Chapter Text
Nicole Haught was frustrated and not the sexual kind. Sexual frustration had never been an issue for the gorgeous redhead with dimples for days. She had never experienced a drought or dry spell, never even one occasion where she was unable to access meaningless non-committal sex on tap. On the contrary the tall charismatic University senior was quite used to woman literally falling at her feet and worshipping the ground she walked on.
In her whole time at university, she had not officially dated preferring sex without commitment. No strings, no seriousness and definitely, no love. The concept was not everyone’s cup of tea, some even seeing such a lifestyle as hollow, sad and lonely but Nicole Haught was none of those things.
Don’t read this the wrong, Nicole was not a user. She was a respectful, generous lover who could be soft and gentle and hot and messy. It’s just that Nicole Haught held herself back from affairs of the heart. Sex was like sport and Nicole was an athlete at the top of her game. She just would do everything to ensure that feelings would play no role. Sex for her was about fulfilling a need, blowing off steam, it was an energetic coupling that had absolutely nothing to do with love.
It's not as if she wasn’t capable of love. She had been in love once, even married, but that didn’t work out well and she had buried that whole experience. So, like a nun who spoke the words of chastity, a young hurt Nicole vowed never to fall in love again. But a girl has needs, right?
This approach had not come without its share of challenges. However, Nicole had ground rules, a code of sorts. She was upfront, honest, even sensitive but if things felt like they were getting too serious she would bail faster than Popeye bucketing out a leaky boat. Restraining from feeling anything more than lust.
To Nicole, women were like t-shirts, you could have favorites, some that lasted, others that wore out or went out of fashion and some that you would just grow out of, occasionally there was one you would put away in the back of the closet and go back to it and see if it still fit. Just because she didn’t wear a t-shirt any longer, Nicole didn’t think any less of it.
For the most part Nicole had moved easily through phases, from girl to girl, with no visible scars. She had moved on and so had the girls she had engaged with. No time for regrets. Everyone was happy.
Today, Nicole’s frustration was not of a sexual nature. No, Nicole Haught was frustrated because she had just been told by her professor that she had failed her history elective. Nicole hated history but she was compelled to complete at least one subject as an elective in her criminology degree. She didn’t understand the rationale and had argued the need to pick up the elective at the start of her last semester to no avail.
She could recall basketball stats like a pro but for the life of her Nicole had no affinity with historic events or dates. She struggled to understand historic context or compare and contrast that with modern society, politics or religion. Nicole didn’t believe in dwelling in the past.
An appreciation for classic cars was as close to history as the redhead got. She could recall every single model of Classic truck of the 70’s and would spend hours scouring articles and internet forums researching. Her grandfather had taught her everything she knew about pick-ups, and she loved her original 1979 Ford Bronco like it was a blood relative.
It was in immaculate condition. An offroad monster with a 400 cubic inch engine. It was larger than any SUV truck before and still held its own among the more modern vehicles on the market. Hers was gloss black with red leather seats that had been lovingly restored by her grandfather including the hand stitched leather steering wheel and dash. Sure, later models boasted beefier engines and suspensions but to Nicole there was something special about the 79 and it was a piece of history that she could actually appreciate.
She loved that car and she loved that her grandfather had helped her restore it while she was in high school. Her G-Pa thought the monstrosity that was the 2021 Ford Bronco was an abomination and a insult to the legacy of the Ford Bronco. The resurrected classic was packed with innovative features and technology and even had a few nostalgic details, but it was merely a nod to the past. Calling something a classic doesn’t make it a classic in Nicole’s book.
When Nicole climbed into her 1979 high gloss black Bronco and roared out of the student carpark that afternoon she was frustrated. More accurately she was pissed. She revved the engine hard as she took off into the afternoon traffic.
While she waited for the lights to change, she slammed her hand onto the steering wheel in disbelief, “fucking history,” she bemoaned. “Fucking summer school, fuck, fuck, fuck!” Each word was emphasized by another hit to the wheel.
Nicole had plans and going to summer school to repeat a history elective did not figure in her plans. This summer was meant to be her summer of freedom. Her last hurrah before starting at the Police Academy in the fall, but now she was faced with the potential of not graduating at all. No graduation would mean no acceptance into the academy and for Nicole that was not an option.
For as long as Nicole could remember she had her sights clearly set on becoming a police officer, just like her G-Pa Stan. She used to sit on his knee and listen to his stories at the end of a shift as he drank his knock off beer. She was totally mesmerized by his tales of chasing down the bad guys of the Big City. She idolised him and it had been her dream to follow in his footsteps and his father’s footsteps before him. Policing was in her blood.
