Spurs for Studs.

19

Showering off the dried turf from my skin the thought of meeting Kristie's parents brought on a bundle of nerves. Would they take lightly to Abi and I's situation would they prod. How much information did Kristie share with them regarding her stay at the ranch. How would they react to the information when it does come out. in my experience it always came out in one way or another. Shutting the water off, pulling the towel with her number over her shoulders drying the racing water from aching muscles. Kristie stalks up behind her. "You a little nervous for tonight?" She mumbles wiping a trail of water droplets from your chin. 

"I just don't want them thinking I'm dumb yo'know." Mumbling as they walk out of the shower stalls and into the open expansion of the locker room. Pulling on starched denim and buttoning all the snaps on the black pearl snap. 

"They won't think that Coal."

"Everyone thinks that Kris." I mumble dejectedly as i slip on the black socks and step into my sun faded boots. Walking outside the locker room I grab abi and take her inside with me. She went back to doing her school work as I finished getting ready before waiting for Kristie to start on her hair. She wraps it up fairly quickly as i walk them out to the truck. Kristie had talked to them after the game explaining that we would meet them their as we all couldn't ride in one car due to the number of us. 

Abi reads me off the directions as i shift through the streets taking a left turn before a right followed by another right and then a final left. Leaving us outside a small Mexican restaurant on the outskirts of downtown Houston. Parking on the street, sticking three quarters into the meter i pull abi aside. "If you wanna go, just holler . No questions ask." I mumble as Kristie fixes her hair in the reflection of the mirror. Abi nods as we stalk into the restaurant. Kristie spots them and leads us to the older couple sitting along with Sam and her husband Pat. We take our seats on the opposite bench. I sit in the middle, kristie sits next to her mom, and abi sits next to Sam. The both start up conversation almost immediately. 

I stare at the menu confused at just about every third word. leaning over i catch abis attention, turning to face me i whisper in her ear. "What ever you get just double it." She nods once more before regaining her conversation about some book she was reading for class. "So Nicole is it?" I nod once more directing my attention to Robert at the head of the table. "Why does everyone call you coal?" He prods with a knowing smirk.

clearing my throat once, planting both of my hands palm face down on the bench I lean forwards. Here goes nothing. " 'cuz I'm dumb as a box of rocks. Thats what i was told." I answer honestly watching as kristie and sam snap their heads towards me. 

"Well that can't be true. My daughters don't date idiots." He commands sternly. Folding his napkin into a smaller triangle. 

"I didn't say I was an Idiot." Gritting my teeth, squeezing the faux leather of the bench cover. "Just that I was dumb. They different ya know. I can figure my way around life I just don't read very well ya know." I had to be honest. This was already turning into a dumpster fire might away make it burn bright. 

"Did you ever attend college?" He questions intrigued by my explanation.

"I went to Bama for a year. Didn't go to a single class. Same with Highschool. Daddy died a while back and I had to Head the farm." I state drying my hands off on my jeans a few times over. 

"Your mother just pulled you from school Thats not right. No parent would ever rob their child of their right to education." He states like the ignorant prick he is.

"Without daddy someone needed to head the farm. I did it. Its how we ate. No farm no money. Pretty simple."

"What happened after college?"

"I went to Germany."

"And the farm?"

"My brother took it up. Returned for a few weeks. Not my job no more."

"You should really learn how to speak properly. You sound like an imbicile?" Directing his attention toward kristie. "How could you date someone this stupid?" 

Abi leans over "Lets go." I nod and push out the bench. "Hey sorry to leave. Abi got a project for school in the morning she aint start yet." 

"Ill catch up with you both later." Kristie states kissing me once as we leave. Abi and I walk from the table. "Thanks kid. You didn't have too."

"I didn't want to hear him any longer." Abi admits as We both nod clambering into the truck. "Who does he even think he is. Saying shit like that. He doesn't even know you." She admits ringing her hands out onto her pants. 

"I'd say the same thing if you date someone like me. Lord only knows what Kristie sees in me." I mumble merging into the opening and heading towards a park. I wasn't a fan of Kristies apartment, it didn't feel like home to me. Too deep into the city, colored photos of graduations, weddings, large family get togethers. Brightly colored throw pillows scattered about the couches, multitude of blankets strewn across the arms of chairs and folded into a wicker basket in the corner under the TV stand. So different from the farm. 

"Coal, She sees all the good. Even if her dads an ass it doesn't mean she is. You didn't turn out like daddy. He just doesn't understand what its like. Doesn't seem like he understands empathy as well but that's a whole other thing." She retorts glancing out her window as we stop at the red light. "While it dosen't mean anything i really like Kristie. Shes good for you."

"Thanks kid." I mumble as Large tires roll onto sun faded asphalt, thick shocks navigating over small holes in the ground. 

"Do you like it here?" Abi questions gazing absentmindly on the pond, ducks swimming about in a circle. 

"Yeah, lot better then Germany i tell you that."

"You never talk about Germany. Why?"

"It sucked. Worked on a small ranch, went to practice, played in games. My roommate didn't like me, Coach thought I was an stupid. I am, it was rude."

the two spend the rest of the evening filling in the missing holes of their lives. Refreshing like a cold glass of tea in the summer heat. 

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I don't know where I'm going with this book but you all like it so...

like, comment, whatever your heart desires really.