Glancing at the screen, my heart falls when I see that the text isn’t from Ryder.
Instead, it’s from Xander. He’s going to be in town tonight, and he wants to know if I’d like to hang out with him and some of his friends at the Rattler.
The guy’s a piece of shit. I haven’t heard boo from him since my accident. He hasn’t so much as sent a “Hey, you ok?” text. He definitely hasn’t gotten me out of the office and treated me to a pair of custom-made cowboy boots like Ryder did.
But Ryder said point-blank he only wanted to be friends, and a girl has needs. Especially after being turned down. I’d very much like to move past the humiliation I felt, and still feel, despite Ryder’s obvious attempts to let me down easy.
Nothing like a little fun between the sheets to clear the proverbial slate, right? Xander is a good lay.
At the very least, he’s a sure thing.
I won’t need a wingwoman to come to the bar with me to help pick him up. But suddenly I’m into the idea of having some moral support there, just in case Ryder happens to show up.
I shoot off texts to Sally and Ava, and then I hit up Mollie and Wheeler too. Yes, Mollie has a newborn and Wheeler is pregnant, so in all likelihood, they’re not going to want to hang out at a dive bar that smells like cigarettes and stale beer. But I enjoyed hanging out with them, and maybe they’d like a little Friday night break from being at the ranch.
Immediately my phone pings with responses.
MOLLIE Rivers
Yes! I was just saying how I miss dancing. Haven’t been out since baby came!
I’m in. Here, I’m going to loop us all in on a text thread because I just saw you pinged Wheeler too. She’s sitting right next to me
LONG LIVE COWGIRLS TEXT THREAD
I grin. I like these ladies.
MOLLIE Rivers
Y’all, how cute is the name of our group? You’re welcome. So our gal Billie needs some wingwomen tonight at the Rattler. Y’all in?
WHEELER Rankin
How do you think Tallulah is going to feel about having this pregnant ~lady~ at her bar?
SALLY Rivers
You are the cutest pregnant lady on earth. I think Tallulah will be delighted to pour you some fake ranch waters
MOLLIE Rivers
Otherwise known as just Topo Chico, which I’ll also be drinking because I’m still nursing this nugget. Womp womp
AVA Bartlett
And the lime! Don’t forget that! Makes it almost as delicious as the tequila does. Almost.
Sawyer and I have date night, but we will join y’all afterward! Or I can kick his ass to the curb if we want it to be strictly girls only?
My stomach dips. If Sawyer comes out to the Rattler, does that mean the rest of the Rivers boys will too? They don’t always move as a pack, but they do often enough for it to be a thing.
Squaring my shoulders, I tell myself I don’t care if Ryder shows up or not. As hisfriend, I feel neutral about his presence.
Still gonna wear something hot, though. Maybe put on a little eyeliner too. Thisismy first time on the rebound. I’ve dated some in the past, but I wouldn’t say anyone’s broken my heart.
Not like Ryder actually broke my heart or anything. But his rejection still hurt in a way I don’t think anyone else’s ever would.
WHEELER Rankin
