A song for him

Chapter 2

“This is it. Sandusky Breweries.”

Roan gestures with a hand at what can only be described, as an estate along the lake. Its huge, from what I can see and he looks expectant. Almost nervous.

“Wow.” Is all I can manage without saying ‘What. The. Fuck.’

“My parents died about three years back and they left me some undeveloped land. So, I kind of followed an idea that Mike and Jill insisted was awesome.”

“Roan Sandusky.” I say softly.

“That’s the first thing on your mind? My name?” he laughs almost, but it fades into a smile. 

“Sorry.” I say, at a loss for words.

“It’s new and only two of the local businesses stock my beer, but I’m meeting with someone from Grand Rapids this week, who owns a few bars in the city.”

He’s rambling excitedly and I like it. A man with plans. Not just ideas, but actual plans. “Its great, Roan.”

“Say that again.”

Unsure of whether it’s a question or not, I indulge him, “Its great.”

“No, say my name again.”

Unwittingly, I oblige, “Roan.” I don’t recognise my own voice. It’s a sultry whisper.

Without any hesitation, he places a hand on either side of my face and kisses me. His kisses are exactly what I imagined and more. His lips are hard, but his kisses are soft and almost needy. I moan and it catches me by surprise. Is it wrong that I can be enjoying this so soon? Does it make me a bad person?

I touch his hands and I can feel him smiling, “God. Took you long enough.”

He reads me so well, its scary, but delightful. Again, I’m silent. What is it with me staying quiet around this guy?

“You’re not much of a talker. Are you?”

I don’t say anything, again. f**k! This guy must think I am beyond weird.

“No, I guess you’re not. Wanna see the house first or the tanks?”

“Tanks.” I say too quickly. I’m so scared I’ll give in too quickly with him.

The brewery is in an almost hangar type setting and it boasts four tanks. Roan looks hopefully at me, trying to gauge my reaction I suppose.

“Its amazing! You do this alone?”

“Well, I have help, but I like being overly involved.”

“Even selling it at the bar’s that stock it?”

He laughs, “Uh, yeah.”

“So you work there as well as do this?”

“I help Mike out now and then. He’s been short staffed lately, so I’ve been there almost every weekend.”

I nod and smile as I walk out of the brewery. He follows immediately.

“Come on, I have lunch ready at the house.”

‘Keep it together, Dillon! Tightly together!’  I warn myself.

Lunch is set up on a deck which runs around the entire house. The table is set with fine white porcelain, holding contents like green salads, fish, chicken and white wine.

“No beer?” I tease.

He pulls a chair for me, “No. No beer today.” And grazes my shoulder with his hand as he moves to seat himself opposite me.

“It looks great. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Dillon.” I love how he says my name. Slow ad caressing.

“You did this?” I ask him, surprised that he did all this before he picked me up.

He nods feverishly as he pours a glass of wine for each of us, “Yeah, ordering from Paleo Bar is hard work, especially because Jim, the manager is deaf in one ear since we’re kids and its –"

“You ordered in?” I hold a hand up, “That's cheating.” I laugh at him.

“Technically, no. I’m providing you with a meal on a date and instead of sitting at the restaurant, we’re dining al fresco here.” He gestures to the football field sized lawns.

“So, you live here? Alone?”

He nods, “Yeah. I do.”

“You’re kidding!”

“No.”

I imagine he has girls over a lot and wonder if the brewery and the lunches with views of the lake are part of his game. The thought saddens me and I surprise myself with the emotion.

“Hey. You OK?” he asks, touching my hand. I quickly pull it away.

“Yeah. Sorry, I am.”

“Dillon. I am not out to take anything from you or hurt you in any way. I just want to be around you. I don’t know why, cos let’s face it; you’re rude sometimes and honestly, you’re not approachable, but f**k me, I like you.”

I burst out laughing, “Honest much?”

“Tell me what screwed you over so badly.”

“Cheating ex. Had nowhere to go, so just drove until I ran out of gas.”

“You lived with him, I take it?”

