Rich felt relief when they pulled into the lot of the club. He needed a beer.
When they walked inside, they saw everyone else in a large booth in the corner of the club by the dance floor.
It was a Country & Western Bar, so during the day they served food and played music, at night it became a twenty-one and over club. It had a mechanical bull, country lessons in the corner, and a big floor for dancing. Since it was the only bar of its kind in town, it didn’t only play country music. On Saturday nights, it would play some Top 40 and dance music, as well as the country music that kept the regulars happy.
When they got to the table, there were a few pitchers already waiting, so Rich poured himself a glass.
“What do you want to drink?” He asked Roni, leaning in to be heard over the music.
“Can you get me a vodka and cranberry?” She asked with a smile.
He nodded at her, then asked if anyone else needed anything, before heading to the bar with Pete.
“How’s married life treating you?” Rich asked Pete.
“It’s awesome, man. I swear, I was so relieved when she asked me. I’d been trying to figure out how to ask her for months,” Pete replied with a laugh. “I still can’t believe it.”
Rich smiled at his friends’ obvious joy and love for Kara. That is what he wanted. To be in love and married and ready to start a family. He thought of his parents’ marriage, and knew that they’d showed him how to make love last.
He knew Roni would freak if she knew his line of thought, but deep down, he always knew that he wanted what his parents had. He’d been devastated by Tara, and had gone a little wild while in college, but at his core, he’d always been a family man.
They paid for the drinks and took them back to the girls.
Roni said thanks, took the glass from Rich and began to drink as she talked with Briana. Rich refilled the beer he’d downed while at the bar, then sat down next to Colin. He was happy he’d been able to spend so much time with his friend over the holiday, and knew he’d be sad to see him go.
The song changed and the girls started to yell something about needing to dance, that this was their song. Rich tried to get out of the way as Nicole and Kara climbed over him to get out of the booth and join Roni and Bree on the dance floor.
The guys stayed in the booth. Enjoying their beer and the sight of their girls moving on the floor.
After a few more trips to the bar for vodka cranberries and pitchers, Rich was feeling pretty good. He had enough liquid courage to join Roni on the floor. The way she moved her body to the music was like a beacon, pulling him towards her.
He was very turned on by watching her dance for the past couple hours, so when he finally got his hands on her, his body throbbed in response.
The song changed to a slow love song and Roni wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing every inch of her body to his.
Rich felt the hot sweat glistening on Roni’s skin, which only turned him on more; that combined with her body rubbing against him, made him feel like he was about to go insane.
Roni writhed against him to the music and he tried not to think of their friends possibly watching him slowly lose control.
Rich captured her mouth with his, his tongue sweeping in to deepen the kiss. When she moaned against him, his hand came to the back of her head and his fingers tangled in her hair, pulling it softly. “You’re driving me crazy,” he said against her mouth.
Roni grinned at him wickedly, then moved away, putting her hand in his and pulling him towards the back. She pulled him down the hallway, past the women’s and men’s rooms, pausing in front of the Unisex bathroom to try the handle. When it opened swiftly, she pushed him inside, closing and locking the door behind them.
“What are you doing?” Rich asked.
Roni stalked closer to him, grinning when he came in contact with the sink. She jumped certain that he’d catch her as she brought her lips to his. He kissed her back, full force, turning so her bottom lay against the top of the counter around the sink.
“What if someone saw us?” Rich asked, trying to think through the fog in his head.
“No one did,” Roni said breathlessly. “And if they did, who cares. They won’t know anything.”
As if to keep him from thinking, Roni reached down under her skirt and pulled off her panties.
“Shit,” Rich said, before plunging back into her mouth. He thanked God he had a condom in his back pocket, ever the Boy Scout, then unbuttoned his fly.
Roni took the condom from him and opened it. “I love that you don’t wear underwear,” she said, as she slid the condom over him.
They stopped talking as he entered her. She wrapped her legs around him, then braced herself against the counter with her hands. When she was secure, Rich started driving into her. All thought of gentleness gone, they both strived for release, as the sounds of their moans and bodies joining together filled the small bathroom.
When they were done, Rich leaned down to help Roni with her panties before cleaning himself up. They both started laughing when they looked around and it really registered where they were. Roni splashed water on her face and pulled her hair up into a pony tail.
“I’ll go out first and head to the table. You wait a few minutes, then join me,” Roni said, kissing him as she opened the door.
Rich followed her out, then turned and went into the men’s room to try and play it off like he’d been in there the whole time.
Chapter Sixteen
Roni chuckled to herself as she waited for Rich to come and pick her up. She couldn’t believe the way she’d acted the other night. She’d been totally swept away. The way Rich wanted her made her feel so powerful.
Their quickie in the bathroom was going to the top of her list of favorite moments.
Their friends had been none the wiser when she returned to the table. She said there’d been a long line at the bathroom.
Rich had called her this morning and asked if she wanted to hang out today. She hadn’t asked what they were going to do. She wondered if that should worry her. That she didn’t really care, she just wanted to spend more time with him.
