Free Ready for Love by Erin O'Reilly

I’m just not used to the nightlife anymore. What do you say we get a snack?” She let out a small laugh. “I forgot to eat before I went out.” She shrugged. “Too excited about tonight, I guess.”
    “Chips and queso ?” Lynne asked.
    “Sounds good.” Kylie’s eyes strayed to the door. “Want me to get it?”
    “Nope, I’ve got it.” Jodie waved at one of the waitresses and placed the order.
    Fifteen minutes later, the band was warming up, but the singer wasn’t there. Finally, she hurried back into the room, looking disheveled. Her shirt was cockeyed, and if it was at all possible, her hair was messier than earlier.
    “She looks like she had a quickie during the break.” Jodie wiggled her eyebrows, then laughed. “Guess what you heard was right.”
    They all turned their heads and watched as the singer picked up the mic and with a smile began to sing.
    “Well if the sultry song she’s singing is anything to go by, it must be love.” Lynne touched Kylie’s hand. “What do you think?”
    “I think she must be a slut.” Kylie couldn’t keep the vehemence out of her voice.
    “Tell us how you really feel.” Lynne was regarding her with concerned eyes.
    Kylie looked over to see if LJ had come back inside and frowned when she didn’t see her.
    “Kyl, are you okay?” Jodie asked worriedly. “It’s not like you to judge someone so harshly.”
    Kylie ran a hand over her face. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what got into me. It just seems wrong to me that she’d screw someone during the break.” She laughed. “I guess I’m getting too old for this scene.” She shrugged. “Maybe I’m a prude and out of touch with reality.”
    “No, you’re not. I’m with you, it really is in poor taste,” Jodie said. “You just found out your boss is gay, Kylie. Are you going to keep working there?”
    “Of course I am. I don’t care about who she dates. It’s none of my business.”
    For the rest of the night, Kylie couldn’t get the image of the singer pawing at LJ out of her mind. The vision just kept playing in one continuous loop, and she was relieved when her friends suggested they call it a night.

    †

    LJ parked her truck and walked purposefully toward the Rusty Nail. It was exactly where she needed to be for some sort of distraction from her unruly thoughts. Once inside, she nodded to the bartender, who handed her the usual Shiner beer, then she proceeded to the dancehall and sat at a table just inside the doorway. As she looked around at the Friday night crowd, she immediately saw Kylie. How could she miss her? Ever since the blonde’s arrival the week before, LJ couldn’t get her out of her mind. It was almost impossible to concentrate or stay focused at the museum. Often she’d pace among the relics trying to get a handle on her agitated feelings before Kylie showed up for work.
    The fact she couldn’t seem to escape Kylie even here was a problem, but she was determined to ignore her A feral look crossed her face as she took in the band.
    A slob of a man approached her. “Hey, baby, good to see you here tonight. Can I buy you another one?”
    “Get lost,” LJ said without even looking at him.
    “Why don’t you come sit with me, honey, and I can show you a really good time.” He was leering at her, his breath stale with beer and cigarettes. He grabbed himself and winked at her before reaching out to touch her.
    LJ grasped his balls and squeezed them hard. The man’s face turned red as he grimaced in pain. “I said get lost!” She gave one last hard squeeze before letting go.
    The man turned and walked away while awkwardly covering himself in what looked like an effort to stop the pain. She watched him leave, then looked at Kylie Wilcox sitting with two other women. When the band began playing, LJ looked away and took a long swallow of her beer before turning her attention to Cassie, aroused and in need of relief. Soon she was lost in the music and thoughts of what was to come.