TANNER 

It has been two months since Mae and I went our separate ways. Since then, I’ve fallen back into my old habits. I meet up with Conner and Wade at the bar, and bring home different women at least once a week. I’m not as extreme as Conner and Wade, who snag at least three women in a week into their beds. It’s all fun and games, but after about a week, the women get clingy. As soon as the clinginess starts, I let them go and move on to the next woman.

After my breakup with Mae, I made a promise to myself not to get into another relationship. I stayed true to my word as Mae had pleaded for me to do and started seeing my therapist again. In fact, I made an appointment the very next day after leaving Mae’s apartment. That morning, I had woken up with a massive hangover and missed work for the first time ever. It was a wake-up call for me, a sign that I needed to address my drinking habits before they spiraled out of control.

Losing Mae hit me hard, but deep down, I knew it was the right decision. She had left all my belongings at Blaze’s house, and I hadn’t heard from her since that night. Thankfully, Lyra and Vega did a good job of making sure Mae and I wouldn’t run into each other. It wasn’t easy, especially with the recent birth of my nieces, but somehow they kept us apart. I’m aware of my foolishness, but I feel powerless to change. It seems unlikely that I’ll ever change my ways, no matter how much I should.

I hadn’t seen my latest conquest in three days, and I felt she had ghosted me. This was unusual because it’s usually the other way around. However, it’s Friday afternoon, and I’m trying to distract myself by working on constructing the pool area for Lyra and Vega’s rehab hospital. I desperately need to escape from this God-forsaken wasteland. June has arrived, and in West Texas, that meant scorching temperatures of over a hundred degrees outside. Unfortunately, there’s still no air conditioning in this place.

Besides contributing to our employees’ health insurance and 401Ks, I have decided to use my remaining investment income to explore new opportunities elsewhere. This means Blaze will need to find a new CFO for our company here in West Texas. However, I feel the need to distance myself from this place, as it has brought me immense pain and heartache throughout my life. Staying here any longer is unbearable for me. While I will miss everyone, I believe it is a small sacrifice to maintain my sanity, a sentiment even shared by my therapist. I can always return home to spend time with my nieces, nephews, and the rest of my family during holidays. 

I got on my walkie talkie and announced, “Alright, everyone, it’s break time. Grab a bottled water and take a minute to chill out.” I followed my own advice and reached into the cooler for a refreshing drink. Taking a seat, I chugged the water, feeling the coolness replenish my body. Although I could work in the office, I have been craving a more strenuous workout for the past couple of months.

Conner and Wade walked up to me a few minutes later. “Hey man, we’re going to Hectors Strip Club tonight. Would you like to come with us?” Wade asked and he and Conner sat next to me, chugging their waters.

“Sure, Candice has ghosted me after only two wild nights, and it has been three nights since I’ve blasted off. So I am in need, if you know what I mean,” I said, chugging the last of my water.

“I don’t even know why you stick with one woman for so long. It makes no sense to me. But yes, I get you. Meet us there at eight; we’re taking an Uber,” Conner said and he and Wade stood.

“Don’t flake out on us, man. You haven’t been to Hectors in over three years,” Wade said and they walked off.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be there, I promise,” I said, rising and getting back to work.

***

As I rummaged through my clothes, I couldn’t help but voice my frustration to myself. “What the hell do I wear?”

It had been three years since I last visited Hector’s strip club. After I met Mae in the hospital, I stopped going out to bars and stopped talking to any other woman but her. I realize Hector, who is the same age as me, is married with three kids. Is this what I am destined for in life? Will I end up being one of those older men, tipping a stripper in hopes of some fleeting excitement?

Blaze’s words echoed in my mind. He was right. I had let the perfect woman slip through my fingers. The regret weighed heavily on me. How much longer can I let this pattern continue? How many more years will I waste, longing for something more meaningful, that I won’t allow myself to have?

********

I arrived at Hector’s club fifteen minutes later, hoping Wade and Conner would be outside waiting for me, and of course, they weren’t around, so I texted Wade. ‘I’m here. Are you guys inside?’ I waited a few minutes before getting a reply.

‘Almost there. Give us five.’ 

Knowing they would be late, I got her late myself and I still got here before them. ‘Why am I not surprised? I’ll secure us a table.’

