West Richland Tavern.

[feistyphoenix]

Tess quickly changed into a simple jeans a fitted navy tank top before sliding on flip flops and going back downstairs with her purse slung across her body.

"So what did you have in mind?" She asked feeling like they were replaying last night.

 

[Wolfias]

Eric stands as soon as Tess returns downstairs to him, leaning down to lightly kiss her on the cheek. ''You even make jeans and a tank top look great Tess. I chose last time, I'd have to say it's now your turn to pick.''

 

[feistyphoenix]

She blushed at his compliment, said a quiet thank you, and slipped her arm back around him. She couldn't help it, it was almost like her body craved the contact with his.

Tess thought before answering him,"well they used to have a few food trucks down by the park, we could just get a variety of things and eat outside, my treat," she said as she looked up at him.

God he was tall, especially when she wasn't wearing heels. She started to move towards the door with him.

 

[Wolfias]

Eric thought she was cute as a button, the blush only made him believe it more. ''You're very welcome. Slipping his arm around Tess as she did to him, walking toward the door grinning at her.

''Sounds like a good idea to me, good eats, sunshine and you.

We'll take my black 65 chevy pickup, you'll love it I customized her myself, Corevette engine and running gear, new uspension and disk brakes, and red Corevette interior. It's across the street at the Shop.''

He opens the door for her holding it, pulling wayfarers from his pocket putting them on.

 

[feistyphoenix]

"I have a thing for trucks you kow," she said and winked before slipping her aviators on and walking out into the sunshine ahead of him. She was glad he wasn't taking her on a bike, damn things still freaked her out.


They crossed the street and got in the truck together. Tess almost squealed when he started it but a huge slow smile crept across her face instead. She bit the corner of her bottom lip and tried to hide her excitement by staring out the window while he drove. It only took a few minites to get to the park and the food trucks were lined up for the lunch rush.

"What sounds good? There's a taco truck, Korean bbq, Greek, and I think that one is just burgers and fries," she said and pointed at the last one as they parked close by.

 

[1millionsecrets]

The old man grimaced and stood slowly. He walked in the direction of the door and stopped near Hannah. His hushed tones were inaudible to the rest of the tavern, but her already broken heart shattered. She lowered her gaze and stepped back from him. "Yes father." Clung dully to her lips like old tree sap and gradually it fell away. He grinned broadly, and walked in a creaky way to his car. The man in the front seat gave Hannah a look of Pitty through the window before he allowed the old man in, and they drove away.

Exhausted and defeated she made a hopeless attempt to smile at Troy and Jack. "Please Jack sir. We are closed. So if you could, kindly take your leave." It took all she had not to break, not to begin sobbing uncontrollably infront of them both. Her father's words danced in her head,

Remember you darling little tramp. I loved your mother, she was beautiful and lovely... I still killed her... Compared to you, she was perfect...

She then, still clutching her boots made her way to her bedroom's stairway. She had given up for that night. She then only wanted to sleep.

 

[Wolfias]

"I'll have to go with a little Korean BBQ and a little Greek food.''

Eric could tell Tess loved his truck, she tried to hide it, but, he could just feel the vibe. looking over at her, the sunlight made her hair and skin glow beautifully. Opening the drivers side door and shut it, walking around the front to open the door for her. Eric offers his hand to Tess with a grin, when she gets out, his arm will encircle her waist.

''C'mon we'll go order together, then go eat by the water. If that's ok with you?''

Strolling along together toward the Korean BBQ, boneless spare ribs was Eric's choice. Tess places her order, the cook soon bags their food. Moving on to the Greek food truck, Tess orders this time Eric orders lamb with veggies and rice.

 

[feistyphoenix]

"Sure, sounds good to me," she said and accepted his hand.

Tess didn't let go as they walked up and got in line, it only took a minute before they ordered and then jumped into the other line.

Tess got a lamb kebab with vegetables and beef bulgogi. She took a bite of the lamb and it was really good. She closed the box and looked at Eric,"its really good,"she told him.

They got the rest of their food and carried it down to a shady spot between two oak trees near the pond. Tess sat down lush grass to spread out the containers so they could share if they wanted.

"Ready?" She took a sip of her water and waited for him to join her.

 

[merryohmd]

Rex had arisen early and finding no one in the Tavern awake he had grabbed a quick snack for breakfast and headed to the park. He also planned to stop by the flop house he used to live in to see if he could move back in. He liked the tavern but did want some separation from it. Nothing was going on at the park this early, just a few joggers and Rex wasn't about to join then in that en devour. He did start walking around the park on the numerous paths.

The was really beautiful, an oasis in the city really. Rex hadn't spent any time he before, so now he was enjoying his sobriety and the open space and air.

Rex lost complete track of time and where he was in the park. Up in the distance he saw some food trucks and headed in that direction.

As he approached the trucks he saw Tess get out of a really nice tricked-out truck. The guy she was with was taller than Rex and a lot taller than Tess.

Rex approached the couple and called out "hey Tess, wear this guy out so you needed to feed him?"

