Nate (A Texas Jacks Novel) Read Online Free Page B

place—you can come in here and see a lot of the same faces, in a sea of nameless others. The out-of-towners seem to flock here to tie one on or for a hook-up, while the locals come to play pool, unwind on the dance floor, and meet up with old friends. As I look out over the second level railing, I see a few girls I’ve known since high school out on the dance floor, kicking it up and having a good time.
    Even though I like to come here to have fun, I never troll the bar for women just for a ‘good time.’ That’s not my style . I’ve dated a few women in my life, but I’m not a serial dater. I like to think that I’m a bit picky in this department, so while I may be known to dance with the girls who are brave enough to ask, I don’t give out my number, or ask for theirs in return. If I see the same girl again on another night, I won’t hesitate to dance with her or strike up a conversation. But that’s all it will be, because I leave it all here at Texas Jacks when I go home at the end of the night. Maybe one day, if the right woman came along to ruffle my feathers, I wouldn’t hesitate to stake my claim. But I haven’t met her yet.
    I kick Tucker in the foot. “Hey Tuck, you up to hitting the track tomorrow for a race?”
    We may like doing a lot of other things, but dirt bike racing is the singular thing that I love . I almost feel like a junkie at times, as I can’t get enough of the high I feel from it. It’s a blast, and it helps to clear my mind, taking away whatever is bothering me. When I’m out on the track, I don’t have to think of the sorrows or problems that bounce around in my head at any given time. I can go out there and be free to soar, to let go to my heart’s content. I only have to worry about the next sharp turn, the speed of my bike making my body hum, or the next jump that sends butterflies crashing around in my stomach. Just thinking about it makes me want to go out there now. Too bad it’s so late in the evening — otherwise, I would ditch this place and head out there right now.
    I already know that Tucker is going to take me up on going to the track tomorrow. After catching sight of Lisa the last time we were there, he bailed on me. I don’t blame him, but he still owes me a race, and I’m not likely soon to forget it. I live for these races, so any time I can get out there, I’m all over it.
    Tucker looks at me with a smirk on his face. “Who do you think you’re talking to? I’m no pansy. Of course I’ll be at the track tomorrow. I’ll be out there at the finish line, waiting for the twenty bucks you’ll owe me when I leave your sorry butt behind, choking on the dust I kick up.”
    Holt laughs at him, and then gives him a high-five for his predictably cocky comment.
    “Fine, we’ll see who’s eating dirt and coughing up money when it’s all said and done. Just make sure you stick around this time and leave your, ‘I have to mow my mom’s yard’ excuse at the starting line.” I say, laughing at him. He’s a good guy, and will do anything to help out his single mom. He knows I’m just joking. Still, it’s fun and just too easy to mess with Tucker.
    Holt looks up when Sarah, a redheaded beauty, saunters up to our table. “Hey boys,” she says, giving Holt a sly smile. She’s a local we see from time to time out here, and she loves two-stepping with him. I’m pretty sure she would probably like to do more than just dance. However, Holt’s not interested in her in that way. She’s a great person; he’s just not looking at the moment.
    “Holt, you ready to hit the dance floor yet? I asked DJ Jeff to put on a two-step number next, if you’re up for it,” she murmurs as she slips one of her arms around his shoulders.
    Holt slips his arm around her waist, “Sure thing, honey. Let’s show these amateurs how it’s really done. Lead the way.”
    And off they go, leaving Tucker and I to talk about the track and when to meet up tomorrow.

     
    We arrive at