Scene 1
Hooking this car up to my truck would be a lot easier if I had someone that knows what they are doing with me. Stella is getting in the way more than she’s actually helping. I feel bad telling her to go sit in the truck, except it’s the easiest thing for her to do to actually help me right now. Usually I would have someone in the car being pulled to help with the turns, but it’s late, not many people are out, and my house is less than two miles away. We should be able to get it to my yard fairly easy.
She’s sitting in the passenger seat, fiddling with her phone when I climb behind the wheel. The phone hits the seat with a thud when she gets frustrated with the lack of service. It’s one of the downfalls of living out here unless you have a certain carrier.
This woman has balls to get in a vehicle with someone she doesn’t know. Especially, if she has any sort of thoughts of me being a serial killer. I swear, I will never understand the female mind. It doesn’t help that she keeps sending mixed signals. One minute she’s debating if she should trust me, the good samaritan. The next she’s flirting with me. At least I think she is.
The cab of my truck completely silent, aside from old country playing softly through the speakers. It’s awkward and deafening, and I need to do something to break it. I’ve never done well with silence. “So, what brings you this way?”
She eyes me warily, unsure if she should answer. “A temporary relocation for my job. Though, I’m starting to regret the choice after the crappy night I’ve had.” I definitely don’t blame her since her car was in a ditch only moments ago. Hopefully my help will at least make her day marginally better. “Why? Are you trying to make sure I don’t have anybody looking for me?”
I laugh so hard I almost miss the turn onto my road. “I figured that would be the last of your concerns considering you got in the truck with me. But no, I’m just trying to make friendly conversation. Getting to know your neighbors is important in areas like this. We’re all like family and look out for each other.”
Truth be told, I’m almost offended she would even ask. Do I give off a serial killer vibe? I look down at what I’m wearing. Maybe it’s the grease stains on my hands, and shirt, that wouldn’t come off when I got off work. Who knows… I’m going to do the right thing, like my mama taught me, and get her home safe and sound. I honestly don’t know if she’s fucking with me, or genuinely worried.
“Wow, there really isn’t anything out here is there?” She sounds astonished and disbelieving. It’s as if she’s never seen a small town before. In her defense, I don’t think this even qualifies as a town. It’s more like a village.
“Not really. There is a small convenience store, but that’s about it.” With one hand on the will, I scratch the back of my neck with the other. “You will have to drive a good fifteen to twenty minutes to get to any big grocery store, and an hour to get to Dallas.” It can be a pain sometimes, but the tranquility is more than worth it.
“Why in the hell would they choose to build a distribution center out here?” She mutters under her breath. I’m sure she didn’t mean for me to hear it, but I did.
So she’s one of the people responsible for the added traffic we are going to have, and all the construction causing delays on the main road to town. I keep trying to repeat what Reaf said at the shop. It could be a good thing, but I know that isn’t always true. When most small towns grow at an accelerated rate, they can’t keep up with all of the new demands that pop up, like traffic control and more people moving into the area. Even more bullshit politics tend to happen as well. Hell, it happened in Asheville when one of the bigger fast food joints moved into town. The small family owned restaurants completely freaked out and were looking at the worst case scenario.
We pull into my driveway, and I feel bad that there isn’t any light shining outside of the house. It definitely gives off the creepy vibe more than it doesn’t. “I assume this is your house?”
“Yup,” I shift the truck into park. “If you want, you can hang out inside while I move your car to the garage. I can have the shop I work for pick it up in the morning.”
Stella looks from the house to me, then nods her head. “That would be great.” She stretches her arms over her head. “Being in the car all day has my arms and legs stiff. Walking around, and stretching my muscles, is probably a good idea.”
I hop out of the truck, rush around to the passenger side, and open the door for her. She flinches, and I have to wonder why this isn’t the norm for her. As soon as she’s out, and standing beside me, I grab the pizza and beer. My heart sinks a little because the beer is probably bad. Hot beer isn’t appetizing at all. “I’ll unlock the door for you. I have pizza,” I lift it up as if she can’t see the box in my hand. “And I’m sure there’s something to drink in the refrigerator.” She follows me to the door, and walks in behind me. “Help yourself. It shouldn’t take me too long to get your car unhooked from my truck.”
She smiles at me as I set the now cold pizza onto the counter. “I’ll be right back,” I say walking quickly out of the house. Women have never made me nervous before, but she does. She’s gorgeous, and the sight of her in my house isn’t unpleasant. I just don’t know where I stand with her. Despite the fact that we’re strangers.