It did skip a generation though; her father had unequivocally rejected the career. He was nothing like his father. A young Nicholas Haught was more a conscious objector who believed the police had too much power. He had marched down the main street in the dead of night protesting police brutality when he was studying a political science degree at Big City Uni and ever since had been a leader who campaigned to defund the police. Standing against what he saw as the unequal relationship that was exacerbated by an increase in fire power of police forces across the country.
He had fought tooth and nail to try and persuade Nicole away from a career in uniform. Preaching at her that the police services needed to be divested and monies redirected towards reducing social inequalities.
When Nicole was accepted in the Criminology & Justice program at BCU Nicholas Haught disowned his daughter and blamed his father for her brainwashing. As far as Nicholas was concerned his daughter was now part of the problem that he had fought so hard to eradicate for most of his life.
Earlier when Nicole had come out as queer, Nicholas had shown her footage of the stonewall riots. It was his one last ditch effort to prove his political argument. As brutal as the footage was it failed to sway his idealistic daughter. She wanted to be the difference.
Rather than dwell on the problems of the past Nicole wanted to be the shining light of the future. Just because generations before her used tear gas, batons, and deadly ammunition it didn’t mean that was going to be the way things were done in her future. Her father’s protesting had nil affect and she became his greatest disappointment when she accepted the offer to study criminology. In turn Nicholas became his father’s greatest disappointment and over the past few years G-Pa Stan became Nicole’s guiding light. She had moved in with her grandparents and had not spoken a word to her parents since. Not even to her mother.
Everleigh Haught was from the Midwest and had moved to the big city to study at the university. She had wanted to be a social worker and help the less fortunate, however she had become very much a part of the political movements that Nicholas led. Somewhere over the years of protest marches and campaigns her dreams and wishes were lost among the social movements and policies. While she had was an academic force and powerful activist with a strong and respected voice, when it came to matters in the home, she was silenced by her overbearing husband. As much as she had longed to speak to her daughter, she knew better than to go against her husband’s wishes. So, Evie watched her daughter’s progress from afar.
While both her parents may have been apt at studying history, society, and all things political, it just wasn’t Nicole Haught’s bag. However, she never could have predicted actually failing the subject. Nicole Haught was a high achiever and had done well in all other disciplines. However, if she was honest, she would admit that she didn’t invest fully in the subject. If pushed she would admit that she didn’t invest at all. It was an elective for Christ’s sake, they were meant to be a breeze.
Her G-Pa never cared about her grades, all he cared about was Nicole getting into the academy. He could not have been prouder than the day the acceptance letter came in the mail. As she made her way through the afternoon traffic, she wondered how she was going to break the news to him or if she would tell him at all. She had no other option than to pick up the subject at summer school and no matter how frustrated that made her feel, she resolved it was inevitable. Maybe he didn’t need know, why worry him she rationalised. She would pick up the class, invest more time and be all set for the Academy in fall. Easy.
It was 6:15 by the time Nicole pulled her truck into the carpark at Willows. She tended bar there three nights a week, picking up extra shifts as she was needed. Tonight, she was running late, and she knew if Doc was there, he was going to be pissed.
She was out of breath and flustered by the time she entered the bar; her hair was messy, and she still had not put on her uniform. She was relieved when she saw Rosie behind the bar. At least she would avoid the wrath of the boss.
“Where have you been?” quizzed the gorgeous brunette.
“Sorry Rosie, I got caught up with one of my professors.”
“You could have called to let me know, I have already worked a long shift and it’s not like I don’t have my own life.”
“Don’t get your knickers in a twist, I’m here now,” Nicole stated as she pulled out a work shirt from her backpack. “Just give me five minutes to change.”
Rosie walked over close to Nicole so only the redhead could hear, “I will have you know Red that I am not wearing any knickers.” Her voice was sultry, smokily suggestive and commanded instant attention.
“Don’t start what you are not prepared to finish,” warned Nicole with a mischievous sense of humor. She had put the invitation out there many times, but Rosita had eyes for Doc and wasn’t the slightest bit interested in a fling with Nicole. That would only get in the way of her long-term plans.
Nicole leaned in closer whispering in Rosie’s ear. “Why not take a walk on the wild side, I promise it will blow your mind.”
Rosie chuckled awkwardly and found herself blushing. She found Nicole utterly gorgeous, spellbinding in a way. She would be lying if she said she hadn’t considered taking Nicole up on her offer on more than one occasion over the past few years. Being great friends never stopped Nicole causing her heart to skip a beat. “As good as that sounds and as flattered as I am you know that I am with Doc.”
