Falling for Bentley (Part One) Read online

“Cool. I’ll come with you.”

  “What, no plans with Loran tonight?”

  “Nah, I thought it’d be better if I let her get some sleep tonight.”

  “Looks like you could use some, too, with those bags under your eyes,” I mocked.

  Curtis stood up and slapped his chest a few times, “This bull is good to go, all the time.”

  I went to my room to grab my t-shirt, wallet and keys. I walked past the bathroom, “Dude, are you pissing with the door open?”

  “Looks like it, doesn’t it.”

  “I don’t need to hear you take a piss.”

  “I didn’t realize I let my mother stay with me,” chimed Curtis as he flushed the toilet and washed his hands.

  While I was putting on my shoes I asked, “You do realize when you move in with Loran, you won’t be able to do that, right?”

  “Man, I’m going to rule the house. I’m even gonna make her hold it while I take a piss.”

  “You’re an idiot,” we both laughed as we walked out the door.

  “Welcome to the Piggly Wiggly,” said David, an autistic man the school usually has as their water boy during the football season.

  “Hey, David,” Curtis and I replied with smiles.

  “Ready for the football season, Bentley?” David asked excitedly.

  “You bet, buddy. Gonna be my water boy this year?”

  “Yes, I am!” he shouted.

  “Glad to hear it, man,” I said placing my hand on his shoulder.

  “Bentley, can I get a team jacket this year?”

  “I don’t see why not. Just get me your size, and I’ll make sure you get one. Would you like a jersey, too?”

  “Yes!” David yelled.

  I laughed, “All right, catch you later, dude.”

  I was placing more fruits and vegetables into the cart when Curtis came back with bags of chips, “What the hell, dude? The cart looks like a chick’s.”

  “I need these things in my smoothies in the mornings.”

  “No, what you need is some pussy juice in your smoothies,” Curtis ranted as he threw the chips into the cart. “I gotta go grab some bread and lunch meat.”

  “I’m going to go grab some milk.”

  Curtis hollered back to me, “Get some real milk, none of that skim milk shit.”

  I rounded the corner of the milk aisle and saw David talking to Haley.

  “I’m David,” he stuck out his hand.

  “Hi David, my name is Haley,” she delicately placed her hand in his.

  “You are very pretty, Haley.”

  She laughed and placed her hand on her chest, “Thank you.”

  I grinned, thinking how nice she was being to him.

  “David, I was wondering if you could help me?” Haley asked pleasantly.

  “I can help with anything,” David said excitedly.

  “I’m making hot chocolate and I was wondering what is the best milk?”

  “My mama always uses the pink lid milk,” he said proudly.

  “Two percent sounds good to me.” She smiled while grabbing a half-gallon of the pink lid milk.

  “You’re welcome, and thank you for shopping at the Piggly Wiggly,” David said before literally running the other way. Haley laughed as she watched him.

  I pushed my cart beside her, “Fancy meeting you here.”

  “Bentley, hey.”

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Grams is out of some stuff to make hot chocolate and s’mores.”

  “Hot date?” I asked, more for my benefit to see if she was dating anyone.

  “Nope, just the fireplace and a good book calling my name,” she answered.

  “So not dating anyone?”

  “Bentley, are you fishing?”

  “Me? No. I just might know of someone to set you up with, that’s all.”

  She hugged her bag of marshmallows tighter, “I’m not interested, but thank you.” Haley had a funny look in her eyes, I reached out for her arm, but she quickly sidestepped me and said, “I better be going. Have a good night, Bentley.”

  I looked at her, puzzled, “Night.” Then it dawned on me what she said in the garden. Great, another point in the shit pile. I cursed myself.

  Curtis dropped some more stuff into the cart, “Was that Haley?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Are y’all friends now?”

  “I think so.”

  “Cool.”

  “Ready to go?” I asked, pushing the cart down the aisle to the checkout counter. Stopping to get a few more things Curtis forgot, I managed to see Haley walk out of the store with David hot on her heels carrying her grocery bag.

