Fastest Girl In Town

I took a sip of my beer, relishing the cool liquid as it made its way down my throat. My foot tapped on the bar stool to the beat of the band. They were some local mix of twenty something men who obviously just played to get their minds off their families and bills. But all the same, they were decent. I ran my fingers around the ridges of the bottle, attempting to forget my own stresses.

“Hey there stranger,” said someone behind me.

“What’s up, Mickey?” I smiled. “Didn’t expect to see you round here.”

Mickey was another worker on one of the old estates I once worked at. He was a good spirit, twenty two, and a graduate of kindergarten. Yes, he had even less education than I did.

“What is a gorgeous girl like you doing all by her lonesome on a night like this?” he asked.

“Well, I was supposed to meet Shake, but that boy is twenty minutes late.”

“He’s missing out on some great company, then.”

“Don’t I know it. Guests of mine should be here fifteen minutes early because they are so excited,” I laughed.

“Preach, girl!” he shouted, raising his hands. “Mind if I steal his spot and good time?” Mickey sat down on the stool next to me without waiting for an answer.

“What have you been up to?” I asked, taking another sip.

“Same old, ya know. Working for the man.”

I shook my head, but smiled all the same. Mickey had a way with being against social conventions, but performing every single one of them to perfection. He was a complete hypocrite in the best, good natured way.

“Done any damage lately? Done any stunts to show the man he’s not in control? Shot any other employees?”

Mickey groaned and covered his face with his hands.

One time while joking around, Mickey, one of our coworkers Zach, and I went off into the woods to shoot birds. But Mickey accidentally shot Zach in the foot while we were walking. When Zach hit the dirt, bleeding and complaining, Mickey insisted that Zach would be okay for at least an hour.

His reasoning that Zach should be able to stick it out? Soldiers did it all the time. If Zach couldn’t be as tough as a soldier than Mickey didn’t think he deserved to be called a man. In the end, Zach did tough it out. He got to the hospital, but we also collectively killed seven birds.

“It’s not usually on my day’s to-do list. But sometimes I feel like giving Chew a good shot just to shut him up. I swear, that man gets more and more arrogant with each passing day.”

Chew is a young worker. I think he’s sixteen now. He had been working for a month when I left three years ago.

“He’s really that bad?” I laughed.

“Awful, the worst. I miss having you there,” he tipped his bottle my direction.

“Why? I wasn’t that good of a worker back then. I was weak and inexperienced.”

“But you were good company,” he smiled. “Plus, I enjoyed coming to your rescue when you couldn’t lift something or figure out instructions. It made me feel macho. I liked the ego boost every once in a while.”

“Oh great. I love people only being friends with me because I make them feel better about themselves. That makes me feel like I’m useful in life,” I replied, finishing my drink.

“Come on, not like that. Let me buy you another drink. Come on, old times.”

“No thanks. I really don’t need another one. I have work in the morning.”

“Loosen up a bit, have a second beer. It won’t kill ya.”

“I said no. And I mean it.”

“Where’s the fun loving Stasia I used to know?” he whined.

“Right here. Just not looking to drink too much,” I said, pursing my lips slightly.

“Come on, girlie. It’s just one.”

“I believe she said no,” came Shake’s voice. His arms snaked around my middle. “Sorry I’m late,” he muttered in my ear.

“What’s going on, Shake?” Mickey asked, nodding at him. “Now come on, she’s a big girl. She can have a drink or two.”

Shake just stared at him.

“What’s with the attack?” Mickey growled.

“You’re being a jerk to my friend,” he replied curtly.

“I’m the jerk? I believe you’re the one who was a half an hour late.” With that, Mickey grabbed his beer and stood up. “Not the best friend, huh?”

Mickey walked away. I sighed and rested my head in my hand.

Shake sat down in Mickey’s empty spot. I looked away from him.

“Hey, you angry with me now?” Shake said, tugging at my forearm.

“I can stand up for myself, ya know.”

“Hey, you know I know that. I know you’re strong. I know you’re independent. It just ticked me off that he was being so, so, so, so much like a guy I guess.”

“Shake,” I sighed. “I know ya mean well and all. But really? He’s my friend. He meant no harm.”

Shake threw on a lopsided smile. “But you like me more, right?” He nudged my shoulder. “Right? Yeah? Right?”

I couldn’t help but smile. He just did that to me. I couldn’t explain it. “Of course. How could you not be at the top of the list?”

“Yes,” he clapped his hands. “Hey, I know I’m late today. How bout we try again tomorrow? Fresh night. It’ll be better.”

“Sounds good.”



The next night I was sitting at the local bar in town. I sat up on the bar with Shake on the stool to my right. I passed my bottle from hand to hand, watching the liquid slosh around.

There was something about this past week that just drained me. I was ready to drink myself silly, but knew I couldn’t. The next morning I had to wake up for Mass with my sisters. It didn’t help that good ole Dick, the owner of the bar, didn’t mind selling me or Shake beer since we did work so damn hard. But if we ever got out of control, he would probably stop.

