Crushin’ the Cowboy

When the band comes back on, I join Sara, Lynn, and Lee. We have a great view, and I watch as Tobias’s voice rips through the barn and the crowd erupts.

It is so loud there is no opportunity to speak, which suits me fine—I’m happy just to watch.

By the time Frankie says he’s leaving, I’ve had a further beer and another five shots. I feel the impact as my body starts to sway instinctively to the music, and I start to actually enjoy the country shit being belted out.

A guy in a cowboy hat approaches me to dance, but I refuse. He tugs at my hand, so I reluctantly let him push me around the dance floor.

~Fuck, I must be drunk!~

When I get back to my spot next to Sara, I continue to watch the guys on stage. Tobias’s blue eyes are on me, and for a few minutes, as he sings at me, I feel like the only other person in the room.

I’m enchanted by him. I swiftly shift my glance as my cheeks heat up. This isn’t who I am—it must be the jet lag and the alcohol.

When another guy comes over trying to get Sara and me to dance, I refuse, and Sara takes one for the team.

~I wonder if this spot by the stage is the singles’ corner!~

My eyes track back to Tobias, who looks like he is coming to the end of his set. Tanner is now at the front of the stage, and there is a lot of jumping around and celebrating going on.

Tobias removes his T-shirt and throws it directly at me. The smell of him hits me first—it’s that sweaty, manly smell of his, mixed with a woody aftershave. I find it pleasant—and there I go again surprising myself.

Sara smirks and leans in. “I think someone wants you to cover up,” she laughs.

The tequilas have kicked in now, so I oblige and pull his T-shirt over my head. Smelling him so close makes my heart thud, and Lynn sighs before stomping off.

“Did I do something?” I ask.

“Toby and Lynn have this thing. She likes him, but he doesn’t do girlfriends, so she has to torture herself every weekend when she sees him with other women.”

“Well, she doesn’t have to worry about me and him. I wouldn’t if he was the last guy on earth.”

My eyes deceive me as they move back to him. He’s laughing with some guys by the stage. He’s wearing dark jeans this time, and his bare chest shows off his manly tattoos, but it’s the backward baseball cap that makes me swoon.

~Damn, he looks fine through these tequila glasses! But I could never, not with a guy like him!~

“Hello there, glad you came,” Tanner says as he approaches me. “I see you have met my man Lee here.” He puts his arm around Lee and winks.

Tobias follows behind. He doesn’t smile when our eyes meet. Instead, he frowns at me, and I wonder what his problem is now!

“That was a great set,” Sara announces, and Tobias turns to her and gives her a beaming smile.

“Thanks, the crowd were fuckin’ on fire tonight,” he says, and Lee agrees.

“Lynn’s around and doesn’t look too happy with you,” Lee adds as he leans in closer to Tobias.

I’m conscious that I’m still wearing Tobias’s top. He’s now wearing a hoodie with Nashville written across it—they sure do love where they live.

“Hey, do you need this back?” I ask him.

“No, keep it,” he smiles. “It looks better on you.”

Then he turns and heads to the bar. How can he leave me hanging on a comment like that?! All I’ve had so far are snipes and sarcasm.

I plan to spend my last few dollars when I find myself lingering behind Tobias at the bar.

The flirty bartender has gone and been replaced by a rough-looking woman. She serves all the men first and I fear I might be waiting a while.

I plan this to be my last drink before heading back. Sara said I can catch a lift with them if I need one, and to be honest, I don’t have a clue how else I would get back.

“You might be waiting a while,” Tobias says as he passes with his drinks.

“Thanks, I would have given you the money to get me one,” I complain.

“Here,” he adds, as he passes me a bottle of beer. “Looks like Tanner won’t be wanting it.”

I follow his gaze over my shoulder to Tanner, who is snogging the face of some blonde girl. I chuckle—he works fast!

“How’re you getting back?” Tobias asks, and my eyes return to his baby blues.

“Frankie said head back with you guys, but Sara said it’s fine to go with her.”

“Sara’s going out of her way. Jump in with us, it’s no skin off my nose.”

“Are you sure? You make no secret about how you feel about me.”

He shrugs. “You’re Frankie’s niece. We look after our own around here.”

I’m not sure if that was another dig, but I smile and continue to drink my free beer.

I still have five dollars burning a hole in my purse—my friends back home would be so proud. I spend well over two hundred pounds on drinks when I’m in England and here I am, ten dollars down and drunk.

Lynn approaches us and I see her presence as my cue to leave, so I slink off, leaving her to Tobias.

“Are you having fun?” Sara asks when I join her.

I nod; I am actually enjoying myself. It’s casual, everyone’s friendly, and the drinks are cheap. What is there not to like?

After a few decent songs, Lee and Tobias come into view and stand chatting next to us. Sara fills me in and says they have all been good friends since childhood.

I gather that’s the story for most people here, they have grown up together and will most likely die here together. I feel slightly envious at the bond they all have.

This is what I could have had if Dad had stayed here. I was always so alone growing up in England while dad made his millions.

He never talks about his life here, and now he’s a highflier, running the rat race in London, you would never picture him in this life.

I left when I was very young, so I don’t remember anything or anyone, but I do wonder if Dad ever misses it. It was always just me, Dad, and a lot of babysitters growing up.

I watch Tobias as Lynn approaches him again. His face looks hard and irritated as she runs her hand down the front of his hoodie and grips the ties in an attempt to flirt.

She’s very pretty and they would make a great couple, but from what Sara said, Tobias isn’t as into it as she obviously is, even though they’ve been getting it on for a while.

I find it sad when women act so desperate. She seemed nice when I spoke to her, but now she’s going down in my estimations.

“Hey, pretty ladies, who’s up for after drinks back at my place?” Tanner asks as his arms go around me and Sara.

Sara giggles and looks to Lee for an answer.

“We do have to be up early tomorrow, but fuck it, you only live once, right?” Lee shouts, and Tobias moves closer and pats him on the back in agreement.

“AFTER-PARTY,” Tanner shouts. “Do we have any beer, brother?”

“I do,” Tobias replies, and his cheeky smile makes him look extra sexy to my drunken eyes.

“Come on, brother,” Tanner pleads. “I’m bringing Chelsea, she’s Karla’s cousin, staying for the weekend.”

“Whatever man, but you’re not sleeping at my place again,” Tobias warns.

“Wait, do you guys not live together?” I ask.

“No,” Tanner adds. “He won’t let anyone live with him. He’s antisocial, introverted, or whatever they call people that don’t like other people.”

“No,” Tobias protests. “I just like to keep my shit in order, and you have no respect for my things.”

“Ohhh yeah, for when you find a nice woman to share it all with.”

Tobias pushes Tanner hard, and I fear it will turn into a fistfight until Tanner laughs and goes off to find Chelsea.

“Come on,” says Tobias. “You three can jump in with me. That dick can find his own way.” He is talking to me, Lee, and Sara.

I feel privileged that I’m included but fear he may drop me off at my uncle’s. I can’t imagine I will be invited to his private party.