That night we left around 9:30 to go to a bar, The Fast Lane, where Cheryl knew some of the staff. We both dressed casually, jeans and t's. There was a long line, but the guy at the door let us right in, after Cheryl slipped him 10 bucks discreetly and I paid the 20 cover charge. The place was already crowded but the only music was pre-recorded from a past show. She explained to me that the bands didn't start until 10 or sometimes 11.
We got a couple of drinks, beer for me, rum and coke for her, and we walked around, Cheryl stopping to chat with a couple of people she knew. She introduced me as a new friend, and her acquaintances gave us a knowing smile. When we were alone, I asked her what she meant by calling me her friend, and the looks we got from the people we met.
"Robbie, baby, I couldn't exactly introduce you as my cousin. We're going to dance tonight, and it just might get kind of steamy. We can't exactly do that if people think we're cousins. Those looks....I'm sure they think I'm here with a very sexy, younger guy with very naughty plans for later, and they're right. You don't mind that, do you?" She looked at me with her sweet and sexy smile.
"Not at all, honey. I'm just not used to being looked at like that."
"Neither am I. I told you, you're the first man I've been with since Mark and I split a year ago. Not that I haven't had opportunities. Sometimes I come here with a couple of girlfriends and we get hit on all the time. But I just dance with the guys, maybe let them buy me one drink. I don't want to lead them on, and, to be honest, I don't care for one night stands. I haven't done that since my pre-Mark days. I can't say I didn't enjoy myself, but it left me feeling cheap." She paused, looking at me in earnest. "I'm really kind of choosy, Robbie, and I don't just sleep around. I'm so glad you've been here, baby. I needed to be with someone, but it had to be someone who loves me. And thank god it was you! Even if Alan was 18, I'd NEVER have anything to do with him if he was the one your parents sent. I love him and all, but he creeps me out."
"I love him as well, obviously. But I can understand what you're saying. Alan is a seriously fucked up guy. We're not close at all. I get the feeling we're going to end up just going our own ways as time goes on. And honey, you didn't have to tell me you don't sleep around. Whether you did or didn't is none of my business.....but I'm kind of glad you didn't. I like that you're particular. It makes me feel special."
Cheryl took my hand and kissed me. "Robbie, you are special. Maybe the most special man I know. We've been having a lot of fun, but it's so much more than fun."
Before we could say anything more, the lights went down and people cheered. The band came out...to this day, I can't remember the name.....and broke right into some good dancing music, loud and quick tempo. We started dancing, like most of the people there. It was great just watching her. She clearly loved dancing, and she had some great moves with her hips and her lovely legs. And the way her breasts gently shook was awe inspiring. But best of all was her smile, that brilliant smile that said she was having a great time, she loved dancing to the music, and she loved being with me. I hoped I was halfway as appealing for her.
There were a few songs like that, and then a slow song came up, and Cheryl moved into my grasp. My hands were around her waist and hers were around my neck, and we just stared at each other. I could have gotten lost in her dark brown eyes. It was almost hypnotic. If they only played slow songs the rest of the night, it would have been fine with me.
A couple of faster songs came next and by then, we were both hot and sweating. "Can you get us a couple of beers, baby?" I said of course and went to the crowded bar to get a couple of bottles while Cheryl found a couple of seats for us to rest.
When I finally got to her, there was some guy sitting with her, and it was obvious from looking at her that she wanted him gone, that he wasn't a friend of hers. She saw me coming and looked at me like her savior.
I said, with more courage than I could possible feel, "Excuse me, you're in my seat."
Mr. Whoever looked at me with a sneer and said "Thanks for the beers, kid. Your seat is in the kiddie section" and he went back to talk to Cheryl, who was desperate to have him gone.
I really didn't know what to do. He was about 30, a lot bigger than me, and he looked like the type that had more than a couple of bar fights in his past. I, on the other hand, spent my life avoiding physical confrontations. But I couldn't just leave her.
I figured the best thing to do was to pretend he wasn't there. I held out my hand for my cousin and said "Come on honey, let's dance some more."
She figured out what I was doing, smiled and took my hand and got up.
But this guy wouldn't take the hint. "Really? You're going to pass over me for this child? What are you, his sister? Why don't you send him home to mommy and I'll take you home and give you a real good fucking."
My blood was boiling, not so much over how dismissive he was towards me, but mostly for how crude he was towards Cheryl. He could see it in my eyes and he was laughing, like he knew there was shit I could do about it. I swallowed my anger, which tasted like hot metal in my mouth, and Cheryl and I walked to the dance floor, abandoning our beers. The guy shouted "Don't you turn your fucking back on me, boy!" and he grabbed me, turned me, and the next thing I knew I was flying down on my back and my head felt like an explosion went off in my brain. I could hear someone scream and Cheryl was by my side as if to protect me.
Thankfully, it ended there. A couple of bouncers came and grabbed the guy and, I presume, threw him out. A couple of people helped me up. I shook the stars from my brain and realized I'd been hit pretty damn hard on the jaw. It was tender as hell there, and a couple of teeth felt loose. Cheryl was crying over me, holding my arm. I was taken to a room in back, where the manager met us, apologizing profusely. He said he knew who the guy was and asked me if I wanted to call the police and press charges. I figured nothing much would come of it legally, and besides, then it would come out I was with my cousin, and somehow someone would figure we were being more than just cousins. I declined, and also declined a ride to the ER. Cheryl asked me if I was sure, and I told her I'd be fine, just needed a night to sleep it off. The manager told us to come back any time, gratis, and we headed home.
Cheryl drove quietly, but with tears streaking her cheeks. I felt like I had gone 10 rounds with Muhammed Ali. My jaw on my right side hurt like hell, and felt like it was swelling up. I was most concerned about losing a couple of teeth and told Cheryl that. She said, with a voice that showed how upset she was, that she'd call her dentist in the morning and he'd check me out.
We got home and Cheryl helped me out of my clothes and got me an ice pack for my aching jaw, as well as a couple of Tylenol. While Cheryl got comfortable and did some things in the bathroom, I laid on the bed stewing. I was a wimp. I should have at least tried to defend her honor and not just ignored him. What kind of man was I?
Cheryl came to bed in a long t-shirt and took the ice pack off. "20 minutes on, 20 off." She stroked her fingers through my thick hair and she looked like she was about to bawl. "Robbie....oh, baby" and she just kind of fell apart, falling on my chest and crying a river. I couldn't touch her, feeling unworthy. I was so weak.
Finally her tears stopped. "Robbie, are you ok? You're so quiet."
I mumbled "Yeah, I'm fine. For a pussy."