  “MAN, I HATE doing laundry, I wish clothes came disposable. Wear it and throw it out,” Curtis complained while he folded his socks.

  “It’s not that bad.”

  “Dude, all your clothes fit in one load, and you were done like an hour ago. I’ve still got like four loads left.”

  “Shut up and fold,” I heckled, throwing a t-shirt at him.

  “Let’s go grab some wings and beers at Pete’s. I’m sure I can convince Loran to come over tomorrow and help me finish my laundry.”

  “Nah, man, I’m good. I was just thinking of putting a frozen pizza in the oven.”

  “Fine.” Curtis mumbled having a bitch of a time folding his bed sheets, which eventually he just rolled them into a ball. “Whatever, so what’s your plan for tomorrow?”

  “I’m going to head over to the ranch tomorrow and give Haley a hand.”

  “I thought it’s supposed to rain all day tomorrow.”

  “It is, but she has a few errands, and I’m going to tag along.”

  Curtis put down the jeans he was folding and looked at me, “Bentley, what are you doing?”

  “What?”

  “Dude someone like Haley, you don’t play games with. I know we were assholes in high school, but I thought we out grew that.”

  “I’m not being an asshole. I seriously just want to be her friend.”

  “Nothing more?” he questioned.

  “Nothing,” I replied, putting my hands up in surrender.

  “Well, if you ask me…”

  I interrupted him, “I’m not.”

  “If you ask me, you need to figure out your farm thing before you go chasing after Haley. If end up hurting her again, there won’t be a friendship left to have.”

  I WAS STILL snuggled up on the couch with a fresh cup of coffee, listening to the drizzling rain and finishing one of my favorite books, when I heard a knock on the front door. Putting my cup down, I got up and moved to the door, wondering who would be here. I opened the door and was surprised to see Bentley.

  “Bentley, what are you doing here?”

  He lifted a bag from Maggie’s, “Brought you some breakfast. May I come in? I’m getting a bit wet standing out here.”

  I quickly pushed the door fully open as Bentley grabbed the screen door, “I’m sorry. Please, come in.”

  “Nice pajamas.”

  “I like them,” I mumbled as I looked down at my black tank top and my monkey pants. “Can I get you a cup of coffee?” I offered, walking into the kitchen.

  “Please.”

  “How do you take it?” I asked, opening the cup cupboard.

  “Just a bit of sugar.”

  I poured the coffee and was just about put in the sugar when I heard Bentley start reading out loud, “And we were both completely and utterly…naked. My girl part was pressing against his thigh and my traitorous body wanted to rub itself against him. Oh my God…I’m a megahoe.”

  I dropped the spoon and went running into the living room to grab my book from his hands, “Bentley, give me that book!”

  He held it above his head and kept reading, “I lowered my head until our faces were inches apart, breathing the same breath and I drank him in. My eyes lowered to his lips and I didn’t hesitate reintroducing them to mine. I kissed him, a soft closed mouth kiss, but deep nonetheless.”r />
  I jumped against his body, “Bentley, I mean it, give me back my book!”

  Laughing, he bent towards my face, speaking softly, “Breathing the same breath…”

  I stared at his lips, watching them twitch as he said each word.

  “Your book…”

  “Huh?” I asked, still looking at his lips.

  “Here is your book,” he slid it into my hand.

  “Thanks,” I whimpered, taking a step back. “What did you bring for breakfast?” I asked, desperately needing a change in topic.

  Bentley lifted the bag off the coffee table, “Maggie’s breakfast wraps.”

  “I-I’ll just go grab us some plates and your coffee. I’ll be right back.” Walking back into the kitchen, I noticed butterflies in my tummy.

  Licking some of the ketchup from my fingers I asked, “You never really answered my question.”

  “What’s that?” Bentley replied, licking his bottom lip.

  “What are you doing here, it’s raining. I told everyone not to come today.”

