lcgcndarry

[lcgcndarry]

Much like the lamb that Savannah found herself attached to, Memphis has taken a liking to the old mare, his eyes feeling a little dust-filled when he thinks about the day the old girl has to head to the pasture in the sky. And while he can feel his mother rolling in the grave thinking that something like a horse has a soul and, therefore, has an afterlife (her Christian roots say otherwise), if he still actually prayed, he'd ask for that. Still, he knows if he buys that pretty mare with the gray coat and the bits of black still trying to poke through, he's only setting himself up for disaster. "Ranch owns her for now, but they don't spoil her like I do," he says, a sad grin to the horse, keeping his face turned away from Sav. Giving the horse a quick pat, he moves her as she leads the way through the gallery.

Memphis' mouth flattens at the slight change in Savannah's demeanor. He knows he can't keep reading her moods or clinging to those little smiles and laughs. He's supposed to be just the guy that parties with her and falls into bed with her, but he's really fucking that up for himself. Memphis is constantly wondering when he takes their friends with benefits too far and fucks shit up or scares Savannah away. "'m sorry to hear that," he says, letting the mare sniff the air as she moves through the enclosed arena. Memphis' hand brushes over Savannah's arm, his fingers feeling the zap that comes from touching her. "That's-- God, that's fucked up," he adds. Memphis' hand finds hers before he gives her fingers a small squeeze, just letting her know that he was there.

Since his parents' car accident that took them both, he felt a little thankful that they went together. Instances where he saw wives left without their husbands or husbands yearning for their wives set in his stomach like a storm-ridden ocean, churning. "My mom always said that the other times would make it worth it," he starts. "Like the times when they were alive and spending time with you. That the memories were worth it, ya know? But I never really-- I didn't believe her until later." Later being when his parents died, and all he had left were the memories of his childhood. Some were happy, and some were sad, but yeah, he thought they were worth the pain that still lingered today. "Did you know him well?" he asks, worry coating his features.

the words of memphis' retirement go in one ear and out the other. savannah has known guys like him her entire life, a lot of them have to be injured beyond the point of return or they'll ride until their bones break from the pressure. she doesn't really know what his plan or timeline is, but she figures right now it isn't her place to push on that so she just lets it go. but then he mentions leaving and she tastes something sour in the back of her throat. is that her business? they're, at the very least, friends so... yeah, of course it is, right? but then they're not really just friends — but they're anything more than that either so maybe she shouldn't push it. fuck, this whole thing is becoming a lot more complicated than savannah had anticipated the first night they'd fallen into bed together. she tucks that little comment away, plans to ignore it though she knows it's going to eat at her and boil over before long.

"who owns her now?" she asks, genuinely curious. "ya could always bring her back over here when you're gone — your friends'd take care of her." but she shrugs because it's his choice. maybe he doesn't want anything back home tying him down to sweetwater while he's on the road. or maybe savannah should stop feeling a kinship with a horse. she takes a step back, lets memphis start saddling the mare up and she hops up to sit on an empty saddle rack and watch him. while she may be comfortable around livestock, her one on one experience is generally limited. she'd have no idea what she was doing. plus, he looks good so she is more than happy to watch him work.

she shrugs at his question, a little metaphorical cloud moving over her head. "everything in town's kinda a mess right now," she says, legs swinging. "y'hear about coach?" her lips purse and savannah tries to push down the sad feeling that churns in her stomach. she's not supposed to be like that — savannah is the fun friend. the party girl. she's very aware of the role that she plays in society and she isn't supposed feel some type of way when it comes to things like this. that'd been why she had come out to the ranch in the first place. when all the dust and rumours had settled and the reality of coach brown being dead had really sunk in, savannah felt a bone deep sadness that she didn't want to acknowledge because all it would do is trigger that grief she's been carrying around since the day she was born for her mother. so she'd come out here, knowing memphis always brings her to a better place. "i feel for his wife. they were high school sweethearts." just like her parents had been before she killed her mother. "i dunno how a person comes back from that."

