Midnight Texas
by
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As Kate walked back into the hallway and into her bedroom, Duke laid back on the couch and closed his eyes. He was tired from driving and he didn’t sleep too well the night before since he was so anxious to see Kate again. Before he knew it, he was fast asleep and dreaming. It only seemed like a minute or two to Duke that he had been sleeping. The sofa couch was very comfortable and so was he. He was lying on the couch with his legs hanging off of it so as not to dirty it up with his shoes. He had a large fluffy pillow under his head and his left arm under the pillow. Suddenly he felt something that woke him up. It was a pair of lips touching his. Duke decided not to open his eyes and not to move. He continued lying motionless as though he were sleeping. It seemed like an eternity that this pair of lips was placed upon his, but in reality was only a few seconds. When the lips left his, he remained perfectly still pretending to still be asleep. About another five minutes went by before Duke chose to open his eyes. He awoke to Kate’s upside down face that was looming over his head on the couch. "Hey sleepy, welcome back. You’ve been out for over an hour." Duke rubbed his eyes and stared at the smiling face of Kate who was staring back at him. He wished he could wake up to her beautiful face like this everyday for the rest of his life. "Sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you," he said. He was going to mention the kiss, but something inside told him not too. "It’s okay, you looked so peaceful I didn’t want to wake you, but then decided to anyway." Kate let out a small laugh through her gleaming face as Duke sat up on the couch. He knew why she was giggling. "All right then, I’m awake, you’re dressed, let’s talk." Duke wanted to hear Kate’s problem and didn’t want her to come up with another excuse to put it off. For some reason, he couldn’t accept nor believe the fact that Kate had just broke down the barrier of closer touch that had existed between the two. He wasn’t certain whether or not she knew he was awake when she kissed him either. He would never find out. Kate could sense Duke’s curiosity to why she wanted him to come to Marquette in person. She figured now was as good a time as any to tell him her reason. She sat down beside him on the couch and her smile disappeared. In its place was a serious look, but not one that seemed unfriendly. Instead it appeared more inducing. "Duke," she said in a calm and convincing way, "I have some news that I don’t know how you may take. I still don’t know how to take it. I need your help." Duke shook his head in understanding and continued to listen. "Do you remember my friend from Madison?" asked Kate. Duke did remember him. Suddenly a rush of jealousy ran through Duke. Then because of Kate’s past he quickly jumped to a horrifying conclusion that perhaps he had done something to Kate. If he did, Duke swore to himself that he personally would take control of the matter, and it wouldn’t be pleasant. "Did he hurt you? Are you okay? What’s going on?" Duke asked obviously concerned. "No, I’m fine," said Kate tittering at Duke’s overly protective questions. "He asked me to marry him, and I’m thinking about saying yes." Duke froze, hardly able to believe what he had just heard. The girl he loved was about to become engaged to a man who in Duke’s eyes stole her from right underneath him.
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Midnight Texas
Meanwhile, Duke’s band, Midnight Texas, is quickly becoming the local favorite around the small town of Marquette, Michigan, where he attends college. Soon, the band is performing almost every night and gaining rapid exposure. It seems only a matter of time before they get their lucky break. This causes trouble for Duke in his pursuits of Kate. What also stands in his way is Kate’s ongoing depression and growing obsession with a different man, Eric Boucher.
Eric Boucher is the only man Kate had ever willingly given herself to. She had loved him more than any other man. Their relationship explodes into a terrible situation when Kate realizes he is only with her for his own gratification and he will never truly love her. Still, Kate cannot stop loving him.
Soon, Kate’s depression takes over not only her life, but Duke’s as well. He falls further and further into a despondent state with only his music to keep him happy. When Duke is finally faced with the decision to continue his pursuits of playing music or to remain with the girl who will eventually tear him apart in the same way she was, he must decide which path to choose; love of a dream or love of a girl.
About the Author
Devin Allen Dugan was born March 7, 1974, to Dennis and Linda Dugan in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He graduated from Green Bay Preble High School in 1992. Next he enrolled for one class at the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay before transferring and graduating from Northern Michigan University in April 1996. There he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science with a pre-law emphasis and a double minor in psychology and English. After he graduated from college, Devin joined an improvisational comedy troupe now known as the National Comedy Theatre. From there he also entered the world of stand-up comedy. Devin has performed at various venues across the country including clubs, colleges, and corporations. He still performs yet today doing both improv and stand-up comedy. Devin has also written a previous book entitled Expressions from the Heart published by Watermark Press in 1998. It is a collection of various poems he has written over the years. He continues today to write small poems and is anticipating putting out yet another collection of works. His works have also appeared in The Nightfall of Diamonds and Best Poems of 1997. Nowadays, Devin lives in Southern California and continues writing, performing, and enjoying his successful accomplishments. Midnight Texas is his first full-length novel and he is currently working on another.