When she heard him on the stairs, her stomach jumped with excitement. Another clue that maybe he was starting to mean more to her than just a fling.
She wasn’t going to worry about it though; she’d just be casual and see what happened.
Roni swung the door open before he could knock and threw herself in his arms, hugging him tightly.
“Hello, sunshine,” Rich said, hugging her back. “You ready?”
“Yup,” Roni said, reaching in to grab her purse. She locked up and followed him out to his car.
It looked like a storm was rolling in.
When they were both strapped in and the car was moving, Rich said, “I had fun the other night.”
Roni returned his cocky smile with one of her own.
“Me, too.”
“Is everything set for the Grand Opening tomorrow?” Roni asked.
She couldn’t help but laugh at the look of excitement that came over his face.
“Yup. I followed up with everyone today and everyone is good to go. Jason is putting up some last minute decorations right now, since I have a couple things to do, but other than that, we’re all set.” He smiled at her. “You ready for your first day of classes?”
“Yes. So ready,” she replied. “I’m really excited to see everyone in action tomorrow.”
When the car started to slow she looked up to see Rich’s parents’ house. She had been there once before for a party, but it had been a while.
“We’re going to your parents’ house?” Roni asked, suddenly nervous, all of her easiness gone. “Are they home?”
“Yeah,” Rich replied. He parked then turned to her and took her hand in his. “It’s no big deal. Colin called and said he and his dad wanted to meet me here to talk about something.”
“You want me to meet your parents?” Roni asked, trying to
understand why he’d brought her there. She suddenly felt very hot, even though it was cold enough to warrant a jacket. Her palms were sweating.
“Sure, why not?” Rich asked. “Roni, they’re going to love you. Really, it’s not a big deal. We’ll be in and out. No pressure.”
Roni looked back at the house and thought of the house she’d grown up in. She could just imagine taking Rich home to meet her parents. There’d be dirty dishes all over the kitchen, beer bottles scattered throughout the house, and the stale stench of urine and cigarettes.
“Roni,” Rich prodded, bringing her back to reality. “If you really don’t want to go in, I can run in and see what they want, or take you back home, but I promise, it’ll be fine.
She tried to give him a smile of assurance, but her stomach was still tied in knots. She looked into his face and nodded. She could do this… They were just parents.
Rich kept a hand at the small of her back as he opened the front door, as if afraid she would take off running at the first opportunity.
The house was spotless. That was the first thing she noticed when they entered the foyer. That, the smell of baked goods, and the sound of laughter.
“There’s my boy,” Rich’s mother said as she rounded the corner and gave him a hug.
“Hi, Mama.”
The older lady turned to Roni, a big grin on her face, and asked, “And who is this beautiful young lady?”
“This is Roni, Mama.”
Before Roni could say a word, she was engulfed in Rich’s mom’s arm. She stood there awkwardly, unsure of what she should do, but was released before she had to make a decision.
“Roni, I’ve heard a lot about you,” she said, shaking her wooden spoon at Roni as she spoke. “You go ahead and call me Martha, darlin’. I have a feeling we are gonna be fast friends. Come on in and have a cupcake.”
Martha was gone as quickly as she’d appeared, in a flurry of movement, her apron flapping as she rounded the corner into what Roni assumed, was the kitchen.
Roni looked up at Rich, slightly dazed, but he just returned a grin identical to his mothers and ushered her towards the back.
Colin sat at the table with two older men. They all stopped talking and looked up as Roni and Rich entered the room.
“Hey guys,” Colin said. “I didn’t know you were coming, Roni. I would’ve brought Bree.”
“We’re just stopping by to see what you wanted to talk to me about,” Rich replied, squeezing Roni’s hand as they neared the table. “Roni, this is my Pop, Frank,” He said, pointing to the handsome man with a toothpick in his mouth.
“Hi’ya,” Frank said.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Roni managed.
“And this is, Mr. Grayson, Colin’s dad.”
“Hello, pretty lady,” Mr. Grayson said in a booming voice, startling her a bit.
She regained her composure and said, “Nice to meet you.”
“Roni, why don’t you come out back with me. We’ll have some coffee and a cupcake, and leave the men to their business,” Martha said, coming up behind her with two plates in her hand. “Here, you take these, I’ll grab the cups.”
Rich winked at her and walked to the back to open the door for her. She walked out, looking back at the guys longingly. She had a feeling she’d be much safer in there.
She walked over to the bistro set and placed the plates on the table. She sat down and waited for Rich’s mother to join her.
How the hell had she gotten in to this mess?
Martha put the cups and saucers on the table. “Rich said you like a little cream and sugar, I hope it’s okay,” Martha said as she sat, wiping her hands on her apron.
Roni took a sip and nodded at Martha, smiling.
“So,” Martha began as she unwrapped her cupcake. “Tell me about yourself. Rich has told me that you’re a dancer and that you’ll be renting space from him at the Center, but he hasn’t said much else. Where are you from? Where’s your family?”
Roni cleared her throat nervously and said, “Um, well, my twin brother, Kent, lives here.”