[lcgcndarry]

Memphis knew he needed a backup plan. That's what this injury had taught him, yet he was, still with none. Not that working on the ranch wasn't everything that he needed for now; it just wasn't going to be that forever. The house he had rented on the land would only be temporary, and he's not even sure if the job would be open after he leaves. Hell, he was hoping to train someone new on the horses before things really started to pick up. The ranch relied on the horses to make for good sale to new owners, some racing, some riding, and some as pets. "I do need a backup plan, but I dunno if that's it. Those horses are trained to be weird. I like my horses doing horse stuff."

The cowboy chuckles to himself, shaking his head. Of course Bennett would want to try and ease his loneliness, as if it wouldn't be self-induced. It's funny the way they went from strangers to employee and boss to whatever this was-- friends? But the kind of friends that you always knew were delicately balanced. One issue, and he's certain there'd be no reason for her to stick around. "Don't do that, Ben," he snorts. "Stop acting like I'm some little lamb needin' saving. I'm just sayin' that's what I could be doin'." Admittedly, he was hopeful that Savannah would find his way to his doorstep or else he'd be sure to find hers. It was so fucking confusing the way he could miss someone he saw this morning before he snuck out. She wasn't his to miss.

"Not if I'm buyin', I guess. We should get you a horse," he decides. "Keep you from showin' up early and seein' my ass."

“okay maybe not an actor,” she hummed, tapping her chin before she reached out to shove memphis’ shoulder lightly. “you know what you could do after your comeback?” because at this point it wasn’t an if it was a when. mostly because bennett had blind faith when it came to her friends, but she had also seen memphis at work. he was good. he deserved to be back out there. but she wasn’t going to push something she didn’t fully understand. “you could train actors like your new best friend vin diesel how to handle horses in movies. i’m pretty sure they make bank…”

an eyebrow arched upward. she was mostly fucking with him earlier — she was aware that the man probably had other friends. but she had duties as savannah’s best friend to make sure that if there was another woman in the picture, bennett knew all her info so she could make her life hell — but the idea that he was going home alone was bullshit. “okay well that idea made me sad…you’re one more sad comment away from me showing up at your door with monopoly.” 

a quiet laugh escaped her as she nodded. “yeah, that’s a saying…but technically wouldn’t you be the man that people would see about a horse?”

[lcgcndarry]

Memphis has never read a romance novel, that's for damn sure. Hell, he hasn't even read a book since high school, he's pretty sure. But that doesn't mean he wouldn't give it the ol' college try if Bennett published it-- but he would definitely find it easier if it had something other than love going on in the story. "You should pitch the idea to them. I'm just sayin'." Definitely not exactly the best advice but if she wanted good advice, she definitely wouldn't be talking to a cowboy about it. Maybe Savannah would have something for her. "I'm not looking for the actor route-- I'm looking to hang out with Vin Diesel and maybe not have to retire at the ripe ol' age of 40," he snickers, shaking his head. He'll inevitably have to retire in the next decade or so, due to the wear and tear he's already feeling on his body. Getting thrown around on a horse is not great on the joints.

To give him a little reprieve from the question that she shoots at him, he takes another drink of his liquor. "Maybe I'm goin' home alone," he shrugs. Memphis rarely spent time alone at his house, day or night. And when he was, he'd usually find himself leaving to go somewhere else-- whether that was Carson's or Savannah's-- it really just depended on his mood. "Not everything's gotta be about romance, Cinderella," he reminds her, trying to brush off any thoughts of him and Savannah. That's all he needed was his employee (and friend at this point) to be on him about a fling that she wasn't even supposed to know about. No one else knew...

"Maybe I'm going to see a man about a horse-- isn't that the sayin'?" he chuckles to himself, the warmth of the liquor warming him up.

“well,” she said, drumming her fingers on the lid of her closed laptop. “the romance publishing house that paid me an advance for a love story might want it to be about love…” she took another sip of her drink and nearly choked as the idea of aliens came up. memphis had no idea why she started laughing, or at least she didn’t think he did as she cleared the alcohol out of her throat. “shockingly, aliens and romance novels aren’t mutually exclusive,” she said, still amused. maybe that was the temporary shift in subject she needed — but she had no idea where to start with that. “carson getting abducted would explain quite a few things,” bennett allowed.

leaning back in her seat, bennett studied her boss. “oh we’re lookin’ at the actor route huh?” it wouldn’t be a bad idea for memphis. had she ever seen him act? no. but was he hot enough that hollywood probably wouldn’t even make him read a scene? definitely. “well i dunno if i can get you into a vin diesel movie, but if my first book is ever being made into a movie, i’ll keep you in mind.” reaching out, she patted her friend’s arm. 

she neatly ignored his question, because no she wasn’t going to let it go, and bennett was sure that memphis understood that. instead, she straightened her spine and turned a suspicious look on him. “who else are you hanging out with memphis anderson?” he paid her, sure, but her loyalty would always be with savannah. and if he gave the wrong answer, bennett had some paintballs waiting in her freezer.

