Girl Crush (Redwoods Book 1) Read online

  After Bryce left I made myself comfy on the couch with my Kindle again and ended up staying up way too late. The only good thing about my lack of sleep is the fact that I don’t have to work today. I can be lazy and wait for Bryce to get home so we can go have our fun night.

  As the day passes by and the clock ticks down the hours till Bryce gets home I begin to panic about going out tonight. I know it’s stupid, that this is a part of live and something I should be doing at my age, but my anxiety gets the best of me and I don’t think I can do it. The fact that I have no idea where we are going or what is proper attire for the night makes it even worse. I know how Bryce feels about my clothing choices.

  In full panic mode I grab my phone off the table and text Bryce.

  Me: I can’t go tonight.

  I get an almost immediate response.

  B: Hell yes you can, ur not backing out on me now.

  Me: I don’t have anything to wear. What should I wear?

  B: Just wear the black dress I gave you.

  Me: Fine.

  B: Stop pouting, it’ll be fun. I will see you when I get off work.

  Me: Fine. J

  I know I need to be ready by the time Bryce gets off work at five. I’m sure he’ll want to clean up before we go out to dinner. The dinner part really doesn’t frighten me as much as the country bar he plans to take me too. Sure, I’m twenty three, but I’ve never stepped foot inside a bar. I have no idea what to expect.

  Trying to calm my fear I go ahead and jump in the shower around four and take my time getting ready. Since there isn’t much I know how to do with my hair besides buns, ponytails, or leaving it natural which I never do, I opt for a ponytail. Swiping my eyes with mascara then applying some gloss to my lips I’m almost ready. Taking the dress off the hanger I slid it on and just like before I admire how it fits my body, next the shoes and now I’m ready. Looking at my clock on the bedside table I see I probably have about thirty minutes to wait.

  Around five thirty there’s a knock on the door and I almost trip in these damn heels trying to get there to open the door for Bryce.

  “Are you checking me out, Buttercup?” He laughs.

  “Nope, but you look good B.” I grin.

  “Thanks.” He grins as he begins looking me over, “Not so bad yourself,” he continues as he reaches around and pulls my ponytail holder out, causing my hair to fall down my back. Taking a step back, Bryce lets out a low whistle. “Now, that’s much better. You should really wear your hair down more often, Kerrigan. You’re beautiful with it up, but you are ridiculously gorgeous with it down.”

  A shy smile begins to form as I try to keep the heat from rising in my cheeks, “Thanks Bryce.”

  “You never have to thank me Kerrigan,” Bryce replies.

  “You know it’s just my luck that the first man to call me beautiful bats for the wrong team.” I try to turn the truth into a joke, but Bryce already knows me to well.

  “No matter what team I bat for, I will never say something to you that I don’t mean. If only you could see yourself as others see you, Kerrigan.” Bryce says as he taps the end of my nose with his finger, “Now are you ready for dinner?”

  I have no idea what to say back to him without the tears I feel trying to break free from his kinds words, so I decide to go the safer route and answer his question. “Yes! Where are we going?”

  Holding out his arm for me to place mine, “First my dear, Kerrigan, we are going to this little steak house that I love, then we’re going to a bar.”

  Even though my anxiety has been playing havoc on me all day about the bar, having Bryce’s touch relieves my stress. “Sounds good to me, lead the way, kind sir.” I say as we make our way out of my apartment and to his car.

  It didn’t take us long to get to the restaurant, once we were seated and placed our orders, Bryce and I started chatting about whatever popped into our heads. Our dinner arrived while Bryce was telling me how he came out of the closet. I was so happy for him that everyone who loved him accepted his lifestyle and encouraged him to follow his heart. When we finish our meal we don’t waste any time paying and then we’re on our way to the bar.

