I Know It Took A While... (Rose)

[fear_the_rider]

Tommy Templeton pulled up to his motel at the edge of town and killed the engine on his bike. Between helping the others on the semi-team he was on and his own personal business for The Boss, he hadn't a lot of time to himself in the last few months. The situation down in New Orleans was a nice break and Kassi helped out, but Tommy still wasn't in a good place.

He loped up the steps to the room and closed the door behind him, dropping his bag on the floor. He set the 24-pack of beer on the small table to his right, determined to get started as soon as he laid down for a moment. A wave of fatigue hit him just then, the result of pushing too hard for too long. He needed to call Joe. He needed to call Roxanne about Joe. He pulled his wallet from his back pocket and a slip of paper fell to the floor. Probably another receipt. Need to keep those for when I file...

He bent down and picked up the slip of paper and turned it over.

Rose: XXX-XXX-XXXX

"Oh man. How did you forget to call her?" he said to no one in particular.

We have no time to indulge in petty fantasy.

"Yeah, I know." Tommy said, pulling his phone from his pocket. He dialed the number.

He hoped she'd pick up.

Comments

[fear_the_rider]

"You think so? 'Cause a guy could get used to bein' around. When he's not workin' or anything." he said, taking Rose's cue from her hands.

"I'm not a stable kind of guy, Rose. I drink. I get in fights. And I move around a lot. Oh...and you met my roommate." he said, referring to the Rider.

"I'm not boyfriend material. If that's what you're lookin' for...I'm gonna disappoint you." he said, looking down at her.

"But if you're lookin' for someone who understands crappy parents and the need to cut loose now and again...I listen pretty good." he said.

[wild_child]

"I ain't exactly the settlin' down type either," Rose assured him. "But I could definitely use more friends who know how ta have fun."

[fear_the_rider]

"Good to know. Fun is somethin' I excel at." he said.

[wild_child]

Rose missed her next shot. "Good ta know, Tommy-Boy. Good ta know."

[fear_the_rider]

Tommy went to take his shot. He missed and scratched again. He cursed.

"Wow. I swear I'm better than this." he said, taking another drink of beer.

"Hey, why don't you come over here for a second?" he asked, sitting down on a nearby stool.

[wild_child]

"I dunno... Not much of one fer swearin' m'self..." she said, then laughed as she made her way over, plopping down on the stool opposite him.

[fear_the_rider]

Tommy smiled.

"I'm going to kiss you. Don't punch me out, Manhattan Rose."

[wild_child]

"Yeah, well, you can..."

Rose's ears and brains finally got in sync with each other.

"...wut?"

[fear_the_rider]

Tommy kissed her before she could start thinking of a way to object, a gentle kiss, and not nearly as passionate as he wanted.

But enough to let her know that he did, in fact, like her.

[wild_child]

Rose, though taken by surprise, found herself returning the kiss.

"...Whoa," she managed, eventually. "Not many folks can surprise me like."

[fear_the_rider]

"Score one for me." he said, grinning.

"Maybe I'll surprise you better next time." he said.

[wild_child]

She laughed. "I dunno... Now I know ta watch out for ya."