Bailey's Comet

9. The Cattlemen's Ball

This chapter is definitely quite a bit longer than the last few. 5,600 words of Choni.

TW: mentions of SA, panic attacks

Thank you for sticking around . I apologize that my updates are rare, but life is busy. I literally wrote all of this yesterday, so hopefully there aren't too many typos.

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Cheryl drops off Britta at Polly's house. Her cousin had volunteered herself to watch all of the kids that night, and have a sleepover. Cheryl could tell that Britta was nervous on the drive there. The young girl kept picking at her nails and lips. Cheryl felt bad, but she was sure that spending time with the other kids would be good for her. Plus, Anthony would be there too, and Britta adored him. 

They hopped out of Cheryl's truck and walked hand in hand up to the front door. They were the first to arrive, and after a long hug and a see ya later, alligator Britta was inside playing with Polly's twins and Anthony. They had met for the first time just a few days ago, and Cheryl thought the kids had hit it off pretty well. 

Cheryl was a bit sad she didn't get to see her new buddy, Anthony, but she probably would have stayed too long if she had. She didn't need to be running late on her way to pick up Toni. 

It wasn't a long drive to Sweet Pea's place, where Cheryl pulled up out front. She put the gear shift in park, pushed in the emergency brake and checked her hair in the rear view mirror. She wore it up in a slick, tight bun. Something her grandmother had taught her at a young age. It was the type of style that military women wore under their hats. 

After checking that her hair was perfect, not a strand out of place, she took a deep breath and opened the door. She didn't know why she was so nervous, she went out with women all the time. Well, it had been a long time since she actually went on a date. Usually she just picked up women at a bar, with the occasional Tinder fling. 

Cheryl sighed and shook her head, attempting to rid herself of those thoughts. She was a different woman now. She was trying to be better, trying to grow up and find a woman to settle down with. She wondered, not for the first time if she was being honest, if Toni could be that woman. 

Before she knew it, Cheryl was knocking on the screen door. She swallowed before taking a few more deep breaths. 

"Damn, Red! You clean up nice!" 

She's not sure if she preferred Sweat Pea answering the door. She sort of hoped it'd be Toni. 

"Thanks, Pea," she smiled nervously and adjusted her blazer. "Same to you. You're going with Veronica right?" 

Her friend moved his head, gesturing for her to come inside with him as he attempted to tie a tie. "Sure am," he grinned. "She's picking me up in a fucking limo. Can you believe that? Me. In a limo!" 

Cheryl laughed at her friend and swatted his hands so she could fix his tie. "Congrats, man," she laughed. "I'm truly happy for you." 

"Listen," he suddenly whispered. "I was hoping to bring her back here tonight." He looked around to make sure they were alone. "I haven't exactly had the chance to tell Toni. She's been getting ready all day, I swear." 

She tightened the tie enough and brushed off his shoulders. "So you're wanting me to do what? Break the news to Toni?" 

He looked at her with a shyness that Cheryl hadn't seen since high school prom and said, "Well, I was hoping you could distract her. Ya know, by…taking her home with you?" 

The bedroom door opened suddenly, breaking the two friends apart. Cheryl hadn't realized how close they were while Sweet Pea seemed to be plotting.