  “I thought I’d run errands with you today,” he answered as he picked up his coffee cup and took a sip.

  “Why?”

  “Because I said I would yesterday.”

  “When?” I asked surprised.

  “When I was giving you back the towel I borrowed.”

  “Oh,” I muttered, feeling my cheeks turning warm.

  I DAMPENED MY hair and put some mousse in it to make it somewhat bouncy and curly. I added some mascara and lip-gloss and I was pretty much ready to go. I went to my closet and grabbed a pair of dark wash skinny jeans, a t-shirt, and my favorite sweatshirt before heading back downstairs to the living room where I last left Bentley.

  “You ready to go?” I bounced off the last step.

  Bentley turned the TV off and stood up, staring at me. “You look great.”

  “Thanks. I’ll just grab my rubber boots from the back door then we can go.”

  “Do you need me to grab your purse or something?” asked Bentley.

  “Nah I’m good. I never carry a purse; those things are a pain in the ass. I just put my debit card and some cash in my back pocket and chap stick in this pocket,” I answered, as I tapped my front jean pocket.

  Bentley opened his passenger door for me and offered me the seat belt. “I’d offer to put it around you, but that’s a little out of the friend code.”

  “We wouldn’t want that.” I took the seat belt from him and clicked it into place as Bentley shut the truck door and walked around the hood to his side. The smell in Bentley’s truck was yummy, coconut maybe, and very clean.

  “Where to?” Bentley asked while hopping in.

  “I need to go to the hardware store and see if they have any barn paint.”

  “Red, I’m assuming,” he said, putting on his own seat belt.

  “Yes, but do you think the guys would mind if I got white as well so they could paint the trim? I don’t like how everything is either all red or all white.”

  “Is white trim what you want?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then white trim is what you’ll get, Hales,” Bentley smiled as we drove away from the house.

  “So, Bentley, tell me about yourself. Like what you did after high school?” As soon as I asked the question, I noticed his hands clenching the steering wheel. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” I said in a small voice.

  He let out a breath before answering, “No, it’s okay. This is what friends do, right? They talk to each other, let each other know stuff, right?” He took a deep breath and began, “I got a football scholarship to the University of Texas in Austin.”

  “Longhorn.”

  “All the way, baby,” Bentley beamed. “I was accepted as a general defensive player, but I more or less played middle linebacker.”

  “Rough spot to be in,” I cringed.

  “Sometimes.”

  “Did you get hurt often?”

  “A separated shoulder once, and my knee makes a funny popping sound sometimes.”

  “What did you take in college?” I probed, shifting towards him.

  “I went for my bachelor of science in agricultural studies.”

  “Wow.”

  “Haley, you sound impressed, like a dumb jock can’t get an education,” he teased.

  “Those are your words, not mine, Bentley,” he gave me a pained look. “That’s just a demanding course load. It must have been hard while playing football.”

  “It was at times, but it paid off in the end.”

  “And then what?”

  “Well, I was almost drafted into the NFL…”

  “What happened?” I wanted to sit closer to him, knowing there was an interesting story waiting.

  “Nothing. My dad got hurt, and I had to come home and help them on our farm.”

  “Oh.” I went to reach out my hand, but pulled it back. “How did he get hurt?”

  “Long story short, one of the grain truck hoists was stuck in the upright position and wouldn’t come down, so my dad climbed on top to see what the problem was and slipped. His back hit the ground pretty hard, and he was knocked out for a bit. He still doesn’t remember exactly what happened.”

  “Is he alright now?”

  “Yes and no. He can’t really do any heavy lifting anymore, or bend too much without excruciating pain.”

  “That must be so frustrating.”

  “You don’t know the half of it, Haley.” He breathed deeply.

  The rest of the trip to town was quiet, both of us lost in our own thoughts. I was happy when Bentley finally turned on the radio. A Miranda Lambert song started to play and before I knew it, I was bouncing my knee to the beat and started singing along. Bentley sang with me on each chorus while I smiled as I looked out the window smiling.

