Rebound - Sex Stories

Rebound

... girls act interested.” “So you’re a gentleman.” He smiled and twirled an imaginary handlebar mustache. “Gentleman Jim at your service, Miss Kay. Fair prices, clean privies, and stiff drinks. We don’t allow no pickpockets, card sharks, or working ladies of ill repute in this here establishment.” He tipped an imaginary hat. “You do that very well, Jim.” “Somewhere along the line I thought it would have been cool being an Old West saloonkeeper – as long as someone else emptied the spittoons.” “You’ve been doing this for a while?” “When I got out of college I knew grad school wasn’t for me. Bartending has been my temporary stop-gap job for the last seven years and will be at least until I publish my first novel. That will be my thirtieth birthday present to myself.” “An author?” “Authors get paid to write. At this point I type and pour drinks.” His face got serious. “What’s your new freedom?” She stiffened. “Wow. I just broke an unwritten rule, didn’t I?” Kay studied her drink straw. “It’s not like I’m on parole or anything. I just ended a bad relationship.” ‘Glad it’s over if it was bad.” “Seemed fine until the end,” she said to the surface of the bar. “Been there, done that. Happy to be single.” She looked up. “Are you, Jim? Happy?” “Sure. Besides, nothing is permanent but death.” “So I found out.” “May I ask what happened?” She sighed. “Why not? A month before we were supposed to get married Sidney tried to cheat on me.” “What a jerk.” “It probably would have been worse if ...

... he cheated after the wedding.” “True. So you told him off?” “I thought he’d try to lie. I had this whole big haughty speech ready in my head, but when he admitted it, I burst into tears and told him to leave.” “I’m sorry.” “Why? You didn’t do anything.” “No, but guys like him should be put in the town pillory. Oops. Duty calls.” He trotted off to tap a pitcher of beer for a quiet group of young men. Shelly returned to her seat. “Well? “Well, what?” “Did he ask you out?” “No.” “Did you ask him out?” “No!” Shelly groaned. “You’re hopeless. You know that wasn’t my regular ringtone, right?” “What do you mean?” “He looked at you a couple times. I pretended to get a call so you two could talk.” “Seriously, what is wrong with you?” “You need to get laid, Kay. You’d feel a lot better about yourself.” “Just for that, you can pay for the drinks AND leave a big tip. I’m going to the ladies room. When I’m done, we’re leaving.” She stalked away. In the car on the way home, Kay sat with her hands in her lap, looking out the side window. “You’re angry, aren’t you?” Shelly asked. “Amazing powers of observation.” “I’m your best friend, Kay.” “Thanks for reminding me. Sometimes I forget.” “You need to get a life again, girl.” “I’m breathing. I function. I have a life.” “You need friends.” “Oh? Thought you said you were my friend.” Shelly stopped at the curb in front of Kay’s apartment. “I meant male friends. Jim seems like a really nice guy.” “Maybe he is. Good night.” Kay got out of the car, ...