Walking inside, I made my way to the front. It was early for a Friday night, so it was easy for me to find a table up front next to the stage. Hector walked up a few moments after I had sat down. “Tanner, I haven’t seen you in ages.” He sat down beside me and we shook hands.

“It’s only been three years, Hector. I’ve been busy. Sorry I haven’t come around sooner.”

Hector waved down a waitress. “Oh yes, Connor and Wade have told me about the one who got away.”

The waitress approaches, grinning. Her eyes rake over every inch of me she can see above the table and she grins. She isn’t my type at all, with a short pixie cut hairstyle and way too much makeup on. Fake looking, and I don’t like it. To be nice and not hurt her feelings, I smile back.

“What can I get your sir?”

“A round of shots, you know what I like,” Hector says and the waitress scurries off.

“Roberta is here tonight. She knows what to get us,” Hector said as he referred to his wife, who was running the bar.

I took a detour from the one who had gotten away topic. “How are Roberta and your children doing?”

“Amazing. I love them with every fiber of my being. I couldn’t ask for more. Roberta and I are trying for a boy now. We’re trying out new foods and positions that help with making sure that a boy will be the outcome. Who knows if those wives’ tales work? But we’re having fun and will be excited no matter what.” 

The poor man has already had three girls. I wouldn’t wish that on any man, as I can imagine it would drive me to insanity. I might even be one of those who resort to extreme measures, like pulling out a shotgun to intimidate any poor guy that came close. It’s a terrifying thought, and one that will never happen. Heaven forbid I ever had a baby girl to raise. Nope, no way, never happening.

“I hope everything works out for you, man.” Then the waitress arrived with our shots, setting them on the table in front of us.

“So you haven’t been here in a while, Tanner. There’s something that needs to be brought to your attention. You can have your pick of any woman in this place, except for Raven. Don’t touch her, or even try to approach her, or I’ll beat your ass. She’s like a sister to me and differs from most women you will find in this place. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

We slung our shots back. The burn of the liquid going down my throat spurred me to be a wiseass. “Is that her real name or…”

Hector cut me off before I could finish. “It doesn’t matter what her actual name is Tanner. Don’t touch her, do you understand?”

He requests some more shots and the waitress scurries off once again. Hector tries to put fear in to me for the next several minutes that pass, but the more he told me to stay away from the woman, the more I wanted her. But Hector is a six-foot four bull of a man, so I’ve decided to heed his warning.

“Alright man, I get it. Stay away from this Raven woman.”

Wade and Connor arrive, saving me from any further talk of this Raven woman. “Hey, sorry we’re late. You know how it is,” Connor said, sitting down next to me and Wade following suit sitting down next to him.

“What did we miss?” Wade asked as he took in the scene before him.

“Not much. Just that Hector told me to avoid some Raven woman.”

“Thank you, Hector. Free shots are fantastic. Yes, Tanner, you would do best to stay away from Raven. Wade got his ass whooped by Hector already. It wasn’t pretty,” Connor said, and we all slung back our shots.

I put my hands up in surrender. “Alright, I’ll stay away from her.”

‘What’s the big deal?’ I thought to myself. It’s all so crazy because I haven’t even met the woman yet.

“Alright guys, it’s nine o’clock. I’ve got work to do.” Hector stood from his seat and flagged the waitress over. “The rest of the drinks are on you all. Have a good night, guys.” He chuckles as he ambles back over to the bar.

*****

It was now ten o’clock, and Hector had just introduced the enigmatic Raven woman onto the stage. I braced myself for what was to come, knowing that Hector had warned me to stay away from her.

As she stepped into the spotlight, I couldn’t help but avert my gaze. This woman exuded an undeniable allure that was captivating. Damn, she's sexy as hell! Every inch of her was perfection. Standing at least five foot nine, she possessed a lean muscular frame but has plump curves in all the right places. Even clothed, I could sense the perfection of her breasts. Her sky-blue eyes held a mesmerizing gaze, while her cascading black hair grazed her plump buttocks. The mere sight of her sent a surge of desire through me, making my pants feel tight as my excitement intensified. When our eyes met, time seemed to stand still, leaving me breathless. She paused, bringing me back to reality. At that moment, all I could do was offer a smile and a saucy wink. This woman was undeniably sexy as hell, and despite being warned to keep my distance, I knew I had to make her mine.