Page 48 of CowSex

We both watch her walk away.

“I think I pissed her off,” Gracie says quietly.

“I believe that you’d know it if you pissed Martha off. She’s probably back there adding green and English breakfast tea to her list for the next time she goes to Costco.”

I watch as she swipes one thumb over the nail of the other, but before I get a chance to reassure her not to worry, someone moving our way catches my attention. Two someones in fact.

“Shit.”

“What?” Gracie asks, craning her neck around the booth to watch Misty and Curtis Walker approach.

Misty falters very slightly in her step when Gracie looks at her but then continues her advance.

She stops right in front of our table, arms folded across her bony chest. Despite the temperature outside, she has on jeans that are so low and a top so short that her skin is on display from beneath her artificially inflated rack all the way down to her protruding hipbones.

Sure, she and I may have hooked up more than once, both before and after Danielle, but that was then, and this is now, and a lot seems to have changed. Misty never did carry much weight, but she looks gaunt, almost emaciated now. Her once fair hair is dark, greying at the roots, and I almost wanted to ask her if she was still as close to Danielle as she used to be. Seems to me they were both running headlong down the same path.

The years haven’t been kind to Misty Walker.

“Heard you were back in town. Didn’t think the mighty Koa Carmichael would actually grace us with his presence, though.”

“Decided you all could do with a treat, seeing as the weather’s been so bad.”

“Still got that high opinion of yourself then.”

“Apparently. But seeing how you came over here and not the other way around, why don’t you get to the point. What do you want, Misty?”

I watch as Curtis, her brother, buries his hands in his pockets and rocks on his heels, looking anywhere but at me.

“Just to warn you to stay the fuck away from Danielle. She’s happy and in love, probably getting married soon to my brother. She don’t need you turning up and causing problems.”

“Thank you, Misty. I’ll do my absolute best to stay out of Danielle’s way, she is the very last person on this earth that I would want to see, so that really won’t be a problem. Now, if you don’t mind, please fuck off. I’d like to order my food.”

She looks at me like I’m a piece of shit before turning her gaze to Gracie, looking at her in much the same way. I’m ready to get up from the booth and physically restrain Misty if she makes a move towards Gracie. Knowing her from way back, I’m only too aware of what a vicious bitch she can be.

“Who’s your new friend? I heard the last one took your kid and ran. Just can’t hang on to a woman can you, Carmichael?”

“Listen, love, don’t know who you are...” Gracie pauses for effect, looks Misty up and down before continuing, “But judging by what you’re wearing and the state of your regrowth, I would assume you’re one of the town’s homeless, or maybe just the local whore who’s hit on hard times. Can’t be easy, turning tricks in this weather. I’m sure even the grubbiest of clients don’t want their dicks to drop off. Although…”

My head tilts to the side. I watch with wide eyes as Gracie gives it to Misty, and I have to swallow back my grin.

“If they’re clients of yours, there’s every chance their dick’s dropped off from a dose of the clap, long, long ago. Anyway, assuming you’re not deaf as well as a skank, you heard what the man said.He’sstarving.I’mstarving. So, fuck off and let us order our food.”

The whole place is silent. Misty lunges for Gracie, but she anticipates her move and slides back in the booth out of reach. At the same time, I stand to block anymore attempts she might make to get at Gracie while Curtis grabs Misty by the waist from behind.

“Put me the fuck down, Curtis put me down.” Misty kicks her legs out in front of her as her brother carries her towards the door.

“This ain’t over, Carmichael. You and that little bitch need to watch your backs.”

“Yeah, and you need to consult with a stylist at the local salon and get them roots fixed, sweetheart,” Gracie, who is now up on her knees and peering over the top of the booth, calls out.

“Get her out of here, Curtis. And watch your mouth, Misty.” I hear Martha shout from behind the counter.

I look around the room at everyone staring our way, some actually have their cell phones out and are blatantly recording the whole shit show. I take my time glaring at them all, and the buzz of conversation slowly starts again.

GRACIE

“WELL, JUST LOOK AT ME, making new friends on my very first trip to town. Can’t wait to meet the rest of your mates and feel the love.”