Polk leaned back. “That’s all changing tonight.”
Jenna rolled her eyes. “You know we’re going to Dusty Rose, right?”
The conversation shifted to replacing the shingles on the barnand the accidental double booking in the VRBO in the back. Ryan learned they were almost done with retrofitting the second silo, and they already had a month-long stay booked in September.
He was happy to sit back and listen since the only thing interesting to talk about in his life left him feeling unsettled. In just under two weeks, he’d locked a woman out of her house, done voluntary electrical work at her house, and hired her to be his nanny for the summer. He’d seen Aelin Tomlison more than anyone else in his life and had an email from her in his inbox.
The offer at the choir concert earlier that week had been unexpected but a massive relief. Aelin had looked like she might be sick at Amaya’s bold declaration at the trampoline place, so it hadn’t occurred to him that she’d been considering it. He couldn’t decide if she was hard to read or if he was rusty after living as a bachelor for the past three years. If Polk was having a dry spell, he was living in a desert.
Jenna parked the truck, and they walked into the Dusty Rose, the scent of stale beer and wood smoke hitting him like a pressure wave. The place was already packed. Country music pulsed through the air, and the bass reached through his chest and buzzed along his spine.
"There they are." Country nodded toward a set of round tables near the edge of the dance floor where André, Boyd, Sean, and Kelty already settled in.
"About damn time." Boyd grinned, his hockey mullet swaying as he leaned back in his chair.
“It’s seven thirty, bud.” Country clapped him on the shoulder. “Has your bedtime moved up to ten o’clock?”
“Only if she’s setting it.” Boyd pointed to a pretty blond in Daisy Dukes.
“Show her your flipper. That’ll seal the deal.” Kelty winked, and Boyd flipped out his front right tooth, giving a goofy smile.
Rhonda and Anne walked over from the bar, setting theirbeers next to Jenna. “Boys, you better be on your best behaviour tonight.” Rhonda gave a meaningful look at Boyd and André.
“Always.” André narrowed his eyes and ran a hand through his hair. “Who am I working to impress?”
“Nobody. My friend Megan is bringing her sister-in-law tonight, and she hasn’t been out in a hot minute, so don’t scare her off.”
“Single?”
Rhonda scoffed. “She wishes.” Then took a long drink from her glass.
Country nudged Ryan, and they went to the bar. Dusty Rose wasn’t high-class by any stretch of the imagination, but they had a hell of a selection of craft brews. They both ordered a Village Blonde and walked back to the tables.
". . . and it’s such bullshit. She’s trying to do the right thing, and he’s using women like napkins.” Rhonda adjusted the strap of her tank top. “I saw him at this random charity event, and he had his hand literally up his date’s dress under the table while he was flirting with the girl across from him.Thatwas while they were still together.”
Anne looked disgusted.
Jenna shook her head. “Good for her for staying friends with her. Does her brother know?”
Rhonda shrugged. “I don’t think she talks with him much.”
Ryan turned toward Country, Polk, and Sean, pretending he wasn’t eavesdropping and wishing he could punch whatever guy they were talking about in the balls.
“Catch the news about Brodie's suspension?” André leaned over the table. “Third one this year. He’s got a loyalty card for the penalty box.”
Ryan shook his head. “That cross-check was filthy.” He tilted his head as another piece of the women’s conversation hit his ears.
“. . . I told her Colin’s a good guy,” Rhonda was saying. “Shesays she wants to wait until the divorce is final, but Megan’s wearing her down.”
He didn’t know why he was so distracted. Possibly because dating again sounded like his own personal hell.
Sean tapped his glass on the table. “Hastings is what, 220? Shouldn’t have chirped him.”
“Still. He dialed the gooney up to eleven,” Polk added.
“Did you see the CCHL got Richards?” Country asked.
Boyd nursed his beer. “That kid is one to watch. Speaking of, how's the camp looking? Starts in July?”
