Tough as Nails

Hey, word's gonna get around

“...Every grandma, in-law, ex-girlfriend maybe knows it just a little too well...”

-Miranda Lambert

Darrel’s Diner, est. 1953

~Chase~

Thank the lord all I have left to do is paint the garage with Lindz! She is not gettin out of this s**t either. If I had to get my ass handed to me all morning , then finish alone, she’s helping me paint tomorrow.

I’m worn out mentally and physically and did I mention I’m cooked? Like glow in the dark still see steam comin’ off my skin kinda sunburned? But it’s Saturday night and my boys hit me up five times to get movin’. So did Julie. I just shot a few messages back telling Mikey to meet me at Darrel’s in about 20. Sher was dropping me off on her way to her friend’s with Bailey for a few hours. Something about the babies being so close in age and tummy time. I zoned out when she started talking like she was still on her 12 hour shift in the ER. I just needed a ride, sista.

Man, I just need a little release from all this... stuff. Jake disappearing after my sister snapped, Lindz acting mature and s**t. I’ve gotta work full 8 hour shifts the next two weeks and help take care of my niece when Sher or Lindz can’t. And pretend I to want to spend time with Julie- well I do want to want to, just don’t want to hear about cheer or the latest gossip or anything about college and this so perfect little dream of hers.

Chill out chick, you’re hot when you do things with your mouth that make my eyes roll in the back of my head, but s**t! I’m 17. I’m realistic that almost no one stays together from high school any more. That’s never gonna happen.

Plus we know the same people, so we are always in the same place- always. Always. Damn, that’s annoying now I think about it. I think I might just be using her mouth- haha damn I need to pay more attention. I wonder if my neighbor would let me use her skills?

We all usually end up at Joseph & Lucy’s house. They have bonfire by the lake for few hours on the weekends. He graduated last year, and Lucy graduated my freshman year. We’ve always been friends. Their parents were friends with mine, Mikey, Joey and Joel’s since they were kids. Lucy's brother, Vick is in my class too.

Sher never really got a chance to hang out and and be wild since she was stuck with us so young. I think that ’s why she is so relaxed with everything. I mean, she’s on me about school and making smart decisions so I didn’t go to jail or get hurt, but she was barely out of college when we were in middle school. She knows what high school is like. She also knows Lindz and I don’t drink and drive or get trashed. Plus Jake is always in my ass about fitness, meal prep, hydration and why the hell he doesn’t follow it beats the f**k outta me.

So as long as we send her a message where we are & who we’re with, it’s cool. Well, for me. Lindz has a little less freedom since she’s younger and she’s a pretty girl. She’s my sister so she’s gonna look good- even if she’s a red head. I lucked out and got dad’s dark brown wavy hair. Ma had reddish brown hair when she was young, from what I’ve seen in pictures of everyone anyways.

Sher makes her have a curfew and most of the time only gets to hang out with me and the boys or her couple girls. It’s worse when Sher knows she’s got a boyfriend. And Jake is always shutting her plans down. Makes her do worse s**t and sneak around more. At least she tells me where she’s going most the time. Maybe that’s why she’s like me. I lose interest in a chick fast. Well, Lindz is like me with the interest part, but I now I gotta make sure Lindz isn’t letting these assholes in her pants.

“Chasey boy! ” Mikey hollers at me from across the dinner parking lot. 

“Sup Mikey.”

Mikey lifts up from posting on his tailgate and nods. Mikey’s parents helped him buy this truck as an early 18th birthday present and he’s happy to drive us everywhere. It’s only 3 years old and nice! He’s so proud of it and we respect the hell out him for busting his ass to save up and buy it. Pretty damn proud he only lets me, Joey Lindz, Rach and his brother ride in it. No way we’d let anything happen to it. The damn extend cab dully cost as much as a house.

Walking from the other corner of the lot to the diner’s front sidewalk with me, I sigh, “Thanks, man. Wanted to check on Lindz before we head up to Joseph’s.”

He looks through the bay windows at my sister. “Lindz is pretty tough, man. She don’t usually care ’bout a dude that much... ”

I nod in agreement. I wasn’t surprised at what Mikey said, but I was surprised he said it. I mean Lindz usually tagged along and was friends with my friends. s**t, I had the hook up with her friends too, especially the ones wanting to have a go with the football heroes like me or Mikey and Joey- well not Rach. She’s been friend zoned since birth. She was Joel’s step sister.

But we’ve never really had to deal with something like this, unless you count middle school when my punk sister punch a spoiled little brat then her big brother thought he could flex on her. Me and the boys fixed that real fast. No girls or boys messed with her the rest of the year.

“This dude Marcus stuck around twice as long, Mikey. Ya think she caught feelings or something? She was pretty torn up last night when I picked her up.”

