You have no fucking idea.
But speed-dating? Literally hosting an event for the girl I’ve been trying to protect for her older brother to go onmultipledates withmultipleguys in one night? That’s not what I had in mind.
‘Sure,’ I grit out, locking eyes with Cherry, who watches me coyly.
‘Yay!’ Montana claps.
‘Wait.’ I hold up a hand. ‘That wasn’t me agreeing—’
‘Then it’s settled. I’ll start making some flyers in my break – shall we do next Thursday? Oh! This is gonna be so much fun.’ Montana completely ignores me, having decided that despite being her boss, my opinion on the matter is irrelevant.
Just as Montana throws both her arms around Cherry to continue the unnecessary excitement, the bar door swings open and Sawyer struts in, head to toe in denim, along with a white T-shirt, brown boots, a faded cowboy hat that I swear he’s had since high school, and the new moustache he’s sporting.
His face immediately brightens when he sees us hanging at the bar, brown eyes becoming even more animated as he passes the middle-aged divorcees who greet himwith flirtatious waves too. He tips his hat towards them, making them all giggle like they’re forty years younger when he says, ‘Ladies.’
For a second I think he might head over to their table first, knowing that his internal compass usually directs him to wherever he think he’ll get the most attention, but he must decide the three of us are enough for now. Probably because Montana is here, and he’s always trying his luck with her.
Sawyer slaps a hand on the bar as he almost stumbles towards it. ‘Whoops. What are we celebrating?’
‘Were you limping?’ Cherry asks, raising a brow. I hadn’t noticed, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s still busted up after that bull got him at the rodeo.
‘Nice to see you too, little one.’ Sawyer brushes off the question and gives Cherry a condescending pat on the head. She shoves him off, rolling her eyes, which makes the corners of my mouth twitch.
Sawyer turns to me. ‘Alright, man?’
‘All good. You staying long? Want a drink?’
Sawyer eyes the liquor bottles on the shelf behind me, mulling over his decision. Since his father was an alcoholic and he’s eager to avoid going down the same road, we have a secret three drink rule – if he orders anything after his third drink, I’ll make sure it’s non-alcoholic, while everyone else is oblivious. Though, something tells me anything alcoholic might be off the table since the news his father is in hospital.
‘Nah, better not. I’m off on the road soon. Just thought I’d pop in to say hello to my favourite bartender. Got a competition in Kansas this weekend.’ He twists to facethe girls, pumping his brows up when he shoots a grin at Montana. ‘Now, what was all the fuss about?’
‘We’re organising a speed dating night,’ Montana enlightens.
Sawyer barks out a laugh. ‘You’re joking?’
‘Apparently not.’ I shrug, giving him a hopeless smile.
‘No joke.’ Montana hooks her arm through Cherry’s again. ‘We’re gonna find Cherry a hunky man to take care of her.’ She then ducks her head to whisper into Cherry’s ear, though I catch every word, ‘Andto help you finish the second half of your bucket list.’
The words land sharp, unexpected blows to my stomach. I quickly grab one of the limes nearby and a knife to start cutting it up, giving my hands something else to do besides curling into fists at the thought, while I try to keep my mind focused on the lyrics of the Kashus Culpepper song playing in the background. Because,fuck, I hadn’t really considered that just becauseIsaid I wouldn’t help Cherry with all those sexual items on the list, doesn’t mean she isn’t going to find someone else to.
The list starts running through my mind again, each line making the roiling in my stomach more intense. The image of some random guy’s hands running over her tanned skin flashes into my mind and the lime I’m cutting goes flying across the bar as I press the knife into it too harshly. Everyone shoots me a look, and I try to laugh it off.
It’s not that I’m jealous.Obviously.It’s just – I’m not sure that seems safe. What if the guys she chooses don’t treat her well? Wyatt would be angry if he knew.
‘Oh, but no man for you, Montana?’ Sawyer adjusts his jacket and gives it a brush down, all the while keepinga cocky smirk plastered across his face. I’m grateful for the distraction even if it does make me roll my eyes at my friend. ‘Got your sights set on a handsome,championbull rider instead?’
‘Oh, Sawyer, you wish.’ Montana flicks her chestnut hair behind her shoulders. ‘I’m actually seeing someone. Besides, Cherry made me pinky promise years ago I wouldn’t sleep with you, and, as much as it pains me, I do have to honour that.’
Sawyer’s jaw drops, and he covers his heart with a hand, feigning some sort of wound. ‘Cherry, I can’t believe you’d do that to me. You know how much I love brunettes as well.’
I snort, wondering how my friend gets away with some of the things he says sometimes.
Cherry full on groans, ‘You’re actually an idiot.’
Sawyer just sighs at Cherry. ‘Well, it’s on your conscience that she’ll be missing out on the best night of her life.’
Montana giggles, fluttering her lashes at Sawyer while he shoots her a wink. Cherry turns to throw me a helpless, wide-eyed look that almost begs,save me.It’s a struggle to keep my smile from unfurling.
