Waylon manages to get Shelby pointed toward the exit.
“All right, people,” he calls, “let’s move.”
Shelby waves dramatically at the room. “Good night, Soused Cows!”
A few people cheer.
Charli laughs and grabs Shelby’s other arm.
Between the two of them, they guide her toward the door.
I step up beside Harleigh and place my hand gently on the small of her back.
The contact sends a small spark through me.
She glances up at me briefly. Just for a second.
Then we follow the others outside.
My Escalade is parked near the far edge of the parking lot under a flickering streetlight.
I press the fob in my front pocket to unlock it.
Waylon opens the back door and practically tosses Shelby into the second row.
She collapses into the leather seat, laughing.
Charli jumps in next, and Bryce slides in beside her.
Waylon shuts the door and walks around to the other side. Harleigh follows him.
Then she opens the front passenger door and hops in.
I climb behind the steering wheel.
“Everybody buckled?” I ask.
“Yes, Dad,” Charli says from the back.
I shake my head and pull out of the lot.
The drive toward the ranch is quiet at first.
Then Charli starts talking.
And once she starts …
She does not stop.
Shelby contributes the occasional drunken comment.
Apparently, they’re dissecting the entire evening.
The band’s performance.
Cabe’s mystery woman.
And the hilarity of me getting hustled by their “pool shark” baby sister.