Mikey tensed again when he opened the diner door, just in eyesight of the group of rival cheerleaders. We joked they were our fan club. Julie told me all pissy and s**t, they came just to see me and my boys every chance they got. Since we all came to talk to Lindz and her BFF Rachel, the rest of the baseball and football team followed our lead. “Might need to use a little brotherly force on that dude if I find out he did something shitty. I’ll be damned if someone wanna be messes with Lindz or Rach!”

“You got my back, I got yours, Mikey.” I swear Mr. Suave turned up the crazy at the idea of pounding Marcus. He started hopping up and down to get hype in the huddle.

“You know it, Chasey boy!” He shoved my should towards the high top counter. “Get her sorted and I’ll see when your girl and her hoe friends are heading up. I wanna have some fun before I have to bust my ass the next two weeks.”

I walked in seeing Lindz shuffle to the back, probably heading to the break area. Same one we’d all go to chat with Sher when she worked as a waitress in high school.

“Hey fire woman, you good?”

She let out a deep breath and stands at the door sneering out the lobby where I was just standing with Mikey. She closes the door and leans against the wall, “Ya know, I wasn’t last night, but I’m fine.”

She shoves at my shoulder. 

“That’s why you had to play big brother and be all sweet. I’ll be sure to brag to all the fake ass preppy girls out there how sweet you are”

I am slightly amused, now. “Haha, what’s with the hostility? Since when do those girls make you angry? You are friends with everybody. Don’t go ruining my rep with that soft s**t. Mrs. Sanders is bad enough with her damn extra credit volunteer kid reading s**t for English.”

She straightens her spine, “Since they are just out to make themselves look better than everyone else, but they’re really the ones hiding hideous s**t. They just take what they want regardless.” 

 Damn she’s pissed. I’m bout to find out what kind of s**t went down.

“Lindz, what happened?

“Why are you here? I don’t get off until close? Julie left after the lunch rush was done.”

We both start at the same time.

“I know. Me and Mikey just wanted to make sure you’re good. And that-

“Mikey? Ha didn’t know you boys cared like that. I don’t want to talk about it. But yea, I’ll be fine.”

She smiles like she’s plotting s**t. “Your woman is a force. She hugged me. Gave me a pep talk. I think she’s my idol. She’s motivational... I’m sorry I had a moment. Love me?”

She drapes her arms around my sunburned neck and dropped her body like dead weight, flashing her eyelashes like it’ll do something. I hiss as my skin reminds me I have a damn sunburn and detach her from my neck. “My woman. Who .... Blake. So umm yeah. Good. Glad she helped... We’ll scoop you and Rach up after your shift. Have her meet you here so we don’t have to drive all over.” I gently lift her off side hugging her back. “Yeah fire woman, still love ya.” 

“Chase,” she looks up and give me her most genuine smile, “Thanks. I’ll message Rach. She already has her bag with her at the grocery. Her Mom was on a war path last night. She didn’t tell me until just a bit ago.”

“No problem. Now, do I need to go teach Marcus some manners or anything?”

“Ha, I’m not gonna stop you but it’s not coming’ from me that he should have his d**k chopped off.

“Shiiiiit... Glad you’re my sister and nothing else. I’d be walkin’ ‘round dickless fo’r sho’ haha”

“Yep! Haha, you are a hoe bag Chasey! flirtin’ up a married woman twice your age. Might as well be Stacey’s Mom hahah or Blake Robinson!!”

And that’s all I need to hear. I want answers and to blow off some steam in more ways than one.

~Jake~

There are two very distinct ways I can handle Sher flippin her s**t. I can make it her suffer silently and be the affectionate husband who cools off then begs for forgiveness, promising to do better. Or I can take control of the situation and change everything right here and now and stop dealing with her lying ass and that bastard baby.

Messed up as it is. I don’t want to give her up just yet- too many things I need to settle... So I’ll be tuckin’ my damn tail for now and let her think she’s in control. She can be for a ‘lil while while I get my s**t back together. Morris is probably chompin’ at the bit to get me back in Dallas to train my ass off again. I think this little walk to my car out in front of the house is kickin’ my ass! I just can’t believe Sher got that fed up. Somethin is eatin her. I’ll figure it out in a few days of sulkin’ like a good lil’ boy for her. Sneak her some candy bars an she’ll be just fine.

Pissed to no end, I shoot that i***t Marcus a message to drop my spare bag and some candy bars off for me. I drive to my apartment across town, not many people know about. Sher thought I got rid of it when I got rid of my obstacles and moved in with her. Morris and Clarence hooked me up when I got back. I push contracts and move things around for them- they reward my work. I keep some of their less appealin’ investments from goin’ wild. Speaking of investments, I see my bag with change of close and full script like I asked. Maybe he’s only part i***t.