 

[feistyphoenix]

Tess saw Rex walking up and almost called out hello before he made his comment, her eyes narrowed instead.

"Just because I'm with a man you assume I'm screwing him; do you ever think before you talk?" her voice cut like a knife in the air.

Why couldn't he just walk by and say hi like a normal person!? Jesus he was frustrating.

 

[merryohmd]

Tess saw Rex walking up and almost called out hello before he made his comment, her eyes narrowed instead.

"Just because I'm with a man you assume I'm screwing him; do you ever think before you talk?" her voice cut like a knife in the air.

Why couldn't he just walk by and say hi like a normal person!? Jesus he was frustrating.

Ignoring Tess's indignation Rex said "hey dude, I'm Rex. I work at the tavern with this hottie." Turning to look at Tess he continued "she is something to look at isn't she?"

"How'd you meet the guy, Tess" Rex says while winking at the sexy hooker.

 

[feistyphoenix]

"He's Wolf's brother, Rex. This is Eric." She said stiffly.

She didn't like the way he was checking her out, maybe flashing him the other night was a bad idea. Now he'd be on her tail even more than usual, stupid alcohol.

 

[merryohmd]

She didn't like the way he was checking her out, maybe flashing him the other night was a bad idea. Now he'd be on her tail even more than usual, stupid alcohol.[/QUOTE]

"Oh cool, I had no idea Wolf had a brother. Guess I'll see you around tavern."

"What's good here, Tess? I'm starved" Rex continued what he thought of as flirting while basically ignoring Eric.

 

[1millionsecrets]

Hannah awoke slowly, her eyes were raccooned from a night of silent sobs. Quietly she grabbed her clothes and walked to the shower. She stripped slowly and winced at the sharp pain in her wrists. She didn't need to look to know what was there. Four tiny, but deep cuts along the width of her wrists burned and stung a fierce red.
After turning on the hot water, she simply soaked her arms for a moment, the heat burning her open slits enough she nearly cried out. Then gradually, carefully she stepped in and washed her hair, then her body. Carefully she washed her eyes and shaved. Then after a moment she simply stood there. Her forehead resting on the still cool tile. A shaky sigh left her as she thought of her father's words.
Her mother was the better of them, and she was the one who died... She had a smile that could light up the whole city if she wished. Hannah knew, no such gleam came from her lips. Her mother's eyes burned like the purest emerald. Hannah's nearly mirrored her mother's in a hollow sea green fashion. Her mother sang like and angel, and loved like a saint. Hannah... she tried, but so much hate filled her heart, that love was hard to find, especially for herself.

As she stood there the hot water ran out and turned to cold. She shivered and stepped from the fake rain and dried off. She then found a pair of black sweats, and a tshirt. She pulled her hair off to the side in a braid and slicked mascara over her eyelashes. For a while after, she just sat there on her bed. Nothing seemed to appeal to her, except hiding her cuts with her leather bracelet.

 

[feistyphoenix]

"Well we got the Korean bbq and the Greek food, I tried a bite of the Greek already and it's delicious but honestly, it all smells really awesome. So probably any of it," she looked up at him from her spot on the soft grass.

She looked over at Eric and smiled while responding to Rex's other comment,"I'm sure you'll see him around."

 

[merryohmd]

"So, I'm off then to check out the food. See you back at the tavern, Tess." Rex walked very close to Tess intentional bumping her slightly.

"See you around, Eric"

"Don't charge him too much Tess, he seems nice" Rex said in a low voice as he passed by Tess.

 

[feistyphoenix]

Tess exhaled through her nose, making her nostrils flare, they always did when she was irritated. She almost wanted to reach out and knock Rex over when he bumped into her, it had to be intentional. She was glad when he was gone out of their space, his last comment was way over the line.

"Sorry about that, where were we?" She looked at Eric and tried to relax as she spoke to him.

 

[BreezySnow]

Raven got up early the next morning and wrote a note to Hannah explaining that she had to leave to help her family. She thanked her for the opportunity to work here and was sorry she had to leave with no notice, but it was family first. She said she may return depending on what happened but if not then she wished her good luck in her business and hoped it was the great success she could see it becoming.

She started to head down the steps to put the note on the bar but heard voices so instead pinned it to her bedroom door and left through the fire escape. She had given Eugene the directions to her brother's house and also a few numbers to call to contact her if he decided to come visit. She walked up to the garage; she made arrangements last night to meet them here early so she could pay her bill and get an early start.

She got into her jeep, started it up, turned it to head out of town, took a deep breath and drove off.

 

[raiguy]

DJ chuckled, looking at Alexa, after he came down from his orgasm. "I'm not going to lie, that was intense. I think we are going to need a break today, otherwise we are going to wear ourselves out. What sounds like the best course of action for today?" he asked with a smile.

 

[celestialdragon]

"I do probably need to head back to the Tavern, I know Tess wants to go over the dance we've been learning," Alexa said, smiling. "You get to see me dance."

 

[1millionsecrets]

Hannah never turned over the open sign. She never lit up the neon lights and as people showed up for their afternoon drinks they walked away disappointed.