[lcgcndarry]

"I can think of a few more things I'd like on you." The mischievous way that the pair always seems to find themselves flirting feels all too natural to Memphis-- it's how he's found his way into bed with body after body. But with her, it's different. A part of him cares about her day and likes to compliment her new manicure or tell her how soft her hair is. It's not exactly hookup conversational material. Savannah and Memphis have found themselves in a pattern of superficiality that somehow finds its way into something more real. The kind of real that leaves his chest aching from his rapid heartbeat with her and the kind of real that has him reaching for her in his sleep. Maybe it wasn't the flirtation was natural, but so was the way he kept reaching for her hand. "You don't want to scare Tina off, so maybe we hold off until I'm retired," he jokes.

Retirement wouldn't mean the end of his rugged hands though, that's for sure. He lived and breathed the ranch life. It's not his but it damn well feels like it is and he's just going to finish up riding to end up right back here. Memphis tries not to think too literally about that. Because right here is in a barn with his horses and his girl. If only the words to make that a reality weren't choked in his throat. "A little sugar and a little spice never hurt nobody. -- I keep tellin' everyone I'm gonna buy her and build her a pen over by my place but I wouldn't wanna leave her here by herself in a few months." It's not exactly something Memphis and Savannah have talked about but their time is clicking down on a clock for when he's back on the road and barely able to make it home for more than a few days here and there, depending on how he places. "So for now, I'm just keepin' an eye on the ol' girl. -- Wanna take her out with me?" he asks, nodding toward the riding hall. "She likes walking around in her little circles at night."

Memphis watches Savannah with the horse for a moment before shaking his head and getting the reins out to walk Lacey, strapping the bridle on with ease. "Have a good day?" he asks, tentatively, knowing that the rumors in the town were definitely hitting plenty of ears today. But considering Savannah's demeanor it didn't seem like it hit too hard.

a brow raises and sav nods. "eyes, hands — you can keep whatever you wan't on me, darlin'. both is usually preferred, though." in all honesty, memphis has nothing to really be jealous about. not so much because they're not really together, but because while savannah may be a natural flirt, batting her eyes at everyone  — that doesn't mean she's actually interested or lets it go any further than that. it's all just fun and despite the notches in her bed post, when she actually has feelings for someone, she tends to fall fast and hard. like she's done now, despite a warning bell in the back of her mind telling her that it's a bad idea. she's had a lot of bad ideas over the years — most of them turn out halfway decent. she lets him grab onto her hand, squeezing the calloused fingers in response. "i'll see if tina can get ya in this weekend," she offers, half joking because she knows the chances of that are zero. "she'll have these feelin' as smooth as the day you were born."

while savannah hadn't grown up on a ranch, she'd been around horses a decent amount. not enough to make her an expert on anything but just enough that she didn't feel completely uncomfortable or out of place walking into the stables with memphis. she meets his grin with a smile of her own, leaning against the half door of the mare's stable. "well, shit, guess it's my turn to be green. at least you've got taste — she's gorgeous." the horse snorts and savannah lets the back of her index finger drag up and down the muzzle of her nose momentarily. "a lot more docile than i am. guess i can't blame ya for disappearing on me all day when she's your company."

[lcgcndarry]

Memphis awaits the wine and drinks a sip once he has it, although tentatively. He's heard plenty of things about Mrs. Ford and considering those things, he's a little nervous that she'll one day roofie him and he'll end up being her pool boy. And while he'd be a good pick for that, considering he's usually outside all day anyway, he's not exactly sure how to explain all of that to Savannah. A night starts off with sex and ends with a new job title because he got roped into dinner with her stepmom. Interesting.

