Free Be My Baby by Andrea Smith Page B

takes some getting used to."
    "Thanks," I replied, smiling. "I actually
spent most of my life living around Louisville, Kentucky."
    "Really?" she asked her eyes widening.
"That's where my sister lives. She's married and her husband was
transferred there with GE. I visit there occasionally. It's a great
city."
    "Well listen to you two," Leanne commented,
"It's like your BFF's already. Danny let's dance and let these two
catch up?"
    Leanne grabbed Danny's arm and they were off
to the dance floor. Kelly sat down on the bar stool that Danny had
just vacated. She acted embarrassed by her friend Leanne's
behavior.
    "Do you want a drink Georgia? I'm buying," I
offered. I could see that she was forever in the shadow of her
friend Leanne. I couldn't figure out why.
    "Ok thanks, I'd like an 'Adios Mother
Fucker."
    "Really?" I asked amused.
    "Yeah," she laughed, "It's actually cheaper
for me. All I need is two of those and I'm good to go."
    Georgia was fun to talk to. It appeared that
Leanne was going to dominate Danny for the evening.
    We were each on our second drink when a
third drink was placed in front of us. The bartender indicated it
was from the two guys at the end of the bar. Both of us looked down
and saw the two of them smiling and waving at us. They were both
darling. Georgia looked over at me.
    "Should we invite them to come and sit with
us?"
    "Oh Georgia," I replied, "That is totally up
to you but I have to tell you that I am not on the market."
    "You're not," she asked her brow furrowed in
confusion. "But if you're not with Danny, I mean -"
    "Look," I said, "It is really complicated.
I’m married with a baby girl. My husband and I are separated after
I caught him making out with one of his colleagues."
    "No," she said horrified, "Really?"
    "I'm afraid so. I'm staying with my dad down
here. My baby girl is with me. I lost my other baby when I was
seven months along. I'm just trying to heal."
    "I totally sympathize with your situation
Tylar," she said sincerely. "We'll just ignore these guys."
    "No, no," I said, "Look invite them over. I
can hold my own. Just because I have issues is no reason for an
opportunity to slip by you."
    "Really?" she asked.
    "Yes really," I replied.
    Georgia smiled over at the two guys and
waved them over. There weren't any empty bar stools but they seemed
satisfied standing behind us. They must have discussed who wanted
who when they ordered the drinks for us because each of them took
their place behind our bar stools.
    I took another drink of my drink and that
old quote from a classic rock song reverberated in my head.
Something about when you can't be with the one that you love then
love the one you're with. I was game.
    The guys introduced themselves as Leonard
and Vincent. It appeared that Vincent was mine. He was tall with a
semi-muscular build. As it turned out, he was a junior at LSU and
was a starter on their football team.
    (Oh My God - a college jock!)
    "How old are you Vincent?" I asked.
    "I will be twenty-two next April," he
answered.
    (Hmm . . . younger than me.
Did that make me officially a 'cougar' where Vincent was
concerned?) . As it turned out, his friend
Leonard worked at LSU and was twenty-five. Just two years younger
than Georgia. I guess we were both 'cougars' tonight.
    We sipped our drinks totally engaged in our
conversations with these two LSU guys. Even though I was not a
native of Baton Rouge, I knew about the LSU Tigers. Trey watched
college and pro football so I was familiar with the league. They
were quite beloved, not just in Baton Rouge, but in the far south
as well.
    "What position do you play?" I asked
him.
    "I'm a defensive back," he replied.
    I wasn't quite sure what that involved so I
faked it.
    "Really? That is so awesome," I replied. "I
mean you put yourself right out there with all of the risk of that
opposing offense."
    "Yeah. You get that don't you?" he said
beaming.
    "We're playing 'Bama at home next weekend. I
would love it if you were there. I can get