  I’ve never been a party type person nor have I ever drunk any form of alcoholic drink in my life, hence why I’ve never been to a bar. I have no idea what to expect so my nerves start to get the best of me again, but then we pull into the parking lot of the bar. I glance up at the simple wooden structure and notice the sign that reads Redwoods Roadhouse. Once we exit the car, a calmness comes over me that makes no sense to me at all, I should be getting more anxious not calmer.

  As we enter the bar I feel the need to let loose and have as much fun as I possibly can. I know that with Bryce here I’m in good hands and safe from any harm. I scan the faces as we walk toward the bar, there is a mixture of curiosity and surprise on some of their faces. I take their expressions to mean that they are surprised to see Bryce with a female and nothing more, since I don’t recognize one person in here.

  Taking a seat beside Bryce at the bar I feel totally at home. I have no idea what it is about the Redwoods, but I love it. I continue to look around the place, it’s packed and everyone seems to be having a good time. After getting our drinks Bryce pulls me toward a table in the back and we sit down.

  As we sit down, I feel eyes on me I try to shake it off. It’s probably just someone trying to figure out who I am. That is a plausible explanation since I’m still pretty new to the area and I never go anywhere. The only people I really know are the ones I work with and Bryce.

  Picking up the drink Bryce sat in front of me I take a sip and oh my, it’s delicious, I turn it up and finish it off in one swallow. Bryce laughs and shakes his head at me before he gets up from the table. I watch as he makes his way back to the bar and see him talking to the bartender. They both keep looking over at me and smiling, I haven’t a clue why. When the bartender sits a drink down in front of Bryce he nods and starts back to the table.

  As soon as he sits down he slides the drink in front of me. This one looks different that the other drink, “What is it?”

  “Don’t worry, you’ll like it.” He smirks.

  I bring the glass up to my nose and take a whiff, the first thing I smell is the alcohol and then grenadine.

  He laughs, “Did you really just sniff your drink?”

  “I did, it smells good.” I take a drink and know this is going to be one of my favorite drinks. “Yum!” He laughs, “Seriously, Bryce, it tastes amazing.”

  “It’s called a Dirty Shirley. Basically it’s a Shirley Temple with vodka.”

  I begin sipping on my drink as I look around, I didn’t notice the D.J. booth in the corner when we first came in. There is a small dance floor in front of the booth with what looks like sawdust on the floor. I wonder there will be a D.J. tonight. As if my thoughts were read a man steps up onto the stage and walks behind the booth and soon country music is streaming through the speakers.

  After a few songs and about half of my Dirty Shirley my head feels a little fuzzy, but I’m completely relaxed. Bryce slides out of the booth again and a moment later brings me back a glass filled with water.

  I pout a little, not wanting to stop drinking, but I know he’s right.

  Just then a song comes on and I yell at Bryce telling him how much I love this song. It’s called Girl Crush by Little Big Town.

  “Why do you like it, Buttercup?”

  “I feel the same as the chick singing. I completely have a girl crush.”

  “Oh yeah on who?”

  Before I can stop myself her name flies out of my mouth, “Lucia.” Damn alcohol!

  “Lucia Reynolds really? Why?” He asks seeming generally curious and slightly humored by my confession.

  “Yes, you know the gorgeous blonde that’s always with Damon. She has it all, great body, amazing looks, long legs, and him.” Note to self alcohol causes word vomit.

  “You can’t be serious, Kerrigan, you are just as beautiful as
she is and she doesn’t have…”

  I cut him off not wanting to hear anymore, “Let’s just drop it B, please. We’re here to have fun.”

  He stares at me for a moment before nodding and turning his head to look out over the crowd.

  I turn my head to look in the direction Bryce is staring. There is a table full of gigantic men sitting there, as I scan their faces my eyes land on none other than Damon Vaughn. What the hell is he doing here? This is the last place I’d expect to see a CEO.

  The next song that starts playing completely takes over my attention. It’s from Footloose, one of my all time favorite movies. My mom and I used to watch it all the time and every time the theme song came on we danced like no one was watching. It’s one song that I know I can move too.