"I'm Memphis. Memphis Anderson. We've met a time or two before. I work over on the ranch with the horses," he explains, trying to see if something strikes her as rememberable. "I ride in the rodeos...." he tries again. "Anyways, Memphis is fine, ma'am. No need to go with sugar buns. Although I have been hitting the gym, getting in shape for the next season, so I'm gonna take that as a compliment." Memphis nods and tips his hat to her. "Thanks again for this wine. Is this some of that fancy shit from the grocery store in town?" I heard that they got that from Oklahoma."

He's a little uncomfortable, obviously Vivian can sense that — but it's in that sweet, charming way that puts the grin back on her face. "Savvy'll be thrilled. Trust me." That may be untrue, but he's so damn cute that Vivian's happy to nudge her daughter here and there if she must. Having eye candy around the house is top priority here. Savannah will just have to find a way to forgive her and get over it if she doesn't like that. "I'll be right back."

It takes Vivian all of two seconds to practically leap back into the house to grab another wine glass, and when she comes back out she uncorks the bottle and pours him a glass slowly, all the while keeping direct eye contact while she does. "It's goin' a whole lot better now," she grins, pushing the glass in his direction. And of course, she has yet to stop staring.

Then she realizes she should probably figure out who the fuck this kid is before she keeps terrorizing him. "You're gonna have to remind me of your name again, sweetheart, or I'll just have to start referring to you as sugar buns."

[lcgcndarry]

"I'm keepin' my eye on you." He hates to say it but he takes her words a little too far in his mind and he's already racing past go and not collecting two hundred dollars. There were other things for him to be jealous of and that meant that Memphis wasn't the only one vying for his attention. Which logically, he knows. The guys on the ranch like to refer to Savannah Ford as his 'hot friend', considering he's corrected them a few times they've said 'girlfriend', 'fuck buddy', or 'his girl'. But he's made sure they don't think that means that she's open season. Memphis wouldn't be okay with that. Hell, he's barely okay thinking about the fact that she could be having someone else over when he's not there.

She may not be 'his', but God, his heart says otherwise.

"Nope, no broken nails today, honey girl. What kinda man would I be ruinin' your brand new nails. -- They look nice by the way. 'Lot better than mine," he comments, his calloused hands with the dust of the day trying to be a permanent tattoo didn't quite meet Savannah's own standards. But she didn't seem to mind him touching her with them. "You can ride with me; I'm real good at ridin' lessons," he snickers to himself, dipping his hand to find her freshly manicured one leading them back to the barn.

Stepping past this horse and that, he comes to Lacey Gray, one of his calm horses who's waiting patiently for her time to roam. She's getting older so she's not exactly spry these days, nor is she begging to go on a ten-mile ride, but a quick round the grounds will do it. "Here's someone you should be jealous of," he winks back at Savannah before looking back at the gray mare. "She's trying to steal me away from you."

the flirty banter between them has always been fun and easy, something savannah could loser herself in in a matter of seconds. the feeling of his fingers tilting her chin up has her heart summersaulting in her chest. her eyes meet his and... she's supposed to be giving him a hard time about something, right? she's supposed to be at least a little miffed at him for being a baby lamb serial killer. but then he smiles at her in that way that he does and he looks so good that savannah decides, fuck it — circle of life, right? sorry lambchop. she raises a brow at him when his hand drops again. "of all things you could be jealous of, you pick the lamb?" she had been enthralled with it, maybe more so than she is with him which is saying something because of the last few months savannah has been wrapped up in all things memphis anderson.

she feels herself perk up a little when he mentions wrapping up for the day. savannah knows that days on the ranch can sometimes last well into the night and he can't just drop everything whenever she calls — though wouldn't that be nice? she should really look into making that a reality. "yeah?" she grins because she knows there's a double meaning behind his words and honestly, she's okay with whatever way this goes. she's down for either outcome. but she can't deny that it's nice when they spend together with their clothes on, no matter how much she enjoys the alternative too. "i don't have to do any of the heavy liftin' do i? i've got a fresh manicure — can't risk scuffin' it." she's kidding, kind of. well, no, not really. she did just get her nails done and she'll be pissed if she fucks them up playing ranch wife with a guy who isn't even her boyfriend. "i wouldn't mind comin' and watching you do it though. then maybe we can talk about another ride or something."