My seat vibrates, and my first reaction is to slam on the brakes. I catch myself right before my foot hits the pedal. That could have gone badly, especially when the chain would have slackened and the front end of her car would have slammed into my bumper. There’s no way I would have been able to explain that.
Her phone is still sitting on the seat, lighting up and skittering across it. I’m surprised she didn’t take it inside with her, but maybe that means she trusts me at least a little bit. Or, she forgot about it, assuming she wouldn’t get reception here.
I’m not as close to the barn as I hoped to be, and I curse myself for losing focus. This is as good as it’s going to get, though. I need somebody with me to steer her car and get it lined up correctly to put inside the barn. I make quick work of unhooking her car, and I throw the chains in the bed of my truck. They clatter against the metal, disturbing the quiet country night. I wonder if she can hear it, and hope she doesn’t freak out. She has an obvious dislike for small towns.
Back in the truck, I shift it into drive and drive faster than necessary to the house. Stella seems like the inquisitive type, and there’s no telling what she’s digging through to learn about me. It’s not much. I’m a simple guy. Work, work, and oh yeah, work are what fuels my day. I may hang out with the guys from the shop on occassion, but I prefer to be alone most of the time. Unless, of course, a woman is involved. I’ve barely met Stella and I can already tell she’s going to be trouble. Not because of the company she works for, no… It’s because I’ve only met her tonight and she’s getting under my skin.
Yellow light filters through the windows at the front of the house. I guess she found the light switches, and has turned every single one of them on. Is she that afraid of what lurks in the dark? There is literally nothing out here. Well, except coyotes, snakes, and bugs. If she’s scared of those, she’s screwed.
I park my truck and kill the engine. The stuff in the back will have to wait until I take Stella home. The floor is obviously not getting done tonight. I grab her phone off the seat and bring it in with me. I’m sure whomever is blowing up her phone is anxious to talk to her.
Grunts come from the direction of the kitchen when I walk through the front door. What in the hell is she doing in there? I wasn’t gone long enough for her to go through my whole house. Most women, at least from what I’ve seen in movies, go through everything in the bathroom first.
Laughter escapes my lips as soon as I round the corner. Stella is sitting on the floor trying to pull her foot out of the hole that I’m supposed to be fixing right now. She glares up at me. If looks could kill, I would be a corpse on the floor. “A little help, please?” She holds her hand out toward me, expecting me to rescue her for a second time tonight.
Scene 2
It’s almost eight when I pull into my driveway. Sadly, Stella isnt’ on my front porch waiting for me. I didn’t think she would be, but a man can dream. What I do find is a note stuck to my door.
You weren’t home when I stopped by. If you look to your right, there’s a bottle of wine for your mom. I didn’t know what to get her, but I wanted to do something to say thank you for letting me use her car. Hope she likes red. Can you take it to her for me?
Thanks,
Stella
Damn, I wonder how long ago she left. I pick up the bottle before sticking my key in the doorknob. It had to have been a couple of hours ago because the bottle is warm. Hopefully it didn’t go bad sitting out here in the heat. I don’t know anything about wine. I’m much more of a beer drinker than anything else.
Uncle Rick just had to have my help tonight of all nights. We had plenty of everything. I don’t understand why it couldn’t wait until tomorrow, or during the morning when we are slow. Honestly, a part of me wonders if he did it on purpose to see why I needed off all of sudden after years of not being late or using any of my vacation days. I’d probably be curious if I was him, too.
I slide the note in my pocket and turn the key. There has to be something I can do to get Stella over here tonight. Even if it’s just to hang out.
My house is lonely when I walk inside. It doesn’t help that my thoughts have been inundated with the blonde down the road. My stomach growls, and gives me an idea.
I set the bottle of wine on the entryway table, pull my phone out of my back pocket and call Stella. It rings three times, and there’s no answer. Hopefully it doesn’t go straight to voicemail. I don’t want to leave a message, but I will if I have to.
Finally, she answers, “Hello?” Her voice is groggy as if she’s just been woken up. She doesn’t seem like the go to bed early type.
“Did I wake you?” I’m going to feel horrible if I did, except I really want to see her. Even if that means I have to go to her house.
“Damn, I must have dozed off,” she sighs. “Did you get the bottle of wine I left for your mom?”
There’s a chance my mom won’t drink it, but I’m not going to tell her that. Mom prefers tequila or whiskey to any other type of alcohol. She acts like she’s sweet as sugar ninety percent of the time, but I’ve seen her drink so many people under the table. She can hang with the best of them. “Yep,” I say. “I’ll make sure to get it to her.” Silence, that’s all there is right now, and it’s making me uncomfortable. “You should probably go back to sleep.”
