that wanted to cut loose and live a little?” He asked opening the minibar. “They have rum and vodka, what would you like?”

“Iwould suspect that you are trying to get me drunk to take advantage of me.” Shesaid fixing him with a scrutinizing gaze.

Dawsontook out two small bottles of vodka and poured them into the glasses of ice.“Well of course I am, don’t be silly.” He smirked handing her one of theglasses. “Now drink up you don’t think I’m nearly charming enough.”

Brooklifted the glass to her lips and drained it all at once. She then handed itback to him. “I am afraid there is not nearly enough alcohol in this room forthat.”

“Comenow sweet you wound me.”

“SomehowI think you shall survive.” She teased picking up her suitcase and opening itup. She pulled out a large green and gold Edmonton Eskimos jersey. “So howshould we do the sleeping arraignment?” Brook asked heading into the washroom.

Dawsonplaced his drink on the table and picked up his bag. He took out a black pairof sweats and quickly changed while Brook was in the washroom. “Well, I thoughtwe are both reasonable adults. We can share the bed.” Dawson said, raising his voice so she could hear him. Heplaced his bag back on the floor and turned when he heard the washroom dooropen.

Brookcame out with her hair let down from the braid flowing freely around hershoulders and dressed in nothing but the green and gold football jersey. It wasway too big for her, and it hung justpast her bottom, he felt himself grow hard just looking at her as she leanedseductively against the doorjamb. The smile that curved her lips set Dawson’sblood on fire. “Think again, stud.” Brookwalked over to the bed and picked up a pillow. She threw it at him. Dawsoncaught it and watched her take the top blanket from the bed. “You can sleep onthe couch.” She said nodding at the short white couch against the wall.

Dawsonlooked at Brook than the couch. Then helooked back at the smile on her face. He was not getting anywhere tonight. “Thecouch looks comfy.”