[lcgcndarry]

Memphis stares at his assistant for a moment and then maybe another one. If he were a writer, he wouldn't be writing about love. It would be hard to write about something he knows nothing about. "Does it have to be about love? Why don't you just add aliens or something? Pretty sure Carson got abducted by some of them, so he'd probably be a good reference for that kinda stuff." Is it true? He's pretty sure it's not but he'd spread the gossip anyway. "Maybe go true crime and add some murder in there and Vin Diesel." That's the kind of thing he wants to read about.

"And when they turn it into some big movie, just remember little old me when you're casting it, ya know if I haven't gotten trampled by a thousand-pound horse like a pancake." Bronc riding wasn't for the weak of heart. He barely knew how he got out alive sometimes, let alone when he tried riding a bull a few times. That shit was even more wild. But with a bucking horse, it was enough to make some adrenaline go wild.

"You're really never going to let that go?" he asks with a chuckle, his lips finding the whiskey to burn his throat. Admittedly, Memphis had given Bennett a full-ass moon when she came strolling in unannounced. He was convinced there was going to be a resignation letter on his door later that day but thankfully, even though he'd taken his time to finish up with Savannah, Bennett had still continued to work with him. "I don't always hang with Sav," he adds defensively.

He was right, and that’s why she bristled. “It’s not that,” She mumbled. “It’s…the whole romance of it all,” She mumbled. “Hard to write a love story when my love life is in shambles.” Which is why her agent was being so lenient with her. The year extension was given mostly because of publishing schedules, but her agent managed to pull a few strings and convinced them to leave Bennett alone until the fall. She had time, and she had a bare bones plot idea, but it was creating the scenery for two people to fall in love that fucked her up. 

“And you know I’m in it only for the money,” Bennett said with an eyebrow waggle. She was joking, obviously. Well, maybe not obviously, considering she did apply to this job in the dead of night, three sheets to the wind, but Memphis has become a friend. Mostly because of how much time they spent together but also because of Savannah. Her best friend helped her get this job, and she honestly didn’t know how to thank the two of them enough for helping her when her life was spiraling out of control. Turning slightly so she was facing Memphis more, Bennett rested her chin in her hand. “You’ll be back out there in no time. And then you’ll be swimming in brand deals. So many we’ll have to chase ‘em off the property with a shotgun.” 

Brown eyes followed the gaze of the man beside her as she glanced over the faces of a few women who immediately turned away when they felt her look at them. Turning back to her boss, she arched an eyebrow up. “Are you telling me that you have plans later for the sake of conversation or are you warning me that I might be subjected to seeing your bare ass again if I walk in on you and Sav.”

[lcgcndarry]

There's a hitch in his breathing as she messes with the heavier jacket he's got on him. God, Savannah makes him so fucking weak. All of his friends remind him of this every time they see her on the ranch. She's a distraction, the perfect kind, and one that he loves feeling wrapped up in. Her touch gives him the same adrenaline in his veins that those eight seconds of riding do in front of a crowd of thousands. Memphis wasn't lying when he said 'sunshine straight into his veins'. "I thought you'd like that one," he says, adding to the cheesiest comment-- even if it is true.

The lamb incident had proven that once again, Savannah wasn't just a tornado of trouble, she also had a kind heart. And while Memphis isn't a fan of thinking about the poor lamb's fate either, growing up around this shit made it easier to stomach. He'd tried to warn her, but clearly, that hadn't worked. "Hey, woah," he says, moving his hand to beneath her chin, gently pulling it up to look at him directly. "We're not goin' there. I just was checkin' to make sure I didn't have somethin' to be jealous of again." Memphis gives her a grin, letting her chin go, knowing that kissing her out in the open like this would feel a little too much like they were something they weren't. Not that he wasn't hoping they'd get there someday but the conversation hasn't exactly been breached.

