Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Wednesday Briefs: The Sheriff #10 (3.5)

Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

Roy is beginning to wonder if this blind date was such a good idea, see what comes of it in this week's episode of The Sheriff. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what they've been up to! Their links follow my tale!  Enjoy!

The Sheriff #10 (3.5)

“Something wrong?” Marshall asked.

Roy shrugged. “Guess not, let’s go join Lee.”

Marshall opened his mouth, as if he had something to say, then closed it again. “Right this way.”

Roy followed Marshall to his table, making an effort not to look toward the dance floor.  When they got there, Lee seemed surprised to see him. He glanced behind Roy, as if he expected someone else to be there. Of course, Roy knew who Lee was looking for. He nodded toward the dance floor. “She’s dancing,” he said tersely.

“Huh,” was Lee’s only response but he gave Roy a sharp look.

Roy took a seat in one of the empty chairs and set the appletini on the table . Nothing else to do with it, not really.  Seemed silly to hold it. “Place is really jumping tonight,” he said randomly.

“Yup, that it is,” Lee agreed.  “What’s that?” He nodded toward the extra drink.

“Appletini,” Roy replied. “Not mine.”

Roy didn’t know if he was more embarrassed or relieved at the turn of events. He hadn’t exactly figured on having his date end up with another man before the night had even begun. What did that say about him? For that matter, what did it say about her? Maybe he should just chalk this up to experience and stay the hell away from online dating sites. There had to be a better way of finding a date, but damned if he knew what it was. On the other hand, celibacy didn’t exactly appeal to him either. Sort of a Catch 22 situation all the way around.

The music had ended, and in the pause between songs, some people began to leave the dance floor, while others stood where they were and waited for the next selection.

“Hey, Roy, here you are!”

Roy glanced up in surprise to find Earlene had appeared out of nowhere and taken a seat next to him. She gave him a wide grin as she reached for her drink. “Sorry to keep you waiting. I thought it might take you a while, considering how busy this place is. Leroy asked me to dance, so I said yes.”

Roy glanced around, but her dance partner was nowhere in evidence. At least she’d had the sense not to bring him to the table with her. Roy worked at quelling his rising irritation. No sense in getting riled up over what was done. It was just a dance. He’d get over it.

“Hi guys, I’m Earlene.”

Belatedly, Roy realized he should have made introductions.

“These are my friends,  Lee and Marshall. Guys, this is Earlene.” Better late than never.

“Nice to meet you,” Earlene said as she began to slide closer and closer to Roy, until their legs were touching. Her warmth made him reconsider what he’d been thinking, all of his previous concerns falling by the wayside. Despite his irritation with her, his body was responding to her, which he didn’t appreciate.  He didn’t think it was really her he was reacting to, it had just been a while, and… well, a man had needs.

Time to nip those in the bud, at least until he got to know her better. She hadn’t exactly made a great first impression, despite what his dick was trying to say.

Roy rose so quickly that Earlene had to catch herself or she’d have tumbled into his vacant seat. “Be right back,” he said, but whether he was speaking to his friends or his date, he couldn’t say. Not waiting for a response, he pivoted and took a step and managed to collide with someone who was walking by at the wrong time. Without thinking, he reached out and grabbed the other person, to keep from falling,  move which was reciprocated.

“What the hell?” a familiar voice barked.

Roy was startled to see he had his arms around Dustin. The younger man looked just as surprised as he did.

“Hey cutie!” Earlene chirped. “We meet again!”

Roy suppressed a groan. Did she know every man in this damn place?

to be continued

Now see what the other Briefers are up to!






No comments:

Post a Comment