“Yes. Very foolishly so.”

“Hmm.”

I take a bite of my fish and almost moan in appreciation at the wonderful taste.

He takes me on a quick tour of the open, neatly furnished house. It looks like an Ikea display house, but its him. I can’t imagine being this neat and somehow drift into thoughts of my things lying all over the place. Shaking my head, I try to stifle a giggle. He doesn’t dwell on anything and doesn’t show me the bedrooms. A part of me is relieved, while I also feel a pang of disappointment. Could I feel something for this guy so soon? Maybe it’s just physical. Yes, that was it.

He takes me back the apartment, right to the door. My hands become clammy and my mouth is dry. I haven’t felt like this about someone since college. Is he going to kiss me again? 'Please kiss me again. 'I think to myself. He leans against the door frame, his v-neck white t-shirt pulling tight as he crosses his tanned strong arms.

Shit, he isn’t going to kiss me. I feel my shoulders slump.

“Dillon.”

“Roan.”

“Let me know before you leave town? I want to see you again.”

I nod shyly, “I think I like that idea.”

He then does something so hot, I almost quiver. He pulls me closer, by hooking his finger into the top of my shorts, his finger touching the skin of my stomach. It feels amazing.

He is looking me directly in the eyes and I can’t manage to tear my gaze away. As if searching my face for my permission, I answer by placing my hands around his neck and finding his nape ,tugging at the long blond strands and putting my mouth on his.

He responds quickly, his hands on either side of my waist, pulling me flush against him. His body is hard. I wonder what he looks like with his shirt off.

Should I invite him in? Oh God, I want him to come in. ‘Too soon, Dillon!’

As if reading my thoughts, he pulls away, “I’m sorry. I’m going to leave, now. Call me before you skip town. Unless I’ve scared you away.”

I manage a measly “OK.”

“See ya around.”

“See ya.” And he kisses me on top of my head. I like it. Its soothing. 

I can’t believe I am back in Grand Rapids. I make sure to have Lily and Skye meet me outside Dave’s  apartment. He’s texted to let me know he is there and I need to be quick. Asshole. 

Lily and Skye are both waiting on the steps of the brownstone, their phones in hand. I’ve known  both of them since I left college two years ago. Lily’s head bobs up at the sound of my little VW  Rabbit. 

“Oh my God!” she yells, pulling Skye up. 

I hug them both as I get out the car. I suddenly feel teary, but hold back. 

“So, what the hell made you skip town instead of come to one of us first?” Skye says, shoving me  gently. 

“Sorry guys. I just needed to breathe.”  

“Uh-huh.” They both say. 

“Have you seen him?” I ask, hopeful that he’s been holed up in the apartment.  “Uh, he’s been to the bar.” Skye says, but she isn’t telling me everything. 

“OK. I guess it wasn’t alone.” 

No one answers. What do I care anyway? 

“OK, let’s do this.” We head upstairs to get my things. The apartment is quiet when we enter and  there are two garbage bags on the sofa. 

“Douche bag!” Lily exclaims.

I move to open them and examine the contents, “Yep, its my stuff.” He’s thrown everything into the  bags. My heart sinks. Have I meant nothing to this man? 

“Honey, come on. Let’s make sure you have everything and then get out of here. Drinks are on us.”  Skye says, grabbing one of the bags. 

“Yeah, come and stay with us for a bit.” Lily agrees. 

They lived not far from the bar Skye worked at. I nod my head, just wanting to lose myself in a  bottle of something. Just then, I remember my little stash of cash I kept. 

“Great!” I exclaim as I reach under the stove. The envelope is still taped to the bottom. I have  religiously been putting away ten percent of my tips every weekend and easily have close to five  hundred dollars. That should help until I find a job. 

I hear giggling coming from the room just opposite the kitchen. Not wanting to waste another  minute there, I grab the other garbage bag of my belongings and head out. 

I spend the night at Skye and Lily’s, but know that I have to leave Grand Rapids. It hasn’t been very  kind to me. I just couldn’t go to Wells. Dad would probably have a fit if he knew that I had been  purely singing in bars and café’s with my degree. 

