Sparks

Chapter Two

Becca pulled her car into the parking lot of The Willow and looked across the road.  She was confident she had made the right decision as she looked at her former place of employment.  Climbing out, she scanned the parking lot for Lauren's car.  She wasn't there yet.  Pulling out the pack of cigarettes from her back pocket, she lit one and leaned up against the car.  It had seemed like ages since she had gotten out and let herself have a good time. 

The sound of laughter pulled her out of her thoughts.  Turning her head, Becca looked to the patio area and saw a group of people starting their Friday night off right.  She longed for that happiness.  Sighing, she tossed her cigarette on the ground and put it out with her foot as Lauren pulled up next to her. 

"So, since you're trying to throw down tonight, I may have invited a couple people out," Lauren said as she opened her car door. 

"Sounds good to me.  You're wearing flip flops to a bar?" Becca asked, questioning her friends choice footwear.

"Hell no," Lauren said, laughing.  She reached around behind the driver's seat and produced a pair of black boots.  "Easier to drive in the flip flops than these things.  The heel gets stuck sometimes.  You look cute with your biker boots."

Becca looked down at her outfit.  It was still fairly warm out for almost sunset and was due to be that way for the most of the night, so she kept her outfit simple; a black tank top paired with jeans and her black 'biker boots' as they were dubbed.  Lauren stepped out of her car and zipped up her boots. 

"Shall we?" Lauren said, gesturing toward the door.

"Lead the way.  I'm in need of a drink," Becca replied.  She stepped in line behind Lauren and walked into the bar.  She had never been in The Willow on a Friday night.  It was definitely packed.  Her eyes scanned the room and she couldn't help but grin as she recognized just about everyone in the bar. 

"Ladies, ladies, ladies," they heard a voice say from behind them.  Becca glanced over her shoulder as an arm came around it. 

"Fancy seeing you here, Brandon," Becca said casually.  The smell of Bud Light was strong on his breath.  "Where's your little girlfriend tonight?"

He chucked and leaned in closer.  "I'm a single man once again.  Wanna give it a shot?"

Becca slipped out from under his hold.  "Sweetheart, I need a drink or five before I even consider anyone's advances." With a quick smile toward Lauren, she headed to the bar.  Finding an opening in between two bar stools, Becca slid in and grabbed the bartender's attention.  "Can I get a Bud Light and a Blue Moon, please?" She rested her elbows on the bar while she waited for her drinks.

"Double fisting?" she heard a voice to her right say.  Out of the corner of her eye, Becca could see the guy looking at her.

Oh great, five minutes in here and another guy hitting on me.  Maybe this was a bad idea.  Becca slowly moved her head to look at her latest dismissal. Her eyes locked in on his and she found herself at a loss for words.  My cutie.

"Here you go, miss.  Starting a tab?" the bartender asked, breaking Becca's concentration.

"Starting a tab," she said, grabbing the two beers.  She turned her attention back to the guy next to her.  "One's mine and one's hers." She watched him glance over her shoulder to where Lauren still stood with Brandon.

He picked up his beer and took a sip.  "Don't party too hard." He flashed a slight smirk and turned his attention back to the baseball game on the television.

"Was that your cutie?" Lauren asked when Becca made it back through the crowd with their beers. 

She took a long sip of her beer and looked back in his direction.  "Sure was."

Three beers and four shots of Jameson later, Becca found herself sitting outside on the patio getting some air.  The warm night mixed with that packed bar had her on the verge of being sick.  She leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes; the breeze blowing softly enough to cool her down.

"Need a little quiet time or did you party too hard?" Becca heard a familiar voice say from behind her.  She jumped slightly as he rested his hands on her shoulders. 

"Too hot inside, needed some air."  Her eyes remained closed as his rough hands started to apply pressure on her shoulders.  "So what brings you here tonight?"

A barely audible sound escaped her mouth as his hands moved closer to her neck.  He grinned.  "I was hoping to see a pretty girl here."

"That feels really good by the way.  So how'd that pan out for you?"

"The night is still young." He crouched down behind her.  He knew his comment would make her tense back up.  Much to his surprise, she didn't.

"Sucks to be you.  Your sad disposition is killing my fantastic buzz right now," she said, pushing herself up in the chair.  She kicked the sit next to her out for him.  "What's your name?"

"James.  You?" he said, taking the seat.

"Becca." She looked up at the doorway to see Lauren walk out the door and head their way. 

"I was wondering where you headed off to.  Brandon is getting a bunch of people together at his house down the road.  Wanna hit it up?" Lauren asked, looking between Becca and James.  "You might have to drive though."

Becca chuckled.  "Yeah. Just let me pay off the tab real quick and we can head out." Pushing the chair back, she stood up and went back into the bar.  She walked up to the bar and signaled the bartender over.  "I need to pay off my tab," she said, pulling out her wallet.

"It's been paid off." He handed her a piece of paper and went to help a customer.  She opened the paper up to find a note for her.

Hope to see you again, pretty girl.

Grinning, she headed back outside to find Lauren sitting by herself.  "Where'd he go?" she  asked as they made their way to Becca's car.

"He said he had to be somewhere," Lauren said as they climbed in the car.  "You gave him your number right?"

"Nope. He left before I could," Becca replied.  She pulled out of the parking lot and headed to the after party.