“Stand back, Poker,” I whisper just before I hitch my leg over the fence and fall onto the other side.
“Are you okay?” Callie whisper-shouts.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
As I unlatch the fence, a light in the backyard flickers on. Austin swings open the back door, wearing nothing but his boxers and a scowl.
When I look to Callie for guidance, she’s focused on her phone, blasting “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under” by Shania Twain at full volume. She holds it high above her head before shouting, “Run!”
So I do what any sane person would do: I grab on to Poker, and I bolt.
Chapter Seven
Jax
When I get homeafter my shift and set my keys on the counter, I’m still thinking about Lauren. Her haircut framed her face perfectly, highlighting every little freckle the sun has dusted across her nose and cheeks and illuminating the dimple that appears whenever she gifts the world a genuine smile. The top she was wearing was bolder than the simple blouses she normally wears, but she looked absolutely stunning, and her jeans accentuated every one of her curves.
Watching her dance with guy after guy was maddening. Even now, hours later, the thought sparks jealousy inside me. I wanted to be the one who held her waist, the one who made her tilt her head back in laughter. I want to be the one who gets to call hermine.
As torturous as it was to watch her with other men, it was great to see her looking happier than she did last week. Maybe the list is starting to serve its purpose.
My phone lights up, and my heart soars when I seeLauren’s name on the screen. But then I realize it’s two thirty in the morning.Why is she calling so late?The last time she called me at this hour, she wanted me to drive her to Amarillo so she could find out if Austin was cheating on her.
I swipe my thumb across the screen to answer. “Hey, Freckles. What’s up?”
“Oh thank god you answered.” My stomach sinks. “Jax, I need you to pick me up.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Where are you?” I’m already walking out my door, keys in hand.
“I’m at Austin’s parents’ house.”
Shit.“What’d you do? Never mind. Just stay there. I’ll be there in five.”
“Okay.” There’s a weighted pause before she adds, “Thank you.”
I barrel out of my driveway and flip through radio stations, searching for something to calm me, but nothing does the trick. I end up giving up and turning the radio off, but the silence and anticipation swallow me whole, so I turn it back on.
When I pull onto the street, Sheriff Baker’s car is in the driveway. Lauren and Callie sit on the porch steps while he stands in front of them with his hands on his hips. Behind him, Austin paces back and forth, fuming.
I slam my truck door closed behind me, rounding the hood. “What’s going on?”
Sheriff Baker spins around and opens his mouth to explain, but Austin catches sight of me, throwing a hand in my direction. “What ishedoing here? He’s the one you called? Seriously, Lauren? First you try to steal my dog, andthen you callhimto come to my house and pick you up? What the hell is wrong with you?”
I don’t like the look in his eye or the tone of his voice. It reminds me too much of a past I’ve tried to bury, and it sets a fire inside of me immediately. I step up to him, pushing a hand hard against his chest. “Don’t talk to her like that.”
Sheriff Baker inserts himself between the two of us, turning toward me. “They were trying to take the dog.” He looks as if he’s biting back a smile.
“I’m sure there’s some other explanation.” I turn to the girls for help.
Callie shrugs, and Lauren says, “He was left outside overnight. He was whimpering!”
It takes everything in me not to throw my palm to my face. “You’re kidding. You actually tried to take the dog?”
Lauren grimaces, raising her brows in a way that’s supposed to look innocent. I hate how cute it is because it makes it so much harder to be mad at how irresponsible they were tonight.