  I jump up a little too fast and have to grip the edge of the table to gain my balance, once I’m steady on my feet I reach over and take hold of Bryce’s arm gaining his attention. “Let’s dance.” I say loud enough for him to hear me over the opening tunes of the song.

  “You know how to dance, Buttercup?” He asks.

  I grin and nod enthusiastically wanting nothing more to show off my moves.

  Bryce begins to laugh as he scoots out of his seat and stands beside me, “You’re full of surprises, Buttercup, let’s go show these people how it’s done.

  He pulls me the rest of the way and we both dance our asses off to the song laughing the entire time. Bryce has moves, I’ll give him that. He spins me at the right time and dips when we’re supposed to dip. When the song is over, it’s only then that I notice almost all eyes are on us. My body instantly flushes as I smile and pull Bryce back to our table.

  “Damn, Kerrigan. You can dance.”

  “My mom and I would always dance to that song.”

  “Well it shows. Now I know you’re never getting out of not going out with me again. You’re having too much fun.”

  I laugh at that and then I be damned if I don’t feel eyes on me again. I know without looking who they belong too, but before I can stop myself I turn and look right at him. The look on his face is so intense that it causes my body to go into overdrive. Then like a light switch flipped his face goes back to its normal.

  For a few hours Bryce and I drink and dance before when we decide to call it a night. I tell Bryce I’ll be ready as soon as I make a stop at the bathroom. He offers to go with me, but I tell him I’ll be fine and walk off toward the sign that says Restrooms.

  After I finish my business in the restroom I step up to the sink to wash my hands, catching my reflection in the mirror. I don’t recognize the girl staring back at me. She has flushed cheeks, a sparkle in her eyes, and a brilliant bright smile. I close my eyes to see if they are playing tricks on me or if that is really what I look like. Opening my eyes the same girl is staring back at me. I think the alcohol is affecting my brain cells. Laughing at my thought I dry my hands before going out the door.

  The moment the door closes behind me, I stop short. Damon is leaning up against the wall across from the bathroom staring directly at me.

  “Mr…” His expression reminds me that he asked me to call him by his first name, “Damon, it’s nice to see you.”

  “You too Kerrigan. You look like you’re enjoying your evening.” He says without breaking eye contact. There is something in his tone that I can’t place. It’s almost like he’s angry at me for some reason.

  “I am, thank you.” I answer with a timid smile.

  We’re at a standoff, both of us staring at each other and neither of us speaking a word. I’m not sure how long we stand like that, but I can feel something changing. My body seems to want to move closer to his. I know I need to stop myself, yet my feet take a step forward without my approval. Taking control of my body I step back and brace myself against the wall. Thank God, Bryce decided to come looking for me, because I’m not sure how long I could remain against the wood at my back.

  “Ready to go, Buttercup?” He asks while looking back and forth between Damon and me, “Everything okay here?”

  ‘”Yep, everything’s great, B. Let’s go.” I grab his hand and start to pull, turning around I look at Damon, “Have a good night, Damon.” I smile and we both head out of the hallway. I swear I hear Damon say something other than ‘you too’ but I don’t stop to ask. I’m almost afraid to know what he could have said. Something weird is going on and I need to get a handle on myself. He has Lucia I keep trying to remind myself, but that knowledge is doing little to suppress the things I feel in his presence.

  Bryce helps me get into his truck; we pull out of the parking lot and begin driving in toward home. The entire ride all I can think about is how no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop my body from needing to be close to Damon. What the hell is that anyways?

  “You okay, Kerrigan?” Bryce breaks through my thoughts.

  “Yep, I had so much fun tonight B. Thank you for taking me.”

  “You’re more than welcome, I’m glad you came out. I had fun.”

  “Can I ask you something Bryce?”

  “You know you can ask me anything, Buttercup.”

