Into the Nothing (Broken Outlaw Series Book 1) (10 page)

“You better be,” Teresa says, smiling and then turns her attention to me. “So, Xander, you excited for the festival tonight?” Teresa asks.

“Yeah, I am. It sounds like it’ll be a good time. It’s been fun watching Jack the more we’ve gotten things together for the festival. No nerves at all. With how big this competition is, you’d think he’d at least be a little nervous. I guess that’s what winning five years in a row will get you, huh?”

“Six,” Teresa corrects me with a smile. “Honestly, he’s always been that way. Even when the winery first started. He’s one of the most level-headed people I’ve ever met. As I’m sure you’ve come to find out, he puts everything he has into the vineyard. Win or lose, he’s proud of it.”

“Well, I’m looking forward to having a bottle or two tonight.” I smile and rise from my stool.

“Or three or four or five,” Paige says with a sly smile. Teresa gives her the typical stern motherly look and Paige just shrugs.

“What, Mom? It’s the wine festival!”

“You just better be careful, young lady. I won’t be bailing you out.”

“Oh my God, Mom. Seriously? I think we’ll be okay. Right, Xander?”

“Don’t you worry Teresa. I’ll make sure she stays out of trouble.” I stand and slip the stool back under the work station. “Anyways, I should probably get back before boss-man starts cutting my pay.”

“Oh, you’re definitely docked at least a hundred dollars already. Keep it up and you’ll soon be working for free,” Teresa says, laughing and pretending to crack a whip. She stands and walks over to me, wrapping me up in a hug.
She’s a hugger, all right.

“Uh huh. Figures you’d talk crap and then hightail it out of here.”

“Bye, Paige,” I say, a smile spread wide across my face.

“Bye, Xander.”

The sky is full of beautiful amber and fiery orange as the sun dips into the horizon. The evening breeze sways the tree branches rhythmically. It’s so damn beautiful in this part of the country at this time of year—better than any place I’ve been so far.

The rocker creaks and groans against the guesthouse porch as my foot bobs back and forth. I fall into somewhat of a trance, the beauty of the country settling me.

I have an ice cold beer in my hand, one of several I’ve had while waiting. I try my best to keep my white button-up stain free, which, for me, is a feat in and of itself…beers or not. It’s one of the many things Jack and I have in common.

I’m not often a man who spends a lot of time in front of the mirror, but tonight I had reason. Though it pains me to admit it, I spent twenty-something minutes getting my hair just right—and shamefully scowling back at myself, of course.

But what can I say? I’ve never craved someone like I do Paige, and while I know all the reasons she and I can’t hook up, it just makes the prospect of it that much more appealing.

It makes her untouchable. And I like untouchable. That’s not something a man can even help.

Jack and Teresa have already made their way to the festival. We set everything up earlier, but Jack has to get his pinot noir in to the judges. Paige and Brandi are on something like the second hour of getting ready, but with a few beers and the evening as beautiful as it is, I don’t mind the wait.

We can’t leave until Ethan gets here anyway. Brandi made sure he would be available to DD tonight. Probably a good idea as I can hear the girls whooping it up in the main house with 90’s hip-hop blaring, likely on their second or third glass of wine.

It usually takes five minutes to get into town, but it took us a good twenty this go-around and ten more to find a good parking spot. Plenty of time for the women to fill the SUV with a flurry of rap lines, make-up touch-ups and tipsy selfies… and for us men to sit in the front in awkward silence. If traffic were any indication, the entire town truly does come out for this thing.

Roads are blocked off and people walk the brightly lit downtown area in all directions. Rows of tables with tents and various community entities are in every direction. There’s Whittaker’s serving sliders and craft beer, Brooke’s Books with new and used paperbacks, and Sunshine Cleaners with business cards and smiling faces. Archie’s Sporting Goods has set up a basketball net, and there’s a line of excited kids alongside the table. VFW Post 63 is located beside them, taking donations, and you can’t miss the Club Rapid girls with over-sweetened shots and skimpy clothes.

Then you have all the wineries. They make up the bulk of the tables, and each one offers free samples. The sight instantly gets me excited. My buzz is already well on its way and free alcohol shines like a beacon of continued happiness. In the middle of everything, set up in the town square is a huge dance floor with a stage set behind it and a band pumping out 80’s rock.

“Dad and Mom are way in the back… in front of the shop. It’s way too far of a walk not to stop for a few samples first,” Paige says, winking at me and pulling Brandi to the first booth. The banner reads: Aerie’s Wineries - Grafton, Illinois. “Four Adlerschreiens, please.” She turns back to me. “This is one of my favorites!”

By the time we make it to the Watsons’ tents, we’ve had about a hundred samples. A warmth coats my face and crawls slowly up and down my arms. The corners of my mouth ache from smiling. I’m not even quite sure what I’ve been smiling about.

Just below the massive Watson Metalworks sign, there are two tables with tents over them. One table sports a banner for the winery and has the three different wines we produce in a hundred tiny plastic cups. On the other table, there are two sculptures. One is of a dragon poised to attack, and the other is a medieval warrior made from various everyday items. His helmet is a small stainless steel bowl, his jaw part of a bike chain with screws for teeth. In his hand, he’s wielding a mace made out of an egg beater and screws.

“Hey, guys! You finally made it!” Teresa says, her voice registering at a high drunken octave. She walks around the table and gives both girls their hugs. Ethan and I are next. “Grab some wine! Xander, have you been able to try any yet?” Without letting me answer, she snatches up a few plastic cups and distributes them to each of us.

“I’ve had a few, but I’ve saved the best for last!” I take the cup from her and down it.