I took a swig of my beer and groaned. “I want more,” I whined.

“Relax there,” he chuckled. “You’ll regret it.”

“It’s not fair, though,” I continued complaining. I couldn’t help it, sometimes I just wanted to have a pity party. “I can never get drunk. I work Monday through Saturday and when I want to drink Saturday night I can’t because I have stupid church the next day. Not that I don’t love The Lord, or anything. It’s just kids my age should be getting wasted all the time.”

“Yes, but since when have you done anything that kids your age are supposed to do?” Shake smiled, nudging me.

“True,” I nodded. I hated admitting he was right, especially when I just wanted to wallow. I started to pout, thought about what he said and then laughed. “Remember when I was ten and learned how to shoot a shotgun? Damn, I was good even then. Even better than you were at age thirteen.”

“Or when you were twelve and could fix any man’s truck in town no problem? You almost put Barney out of business because you didn’t charge anything.”

“And then when I turned thirteen and the town decided to make Anastasia appreciation day just for that year because I was awesome? And I got my own float and everything through town. Loved it.”

“You’ve left quite a mark on this town, Stasia,” he said with an amused nod, bringing his bottle up to his lips. “You’d think a president had grown up here or something.”

“Just you wait and see. You never know who I could decide to be next,” I smirked.

“I can see it now,” he said, spreading his hands out in front of him. “Anastasia Edwards, first female president. Or Anastasia Edwards, first female professional football player. Anastasia Edwards, respected Hollywood producer.”

“Don’t joke. It’s going to happen. Just wait.”

Just then I heard a Luke Bryan cover come from the band. As the beat made its way from the instruments, through the wires, out the speakers, across the bar, and into my ears, I started to feel the need to dance. My foot started tapping along. I couldn’t just sit there anymore. I chugged the rest of my beer and hopped up, ready to go dance.

“Going to the floor?” Shake smiled. He never joined me out on the dance floor. He said he wasn’t much for dancing and he had just as much fun watching me dance. I didn’t believe him. It was bull. What teenage guy wouldn’t want to go out and party just a little?

“Yes, but this time you’re coming with me,” I grinned.

“No I am not,” he said, rolling his eyes. We went through this argument often, but this time he was not going to win. I was going to stand my ground.

“Yes you are!” I pouted, grabbing his arm and pulling as the lyrics to “Country Man” started up. But Shake was much larger and stronger than me and would not budge.

“No.”

“Yes. Now.”

“No.”

“Shake you come with me right now or else I am going to go and make out with that creepy old guy over there,” I threatened, gesturing to the greying, bearded man in the corner of the bar getting drunk by himself.

Shake was almost like a big brother sometimes and hated seeing me with other, undeserving guys. Every time we go to the club or bar he protects me from almost everybody. He never thinks anybody is good enough. And I knew that he wouldn’t be able to stand me being with a man three times my age.

“Fine,” he groaned. I smiled and dragged him out to the dance floor where a few other people were up and shaking their drunken bodies around.

“You need hands, rough not soft
To come and warm you up up in that cold hayloft
Let me hold you little darling in my big strong arms
Can't get these kind of muscles anywhere but a farm”

I sang along with the band. I loved this song. Well, I loved Luke Bryan in general. I had to try and loosen up Shake because he was just sort of shifting his weight back and forth on his legs.

I grabbed his arms and started moving them back and forth with a goofy grin on my face. I twirled myself ostentatiously underneath his arm and then twirled him around. He gave me a glare/smile type look. I could tell he was starting to relax.

“Hey! I’m a country man!” I yelled, running my fingers down his chest. “A city boy can’t do the things I can!”

Shake grabbed me and pulled me close to his body. “I believe that I’m the guy, not you,” he said in my ear.

“Prove it,” I challenged. “So far, I’ve had to pull you out here and show you how it’s done. I seem to be in control here.”

Shake’s eyes darkened in a way I’ve never seen them before. They were typically this nice, beautiful chestnut brown. But soon they seemed clouded over with something.

He grabbed me by my waist and held me even closer to him. At first I was taken by surprise with how close our bodies were. Sure, I had danced with other guys, but never with Shake. And surely never like this with Shake. He was typically so tender and careful with me, but now he was abrupt and rough.

At first I felt slightly awkward. It couldn’t help it; this was Shake! I had known him almost my entire life and now this was happening. He didn’t seem fazed by it though. He just danced with me, letting his hands explore my body and moving with the beat. I soon became comfortable with his calloused hands on my body and smirked. I couldn’t help but feel like I was meant to feel this way with Shake.