  “Have you ever had something feel like it was pulling you one way, when you have no idea why?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Ever since I found a photo of my mom standing in the Redwoods, I’ve felt a pull telling me to come here. And now that I’m here, it hasn’t stopped. The pull is almost greater than I can handle. It’s like I was always meant to be here, and my body couldn’t handle anymore until I came here.” I decide to leave out the pull I feel toward Damon.

  “I know what you mean. I feel a pull here as well.” He says.

  “Thanks for not thinking I’m a weirdo.” I laugh.

  “Hey now, I never said you aren’t a weirdo.” We both laugh.

  “Can you ask you something else?”

  “Shoot.” He says.

  “Will you take me shopping tomorrow?”

  “You want to go shopping?” He asks, sounding completely shocked.

  “Yes. I think I need some new clothes. I never thought I would like the way I look and feel in something other than what I’ve always known, but I love how I felt wearing this dress, both times. I also saw something different about myself tonight and well I liked it, so I’m ready for a change.”

  “Of course I will take you. Oh my God, we’re going to have so much fun!” He practically screeches as we pull up to our apartments.

  He walks me to my door, before heading to his apartment he lets me know that he’ll stop by before lunch for our shopping trip. I thank him for everything before shutting my door and going straight to my room, collapsing on my bed.

  I can’t wait to till tomorrow gets here. It’s a first to have extra money to be able to do this, before working at VE I was living paycheck to paycheck, not really ever splurging on anything for me.

  I still can’t believe so much has changed since I moved here. It’s not just being so far away from my family, but the sense of familiarity and ease I feel being here has completely changed everything about me.

  I laugh at myself thinking about how Bryce reacted to me asking him to take me shopping. You’d of thought I’d just given him he greatest wish by the way he acted. If he hadn’t been driving I bet he would have jumped up and down and clapped his hands like a teen age girl. I can’t say that I’d blame him though I’m pretty stoked myself. This will be a first for me since my mom always bought my clothes. Guess it shows too by the way Bryce acts every time he sees me in any of my work clothes.

  I don’t even bother to change out of my dress. I don’t want to move so I kick off my heels and close my eyes. A smile is firmly in place as I drift off to sleep wondering if the little boy will visit me tonight in my dreams.

  Pounding on my front door rousing me from sleep, sitting up and looking over to the clock I see that it’s almost noon. I’m sure Bryce is wondering where I am. Climbing out of bed I make my way slowly to the door to let him in. I
can feel the effects of the alcohol I consumed last night. Thank goodness it’s just a mild headache and a case of cotton mouth.

  “Damn Buttercup, did you just crash as soon as you walked inside last night.” He laughs.

  “Yup, be glad I kicked off my shoes,” I grin.” Give me a few minutes. Before I shower I need some water and Tylenol.” I say as I walk into the kitchen.

  “Got a headache, huh?” He asks a little too loudly.

  “Considering last night was the first time I’ve ever drank, yes I do.” I reply.

  Bryce laughs as I drink the water and swallow the pills. I scowl at him the whole time, why is he so damn chipper this morning he drank more than me, shouldn’t he have a hangover? When I finish the whole bottle of water I drop it in the trash and walk past Bryce so I can go take a much needed shower.

  “Make it quick, Buttercup, we got shopping to do.” Bryce says to my back as I head to my room.

  After my shower I throw on some yoga pants and a tee shirt, it will be easier to change in and out of as I try on clothes, then I blow my hair dry and pull it up in a messy bun.

  Ten minutes later, I’m ready to go. When I walk back into the living room Bryce’s mouth drops open, I look down at myself and back up at him, “What?”

  “You’re ready? Damn I figured it would be at least an hour.”

  “Nope, now let’s go, I’m starving.”

  “After you,” He motions to the door as he gets up off the couch and follows behind me.

  He takes me to the mall and we hit the food court first. I get a sandwich while he gets some type of Chinese food. We sit and eat our food quickly before disposing of our trash.

  “Where to first B?” I ask as we walk out of the food court.

  “Let’s try American Eagle. You need to get some jeans in your life.”