"I'm pretty much done here for the day unless you want to help me get one last ride in?" he quirks an eyebrow at her, fully aware of the double entendre.

long lashes flutter dramatically, savannah tilting her head as if to give him a better vantage point to soak in her features and take a stab at describing her. she hums in approval, "sunshine in your veins. see, that's more like it. you're a lot better at that than you're friends." she feels a jolt where his hand wraps around her forearm and her own hand reaches up to idly play with the hem of his jacket. "i was just checkin'," she shrugs before pulling a face. "don't even talk about that." she does her best to make her words sharp. the last time she'd been here the cutest little lamb had followed her around the barn — she'd fallen in love with the damn thing, given it a name. then memphis had broken the news to her that the lambs were being sold off to a slaughter house and broken her heart. she'd sworn off meat right there on the spot. of course, it had lasted all of four days but that's not the point. "i'm still not over the last time. if i never see another adorable baby animal again, it'll be too soon."

[lcgcndarry]

"I dunno anything about writin' or makin' a book but ever try to just -- look around. People are always doin' dumb shit around here," he offers. Memphis had graduated high school, sure, but he'd never been much for writing or math. He was the kid who slam-dunked the other kids in every sport in P.E. and who was always running his mouth instead of paying attention. Even if he had some sort of recollection from English in twelfth grade, the concussions he's had would've knocked that shit two ways to Sunday and leaked out. "I mean you probably already tried that but I'd think people are entertainin' enough around here."

Memphis basked in the glow of Bennett's compliment. At least everyone else believed in him, even if he wasn't so confident himself. He had thought that he could brush off the injury and clearly that was wrong. He thought that people liked him enough that losing-- or rather, not being first, wouldn't be so bad and then he'd lost his brand deals. He thought he'd be enough-- and now he's just hoping to place this year. Still, the small smile he gives Bennett reveals probably a little too much about his mental state, before he moves on. "And when I get back into shit, you're gonna get a raise! It's a win-win." Peeking his brown eyes around the room, he sees a few women he's hooked up with in the past and some fresh faces that are seemingly interested in what he's doing with Bennett. Unfortunately for them, he's not really in the market tonight (or the night before, or the night before that). "Eh, I've got plans later," he says trying to excuse himself.

"Ah yes," She said, pushing at the wet piece of hair he was lifting and trying to nudge it behind her ear. It didn't work. "I'll add horses fear me to my resume." Another swig of her drink distracted her from his question. Because yes she had been saying it for awhile. "It's not time that's my issue," She admitted, leaning back against her seat. "It's the inspiration that's been abandoning me. Also I'm not leaving you to your own devices right when you've started to get back on the horse....bull...you know what I mean."

She had watched bull riding. But the business side of it was brand new to her coming into this job, Bennett picked up quick though, helping keep him organized while he healed. "Your comeback's gunna be iconic, I can feel it." Snorting, she shrugged. "Look I gotta stay entertained somehow, and watching everyone ogle you while you order drinks was extremely entertaining."

[lcgcndarry]

@oilriigged

If there's one thing to know about Memphis, it is that he hates being alone. He hates being in his house without a friend or a hookup-- or Savannah-- walking around making noise. When he was young, he'd had his stay-at-home mother and his father keeping the noise going and once he moved on and went to rodeos, there was rarely a night he was alone in a hotel room without some buckle bunny. Being alone means being with himself and despite his charm and charisma, the one person that can't exactly love him is himself.

Thankfully, he's not alone today, and although Carson's sister would be better company for some reasons, for other reasons, Memphis is glad to see this motherfucker, even if it's early in the morning. Memphis throws a pillow from the couch at him, aiming for the face at full speed. "You want coffee?" he asks with a smirk. "I'll put a lil' whiskey in it..." he tempts, rubbing at his own eye. Memphis jolts his hand back from his eye. "Shit, guess that asshole got me good," he groans, his eye evident of the fight that broke out in the bar the night before. Memphis just joined in for some adrenaline. If there's one thing he misses about the competition is the wild surge that runs through his veins. "Worth it," he shrugs.

[lcgcndarry]

Memphis licks his lips, giving her a once over, as if he needs to think about whether or not 'pretty' is the right word. It's not. But he's also not really looking to tell her that he's obsessed with her round cheeks and beautiful smile or how it makes him nervous to think that she could be doing these drop-bys for anyone else. "I have a few other things I'd call you, that's for sure. Edible, beautiful... the human equivalent of sunshine straight to my veins," he compliments as he steps up to her. While he keeps enough room for Jesus, Jesus is looking a little thinner these days where these two are concerned. His fingers tingle to touch her and bask in her warmth. " 'Course I want you here, what kind of question is that?" Memphis questions, acting as though he's shocked and confused. His hand finds her forearm with a light squeeze and a matching grin. "Stalk away, I'll even show you the best spots in the house-- or are you comin' to see me for the lambs again?"

