I don’t answer, just squeeze him tighter, because I’ve missed him. His arms wrap around me, and it’s the kind of hug that swallows you whole. The kind only a big brother can give when the world feels harsher than what you’re built for.
He’s taller now. Broader, too. His hair’s longer than I remember, sun-streaked and messy, and he looks… grown. Rugged, even. But still Knox.
I mumble into his chest, “It’s so good to see you.”
"You wanna go see Daddy?" he asks, releasing me. “If you would have told me you were coming, we could have planned somethin’ for you.”
"Not yet," I confess. "I've had a day. I booked a cute little guest house in town. Wasn’t sure how things were going to go with Daddy."
"You booked a guest house here in town?" he asks in a strange way like he knows something I don’t.
"Yes… The closest hotel was an hour away."
Knox's smile stays put as he puts an arm around me and says, "Alright then, let's go out and celebrate."
five
Trouble
"The usual tonight, cowboys?" Honey asks as the neon sign overhead buzzes like it’s on its last leg.
I shoot her a grin, toothpick rolling between my lips. "You know it, sugar."
“Put it on Rogue’s tab tonight,” Danger chimes in, grabbing his Jack and Coke. “Boy had the shortest ride. Again.”
Rogue tips his hat back, unimpressed. “Fine. But that means y’all are drinkin’ tap water and prayin’ it’s cold.”
I chuckle and flick the brim of his hat. “C’mon, what fun would that be?"
“Hell,” Rogue mutters. “Hate this tradition.”
Danger turns to me, blocking me from the group. "Spill it, Trouble."
I tip the glass, letting the whiskey kiss my lips before I confess. "I'm tellin’ you, the beauty queen asked me to meet her, but when I walked into trailer number three like she said, she wasn't there."
"Maybe she saw you ride," he says with a sly twist to hismouth. "Saw everything she needed to know and didn’t wanna see your ass anymore."
I lean back and smirk. "That wasn't it. Someone else was there. Had more fire than I tend to mess with, but damn if it didn’t look good on her." And now my mind is drifting to her ass. Tight, perfect, fit too fucking well in my palms. Yeah, I haven't been able to think straight since. "She was even more gorgeous than the beauty queen."
"Let me guess," Danger drawls, his voice heavy with amusement, "she kicked you out?"
I hold back a smile. "More or less.”
"Thought so," he snickers, and all I can do is finish off the rest of my drink.
"On that note," I say, swiping my empty glass off the table, "I'm gonna go put another drink on Rogue's tab."
Honey slides me a fresh glass of whiskey, nods, and moves on.
But fate’s a mean son of a bitch.
I turn, take one step, and my boot catches on something solid. Before I can blink, it’s a slow-motion wreck. The glass slips from my hand. Whiskey flies through the air.
And it lands—every damn drop—on a light pink dress.
Herlight pink dress.
Shit.
