Chapter 24: Full Circle

Wiley Bills got dressed for his evening out and glanced through the open door of the bathroom at his wife Jan as she got ready, "How about we just stay home tonight?" He asked in a tired voice.

"You know Dan and Marie are counting on us," Jan said, leaning over to put on her mascara.

Dan was Wiley's assistant coach and nearly every Saturday night without fail Wiley and his wife Jan went out with Dan Wilson and his wife Marie. But Wiley had a feeling of uneasiness that he couldn't quite shake. His thoughts centered on Angelica Pirelli's return and he hoped she knew enough to keep her mouth shut, or he would have to find a way to shut it for her.

"How do I look?" Jan asked as she emerged from the bathroom.

Wiley had learned a long time ago not to say anything other than "you look beautiful" or "stunning" when his wife asked if he approved of her appearance. And the answer to her question about whether she was fat or had gained weight was always "no." The truth was his wife was still very beautiful and slender after all these years, so he couldn't complain about her looks.

"You look fantastic," Wiley answered with a smile.

"Thank you," Jan twisted up the corners of her mouth.

Jan didn't notice the dark look that crossed Wiley's face when he thought of how Jan wouldn't allow him to touch her anymore. He suspected she was having an affair, but he couldn't prove it. All he knew was that whenever he put his hands on her she complained he would mess up her hair or smear her lipstick.

Soon they were on their way out their door to dinner, with instructions for their two youngest sons to behave. Wiley wondered where his son Riley had disappeared to all day. A friend had given Riley a lift to the Megaplex earlier that morning and that was the last Wiley had seen of him. He hoped Riley was having a lot more fun that he was about to have.

Jordan escorted Angel inside Red's Barn wearing his jeans and cowboy boots, which Angel affectionately dubbed his "shit kickers."

Red looked up with a smile as Angel and Jordan entered together. He was a romantic at heart, though he wasn't about to admit it, and one nice thing about his job was that he got to see the good as well as the bad a lot of times. Seeing Angel and Jordan together was definitely the good. "What can I get you?" Red asked as they approached the bar.

"How about two shots of tequila and a couple beers," Jordan said, looking around to see if the table he always used to sit at was free.

"Coming right up," Red grinned.

"I'm starving," Angel reminded Jordan.

"Oh yeah," Jordan said as Red poured their drinks, "Can we get two burgers, medium well, with some fries?"

"Sure thing," Red said, calling out their order to Harry who was in the back.

Angel thought it was rather presumptuous of Jordan to order for her, but she didn't care. Her bottom was still sore from earlier that evening and it turned her on in a way she didn't expect. She enjoyed it when Jordan spanked her because it made her feel safe somehow. Jordan grabbed the drinks and downed his shot of tequila and handed Angel her beer and shot as he led her to his favorite table in the far corner, "We'll be over here Red," Jordan called.

"Got it," Red nodded. Although Red had heard rumors of Angel being some sort of prostitute he certainly didn't see what the problem was. She was a beautiful woman. Just looking at her gave him pleasure.

There was a live band playing on Saturdays so there would eventually be a lot of dancing, but it was too early for anyone to be dancing at the moment. It was barely 8 o'clock and things didn't usually get rolling for another two hours. Merlin and Lou, the two men who had tried to take advantage of Angel on her first night in town, were there as always and they gave Jordan the thumbs up, "Way to go Doc," Lou grinned.

Angel nearly spit out her beer when she saw them again. "You gotta love those two," she sighed, "They are the definition of small town."

Jordan grinned, "They are part of the reason I like it here so much."

Angel smiled, "me too."

The waitress brought their hamburgers and Jordan ordered two more shots of tequila. "I haven't even drunk my first one," Angel complained. Jordan picked up her shot and downed it, "Ahh," he said slamming the empty shot down on the table, "You snooze you lose."

Angel couldn't believe how good it felt to just relax in the bar with Jordan for a change, especially after her emotional day where she had told Mia who her father was. She wasn't sure why Jordan had decided to take her out to the bar, but in Angel's opinion it was a good decision. She began eating her burger and when the waitress brought two more tequila shots, Angel didn't hesitate, this time she drank hers.

"Funny I would have figured you for a Jack Daniels type," Angel mused as she watched Jordan drink his tequila, "I mean, you being a cowboy and all."

Jordan grinned, "Nope."