“With? I wouldn’t call what you and Doc have as together,” Nicole air quoted. Not like serious together, together. Doc is hardly the white picket fence type.”
Rosie toyed with Nicole trailing her index finger down her cheek seductively before stating, “You are hardly one to talk Red.”
Nicole winked. “Yeah but at least with me you will know where you stand. She stepped backwards melting into the shadows leaving Rosie at the bar.
When she returned, she had her hair pulled back into a messy bun a few loose strands tucked behind an ear. She was wearing her official Willows embroidered black button down and she was tying the straps of her apron tightly around her waist. Rosie gave her the rundown on the room and the outstanding bills. She pointed to a woman sitting in booth at the far reaches of the bar. “I think that one is drowning her sorrows.”
Nicole lifted her eyes to gaze across the room. The bar was dimly lit but she could tell that the Brunette was gorgeous.
Rosita recognized the glint in Nicole’s eye. “Go easy tiger, she looks heartbroken.”
“Consensual, non-committed sex can be the perfect balm for an aching heart, she picked up a clean glass from the dishwasher drying it with a cloth. “I could do with some fun. I need to blow off some steam after the shitty afternoon I just had.”
Rosie rolled her eyes. “Just remember Haught you are the barmaid, and you have a job to do.”
In faux disgust the redhead responded, “I will have you know that I am NOT a barmaid.” She then reached the top shelf pulling down a bottle of their finest whiskey. “My dear Rosie, I am a mixologist and I know the exact balance of mixing business with pleasure.” She declared before swallowing the contents of a shot glass.
Rosie rolled her eyes again and slapped her apron down on the bar top. “Well, I will leave it in your capable hands then, shall I?”
With that Rosie was gone, she had a million errands to run and had seen the redhead work her magic enough times that she didn’t need to stick around and see her try and woo the brunette into her bed.
Nicole tended the bar with earnest keeping a close eye on the mysterious brunette in the corner of the room. She had not seen her before. She knew that she would remember a beautiful woman like that. New in town she thought or escaping to somewhere where no one knew her. Nicole was comfortable watching on from afar, she was gathering intel and didn’t want to come on too strong. However, the more she watched the woman the more intrigued she became.
Nicole had loved woman ever since she could remember. She loved the way they moved, the sound of their voices, the soft touch of their hands and lips. This woman certainly had captured her attention. She slinked by her booth and wiped down her table, cleared the empty glass and asked if she was ready for another. She returned with another glass of wine and stepped back with a wink as she placed the glass of Prosecco down in front of the woman. There was something about her that captured Nicole’s interest.
She was small but seemed powerful, strong. She was dressed in a navy suit and a crisp white dress shirt. The skirt was narrow, and the hem crept up to show her toned thigh. Her legs were tucked back, and her bright red heels were impossible to ignore. She was impeccable and yet there was something askew, she seemed unsettled. Her brunette hair was wavy and slightly tousled. Like someone had been running their hands through it. She looked like she may have been crying but Nicole couldn’t be sure, and she was younger than Nicole, early twenties maybe.
When their gazes locked Nicole found herself sinking into the most shockingly beautiful eyes she had ever seen. For a moment they just stared, sizing each other up. When the brunette grinned, her whole face transformed. It was an endearing a trust me kind of smile and Nicole was sure it was a smile that could get anything it wanted.
“Hi,” she said with a slight wave.
Wow her voice matches the whole package. It was warm, educated with a touch of country charm that made Nicole think of summers at her uncle’s farm and eating ripe peaches in the sun.
Somehow the brunette had made that ‘hi’ sound poetic.
The younger woman’s gaze traveled down Nicole’s body and back again like a hot caress. Stick a fork in me I am done.
The brunette took a sip from her wine.
Nicole was uncharacteristically flustered, but still reckless enough that she wanted to play. A dangerous combination. “What’s a beautiful woman like you doing drinking alone? Did I really just use that line fuck…. Sorry, that’s a terrible line,” she spluttered trying to back away from the question.
The brunette turned in her seat, uncrossing and recrossing her legs. “Alone, but not lonely…. not while I have you to keep me company.” She toyed with her wine glass and her tone slightly purred with sex and inuendo as her gaze travelled down Nicole’s body taking in her curves and long legs.
Smooth, really smooth. Nicole smiled, her dimples popping for the first time and there was a mischievous glint in her eye. She felt a warmth rush to her core, and she tensed her thighs to hold back the sensation. Her day had been a real bitch and this woman was turning it around in a heartbeat and fuck Nicole was all in for whatever she was offering.