The next morning I pack my things into my car and say my goodbyes to the girls. I haven’t told any  of them about Roan or Benton Harbor. I don’t deem it important enough, but for some reason, I  find myself driving back there later that day. 

I stop at the same truck stop to get some water. As I head back to my car, I notice his tanned arms  and know immediately who it is before he lifts his head to smile at me. Roan is leaning against my  car, his arms folded across his chest and his hair swooped back. God, he’s beautiful. 

I try not to smile, but its honestly a sight to behold. 

“Don’t try to act like you’re not happy to see me.” He says in that lazy drawl.  I unlock my car and toss my purse inside, “Hi.” 

“Hi? How the hell do you make everything sound so hot?” he asks. 

What? Is this guy delusional? He’s the one with the come-hither smile and insanely hot body.  “You just get back?” 

“Yeah. I think I might stick around for a bit.” 

“Great. You have a place to stay?” Oh my God. Not again. I am not going to be spending the night  at this guy’s place. 

“Uh, probably at the apartments again.” It wasn’t that bad.  

“Uh-huh. Dinner?” 

“Uh, I’ll order in I suppose.” 

“Meet me at The Livery. Seven.” He kisses me on the mouth, his one arm snaked around my waist.  My legs go all wobbly and I have to remind myself I’m out in public.

I nod and smile, “OK.” 

“See ya later.” He says as he casually walks away. He gets into his truck and heads toward town.  I can’t stop smiling and thank the Lord I have something decent to wear this time. 

Just as I pull up outside the Sunrise Apartments, my phone beeps. Its Jill. 

*Meet me outside the Livery before you check in at the apartments.*  

I head over to find her waiting outside. She motions for me to park in the side street.  “Hey.” I say, waving as I get out. 

She runs over to give me a hug, “Don’t just wave at me! Gosh!”

“Sorry. Hi!” I say shyly hugging her back. 

I lock my car and wait for her to head towards the restaurant.  

“Where are your things?” 

“What?” 

She laughs, “Your bags, silly!”  

“They’re in my car.” 

“So? Get ‘em out! I’ll help you carry. We don’t have long to unpack before my shiftstarts.”  “What do you mean?” 

“You’re staying with me.” She says casually.  

“Jill, I can’t.” 

“Yes, you can and you will.”  

“How did you know I was back?”  

“Do you even have to ask?” 

We both laugh. 

“Is he making you do this? Really, I don’t mind staying at the apartment.” 

“Well, I do. So, come on. It’s a two bedroomed place and I am struggling to pay the rent anyway.”  She starts marching up the Livery’s fire escape that has a single black door at the top. “Its tiny, but its  neat and roach free!” 

I laugh, “You’re sure about this? Does Mike know?” 

“Mike’ll do anything for Roan or me. He’s great like that.” She has the tell-tale smile of a woman  with a crush. 

“I hope you don’t feel obligated to do this because Roan is asking. I mean, you guys barely know  me.” 

Jill shoves the door open with her shoulder, “You’re not going to steal my Harry Potter collection are  you?” 

I shake my head, “No chance.”  

“Then we’re good to go. Come on.” 

The place is tiny, just like she said, but its charming and decorated with fairy lights on the living area  and an old TV set. There is a loveseat and wooden rocking chair. 

The rooms are just down the hallway, next to one another and the bathroom is at the end of the  hall. What is to be my bedroom is small, but with everything I need. 

“This is great! Thank you, Jill.” I am amazed by the kindness these people have shown me.  

“Great. Rent is due at month end. It’s a hundred bucks each and I get staff discount on food downstairs, but feel free to get whatever you need for here.” She points to the open plan kitchen.

“Sure. Let me pay the rent in advance. Do I give it to you?”  

“You can give it to Mike when you see him later.” 

“OK, sure. Thanks again, Jill. This is really nice.”  

She gives me a quick squeeze, “No problem.”