savannah's practically got a skip in her step as she works her way through the ranch, making conversation with one of memphis' gruff fellow cowboys — coworkers? — it's mostly one sided with gruff responses, but that's fine as far as sav is concerned. though she has a feeling the sentiment isn't returned as the man practically beelines away from the never-ending chatter that comes from her, promising to send memphis out as soon as he can. it doesn't take long, and savannah's hearts does a stupid little jump at the sight of him. "pretty's a bit of a lacklustre way of describin' me, don'tcha think?" she hums, pouting in an attempt to keep herself from grinning. she fails, of course, because she always seems to when she's around him these days and she feels her lips quirk up into a toothy grin. "and i think it's only stalkin' if you don't want me around — you do want me around, don't you?" her tone is light, teasing in a way that says of course he wants her around because it seems like the two are spending more and more nights together lately. but maybe there's a piece of her, tiny and locked in the furthest corner of her mind, that is seeking out that reassurance.

[lcgcndarry]

Evenings in Sweetwater have been a different kind of nice since he's been with Savannah most nights. Although he'd like to attribute it to the warmer nights which make the trek over to her trailer easier, he knows it's because of Savannah. He can't stop himself from feeling a little embarrassed though. The sneaking around thing was supposed to be working out. Clearly, he's been caught-- again. "Oh, I wasn't planning on stayin' for dinner..." he fades off, rubbing his chin. Looking back at the trailer and back to Vivian, he smiles. "Not sure if Sav wants me doing that... but sure, I guess I'll stay, I'll take wine." She said she wasn't taking no for an answer anyway.

Memphis steps over to the patio, fixing his shirt like he wasn't just fucking her stepdaughter a bit ago. "How's your night goin', ma'am?" he asks, grabbing the glass from her once it's ready.

It's a nice night out, one of the nicest in a while, so Vivian's decided to sit her ass on the back patio with a crisp glass of chilled chardonnay and a lovely view of the sunset; small pleasures in life that she's irate to have interrupted by the slam of a screen door. She's about to rip Savannah a new one for it — she's only told her a million times to stop fucking doing that — until she sees the true perpetrator come to a stop in front of her. "Oh, hey sweetheart." The grin that spreads across Vivian's lips is slow, almost predatory as she looks the kid up and down like it's a treat and a privilege to do so.

But that grin soon turns downward as she eyes his keys in hand. "You're not stayin' for supper? I know Sav'll be over here in about seventeen seconds asking what Alma's got on the stove if you wanna stick around. I'm sure she won't mind extending your little... date," she purses her lips as the word slips out, knowing full well that he wasn't in the trailer for a fucking date — but Vivian's got at least some class in her.

"I can pour you a glass of wine while you wait? I'm not takin' no for an answer, so you might as well get a little drunk in the meantime."

[lcgcndarry]

"At least you'll freak all the horses out and make them run away," he shrugs, picking up a piece of Bennett's damp hair before letting it plop back into place. While she'd only been working for him for a couple of months, it was going pretty well, but while he tended to be pretty laid back, she seemed to be the push he was looking for. But not in an annoying way. Which was more than he could say for the other candidates he was looking at. A quick recommendation bumped Bennett to the top of his list. "You've been saying that for a bit, don't you think? If you need time off or something, just take it. I'm not worried about it."

Memphis' wrist was coming back from the injury and he'd been riding more and more lately. It wasn't even hard to imagine bucking around like a madman in another month or two. However, his doctors kept telling him the more rest the better. Well, that wasn't going to get him back to the top, that's for damn sure. "You think mighty highly of me, huh? You think I'm breaking hearts from here to there? Damn. I'm like the damn Bachelor to you or something."

"Oh thank you," Bennett glanced up and batted her eyelashes. It was hard to view Memphis as her boss even though that's technically what he was. First of all he was only a little bit older than her, and second of all she has watched random women sneak out of his house or hotel room. That made things a little more casual. Bennett wasn't complaining though, he was a good person to hang around. "But don't bullshit me I look like a drowned rat." She took a swig of her beer that had gone far too warm by now. "Feel like a drowned rat."

