“Not a problem.”
I didn’t bother staying around to hear them tell me to stay.
The drive into town took so much longer than I wanted it to. I almost turned around twice, pulling over at the side of the road realizing I was being stupid. She was having a girl’s night. I could talk to her any time. Both times I envisaged some dick like Forrester or Maddox Bridge sniffing around her, so sped off faster than I should, gripping the wheel, knuckles white against the worn leather. Taking the country song on the radio about second chances as a sign.
Screeching into the parking lot of Downtown Bar & Grill, it was busy and there was only one space, around the side. I pulled into it, turned off the truck and dropped my head, my chin resting on my chest.
“What the hell are you doing?” My groan echoed around the cab, the call of every man whoever made a stupid decision.
The noise of people leaving got my attention, hope soaring that maybe it was Tally. Maybe she’d also realized that we needed to talk. Maybe she was coming out with a guy to go back to his place.
The relief was immense when I saw it wasn’t Tally with another man. It wasn’t Tally at all; it was a guy I didn’t recognize with Sloane Evers who ran the Silver Peaks News. They stopped to kiss under the neon bar sign, hands exploring, giggles filling the night air.
I’d been an idiot thinking I wanted to keep moments like those between me and Brownie. Keep them in the privacy of her cabin. She deserved people to know how much she was wanted. How desirable she was.
Mind made up, I jumped out of my truck and into the cold night air. The stench of stale beer and dumpsters hit me, so I kicked on toward the door. At the huge plate glass window with the Downtown Bar & Grill paintedin gold on it, I caught sight of the girls. All three of them were laughing, heads thrown back, each with a wine glass in their hand. It was Brownie, though, who shone the brightest. Her hair cascading down her back, a carpet of auburn waves enticing me, making me want to wrap it around my hand while I…My breath fogged the glass as I leaned closer, pulse spiking at the sight of her smile. She looked happy and relaxed, everything I wanted to be the reason for.
Sloane and her friend finally stopped making out and stumbled away giving a clear path to the door. I couldn’t delay it any longer. I’d made it that far and I was going to talk to Brownie and tell her exactly how I felt about her. The bass from inside vibrated through the door handle. One deep breath. The cold air burned my lungs, but it felt like clarity.
It was time for the truth, even if it meant my heart got damaged in the process.
Chapter 27
I Won’t Give Up – Jazon Mraz
Tally
The wine had been flowing, and I was feeling the effects. My limbs felt much lighter than they had in days, my words, which came from loose lips, were slightly slurred and I’d started to talk about Wilder, to his sister-in-law’s.
“He’s just so damn annoying at times.” I grimaced. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that to you.”
Cassidy shook her head. “Don’t be sorry. We are both fully aware of how damn annoying the Miller brothers are. Isn’t that right, Lily?”
“Yep. We know exactly how annoying and yet…” she sighed and fluttered her eyelashes, “…how sexy they can be.”
“At least you’re admitting that there is a you and him,” Cassidy added with a raised eyebrow.
Alcohol has something to do with that. By our second bottle I was more than happy to spill why I’d taken the afternoon off.
“No point in keeping it a secret, now it’s over.” I shrugged. “At least I have the memories and my favorite little toy to keep me happy at night.”
The burst of laughter around the table filled me with a warmth I hadn’t felt in a long time. I’d never had many close female friends, not even at school. Always preferring the company of my brothers and their buddies. We lived on the outskirts of Sweet Maple Falls, the farmland part of town, although we didn’t have a farm, just a couple of acres of fields and fruit trees. My brothers and I rode our horses, climbed trees and swam in the river that ran through the Jenkins’ land, from sunrise to sunset and loved every single minute.
But it felt good to say I finally had female friends. Friends who I could talk to about…boys.
“I hate that he has me all tied up in knots.” Picking up my glass, the wine sloshed against the sides and the smell of the alcohol reminded me of Cassidy and Gunner’s engagement party. More importantly how I felt the next morning. I pushed it to one side.
“Ooh he’s into bondage is he?” Lily snorted into her glass.
Cassidy and I looked at each other and another peal of laughter broke out between us. The three of us continued giggling, the alcohol fueling our amusement. I even reached for my glass of wine, forgetting the potential hangover.
“Another bottle?” I asked.
“Why not and maybe we should have some…oh wow…” Cassidy trailed off, an amused expression aimed toward the door.
“What?” Lily looked over my shoulder and gasped. “Shit.”
Turning in my seat, my heart stopped, and my legs began to tremble. Wilder was standing in the doorway, his hands hanging loosely from his hips as he pinned me with a stare full of fire.