I take my time and get cleaned up. After feelin’ much less stressed, I remember I’m only a block from “The Belle” Travis’s bar. Might as well make myself known and get some dirt like I was told. I don’t want to get my ass chewed for being fat and lazy. f**k, walkin’ is rough.

It had been a year and this was my first time in here. Wasn’t a dump like before, but still low class. Could defiantly be a vehicle for traffic if it wasn’t already. Probably why Clarence was in my ass about it lately.

I take a seat at the bar, near the back hallway. Looks like that was for the offices. A descent lookin’ bar tender with too much make up and too low of a neck line gets me a vodka on ice. She’s flirty enough, she’ll earn a tip. More if I can get get ‘er to talk. I down the drink, finally feelin’ the tingle of false calm. I look up to the mirror ‘bove the bottles and see that sandy haired f**k spittin’ his best game with.... I’ll be damned... She’s not bad looking at all. I can’t see her face, only her over tanned t**s cause the hangin’ glasses block my view. But I can tell her nice chest and dress belong an hour away, in Harroldsville or even Austin.

The bar tender puts another vodka in front of me. I hold a folded $20 ’tween my fingers. “Keep it, doll.”

She smiles in thanks- Oh you’re gonna work for it, there’s plenty more.

The rich b***h stands up from the bars and heads to the hall just behind me. Don’t you know my luck couldn’t get any better? Travis, smiling like a fool tells my bar tender “Gloria” he’ll be in back working on some papers with a smack on her ass. Either Gloria doesn’t know he’s bout to get his d**k wet or she doesn’t care based on her smilin’ nod.

“Gorgeous Gloria, how long you been servin’ drinks here, doll?

“You’re sweet. Just under a year. I like it well enough.” She knows how to smile at the right times and when to flirt for her tips. She makes quick work of checkin’ on the four others at the bar and fills a few orders for the server.

“Stay busy then?

“Pretty steady. Weekends can get pretty wild. We have a packed house at least once a month. Trav does Trivia on Thursdays too. You might try it. Some big prize money to be had too.

“Oh might take you up on that, doll. Jacob by the way”

“Glad you stopped in Jacob. Another?”

“When I come back.” I stand and walk to to piss at the other end of the bar, passed the small stage. I wait ‘til Gloria is back on the side I was sittin’ before I walk to the back hall. As I walk to the door, I hear Rich t**s moanin’ through the door.

“Damn woman, suck that c**k! Yeah.. just like... f**k yes... just like that.” She moans loud. Damn I feel my junk vibrate with that one.

“Get up here.... Take it off. All of it. Come on...”

I hear the chair squeak and weight shiftin’ more. I’m right beside the door now, listin’ like the nasty fucker I am. “Ahhh Trav! Ohhh baby!” The slappin’ wet skin hittin’ is gettin’ as loud as the rickety chair.

“Yes! Take it! Take it!” This b***h is ridin’ him like a prized pony.

She moans loud as hell. Fake as hell from where I’m standin’ countin’ down. Yep- time to break up this party.

Now you tell me, if you’re a married fucker, hittin the bar tender and sneakin’ bitches back to your office for a lil suck & f**k, would you be leavin’ your door unlocked? Apparently Travis is really a dumbass. I burst in and stand in the wide open door, “Well this isn’t the pisser, but it’s a hella fuckin’ show.”

“The f**k man!” A butt naked Travis yells stoppin’ mid thrust. The b***h barely stops hoppin’. She’s used to this s**t? She slowly looks back ovr’ her shoulder at me I see her ass bright red lipstick smeared all over those swollen lips and black streakin’ her cheeks like she’s been auditionin’ in a porn as the Joker.

“Well I’ll be damned, Cece. Times have changed if you’re slummin’ all the way in Lashbrooke for some c**k, a married one at that.

“Jacob, get the f**k outta here!”

I let go of the door and start laughing my ass off. “Oh damn! hahah”

I’m bent over laughing so hard, my eyes are watering. “Dude, what the f**k! Seriously get out you nasty f**k!”

I don’t see Cece move from his lap. That just makes me laugh harder at how hard she’s trying to keep his interest.

“That’s right Jacob, things change. People change. Some get older and fatter. Some stop being so judgmental.”

“Hahah, Oh Cece! Don’t you know, I might be a fat f**k right now, but I can loose weight.  You can’t change that you are always gonna be a gold diggin’ w***e with more c***s in her than Jeffer'sRooster farm! hahah” I barely get my s**t together when Travis pushes Cece off and grabs for his jeans.

“Travis, you got yourself in deep. Hate for that pretty neighbor of mine to hear about this, wouldn’t you?

“Cece, change in the back, then head out.” He points to another door in the back of the office I’m guessin’ in a pisser. When she clicks the door in a huff. “What do you want?”

And that is how I got Travis... Wish I’d know how messed up that fucker was before hand though.