Eyes cut from him to her laptop and back again. No shit, he would assume that she was checking his calendar. Technically she probably should be checking her email for responses from brand managers. "Shockingly enough, I'm doing my other job," she said, shutting her laptop. "Trying to convince myself to finish writing a book. But don't worry, you have my full attention now. So tell me how many hearts you broke in the time it took you to go and get this drink and come back."

[lcgcndarry]

Memphis takes his seat next to Bennett, placing his drink on the shitty table that he's sure has a month's worth of gum underneath it. "Nope. -- You're a pretty, pretty pony," he smirks, nudging her with his elbow. Peaking over at her laptop, he takes a look at the screen. His eyes fall back to hers. "You better not be workin'. It's Saturday and I'm right here. No need to keep track of my calendar when it's just got me here," he assures her, pointing at her computer. While a comeback is in the cards here soon, he's not exactly the most organized. Memphis figures as soon as the spring actually makes its way to Texas, he'll be looking at the open road. The problem is, he's not sure how long he can do that without the fancy sponsorships and without bleeding his bank account dry. He's not bad off, but he's in his early thirties meaning there won't be many more seasons in this body of his. Thankfully, Bennett is trying to figure this all out for him-- or she's at least ready on the phone if someone does call.

Bennett didn't check the weather. She shouldn't have to check the weather. If she wakes up one day and the sun is shining and it's a beautiful seventy degrees, why should she be anticipating freezing cold weather the next? Today it was freezing rain she wasn't anticipating, and she walked outside with her hair freshly straightened in her favorite dress ready to take on the world.

So now she was sitting criss cross on the booth side of a table with a group of people, in leggings and a hoodie that hit her knees - origins known, but will not be discussed - and her hair up in the sloppiest bun she could allow. Her laptop was open in front of her as Memphis returned. "Y'calling me a horse?" She asked, teasing as she scooted over to give him room to sit, carefully lifting her computer so no shifting drinks spilled across the keyboard.

[lcgcndarry]

@vexsins

It's early evening when Memphis finally pulls himself away, knowing it's time to head back to feed the horses for the evening and wrap some other shit that he should've been doing instead of finding himself in Savannah's trailer-- again. He couldn't resist following behind her, his favorite trap to fall into. And while he snuck in during the daylight, now the sun is setting and it's maybe a bit easier to sneak out without being seen. He's pulling his shirt on as the screen door slaps shut against its hinge. Hissing through his teeth, he heads to his truck, hoping no one heard that. That is until he comes face to face with Mrs. Ford. Fuck.

"Good evenin', Mrs. Ford," he nods, tipping his hat to her.

[lcgcndarry]

@miidnightsrain

Memphis steps out of the barn, wiping off his hands on his pants with an eyebrow raised in the blonde's direction. There's a grin on his face that tells her he's happy to see her, even if it hasn't been all that long since he's been around her. Still, he would be lying if he said that there's not a little pep in his step to see Savannah Ford at the ranch. And it's daylight-- which means that it's a step in the right direction, although Memphis is constantly reminding himself to slow his roll before he scares her off. "Some might say that a pretty girl is stalkin' me out here," he mentions. One of the other cowboys had come into the barn to let him know that she'd arrived. He'd brushed it off like he was going to make her wait, before putting back on his hat and heading out to her. "Think they're talkin' about you?" he grins wide.

[lcgcndarry]

open

Long days on the ranch always seem longer when he knows he has plans at the night's end. After he wraps up in the barn, giving each of the horses a little attention before he heads out, he makes his way to the arguably perfect bar. It's the bar that half the town is at most nights unless they have somewhere better to be but he enjoys the atmosphere and the way everyone seems to know his name. -- Even if it is because he wears the leather raw on a barstool there plenty of nights and not because he's popular in the rodeo circles or he grew up there.

Tapping two fingers on the bartop that has definitely seen better days, Memphis cozies up to the bar, blowing out a breath as he nods to the bartender. "Jus' the usual, please," he requests, the Southern twang evident in his voice. Once the whiskey drink is in his hands, he turns away treading over a table with a familiar crowd. "Sick of this hot and cold bullshit out there," he greets. "One day it's snowin' and the next it's hot as shit. Makes the horses pissy too."