“Denny, cut the shit,” Cass says, only taking her death glare off me for long enough to adjust Hazel. Then she’s right back to calling me out. “I’m doing my best-friend duty. I’ve watched you fuck around with God knows how many women over the years, until you get bored and move on. You can’t do that to her.”
“I’d never do that to her.”
“Just everybody else?”
My heart sinks, and I look to my brother for backup. What a time for him to be silently reading, ignoring us entirely.
“They’re not Blair, and you’re not stupid. You know this is different.”
Like it or not, there’s never been any denying Blair’s incomparable to any other woman from my past. Whether she would’ve come back a week after we broke up or twenty years from now, no amount of time would change how I feel. Sure, way back then I was more than a little pissed that she didn’t seem to care about my feelings or opinions—disregarding the fact that I loved her and wanted to make it work. But now I understand why she did what she thought she had to do, and I’m not too proud to admit I fucked up by letting my selfishness come between us.
“Pleasedon’t fuck it up, okay? I don’t think Chase would appreciate me murdering his best friend.”
Austin’s mug clunks against the tabletop. “And don’t fuck it up before this weekend, because a murder would put a real damper on the wedding.”
“What would put a damper on the wedding?” Cecily slides onto Austin’s lap, clutching a mug in her hands.
“We’re just reminding Denny to keep it in his pants for a few days so I don’t have to kill him,” Cass says.
Cecily turns to look at Austin over her shoulder. “Should we go down to the courthouse right now? Because I think we’re doomed if we’re relying on your brother to keep things to himself.”
“Jesus,have a little faith in me, Filly.” I laugh to disguise how much I fuckinghatethis.
I hate knowing this is the way everyone thinks of me—despite understanding that their perception is entirely my own fault. After losing so much, I kept women at arm’s distance. No room for hurt if you don’t fall in love. So I insisted on keeping things casual. Refused to see the same person for more than a few weeks.
And now I know there was never a risk I’d fall for any of them, anyway. Because they weren’t her.
“Starting to think Austin’s hired you all to keep his guys working nonstop, because nobody wants to hang around here for long. No such thing as a relaxing coffee break with you ladies here.” I hold up my mug, still three-quarters full of steaming coffee, and shake my head. “Besides, I’d be a lot more worried about all the other ways I can accidentally fuck up the wedding. If Blair and I decide to be together again, none of you need to worry about me ruining shit. I learned my lesson.”
Before anyone can argue further, I stand and head for the door, bringing my entire coffee—which is distinctlynotin a travel mug, but fuck it—along with me. With everyone doubting my ability to not fuck this up, I’m feeling inspired. Blair’s worried about other women, her friends are sure I’llget bored and dump her right away, and my brother thinks I’ll manage to fuck it up within the next forty-eight hours.
—
Nine. Ten. Eleven. Eleven-thirty. I’m sitting in my truck at the end of Blair’s street, head resting against the steering wheel. My phone illuminates the dark truck cab when I tap the screen for the hundredth time to check if she’s texted me.
Nothing.
Shortly after eight o’clock, I was too antsy to sit in the bunkhouse for another second. So I drove here and parked in my usual hiding spot, just out of sight of her house. Too bad she’s not answering my texts or calls now.
After a long day of doing mechanic work on tractors and pickups, there’s no way I can stay awake for the drive back to the ranch. I either fall asleep on my truck’s bench seat, or I go confront Blair.
I steal across the field next to her house. My feet crunch along the rock pathway to her back garden gate, and the hinges squeak when I let myself in. I freeze in place for a moment, staring at her parents’ window, waiting for signs of life. After no lights have turned on in the few heartbeats I stand waiting, I take my chances and head for her windowsill.
Blair’s bedroom window slides open with ease. A good sign for me that she left it unlocked, but also something I don’t want her to do anymore, for her own safety.
The first-floor window’s low enough I can pull myself up and in with relative ease. Although I’m sure I looked much cooler doing it as a teen.
Stepping foot into the room, I whisper her name, then fall silent to wait for a reply. Within a few seconds, my eyes adjust to the lack of light.
She’s asleep.
My palm slaps my forehead, and I sit on the window ledge, questioning my next move. Either I make do with anuncomfortable-as-fuck truck bench seat, or I curl up behind Blair and have the best sleep of my life.
The choice is obvious, and the payoff worth it, even if she gets mad in the morning.
My shoes fall to the floor with a thud, and I strip down to boxer briefs, then slide under the covers next to Blair. Fully asleep, she responds to the dip in the mattress by feeling around until she finds me. Shimmying until her ass is pressed against me, she grabs my arm and wraps it around her. Small whimpers of contentment fill the room. She’s in a tight tank top and shorts, and I hold a gentle caress of her breast, the sexy barbell pressing into my palm. My lips smooth over her bare, freckled shoulder, then I nuzzle my face into her thick hair and fall asleep faster and deeper than I’ve ever experienced.
—
