Page 79 of Beneath the Blue Moon

***Casey***

“Case, what’s with all these snacks?” Sandy asks. “It’s like

you’re traveling with a bunch of kids.”

“I’m drowning my sorrow in junk food, okay? Don’t judge me.”

“Well, at least you’re eating now. I thought I’d have to

force-feed you when I got here.”

“I’m glad you’re here, Sandy.”

We haven’t even gotten home from the airport yet, and I’m

feeling so much better already. I wish I hadn’t moved so far away from her.

“You need me. Where else would I be?”

“Thanks. Now be a good friend and pass me the chips.”

“How’s the ankle?”

“Better. I can put a little weight on it. You and I are

gonna hit the bar tonight if you’re not too tired.”

“I’m good. Ready to see what this town has to offer.”

“Great! Oh, I can’t wait for you to see Daddy. He’s done

like a total one-eighty. That’s probably the best thing to come out of this

move.”

“And Ethan?”

Ethan is the sun, the moon, and the stars. Without him,

my days and nights are cold, dark, and lonely.

“Ethan was great… while he lasted.”

“You’re still not gonna tell me what happened?”

“Nope.”

“I’m sure I’ll get to meet him, though, being a small town

and all.”

“Probably.” I shrug.

I don’t know who I’m trying to fool with this nonchalant

act. Sandy knows exactly how much I’m hurting.

“What about you? Please tell me there’s a hot guy waiting

for you to come home. I can live vicariously through you.”

“Oh, God, I wish! The prospects are grim, Case… horribly

grim.”

“Well, with all the hotties around here, who knows? You

might find your Mr. Right.”

“Like you did?”

“Yeah, like I did.”

“What happened, Case? Why won’t you talk to me?”

“I… can’t.”

“Okay, but when you’re ready, I’m here.”

“Thanks.”

When we arrive home, Daddy rushes forward to hug Sandy. “Sandy,

sweetheart! Good to see you.”

“Dad! Wow, you look amazing!”

“Guess all this country air has been good to me.”

“I guess so.”

“Sandy, this is Clara,” I introduce them as the older woman

approaches. “I have no clue what Daddy and I would do without her.”

“Nice to meet you, dear.”

“It’s nice to meet you, too, Clara.”

“Dinner’s ready if y’all are hungry.”

“Good. I’m starving.”

“After everything you ate in the car?” Sandy asks.

“Don’t judge me, Sandy,” I remind her.

“Fine, fine. Let’s eat.”

Her last two words reach into my brain and retrieve the image

of Ethan’s face hovering above mine when he dipped me at the barbecue. I miss

his lips, his kiss. I want his kind of kiss. The

kind that sets my body on fire and leaves me breathless. The kind that empties

my mind of everything and everyone but him. The kind that makes me want, yearn

for more. I want his kiss. His kiss that turns me into a moaning, quivering

mess. I want... I need his kiss.

I don’t even want to think about the sex. I miss Ethan sex—passionate,

sweaty, unbelievably incredible Ethan sex. Before I can sink into a dark hole

of depression, I grab Sandy’s hand and drag her to the kitchen table.

After dinner, we start getting ready to go out. Since it’s

just the bar, we don’t need to get all dolled up. I do, however, need to make a

splash. It’s part of my plan to push Ethan away—look hot, dance with a bunch of

guys, and act like I’m having the time of my life. If he thinks I’ve moved on,

then he will, too, right? I grab my black Lycra and fishnet top. It basically looks

like a bikini top with a strip of fishnet attached to the bottom. Since my

ankle is still wrapped, I cover it with low-rider jeans. I can’t wear heels

either, so I choose some black flip-flops. After I finish my makeup, I let my

hair down and sit on the bed while I wait for Sandy.

She emerges from the bathroom in a white, belly-baring

halter top and denim shorts. Her necklace matches the blue of her eyes

perfectly. Like me, she left her hair down, her blonde tresses just below

shoulder-length. We’re the same height at 5?6?, but her heels give

her a couple of inches over me tonight. Her full lips glisten as she applies

lip gloss and checks her reflection.

“Ready?” I ask.

“Yup. I’ll be DD tonight if you wanna get wasted.”

“Thanks. I think that’s exactly what I need.”

At the bar, we snag a booth in the corner, and I order a

couple of beers. A few people stop by to ask about my ankle, and I introduce

Sandy. Into my third beer, Sandy leans toward me.

“Don’t look but there are two gorgeous guys heading

this way.”

When they get to our table, I look up into two pairs of

intense brown eyes.

“Hey, Casey,” Charlie greets me.

“Hey, Charlie… Brick.” Brick nods and gives me a weird smile,

like he doesn’t quite know how to act around me. “Sandy Collins, meet Charlie Rowan

and Brick Castle. They’re sheriff’s deputies.”

Sandy nods in understanding and then smiles brightly up at

the men.

“Nice to meet you,” she says.

“You, too, ma’am.”

She flashes a smile at me after their simultaneous reply.

“Why don’t you join us?”

They look to me as if seeking permission, and I scoot over

to make room. Charlie slides in beside me, and Brick sits opposite him, next to

Sandy. I motion to Jan, and she brings another round of beers.

“You’re not drinking?” Brick asks Sandy.

She gives him a sweet smile. I can already tell she’s into

him.

“Designated driver.”

“Come on, have a drink. We’ll make sure you girls get home

safely.”

Sandy turns to me, raising a questioning brow, and I nod. I

trust them, and besides, it’ll be more fun if we’re both drinking.

“Okay, boys.” I tap the table. “I’m gonna see what you’re

made of tonight.” Twisting in my seat, I seek out one of the girls. “Hey,

Carlene! Bring on the shots!”