Pickin Wildflowers

Cover Me Up

Weston watched as Mazikeen locked the door. He didn't like closing because it involved handling the money, and his philosophy was that if he didn't close, then he couldn't be blamed for missing money. After learning that Mazikeen closed alone or with Chad most nights, he decided he'd start sticking around for her sake. He didn't truly think the crackheads around here would do anything, but it was a legitimate excuse. Weston followed Mazikeen to her car, which he had conveniently parked next to. "Thanks for sticking around, but you seriously didn't have to. I've closed alone plenty of times," she said, leaning against her door. "It's OK, it's not like I have anywhere to be," he replied, leaning against his passenger door. "So how long do you think it'll be until Chad's gone?" he asked. "Last I heard, he had put in a two-week notice he got hired on over at Northline Transport," she said with a smirk. "Seriously? He took a job at the competitor?!" He was kinda shocked because everybody knew Coal Ridge paid the best in the industry. "Yep, he took a pay cut because, apparently, they pay commission, and they're not struggling to get product" she said crossing her arms "Well damn good for him, I guess" "Yeah also he lives in Lowburn so it's less of a drive" "Oh ok yeah that makes sense I mean I was making the same drive just in reverse, so I get it" he chuckled. Mazikeen opened her car door and started to put her belongings in. "Hey, before you go, I've got something for you," he said, popping his trunk. "Oh yeah?" she said, turning around. "Here I remember how you said you always get cold so I thought maybe this would help you stay warm and the rest of us not melt to death in the office" he said handing her his favorite Oak & Anthem hoodie "Oh wow, thank you that's very kind of you, but you didn't have to do that" she giggled taking the hoodie from him "It's no big deal, I barely wear it anymore" he replied, that was a lie it was his favorite hoodie, he wore it almost daily, but he just wanted to see her in it and also see her reaction. "Well, thank you, Weston, that's very sweet of you. I had better get on my way. Peter will pitch a fit if he's late for work," she said, climbing into her truck. "Alright, I guess I'll see you Wednesday," he said, climbing into his car. Mazikeen waved goodbye before peeling out of the parking lot. Weston sat in his car for a minute listening to Frozen Mercy by Judd Carver. Judd's slow-burning whiskey-soaked voice burned into Weston's soul as he let his emotions get the best of him. He slowly put the car in drive and pulled out of the parking lot. He didn't have a destination in mind, but he knew he wasn't going home. As the music played, Weston quickly realized he was on the outskirts of Ashkey. He knew if he kept driving, he would eventually end up at his cousin's house, which was fine because he could really use a drink. As his sadness faded, his mind started drifting to Mazie. Just as he started picturing her beautiful, fiery brown eyes, Shelter Me Slow by Sawyer Redd, every word of the song described how Weston felt towards Mazie. Just as the song ended, he pulled up to his cousin's house. He could see that JB was home, so he parked the car and climbed out as JB walked out to greet him. "Well, look what the devil dragged in, how you doin', cousin?" JB shouted in his southern drawl, "I'm good, JB, you got any cold ones?" he already knew he did, but it was respectful to at least ask. "You already know I do, go grab a couple and meet me out back." Weston headed into JB's house and grabbed a couple of beers out of the kitchen. He knew what meet me out back meant. JB wanted to talk, so he headed out back to the fire pit. When he stepped outside, JB already had a small little fire going. "Go on sit down West and tell me what's bothering you," JB said, plopping his hefty ass down in his outdoor recliner. "Ain't nothing bothering me JB" "Now I know that's a damn lie" he said laughing a big ol belly laugh "Damnit JB can't a man just come to enjoy a beer with his cousin he ain't seen in a while?!" he said throwing an empty beer can at him "In awhile? Boy, I saw you last night!" he said, throwing the can back at Weston. "So tell me what's bothering you. I can see the emotion all over your damn face" JB said, leaning forward resting his elbows on his knees. "Fine, I guess if you're gonna pull my teeth, it's Celeste," he said, leaning back and looking up at the starry sky. "What the hell do you mean it's Celeste?" JB snapped "It's Celeste, but it's also not, We've got court on Monday so we can determine an actual custody plan for Odin and I know she's gonna bring that smug ass boyfriend of hers, am I mad? No, but also I just want all this over so I can move on and not feel guilty about it, y'know? My divorce and custody battle with Tessa Rae was nowhere near all this crap" he said, blowing out a long deep sigh. "Well, are you worried that she's gonna do to you what Tessa Rae did?" he asked, leaning back in his chair "No I don't think she'll keep Odin from me, but I also think custody is gonna be hard because of Odin's heart problems he needs to be with his mama because she's better trained on all that, and she has all the doctors on speed dial." Weston said sadly, "Well then, I guess it's time for you to get trained on all that and add the doctors to your speed dial. You're a good daddy, Weston, now you just have to learn to be a single daddy," JB said sternly. "Well, that's not all that's on my mind, JB," Weston said, leaning forward. "What else is there?" his cousin asked questioningly. "Mazikeen," Weston said lightly, "Who the hell is Mazikeen?!" JB asked slightly hurt "She's a coworker, our paths have crossed a few times in the past year but now that I've transferred we work together full-time" he said leaning back in his chair trying to hide his already blushing face "Ok well what does she have to do with your moodiness West?" JB asked, leaning in further, "I may or may not have had a crush on her for a while, but we were both married." Weston said, "Ok, but now things have changed?" JB asked, "Yeah, now we're both single." Weston said, leaning his head back and falling asleep.