“It’s okay. I need to stay awake,” she yawns as soon as she finishes the sentence, proving just how tired she is. “Is there something you needed?”
“I was just going to see if you’ve eaten yet,” I say. It’s true, I was going to grill a few pork chops for dinner tonight, and her company would make the evening a million times better. Plus, I can go over everything that needs to happen with her car.
“Actually, no.” There’s rustling in the background, and she’s most likely moving.
“Do you want to come over for a late dinner?” Closing my eyes, I prepare myself for rejection. It’s late, and there’s not way she’s going to want to get out again.
“Sure,” she answers. “Your place or mine?”
“Would mine be okay? I was going to cook on the grill.” When she doesn’t say anything, I rush, “But I can bring the grill to your house.” Damn, I sound desperate.
“Your house is fine. I’ll be there in twenty.”
“Sounds good,” I say. “See you then. Bye.”
“Bye.” She hangs up before I’ve even pulled the phone away from my ear. Stella was either in a rush to get me off the phone, or she’s excited to come over. I’m hoping on the latter.
Shit. I hope I have something to go along with these chops. It would be pretty shitty of me to not offer something besides a main dish when she’s coming over so late.
Scene 3
Sleep eludes me. Normally, I would already be fast asleep without a care in the world. Not tonight, though. I toss and turn trying to get comfortable. If only it was my comfort level keeping me awake. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. It’s the all over the place blonde I rescued.
I don’t understand why I am so fascinated with her. She’s not even my type, not by a long shot. But I can’t deny that I’m attracted to her. It’s something about her sassy attitude, and weird fascination with strangers being serial killers. Honestly, I didn’t know that was a thing for women. At least, I’ve never had anyone question whether I was a serial killer or not. Or, maybe it’s because she’s new.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve dated and had a few sort of serious relationships. The only problem is, I know way too much about the women around here. We’ve grown up together since we were in diapers, and there’s almost no way you can forget all the dirty secrets everyone in this town tries to keep hidden. It always comes back to bite you in the ass. Even the embarrassing moments that you wish nobody remembered.
My longest standing relationship, a whopping six months with Brenda, ended because I didn’t dance with her when we went to prom in high school over fifteen years ago. How the hell is that fair? We weren’t even dating then, and it seems like she was just saving that retaliation for a rainy day. I can’t remember what the argument was about. But good riddance. I don’t know that kind of crazy in my life. Since then, I’ve sworn off women. Unless, of course, it’s a no strings attached situation with someone in a different city. Those are the relationships I can do. I never have to see them again, and news doesn’t get back home that I’m seeing anyone.
That has to be the reason I find myself infatuated with Stella. She’s new, and she won’t be here long. Maybe, I can date her while she’s living here. It’s the perfect solution, at least for me, and it has an expiration date. Now, I need to see if she felt the same chemistry between us as well.
With my thoughts no longer being plagued by the woman I just met; my eyes begin to drift shut. It’s about damn time. There’s so much I need to do tomorrow, and tonight I just want to sleep.
My ringing phone jolts me awake. It feels like I just went to sleep and I contemplate ignoring it. I need more sleep after last night. Grabbing it off the nightstand, I check the time and phone number. It’s only seven in the morning, and I don’t have to be up until eight. I don’t recognize the number either, but I swipe the screen to answer it anyway.
“Hello,” I rub the sleep from my eyes.
“Johnny?” A familiar voice answers.
“Yeah. Stella? Is that you?” She sounds panicked.
“Yeah,” she pants. “Can you come over here?”
I rush out of bed and begin looking for my boots. “What’s wrong?” Nothing good ever comes from a frazzled woman calling you. Did something break at the house? Is she hurt? Stella isn’t really my problem, as much as I find her attractive. As of right now, though, I’m the only person she knows in this town.
“I need you over here as soon as possible.” Her breathing is labored, and now I’m worried more than I was. “Hurry, before this stupid thing tries to attack me.”
She doesn’t stay on the phone to tell me what is trying to attack her. Instead, she hangs up. I find my work boots by the front door, slip them on, grab my keys, and run for my truck. Hopefully she’s freaking out over nothing, and the rush is uncalled for.
It’s only when I’m pulling into her driveway that I realize I’m still in my T-shirt and boxers. I groan. Maybe I’ll get lucky and her cousins haven’t arrived yet.