She didn't plan on being open until tomorrow, so she had time to calm down and regain composure. She should have been use to the abuse from her father by now, but at last night's realization of his willingness t end her life, she grew into a deeper level of self abhorrence.

Carefully she restocked, carrying boxes of alcohol from the cellar. It only accessed by the trap door behind the bar. A concrete wall, and a ten feet drop separated her room from the wine cellar.

 

[gearhead73]

It was late in the afternoon and Ethan checked with the service desk to see if there was anything there worth starting on. The good thing about being flat rate was that although you only got paid when you had wrenches turning, you could turn out more than a days worth of pay in half the time if you knew what you were doing.

There wasn't much going on, so he clocked out and hopped into his truck and headed over to his buddy's garage where he kept his baby. He walked in, tossed a wave to his long time friend Randy, and headed back into the rear bay that he rented there to work on his own projects. He flipped the light switch on the wall and waited for the fluorescent bulbs to stop flickering and illuminate the culmination of six years of hard work.

In the center of the two post rack sat his father's 1969 Camaro. When he had hauled it out here from his grandfather's farm, it was little more than a shell. Ethan had lifted the body, sandblasted and powder coated the frame and then started on rebuilding the rest of the chassis. He had spent almost every weekend and holiday laboring on one piece or other of the puzzle that he hoped would eventually become the realization of his dad's dream. From the rear axle to the front A-arms, there hadn't been a single nut, bolt, or screw that he hadn't replaced to make sure that when it was done it would be perfect.

Now as he stood there admiring his work, he wished his late wife could be here to see what he had done. It had always been something that they shared. She hadn't known anything about what it took to take on a project like this, but she had always been there to help, asking questions and just spending time together. Ethan had planned to give it to her as an anniversary present, but she had passed before he had gotten the chance.


The body was now on and had been repaired and was under primer. He had the paint already picked out, but he needed to find someone who could do some airbrushing for him before he could spray the clear coat. Ethan didn't know the guy directly, but he had heard of guy they called Wolf that had a custom bike shop. Those guys always had the best airbrush connections and Ethan wouldn't settle for anything but the best.

 

[merryohmd]

Rex stopped by the flop house that he'd been crashing at for a few months. The manager said rooms were available, so Rex got a key and checked it out. Same as the previous one but on the quiet side of the building away from the street.

He left and headed back to the tavern but found the door locked. He headed around back setting the dogs into an uproar when he jumped the fence. Fortunately the back door was open so after petting the dogs and getting them to calm down he went in. Before going upstairs he got the dogs food and freshened their water.

When he stood up he saw Raven on the fire escape but did not call to her.

"Wonder what she is up to?" Rex asked aloud. The dogs offered no response other then to nudge his hand requesting more pets.

No one was in the tavern when we he walked from the kitchen. Upstairs he saw Raven note on the door. Too bad, she was a real women. Rex had wanted to get to know her better but now might not get the chance.

"Time to pack up and leave to," Rex thought and then said aloud in his best Terminator impression "I'll be back!"

 

[Wolfias]

"Sure, sounds good to me," she said and accepted his hand. Tess didn't let go as they walked up and got in line, it only took a minute before they ordered and then jumped into the other line. Tess got a lamb kebab with vegetables and beef bulgogi.

She took a bite of the lamb and it was really good. She closed the box and looked at Eric,"its really good,"she told him.

They got the rest of their food and carried it down to a shady spot between two oak trees near the pond. Tess sat down lush grass to spread out the containers so they could share if they wanted. "Ready?" She took a sip of her water and waited for him to join her.

As Eric and Tess stood hand in hand, he gave it a very gentle squeeze. ''With that sweet expression on your face, it certainly looks like it.'' Carrying his food to the nice shady spot, let her hand go joining her on the grass. Beginning to eat, the waiter from the Tavern just interrupted, Eric did not like the way he spoke to Tess. Even less the way he was leering at her. ''Yeah, I'm Eric McIntyre.''

Standing as the rude guy intentionally bumps into her, placing his hand on his shoulder in a viselike grip. Turning Rex around and closer with a stern expression, speaking quietly as Eric's dark eyes burned down into Rex's. ''You should learn how to speak respectfully to a lady, especially Tess. An apologies appropriate about now, you think so too don't you Rex?''

I was very obvious Eric wasn't going to let go, not until Rex apologized to Tess at the least. This wasn't usual for Eric being he's a Pacifist, but Tess didn't deserve to be treated like this. And he was going to make damned sure she wasn't, he was also ready for anything this guy might attempt.

(Sorry my post isn't in synch with Tess and Rex's. That's what I'd have posted if was online then.)

 

[feistyphoenix]

Tess tried to act calm but Eric's reaction to Rex was surprising to her. Men didn't usually protect her like Eric did. And it was Rex, she had almost grown used to his advances. She stood up and put her hand on Eric's shoulder.

"Eric, please just let it go," she half whispered to him," It's just Rex, he doesn't mean anything by it. I can handle it."