Angel laughed, "Perhaps you should consider changing your name again, only this time to something like Jose Cuervo?"

"No way! If I change my name again it will be something like Rey Sol." His eyes twinkled as he looked at her and took a bite of his burger.

"I see, Rey Sol, only the best for you," She raised her eyebrows.

"Yes ma'am," Jordan smiled, "When it comes to liquor and women I'm a 'top shelf' type of guy."

Angel rolled her eyes.

After they ate their burgers, Jordan led her out on the dance floor and both of them ignored the jeers and gossip flying all around them. It didn't take long for the bar to fill up with patrons and among the arrivals were Rori and her husband Doug. "I'll be damned," Rori said when she spotted Angel and Jordan, "I guess its official, they're dating."

Doug was happy to see Angel and Jordan together and snuggled up behind Rori, "Dancing looks like fun."

"I need to order a drink first," Rori snickered, "Hey Red, how about a vodka tonic." "I'll take a beer Red," Doug said, "When you have the time."

"Coming right up," Red motioned for one of his helpers to wait on Rori and Doug.

When Angel and Jordan returned to their corner table, they were a little surprised when Rori and Doug joined them, "Hey Sis," Rori attempted to greet her sister without sounding bitter, but despite her best efforts her words had an icy edge to them. It was just the way she was.

"Glad you could join us," Jordan said as he helped Doug grab some nearby chairs.

They were sitting together for less than five minutes before Frank showed up with Amanda. "Holy shit!" Rori rushed over to throw her arms around Amanda's neck, "I can't believe you two are here together," she said looking sideways at Frank and nudging Amanda, "Are you insane?"

"Very funny," Frank scoffed at his sister.

"C'mon we're over here," Rori motioned and led them to the corner table where the others were waiting.

"Can I get a shot of Wild Turkey Red?" Frank called out.

"Don't you dare Red!" Amanda yelled, "He is drinking straight cola tonight or he can kiss my ass."

"Spoil sport," Frank said in mock disgust as he put his arm around her and led her to the table.

"Got it," Red called, "Don't look so glum Frankie, I'll whip you up a Shirley Temple."

"Go ahead and try it Red," Frank called in annoyance, "It will be the last thing you ever do!"

Red chuckled, "Get Frank a Coke, with a little cherry in it." He said to one of the bar tenders.

Frank gave Red a frown.

Jordan and Doug were pushing two small tables together so all six of them could sit together.

"You would think we planned this," Rori observed "All of us here at the same time like this," then she hoped she hadn't spoke too soon since Frank and Jordan had been on the outs until recently, and there was that "issue" between Jordan and Amanda that no one seemed to know about.

"Yeah well, we all have to cut loose before we have to go to Mass tomorrow," Frank said rolling his eyes. "Jesus Angel, it's good to see you," Frank leaned over and hugged her and then managed a cordial nod at Jordan, "Parker."

"Frank," Jordan nodded back, realizing this might be as close to a reconciliation as he and Frank were ever going to come.

Amanda looked down realizing she was the cause of the rift between Jordan and Frank and she wished she could tell Frank what had really happened the day he had walked in on her and Jordan in the motel room, but given Frank's temper she couldn't bring herself to do it just yet.

Amanda was drinking a glass of white wine and Frank pretended he was trying to sneak a sip which caused her to give him a very sharp look, "I'm not kidding you Frank, I'm leaving your ass right here and now if you touch another drop of alcohol."

"I'm only teasing," He said and raised his hands to proclaim his innocence.

The music was loud and Angel was not accustomed to socializing like this in the bar. It was somewhat reminiscent of her days in Reno, yet quite different altogether. The six of them danced and laughed for nearly an hour before Coach Bills and his dinner companions showed up around 10 o'clock.

None of the Pirelli clan noticed Coach Bills at first until Doug spotted him and got a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. "Rori let's dance," Doug said and pulled her up, rushing her out on the dance floor.

"Jesus Doug," Rori protested, "I was right in the middle of my story."

"Sorry sweetie," Doug grinned, "I just feel like dancin'" he said trying to imitate the Bee Gee's song, "dancin' yeah, dancin' yeah."

Rori was drunk enough to go along with him and laugh, whereas if she had been sober she would have told him where to shove it if she wasn't in the mood to dance. As they danced together, Doug leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Coach Bills just walked in."