Scene 4
Stella and the two ladies from earlier are sitting on the porch steps when I pull up to the house. If I had any doubts about who these women are earlier, they are gone now. They have to be her cousins. Even though they look nothing alike, the easy demeanor they share speaks of years of being around each other. Besides, they are the only ones that she even knows in this town. The welcome wagons from our neighbors, well mostly the older ladies, haven’t come rolling out yet.
All three of them stand up as I open the truck door. I’m not sure what to expect, especially if they are anything like Stella. The woman with brown hair tries to hide behind one of the posts and waves. Stella looks surprised that I even came back. I’m not going to let that sting my ego too much. I mean I did come running over here this morning when she called completely freaking out. Who else in their right mind would do that? In nothing but their underwear? But, the first one to speak is the redhead. “I see you’ve found your clothes. What a shame,” she shakes her head solemnly.
“Funny thing,” I shrug. “They were in my closet this whole time. Who knew?” My steps are long and measured as I make my way up the front porch. “Can I speak with you, Stella?” I wave the box of donuts in my hand as a bribe. My uncle told me to take the day off when I told him I was going to be in late, so I ran into Asheville to grab some donuts. It’s the only thing I could think of that most people like.
Her eyes are still wide as she nods. “Yeah, sure.” She walks toward the open front door, but pauses and waves her hand in the direction of the other two women. “That’s Audrey and Ashton, my cousins. This is Johnny.”
She doesn’t say anything else, or wait for them to respond. With a quick wave toward her cousins, I follow her inside. I don’t miss one of them whispering loudly, “Oh, they’re going inside to talk.” She snorts before belly laughing. I don’t think it’s that funny. But she’s sassy, and will give some guy a run for his money one day. That is, if she doesn’t already have someone in her life.
If I had my way we wouldn’t be doing any talking at all. Stella in her towel flashes through my mind again. Though, I can’t help wondering what exactly she told them in my absence. She leads me to the kitchen, and I set the box of donuts on the island. Leaning against the opposite counter, Stella crosses her arms over her chest. “Ignore them, they are beyond ridiculous.” She rolls her eyes, and looks everywhere but at me.
“Eh, they’re just having fun.” My eyes wander around the remodeled kitchen, and I’m impressed with the improvements. It’s a lot different than the shabby old appliances, and worn out linoleum countertops I remember from my childhood. My gaze finally returns to her, and my breath hitches at her beauty. Her long blonde hair is in pig tails over her shoulders, and those short shorts don’t hide anything. “Besides, I was half naked when they saw me the first time. I’m pretty sure their thoughts went down the gutter right then and there.”
“I’ve assured them that nothing happened between us, and that you were only here because of a stupid snake. They really need to learn to mind their own business, instead of trying to get into mine.” She reaches for a donut, but I slide the box away.
I move around the island until I’m standing in front of her. “That can wait.” She opens her mouth in protest, and I cut her off by placing my finger against her lips. She jerks her head back, not expecting my to physically touch her. “I have a feeling you wouldn’t have been too upset if something more did happen.” There’s no way I’m reading the situation wrong. I saw the way she looked at me this morning, and the hungry look in her eyes right this moment. Denial won’t work, not now anyway.
Stella blushes, and her cheeks turn a rosie pink. Bingo. There’s the answer to the million dollar question. “You,” she stutters. “You have no way of knowing that.” She tries to back away, forgetting that the counter is behind her. She doesn’t have anywhere to hide from me. That’s good because I have a proposition for her.
I place my hands on the counter, boxing her in. “Tell me that you aren’t attracted to me in any way, and I will lay off. I’ll talk to you about your car, and we can act as if we’ve never seen each other half naked.” When she doesn’t respond I continue, “Or, I can talk to you about your car and we can have a little fun while you’re here.“
“What do you mean by fun?” Her voice is low and seductive. The question spilling from her mouth like honey.
“You know exactly what I mean,” I lean closer to her, my mouth a breath a way from her ear. “No strings attached. You, me, and whatever we can think of to fill the time. Something to ease the stress of you missing home.”
Ducking under my arm, she grabs a donut and backs away from me. “That’s pretty forward considering I don’t even know you.” She takes a bite out of the donut and continues walking backward until she runs into the refrigerator.
“That’s the beauty of it,” I say. “We’re practically strangers. How long are you staying here?” I guess I should have asked this question before. Anything more than a couple of months, and attachments can be formed. That wouldn’t bode well for either of us.