“Oh, I know Kent. Such a gentleman,” Martha cooed. “And you’re a twin… That’s really something. Must have been nice growing up.”
“Yes,” Roni could admit. “Kent is a wonderful brother. I wouldn’t have made it without him.”
Martha looked at her strangely, so she sputtered on, “We’re from Michigan. Detroit. We were born and raised there.”
“What made you come to Texas?”
“Kent.”
“Oh, what about your folks. Do you ever get back to see them?” Martha prodded.
“No.”
Martha looked at her pointedly and asked, “Any plans to go back, or do you think you’ll settle here? Put down roots.”
“We’re staying,” Roni smiled to try and make her answers less blunt, but she wasn’t quite sure how to take Rich’s mom. Was she just nosy, or was she looking out for her sons’ welfare?
Martha grinned at her answer. “That’s lovely dear. You know, you’re the first girl Rich has brought around to meet us since Tara.”
Roni looked up, startled at her statement. Rich had said this was no big deal, but it’s obvious his mother didn’t see it that way.
“Rich and I are just dating, Martha,” Roni said.
Martha patted Roni’s hand and said, “Don’t be afraid of what’s right in front of you, dear. My son is the kind of man a girl can count on. He’ll make a wonderful husband and father.”
Roni’s blood ran cold at Martha’s words.
Husband and father.
Rain started to fall in fat drops and a big gust of wind chilled Roni to her bones.
“Oh, we’d better go inside dear,” Martha said as she stood.
They grabbed their dishes and went inside. The guys looked to be wrapping up their discussion. Rich had a huge smile on his face and was shaking hands with Mr. Grayson. He looked up at Roni as they entered and must have seen something on her face, because his smile disappeared and he went to her side.
“Everything okay?” He asked.
“Fine,” Roni responded numbly.
Their exit was a blur to Roni. She knew she’d said goodbye to everyone, but before she knew it, they were pulling into the parking lot of her apartment building. The rain was falling in sheets and the thunder clapped loudly.
Rich was trying to ask her what happened, but she just kept saying she was fine, hoping he’d get the hint and leave her alone.
When she stepped out into the storm, she was swept back to another night, another storm. Hank had been gone for a week. Probably off on a binge, staying God knows where with God knows who. Those were her favorite nights. The nights he didn’t come home. Unfortunately, when he finally did make it home, he was usually very drunk and very angry.
She was already in bed. Reading a book and hopeful that she’d get another night alone. There was a raging storm outside. Full of thunder and lightning. The best kind of night to be curled up with a book. She hadn’t heard him come in, so she didn’t even know what was coming.
He’d stormed in the room, slamming the door as he entered. He went straight for her feet and dragged her from the bed. Her body bounced against the floor as she fell, and she felt her wrist break when she tried to catch herself. He’d obviously been storing up a lot of anger, because he never said a word, he just beat her within an inch of her life.
He’d used his fists and feet, and when he got tired, he’d grabbed a bat.
The neighbors had heard her screams and called the cops. When she’d come to, she was in the back of an ambulance. She quickly retreated into unconsciousness and stayed there for a few days.
When she’d awoken in the hospital, she’d seen her mother sitting in the chair next to her bed. When her mother noticed her stir, she’d looked at her with the contempt she’d always shown her daughter. But this time there was a smirk on her face as well. Roni knew then that her mother was happy that she’d never gotten out and
become a dancer, but that instead, she was living the same miserable life that her mother did.
She turned her head from her mother’s stare, and closed her eyes, not opening them again until she was gone.
She never saw her again.
When the doctors came in, they’d explained how lucky she was to be alive. They’d talked about broken bones and internal bleeding. Then they told her she may never be able to have children.
Roni’s heart had broken that day.
Roni walked up the stairs to her apartment, the rain soaking her with every step.
“Roni,” Rich said from behind her, his voice desperate. “What they hell happened? Did my mother say something to upset you?”
Roni opened the door and walked in, her heart racing at the memories and the sound of the thunder echoing through the room.
Rich’s phone rang and she heard him answer it. She turned to ask him to leave, and everything seemed to happen all at once.
The memories suffocated her as the thunder clapped. Rich’s face turned angry and he began to yell in the phone. She didn’t hear what he was saying, she only say his face and felt his anger. He hung up the phone and turned to her, his hands raised as he spoke and gestured. The combination scared her witless and she dropped to the ground. She low crawled to the living room, trying to find safety in between the back of the sofa and the wall. She held her hands over her head and whimpered, willing the feelings of terror to disappear.
“Roni,” she heard Rich say gently. “Roni, I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s going on, but I’ll do whatever I can to make it right. Please, talk to me, baby.”
She saw him reach out a hand and recoiled. In the back of her mind, she knew that it was Rich, not Hank, that sat in front of her, but she couldn’t seem to stop shaking.
“Go,” she said softly.
“Shit, Roni. Let me help you,” he pleaded. “I can’t leave you like this.”
She saw him sit on the floor a few feet away from her, his hands in his hair, and she wanted to go to him, but she couldn’t.