“That’s what I like to hear,” Teresa says slipping two more cups into my hands.

“Paige, have you taken him to Aeries?” She looks at me. “Aeries is our favorite. After ours, of course”

“Yes, Mom, that was our first stop?” Paige scans the crowd, nervously. It seems as if she’s looking for something—or someone.

“I haven’t seen him yet,” Teresa says.

Paige turns quickly to look at her. “I just didn’t want any surprises.”

“Fuck him! He’s not going to ruin our night!” Brandi says, a drunken slur beginning to make itself known. She grabs another cup anyways. Ethan tries to grab one as well, but Brandi shoots him a glare. “You better watch it, you gotta drive me home!”

Ethan rolls his eyes, but does as he’s told and lets go of the cup.

“Mom, we’re going to go walk around a little bit. Where’s Dad?” Paige asks.

“He’s talking with the judges in the judges’ tent. If you head there now, you should be able to catch him.”

Brandi passes around two more cups a piece to all those allowed to drink and we finish them off before departing.

The judges’ tent isn’t far and sits just behind the stage. The blaring amps send vibrations throughout my body. The pulse of the drums makes me wish I had my guitar. I’ve never experienced playing on stage, or with a band. I was always too nervous to play in front of people. But it’s something I’ve dreamed about since I was a little kid. Losing myself to the music. Letting the sound, the beat, the words, and the pain take over. And then—to let it all go.

Just as we reach the tent, Jack comes barreling out, his face bright red and a huge six-beers-down grin plastered on his face. He takes Paige into his arms, lifting her slightly off the ground and shaking her gently.

“My princess!”

“Daddy!” Paige giggles. “Let me down!”

He finally does and puts his hand out for me. I take it, and he pulls me in for a bro hug. Surprised, I accept it, and out of the corner of my eye, I can see Ethan shooting me a sour look, his brow furrowed.

I give Jack a couple extra pats on the back for good measure and then pull away.

“Xander, my boy, good work this week. Now, come get a beer with me. This fucker Stan, whom I usually deny being friends with, makes a damn good APA. Oh, Ethan, you come too, man.”

Jack leads the two of us away, and I hear Brandi chuckling behind us. I turn and wave, primarily to Paige, but they both wave back.

“Bye bye, afterthought!” Brandi’s words have some bite to them, and Ethan glares back at her. Jack hardly notices, while I’m stifling a laugh of my own.

After three beers with Jack and Stan, along with the generous amount of wine samples, I’m stumbling a bit as I make my way through the crowd. Ethan struggles to keep up. I walk with a purpose and I know only one speed.

“Hey, man,” he says, still trying to catch up.

I don’t slow my step, or even turn back to him. From over my shoulder, I ask, “What’s up?”

“Hey, man,” he repeats, “can we slow down a little? We don’t even know where they are.” Ethan finally makes it to my side, and I see sweat has taken up most of his forehead and his glasses are fogged. A greasy sheen coats his forehead. I slow up a little as he removes his glasses and wipes them down with his shirt.

“I don’t have either of their numbers,” I say. “Did you text them?”

“Yeah. They haven’t texted back. You don’t have Paige’s number?”

“No.”

“Why not?

“I don’t know. There hasn’t been a need, I guess. Why?”

“Oh, just curious. You guys seem to be hitting it off. I figured you would’ve already exchanged numbers by this point… if not more.”

The condescending way he says that stops me in my tracks. After a few steps, he stops too.

“You got a problem with me, man? I work with the Watsons… Paige is a friend. Whatever it is you have in your head, get rid of it.” I keep my tone neutral—or as neutral as I can—but I’d like to take his glasses off his fucking face and throw them. Would I be allowed to hit him then?

“I just want to know what your intentions are with Paige. She’s a dear friend of mine. It’s my business to ensure her…um…safety. I feel that way for all the Watsons.”

I want to tell the fucker I’m pretty sure Paige only keeps him around out of pity—and Brandi because he’s her lap dog. But I hold back. I’m not going to stir up any shit with a friend of the family.

“Listen, you don’t know me, man, and I don’t know what relationship you have with the Watsons. While I can respect it, you also need to know I’m not going to put up with this shit. I’m not trying to judge you, because I don’t know you. Do me a favor and show me the same respect.”

I turn and walk away without letting him get a word in. When I spot the Watsons’ tents and Teresa drinking from a large wine glass behind the table, I breathe a sigh of relief.

“Hey, man,” Ethan calls out from behind me, his voice grating my nerves. “No need to get harsh with it. I’m just looking out.”

I don’t bother looking back—or even answering, for that matter. Instead, I greet Teresa with a smile. “Hey, Teresa…have you seen Paige and Brandi?” I ask, just as Ethan catches up.

“Hey, guys! They were just here to grab a bottle, and I believe they were headed toward the dance floor.” She looks at her wrist as if a watch is there. “It’s about that time anyways, if I know my daughter!” She smiles widely and offers up a glass of wine—in a real glass this time—which I happily accept.

“Are you having a good time?” she asks, eyeing me as I take a big drink. She readies the bottle for another pour. Their pinot noir truly is a thing of beauty.

“I’m having a great time!” I nearly shout, but not on purpose. “Jack took us over to Stan’s, and we had about a keg of craft beer. It was like I was in heaven. The guy had some great war stories too. I could’ve sat there all day.”

“Oh god, Stan is something else. Only believe half of what you hear. He’s harmless though. Well, go find the girls, and here”—she fills my glass almost to the top—“take some for the road.” She lifts the bottle up for Ethan, but he waves her off. I lift the glass to Teresa in thanks and make my way to find Paige and Brandi with Ethan close behind.