No Longer Alone

Chapter Six

*Damian's Point of View*

    I knew Alex was excited to bring me to visit his home town, he'd been after me to visit for years.  We had met in college, and somehow he had grown on me during that time, little knowing who I was at the time.  Evidently a lot of people in Montana didn't bother to read about any of the big businesses that operated unless it pertained to their area.  Needless to say, while I wasn't anti-social as he claimed, I was allergic to people who thought to use me for money or power, and it had become much simpler and easier for me to let Alex remain my middle man.  He was about as outgoing as they come, but he hide a sharp mind behind his jester behavior, many people spilling secrets and hidden truths to him thinking him nothing more than a flighty flirt.

    While I took a shower in the hotel suite that Alex had booked for me, he went off to make sure my clothing was more appropriate for the area before we headed out for that drink, and given the way he smiled, I could guess he was already plotting something.  I sighed a little, and hoped he didn't go too overboard in his plans and exited the bathroom, finding the clothing he left for me.

    Checking my phone, I found a message from my father to enjoy my vacation and to make sure that I learned how to loosen up and have some fun.   After I found that the last woman I had shown interest in confided in Alex that she was only interested in my money, but his body, I had been focused strictly on work, not needing the complications of trying to maintain any relationship with women who would always be more interested in my friend's charm.

    Just as I finished dressing I heard a knock on the door, and opened it to Alex who was still grinning like a maniac.  

    "Ready to go?" I simply nodded and listened to Alex telling me stories of his misadventures here in his teenage years and on the vacations he had taken without me.  He was still rambling as we pulled up to an older western style bar and walked in.

    Right inside was a single pool table with two women and a man playing a game, the man was taller than me, and I stood 6'6, his clothes and hands showing someone used to hard work, mechanic or welder based on the grease and burns.   Near him was a short woman, with curly brown hair in a lacey dress laughing at something the final member of their party said.  She was leaning over lining up a shot, so it was hard to gauge her height, but her long dark hair caught the light showing hints of red and gold as she moved to shoot.  Her eyes were dark as she glanced up to look at Alex and I as we came in, before ignoring us and focusing on the game.  

    I felt a moment of shock as she so quickly dismissed us, something new for me, since most people were drawn to either looks or money, and while we weren't dressed to show money, I knew neither of us was ugly.  Alex had noticed as well, and judging from the look in his eyes, had taken it as a challenge.  We headed past them towards the bar to get a drink and find a spot to watch the table.

    "Well my friend, what do you think so far?"  Alex said cheerfully.

    "Not exactly the warm welcome I am used to." I smiled a touch self-mockingly thinking of the woman's quick look and dismissal.  Alex grinned got wider and he laughed.

    "What's life without a little challenge?"  His eyes lit up and I followed his gaze, the woman who had shooting pool earlier walked past holding an empty bottle and a coffee cup, a natural sway to her hips was causing the bared skin on her stomach  to do show and hide a tattoo on her left hip.  She walked right past us without blinking smiling at someone, and from the back we could see her hair was waist length.  Alex grinned, winked and walked up behind her as she stood waiting.

"How about some partners pretty lady?" Alex flashed his best grin and I watched as she turned her head to look at us and smirked.

"Well looks like I already have some waiting for me."  She turned back to talk to the bartender for a moment and Alex looked totally lost for a moment before he got his game face back on.  Alex was now determined and I was actually intrigued to see what would happen next.  

    She grabbed her drink, turning to face us again, her eyes a dark chocolate brown that revealed nothing that she was thinking.  She looked us both over, her eyes showing a moment of shock looking at mine, before it vanished and she focused on Alex again.  There was a strange tension in her that wasn't showing in her body before.

    Alex started talking with her and I listened with half an ear to him and her but was more curious about the contradictions and information I could pick up from looking at her.  Her right hand on her ring finger she was wearing a claddagh ring in the position that usually meant the wearer was single,  and based on the design it was a low cost ring.  Her stance looked like she was trying to appear relaxed but the second Alex reached an arm towards her she slipped away like water, rejecting the advance.  I focus in on the conversation again.

    "I can imagine how many girls you've used that line on pretty boy, but given I don't even know your name, keep those grabby hands to yourself.  Anyways, if you want to play, let's go talk to Adam."  I can see the shock that holds Alex in place again, he had never had problems with ladies, and seeing the look on his face tonight had already made this trip worth it.  Her voice was lower than most women I was used to anymore, ones that usually sounded more like squirrels chattering than people, it was a nice change.  Alex snapped out of his shock to follow her, introducing himself and me at the same time.

    Her response was short and to the point, giving her name but still telling Alex to keep his hands to himself.  Three strikes and he is out, at least for the moment.  I don't think his ego is going to quickly recover, but the woman, Nicole preforms introductions all around explaining how Alex had asked about playing.  Adam re-introduces himself and his wife and starts a conversation with Alex.  While he may not have the energetic side of it that Alex has, Adam seems to straight forward and converses easily with anyone.  I notice the two ladies have slipped away and are talking to a woman who seems to be setting up karaoke equipment, glancing at Alex I notice him looking at me and he tilts his head towards the set up.  Sighing I head up and find myself waiting behind Nicole.