  We pulled up to the hardware store and Bentley put the truck in park. “I’ll get your door for you.” I took my seat belt off and readjusted my sweatshirt before hopping out of the truck with Bentley’s assistance.

  “Why thank you, kind sir, I’m much obliged.”

  “You’re welcome, pretty lady,” he mocked back with a twang.

  He went to grab my hand, but I stopped him.

  “I just wanted to say I’m sorry. It’s not easy talking about my dad and my almost career.”

  I turned to face him, “Why would you say that?”

  “Come on, Haley, everyone knows I am just a washed up farm hand.”

  I placed my hands on his chest, “Bentley, I don’t think that, and I’m sure no one that really matters does, either.”

  SEEING THE SINCERITY in her eyes almost made the words feel true, like none of it mattered. I placed my hands on top of hers, leaned in closer and quietly said, “Thank you.”

  “Well, if it isn’t my two favorite students.” I looked up and saw my eleventh grade science teacher, Mrs. Harris, stopping on the sidewalk in front of us. Haley turned around, but I noticed she didn’t step away from me as she said hi.

  “Haley, I heard you were in town for the summer.”

  “I am,” Haley said proudly.

  “Did I also hear you are teaching at Lawrence Academy?”

  “Yes Ma’am. I’ve been there for four years.”

  I could feel Haley slouch a little, so I placed my hand in hers and ran tiny circles on the top of her hand with my thumb, giving her support.

  “It’s a pretty impressive school to be teaching at for your age. How do you like it?”

  “I love it.” I felt Haley take in a deep breath; apparently, I wasn’t the only one with secrets. “What are you doing now, Mrs. Harris?”

  “I am the new principal at the elementary school now.”

  “How wonderful, my favorite grade to teach is second.”

  “What do you teach now?” asked Mrs. Harris.

  “My first two years, I taught second, then kindergarten, and last year was my first year teaching seventh grade English.”

  “Ho
w was that?”

  “A hormonal train wreck.” Both ladies laughed.

  “So is high school.” Mrs. Harris laughed.

  “Are you going back in the fall or are you staying around here?” Good thing I was standing close, I really wanted to know the answer.

  Haley let go of my hand and started fiddling with the sleeves of her sweatshirt.

  “When they asked me to teach junior high last year, I was told I could go back to teaching elementary school this coming year. But on the last day of school, the dean came and told me they hired a new teacher for the position and they wanted me to continue teaching junior high.”

  I could hear a little tremble in her voice, and I knew Mrs. Harris did, too, when she placed her hand on Haley’s arm. “Well, Haley, you must be one great teacher if that is the case. Any school would be lucky to have you.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Well, I must go before it starts raining again. It was great seeing you both. Haley, when you have a chance, stop in and visit me.”

  “You still live on Linsey Street in the yellow house?” Haley asked.

  “I do.”

  “Then I guess I’ll see you later, Mrs. Harris,” Haley said as she walked away.

  Haley took a few steps away from me, but I reached out and grabbed her hand again, “Haley?” She turned around and faced me, “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “Not much to say,” she half smiles. “I’m going back to the city, which I hate living in; to a school where they care more about what I wear than actually relating something to my students; and I have a neighbor that is constantly hassling me to go out with him.”

  I instantly felt angry and jealous. “Has he hurt you?” I gritted out.

  “No, no nothing like that.” Haley shook her head before changing the subject. “I’m going into the hardware store, coming?”

  “In a minute.”

  “Find me in there, okay?” she smiled at me.

  “I’ll be there in a minute, promise.”

  I watched her walk away as I flexed my hands a few times and took a few deep breaths to calm myself. I sat back in the truck to think. Here I am, in the same situation as Haley. Lost in what we want, backing down from the fight of what we need and what makes us happy. Maybe Haley did understand what I’m feeling; maybe she truly believes I’m not a washed up farm hand.