That Time of Year

4-What are the odds?

NATASHA

I walked into Jimmy's and knew just about everyone in here. I laughed to myself because even though in the town of Cicle, where no one was no stranger by any means, it was still refreshing. I sat at the front portion of the bar near the entrance. "Well, hi there, miss Natty-roo." Jimmy walked over, throwing his towel on his shoulder. "Hi there, Jimmy." I smiled, settling in, removing my coat. "Well, this one is on me, for your time. What'll ya have, girl?" Jimmy was still the slender, kind man I remember. Funny enough, the school bus, my whole life and now, always dropped us in front of thisbar and Jimmy always kept a watchful eye on us, directing us to go home rather than getting into mischief. Just being a good guy. "I'll have an IPA, please." I said, watching him. He looked older but so much the same. He brought over my tall, cold IPA and gave it a gentle slide in my hand. He clinked it with his bottle opener and I took a long drink. Yesssss.

About three IPA's later, I was laughing with Jimmy, reminiscing and hearing the town gossip-lore. I took a quick lookaround. It had filled up quite a bit. Right then, the door jangled and the first face I see is Dawson's. He looks about the bar and spots me, "Doofus!" He boisterously smiles and hollers to me. I rolled my eyes. And right after my goofy brother, waltzed in Alex. They were all in their work gear. And for it being just a construction get-up, Alex specifically, looked damn good! The loose jeans on his storng legs and tight waist. Only held up by a thick belt... I felt my head tilting as he shook hands with someone and his flannel rose the slightest with his work harness he had slung on. Why was he cut like a damn stone!

"Hey, Nat." Alex's smile was so sexy. I felt so hot with embarassment! I stood, giving him a really quick side-hug. He kept a kind gaze on me. Oh god, I'm drunk. I hadn't drank, a lot, since I was 21 and that was a champagne party-foul. Alex really looked like damned prince of Egypt. I know he's not Egyptian and that he is Mexican but he was just so exotic and beautiful! The dark curly hair that he combed and slicked back... but after a hards day of work using his muscles, lifting things, delegating and over-seeing... a few tendrils happen to sneak out, making him look so damn attractive. When did he fill out? He was thin in active addiction. But I couldn't really tell you. Sometimes I feel my whole life has been a blur. Especially because it was time wasted with that guy. I sat down at that thought. Alex sitting beside me and Dawson was ordering on my other. "Having a good night?" Alex asked from behind me. I could feel his cool, minty breath, he was so close but so far. I faced him, nodding yes. His smile grew, making me melt. "Can I buy you a drink? Have you eaten?" I turned my head, "I haven't had much a but a couple of PB&J's." I admitted, which made sense because these IPA's have been hitting exponentially! His brow arched, giving me this sexy villain "is that so" look. "Oh, mama, you better eat. What'll you have?" I smiled, giggling, "Really, it's okay! Plus, if you're not having anything, I'm okay, I promise." He turned to me fully and placed a hand on my shin. I warm and lightly firm grasp. And so non-invasive but also very comfortable and -kind of hot! "Please, I can't let you not be full. Plus, you'll sleep better with a full stomach. The after effects won't be as brutal for you tomorrow." His concern and thinking-ahead was so f*****g cute. Was this getting old? Common sense, thoughtfulness, leadership and tenderness was what did it for me now? Granted, I didn't experience all these at once - or at all - in my last and only relationship, but still, other things excited me still. I hoped. "Okay," was all I responded with.

He ordered me a mushroom burger and seasoned fried. It was my favorite here. But surely he didn't know that. Alex was more mature now, sure, but surely little Alex was still in there. I was about half way through my burger. Jimmy's finally became teh little bar after dark it could be for the small town. Louder music, more people, even 3 more staff. Jim must've been racking it in. I could see why. This reminded me of the city a little. "What are the odds you'll take a shot right this second!" I heard Dawson say to one of his buddies. "... Ho-ho, Wait up... My choice though." Dawson followed up with. I rolled my eyes, turning back to Alex, who was already watching me. I felt like a cow! I had a cheek-full of burger and fries. I could feel my blush raising. "What are the odds you'll finish that food today?" He asked suddenly, a playful smirk beginning to spread across his chisled face. I sputtered a laugh! "Well, excuse me, there's a lot going on! I'm gonna take it home." I said, placing it in its packaging and setting it aside. I wiped my mouth and took a sig of my beer. Classy, Nat. I began to unbraid my hair, as it was starting to bug me. Ahhh! The release actually relieved some tension on my scalp. "Pretty." Alex said, his eyes not leaving mine. I oouldn't cower away from his stare even if I wanted. I was captivated by those hazel eyes. "Wanna play 'What are the odds'?" He asked. I nodded yes. "What are the odds," he bagan, joking to think really hard, "...That you will switch Dawson's drink out for regular Coke?" My eyes widened. You never mess with someone's drink! Especially a country, rowdy like Dawson. I eyed him, the mischief in his eyes making me eager. I used my coke I had with my meal and dumped his in my now empty water cup and pouring the coke into his drink. A few others chuckled around and before he could whip around and catch me, he shook off his coat, still shootin' the s**t, as he says. Dawson finally turned around and took a long swig. It was funny, but something made a little concern grow in my heart. "Woo! Good stuff, Jim." Dawson hollered and sat down, looking to me and Alex. "Don't you guys look cozy." He teased. Once he busied himself in more conversation at the bar, Alex and I kept on with the kiddish game.

I was hunched over laughing, I had just asked Alex what are the odds for multiple foolish acts and he did them! From pretending to pass gas near someone to talking to a women (the least local and familiar here, at least) and pretend after he spoke to her, he couldn't hear her if she repsonded. Alex took a seat from the embarassment, "You got me looking like a real ass, ya know." We laughed together and I shoved his shoulder playfully. "Chin up, guy. You did them like a gentleman and scholar." I said. I sipped the beer I had and felt a a little dizzy. "You okay, Nat?" Alex's hand was on my back. "What are the odds you puke, rockstar?" He joked too. But he wasn't too far from wrong. I got up and walked hurriedly to the entrance. The cold welcomed my like an old family member's embrace. I bent over the trash can and puked all on it's lid and inside of it! After my puke-episode, I felt a warm, strong hand on the center of my back. My eyes widened, and I rose quick and turned. Alex. I took a deep breath, wiping my mouth. "I'm so sorry." Alex smiled down at me. He had the smile that could literally make traffic stop. And - the tattoos? "Tattooed, Alex? Mama Dean would scream." I chuckled, not thinking, raising my hand to graze his jacket's neckline and the small pieces of his tattoo peaking out. His body froze but he let me. "What are the odds you'd be taking care of me these days," I chuckled, taking the water bottle he held out to me. I washed my mouth out and realized it was so damned cold! "Yeah. Can I give you a lift home?" Alex said, shoving his hands in his pockets. I nodded yes, and we gathered my stuff and out to his truck. It roared to life. "Buckle up, mama."