with Jack McBride.”
“Maybe you’re having a dry spell,” Frank chuckled . “You’re daddy always had a cure for that.”
“I know my daddy’s cure and I ain’t going there,” slurred Jack . “A man’s got his pride.”
“Then I don’t know what to tell you, Jack,” he scratched at his beard . “You’re the one who usually has all the answers when it comes to the ladies.”
“That he does,” said a sweet female voice behind him.
Jack felt the touch of fingers along the back of his hair and down his neck.
“Say there, Irene,” Jack turned his head and smiled at the pretty brunette now taking a seat beside him . “Frank, get this sweet little thing a drink.” Jack smiled as his eyes roamed over her breasts.
“What’ll you have Irene?”
“I’ll have a beer and a shot of whatever Jack is having,” she smiled at Frank and then at Jack. “I thought you weren’t coming out tonight.”
“I changed my mind.”
“So who’s this woman who said no to you?” She wrinkled up her nose and flashed him a pair of doe eyes.
“You don’t know her . She’s new to town.” He did his shot swallowing hard while he thought about Kate and frowned.
“Well don’t you worry that sweet little head of yours,” said Irene . “I’ll take care of you tonight, baby.”
“You always do.” Jack gave her a sloppy grin as he wrapped his hand around her neck and massaged .
“Boy, you are ploughed.” Irene laughed seeing glazed over frog eyes beam back at her. “How long has he been here Frank?”
“Since this afternoon . I’ve asked him several times if he wants me to call Mark, but he keeps refusing.”
“I may be drunk, but I can still hear you two talking about me,” growled Jack . “I don’t want you calling Mark.”
“Why don’t you let me take care of you, sugar ?” Irene ran her hand along his leg.
“See, now that’s more like it,” Jack smiled and nodded at Frank. “Dry spell is over. Come here darling…” He wrapped his hand through her hair and lifted her chin with the other. He slammed his mouth against hers hard, kissing her with everything he had. It was long and she melted into him. Jack finished the kiss and stared into chestnut eyes.
“Shit!” he exclaimed feeling nothing . No spark, no longing to get up in her skin, flat out nothing. All he could think of was Kate; Kate and her Santa Cruz blues, Kate and her freckled up nose, Kate and her fiery temper. All he wanted was Kate. Jack’s hands slid back on the bar top and he ran his fingers through his hair.
“What’s wrong?” feigned Irene.
“Frank, I need you to make that call for me now,” said Jack as he ignored the woman beside him. “But I don’t want you calling Mark.”
“Who do you want me to call?” Frank looked as puzzled as Irene.
Jack took his cell phone from his pocket and placed it on the bar. “Call Kate,” said Jack as his head started to spin. “Get the number from my cell phone, but call her from the bar.”
“Why from the bar?” said Frank.
“’Cause I doubt she will answer it if she sees it’s me calling,” he said forcing himself to sober up.
Frank picked up the bar phone and dialed the number . It rang for the longest time and he almost expected it to go to voice mail when a sleepy voice answered the phone.
“Hello,” said Kate being woken from a dead sleep.
“Hi ma’am, you don’t know me, but I’m Frank from The Bucket of Blood,” he rolled his eyes and thought he sounded ridiculous. “We got a patron here who’s had a little bit too much to drink. Jack needs a ride home.”
“So why are you calling me?” she said with her eyes still closed. “Call Mark.”
“She wants me to call Mark,” Frank whispered to Jack.
“Give me the damn phone.” Jack leaned over the bar top and grabbed the phone. “Kate, this is Jack.”
“What do you want?” she whined wanting to go back to sleep.
“I’m drunk,” he slurred. “I need you to give me a lift
C. J. Cherryh
Learning to Kill: Stories
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