She leaned forward, invading some of the brunette’s space. She was close enough to make out a hint of her perfume, floral and a tad spicy. She was close enough that if she leaned just an inch further, she could have captured the woman’s full pink fuck me lips. Most girls might have blushed or backed away, but she did neither. Her stare was unblinking, the same challenge in her voice evident in her gaze.
Her eyes looked like they had seen too much, lived too much but there was also an innocence and youthfulness to them. They contained exuberance and energy. She was young. Maybe this was a bad idea Nicole thought, but there was something about this woman, something that felt like a burst of colour in a day that had been full of grey.
“Vanilla, mmm it’s my favorite,” commented the brunette.
This girl had commitment written all over her. She was the kind of girl you would bring home to meet the family, well mannered, classy definitely not Nicole’s type. However, despite that the redhead wasn’t backing away.
Silence hung between them as anticipation filled Nicole’s body. The brunette was playing with her, and she knew it and Nicole fucking loved it.
“Anyway, I better get back to the bar,” Nicole remarked pointing her thumb back over her shoulder. “If you need anything just holler.” She stepped backwards as she spoke maintaining eye contact until she slightly stumbled on a chair.
The brunette’s lips twitched as she attempted to disguise a chuckle, “Are you falling for my charms?”
Nicole pointed at the woman whose eyes sparkled and lips parted, and Nicole knew that she wanted those lips on her, around her, covering her in their warmth.
It was all she could think about as she poured drinks and listened to the worn-out stories from the regulars. Her shift seemed to drag on and just being in the same orbit as the brunette was getting under the redhead’s skin. Whatever tenuous grip Nicole had on her sanity had deserted her and she was at the mercy of the woman sitting in the corner booth.
The way she looked at her and seemingly saw right into her soul. The gentle flutter of her eyelids and the manner in which she would tilt her head to the side, her expression inscrutable as she studied the barkeep from the other side of the room. Nicole prayed that whatever the brunette saw it met with her approval.
She worried; did she look how she felt? Pissed off, strung out from too many coffees at the University café, frustrated by the fact that she was going to have to pick up an elective class over the summer? The brunette was young and there was a vibrance in her eyes and for the first time ever Nicole was standing with her ego in her hand thinking, please pick me.
She was at the far end of the bar pulling a beer from the tap for one of the regulars when she caught a glimpse of the brunette out of the corner of her eye. There in the brighter light spilling from the bar she could get a true gauge of her beauty. She nodded acknowledging the woman, “I won’t be a moment,” she said pouring on the charm. The woman smiled, the corners of her eyes wrinkled, and they glistened in the light.
Finally, Nicole made her way up to her hazel green eyes. Deep soulful eyes, the kind that made a girl feel giddy. Framed in the softest of lashes that might have made angels weep.
Could someone so angelic really be up for a hook-up Nicole challenged herself between breaths.
The brunette curled her fingers around the empty glass, and pursed her lips, her eyes answering the question that Nicole had asked herself. The brunette held her gaze and smiled at Nicole sexily.
Nicole swallowed, more rattled than she wanted to acknowledge. “What can I get you?”
“An orgasm,” the brunette replied in a sexy flirtatious manner.
Without hesitation Nicole replied, “traditional or screaming?” Her response was as smooth as the Baileys liqueur she was pouring over ice.
The brunette sucked in a silent breath and mustered all her courage. “I will take it anyway you’re serving.” Her hazel eyes were dangerous.
Nicole mixed the cocktail without losing eye contact and as she pushed the glass across the bar top her fingers feather touched the brunette’s. “Nicole, Nicole Haught and you are?”
“Waverly, just Waverly.”
Nicole slid her hand back slowly across the bar all the while looking deeply into hazel eyes. Her heart started to race. Her gaze darted to the low-cut line of the brunette’s blouse and the bare olive skin of the woman’s chest. Every part of her wanted this woman.
“Eyes up here,” Waverly said clearly amused by the impact she was having on the redhead.
Nicole returned her gaze to her face and a slight flush filled her cheeks. She held up both hands surrendering to the woman. “My bad, it’s just when I see something I like I don’t like to wait.” God this woman looked like an angel, but Nicole could not help but have a few devilish thoughts.
Waverly nodded smugly. “Well, you are going to have to wait until you finish your shift because from what I can tell you are the only person tending this bar.” Waverly turned her red heels clicking across the hardwood floors as she swaggered back to her booth. Nicole was certain she had put an extra sway into her hips just for her.
Nicole cleared her throat, the flush she felt across her entire body was not common to her. It was crazy, utterly crazy and it felt too good to resist.