“I’m fine.” Even though I’m definitelynotfine. I’m tipsy.
“You might be able to sling those shots back, but you can’t outdrink me. You’re definitely a lightweight,” he says, but there’s no judgment in it. Just amusement. “Come on, let’s get some water in you before my brother comes back and murders me for corrupting his wife.”
He orders a bottle of water and presses it into my hands the moment it arrives. I drink greedily, the cool liquid helping to clear my foggy mind. Around us, the rodeo continues with announcements, cheering, and the constant buzz of crowd noise.
“Ya know, I’m glad my brother married you,” Levi says out of the blue.
“Well, I’m glad we made one person happy with our marriage.”
“Don’t be like that.” He looks at me with surprising sincerity. “I just mean I’m glad he has someone like you. To hold him accountable and keep him in line. You’re exactly the type of woman he needs.”
“If only it didn’t come as a sacrifice to my personal autonomy.” I don’t really mean it.
He glances toward the grandstand, then back to me. “It’s not all flowers and butterflies, that’s for sure. But you’re not alone in this. You’ve got me. And Sawyer, once you get to know him. Kade too, even if he acts like a sanctimonious douche. We’re not like our father despite his best efforts to make us.”
The words settle over me like a blanket, unexpected comfort in the middle of chaos.
Before I can respond, I spot Calder making his way through the crowd toward us. He’s wearing a murderous expression that makes me tremble.
“Shit,” Levi mutters. “Here comes the fun police.”
Calder reaches us, and his icy-blue eyes flick back and forth between Levi and me, taking in the empty shot glasses on the bar, the flush in my cheeks, and the way I’m swaying slightly.
“What the hell is this?” His voice is dangerously quiet.
“Relax,” Levi says, all easy charm again. “I was just keeping your wife company while you were off doing whatever mysterious business you were doing. Bought her a couple of drinks. You know, being a good brother.”
“What’s a couple of drinks?” Calder’s gaze fixes on me.
“Four,” I say, lifting my chin. “And I’m fine.”
“You’re drunk.”
“I’m tipsy. There’s a difference.” The whiskey has made me bold, or maybe just reckless. “And it’s better than sitting there terrified while everyone stares at me.”
Something flickers in Calder’s expression, anger, maybe, or concern, or both. But before he can respond, the announcer’s voice crackles through the speakers.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we’re about to start our bull riding event!”
“That’s my cue.” Levi pushes off the bar, tipping an imaginary hat at me. “Thanks for the company, Saint. It’s been a pleasure corrupting you.”
He jogs off toward the livestock pens, leaving Calder and me standing at the bar. The tension between us is thick enough to cut.
“We need to talk about boundaries,” Calder says quietly.
“We need to talk about a lot of things.” The whiskey has loosened my tongue. “But right now, your brother is about to ride a bull. So maybe we should go watch instead of you lecturing me about boundaries. We do need to be the picture of family and support, right?”
For a moment, I think he’s going to argue. Instead, he takes my arm—not roughly, but firm—and guides me back toward the bleachers.
We return to our seats just as the announcer’s voice crackles through the speakers. “First up, we’ve got Levi Bishop on Bad Intentions!”
The crowd erupts in cheers. Below in the arena, Levi climbs onto the rails of chute number three. Even from here, I can see his easy grin and the way he waves to the crowd. The enormous bull beneath him, Bad Intentions, is all muscle and rage.
“Should he be doing that after drinking all those shots?” I ask, surprised that I actually care.
“Probably not,” Calder responds, keeping his gaze on his brother with an expression I haven’t seen before, something soft, almost proud. “He wouldn’t listen if anyone told him not to do it. He loves defying the rules.”
The gate swings open.