“Two to three months, I think,” she answers around a mouthful of donut. Damn, she’s even sexy when she’s stuffing her face.
“See,” I argue, as if her response is the answer to everything. “That’s not long enough for us to develop feelings for each other. Hell, we don’t even have to be exclusive with each other if it makes you feel better.” Her face falls, and I want to take the words back instantly. “Or, we can. It’s up to you.” Whe she still stares at me like I’ve lost my damn mind, I add, “We don’t even have to see each other regularly. Whatever you decide is what will happen.” Shit, I sound desparate. This is why I typically stick to bar hookups. Fuck, I’ve ruined this already.
Stella isn’t trying to escape from me anymore, though. Maybe she’s actually considering it. “I’ll have to think about it,” she finally answers. “Until I decide, are you good with being freinds, seeing as you are the only person I know in this town.” “Sure.” Friends I can work with even if I want to taste every inch of her skin. I have at least two months to try to get her into my bed. “If you change your mind, just let me know.” I wink at her and she rolls her eyes.
“Now, that whatever that was is out of the way,” she picks up another donut. “What did you want to discuss about my car?”
Scene 5
Stella’s steps are slow as we walk up the stairs to the front door. She feels under the mat until she pulls out a key and slips it into the doorknob. Her hand rests over it, but she’s not turning the key or opening the door. “Do you need some help?”
She shakes her head, clearing it from whatever thoughts are running through it right now. “No, sorry. I sort of spaced out for a second.” She takes a deep breath, and finally turns the key. Placing the key in her pocket she returns her hand to the knob and gives it a small twist. The door opens, slow and creaky. “Is it supposed to sound like that?”
“It’s an old house,” I shrug. “No matter how much remodeling has been done, it’s likely to show it’s age in small ways.”
Nodding she takes a step inside, and I follow her. She feels around the wall for a light switch, and moments later, the foyer is illuminated. Her bags fall to the floor, and she gasps. I rush in behind her, not sure what I’m going to see. “Is everything okay? Is there something awful in here?”
“No,” she shakes her head. “It’s stunning.” When I walk around until I’m standing in front of her, I grin at her expressions. Her eyes are wide open, and I swear they are tearing up. “Absolutely breathtaking.”
I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone look at a house the way she is right now. The sight of it fulfills her on a level I’ve never understood. The house is amazing, and I’d love to have a place like this one day. It’s what I hope to turn my Grandpa’s old house into, even though I doubt that will happen with all the repairs that keep popping up. “My cousins are never going to want to leave,” she clasps her hands together and turns in circles. This must be what that one princess felt like when she got the library. At least Stella’s mood has changed since I picked her up on the side of the road.
This is becoming awkward. She’s not even saying anything to me, just rattling off random thoughts as she has them. “I think I’m going to go,” I say, wondering if she’ll even hear me.
“Oh, sorry,” she covers her mouth. “I forgot you were here for a moment.”
“It’s all good,” I shrug. “I’m glad your night has turned around.” I take backward steps toward the door. “I’m going to write down my number so you can call me in the morning. In case you need a ride, or to figure out what to do about your car.”
“Ashton and Audrey should be here early in the morning, so I shouldn’t need a ride anywhere. But I’ll definitely call about the car. She’s my brand-new baby.” She takes small, measured steps toward me. I’m unsure what to do. This whole night has been odd. It gets weirder the moment she wraps her arms around me in a hug. “Thank you for stopping tonight. I didn’t think anyone was going to come to my rescue and I’d be left walking down a dark road to find help.”
My arms are trapped by hers, so I stand still waiting for her to have whatever moment she needs. “You’re welcome?” It comes out as a question even though I don’t mean for it to. But seriously, any self-respecting person would have stopped to help someone stranded on the side of the road. Especially when it’s dark. She finally releases me and backs up. “Here,” she hands me her phone. “Just put your number in that way you don’t have to try to find pen and paper. I never carry any of those with me. My entire life is always in the palm of my hand. I’d be lost without it.”
“Okay,” I tap out my number and name, then hit save. “I guess I’ll talk to you tomorrow. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call. I’m less than five minutes away.”
“Will do,” she nods. “Goodnight, Johnny. And really, thank you for everything.” She walks me to the door, and waves once I’m down the steps. I can hear her squealing to someone on the phone before she’s even shut the door. Her cousins, I’m assuming. I guess all that’s left for me to do is go home. Tonight definitely took a turn for the better, and I’m not upset at all that Reaf had to cancel coming to hang out. I got to spend my evening with the confusing new neighbor.