We remained on the dance floor, lost in each other’s movements, for the next few songs. We danced through some Jason Aldean, Trace Adkins, Carrie Underwood, and Hunter Hayes. Then the band decided to slow things down a spell. ”1,000 Faces” by Randy Montana flooded the bar and the two of us looked at each other. It was easy to get caught in the moment with high tempo songs. But with the slower ones I wasn’t sure what to do. And since they were mellow, I would end up thinking. And thinking was not something I really wanted to do right now.

But before I could say or think anything, Shake pulled me into his arms and swayed our bodies slowly back and forth.

“I’m really enjoying this, Stasia,” he whispered into my ear.

I smiled. I was enjoying it too. “I’m glad you came to the floor with me,” I replied.

“Well, I couldn’t let your face be molested by that old guy,” he smirked. “I thought your face at least deserved someone young and handsome.”

“Oh yeah? Who is that? Is he around here somewhere?” I joked, turning my head around.

“Very funny,” he frowned.

I immediately regretted my playful tone. It sounded as if Shake really was being serious. I could see the sadness and disappointment overflowing from his eyes. Even his body language changed slightly. His grip loosened and he seemed to flop.

“Sorry, Shake. I didn’t mean it, really.”

“No, I’m just being over sensitive,” he said, wrapping his arms even closer around me. My head and hands rested on his solid, muscular chest. I inhaled his mixture of beer, cologne, and freshly cut grass. My eyes fluttered closed for a moment, taking in this nice moment. I really wish I had more of these.

“Hey, Anastasia?” Shake murmured.

“Mmm?” I said, not moving from my spot.

He paused for a moment. “Never mind.”

“No, Shake, say it,” I said, pulling back and looking up into his eyes. They were back to their normal soft brown. That made me smile.

“Well, I was just wondering if you would maybe like to go out on a date with me?”

I smiled. I had always been attracted to Shake. He was good looking, smart, funny, kind, and everything I always wanted in a guy. Remember how I said I preferred country boys? Well he was definitely the epitome of a country boy. And we were extremely close, not physically like now. We seemed to be able to channel each other’s feelings, joke around, and lightly flirt without trying. But I was never sure if he was just being friendly or if he liked me in that way. Now I knew.

“I’d love to,” I grinned.

“Honestly? No pulling my leg?” He looked down at me with wide, hopeful eyes. Jeez, he could make me melt with those eyes. Whether they were filled with playfulness or anger they always looked breathtaking. He should be an eye model or something. Do they even have eye models? I know there is such thing as a hand model, so why not?

“Definitely not,” I reassured him.

He hugged me close and spun me around. I giggled as my feet left the ground and clutched on to Shake’s neck tightly.

“What has gotten into you?” I laughed as he set me down.

“You,” he smiled, leaning his forehead against mine. His hands rested on either side of my face. The roughness of his hands combined nicely with the smoothness of my face and I couldn’t help but lean to the right into his left hand.

As I gazed into his orbs, I forgot everything. I forgot about my job, my sisters, and my mom. I forgot that I was on the middle of the dance floor in a bar, that I had to get up early tomorrow, and that my next few weeks would be hell due to Son Boy. I just focused on the here and now.

“What do you mean?” I asked. I liked the answer; I just wanted to know the back story.

“Just, you. Your dazzling smile, infectious laugh, constant enthusiasm for the little things, and uncanny ability to light up a room. Everything about you has gotten into me. And I don’t think that they are going to leave,” he whispered, smiling nervously.

I had never seen Shake nervous before. This was a big deal to me.

“Are you going to kiss me, Jonathon Myers?” I asked him.

“No. But Shake Myers is,” he grinned before bringing his lips to mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him back. Good thing I wasn’t drunk. This meant that I would be able to remember the feeling of his lips on mine. I could recall his soft skin working so tenderly against mine.

Shake held me tenderly, as if I was a newborn daughter and he was the proudest father in the world. Shake seemed eager to kiss me, as if he had wanted to for a long while, but he also was not pressuring me into anything. He had lightly moved one arm to the small of my back and the other cupped my jaw.

I couldn’t help curling my fingers into his hair. Shake had these dark locks that curled around the nape of his neck when he let his hair grow too long. Thankfully he had let his hair grow too long and there were my lovely curls.

After a few minutes, we both realized that if this was going to continue, we should probably relocate. But after we broke apart and moved back over near the bar, we realized we had nowhere else to go. We could always make out against the wall in the back of the bar, but that was so trashy. Shake’s house was in the next town over, the opposite direction of mine.

Shake reached down and grabbed my hand, lacing his calloused fingers with my equally calloused fingers. I couldn’t help but chuckle when I thought about that. Shouldn’t the girl’s hand be all nice and silky and smooth? I was so the opposite of what girl’s with guys with Shake should be.

He seemed to pick up on my thoughts. “Don’t worry, I like em that way. Let’s me know you know how to use em,” he winked. I smirked over at him and pulled him into another kiss. I didn’t care where we were anymore or if we looked like drunk, trashy teens. I just wanted his lips on mine.