“Thanks,” I say. “So do you!”
Sticking with the theme of denim, Harper is wearing a cute denim skirt with some white cowboy boots and a long-sleeve black bodysuit. Her hair is crimped, and she has in some super cute gold hoops.
“Thanks.” She smiles as we make our way inside.
The music is loud, and the atmosphere lively. In the dim lighting, I look around, taking it all in. For a small town bar, Buckles is always busy. With its low lighting and neon signs and its brick walls and sticky floors, it’s everything you’d imagine a small town country bar to be. There are a couple pool tables at the back and even a mechanical bull off to the side.
The tables are packed, and there’s already lines at the bar. Making our way through the crowds, we spot an empty table and claim it before Sarah runs off to get us drinks.
I tell Harper about Wren and how she’ll be joining us tonight and learn that Harper and Wren actually went to school together. Sarah comes back a moment later and sits down, handing us each the drink we ordered. My eyes dart to the door. In walks Wren, and I smile and wave, catching her attention. As she walks closer, I see that a few men trail behind her. Immediately, I recognize Hayes and Cade, and as my eyes drift over the other two, I spot West among them. My cheeks heat,and I bring the neck of my bottle to my lips, my eyes never leaving his.
My eyes snag on Jade the second we enter Buckles. It’s like I’m drawn to her as moth is to flame.
My eyes never once waver from hers as I make my way through the crowd. Her hair is pulled back, and one of the neon signs on the wall casts her in its glow.
She’s so fucking beautiful.
I can’t see much in the dim lighting, but I see she’s got on some lacy thing under what looks like a denim dress. My eyes follow the path down her silhouette. Her legs are long and bare, and everything in this bar is just background noise.
I feel Cade, or maybe Colter, tap me on the shoulder and say something about beers, but I’m too focused on following Wrenley to the table of women.
I watch as she slowly brings the neck of a bottle to her lips, her tongue darting out, and a lick of heat unfurls inside me as I imagine those lips wrapped around something else. Jade’s cheeks flame as if she can hear my thoughts, and I give her a devilish smile.
“Evening, ladies,” I greet the table, eyes still solely on Jade.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t Sarah Walker,” my brother taunts. “Twice in one day, baby. If I knew any better, I’d think you were following me,” Hayes drawls, leaning against the table.
“I was here first, dipshit,” Sarah snarls at him, kicking his legs away.
Chuckling, he adjusts his stance. “Either way, we’re both here. It’s fate, wouldn’t you say so, sweetheart?” He smirks, and I can see the fire in Sarah’s eyes. She’s ready to strangle him.
“In your dreams, Hades,” she bites, eyes narrowing.
“Oh trust me, darling, you appear in plenty of my dreams.” He winks, and she slams down her drink, making him chuckle.
“Don’t make me vomit.” She scoffs.
I reach out and clamp a hand on his shoulder as a warning.
Turning my gaze back to Jade, I give her a friendly smile. “Hi, you look beautiful. I like your hair. And that lace thing you got on underneath,” I say, and her face flushes as the table of girls snicker. Realizing how that sounded, I clear the heat from my voice and gesture to her top. “I mean your shirt thing,” I say, bringing my hand up to scratch the back of my neck.
Fuck. I’m messing this up.
“Oh, thanks. You look good too.” She smiles sweetly. “I like the muscles.” Her eyes bug, and I have to hold back a laugh. “Oh God. Shirt. I mean shirt,” she corrects, her face turning scarlet.
“Dear God, it’s like watching a couple of virgins,” I hear Sarah say.
“I could definitely go for some popcorn right about now, that’s for sure.” Wren laughs, making me scowl at her.
“I should probably leave you ladies be and go find my brothers. Just wanted to come say hi. Have a good night,” I tell them, grabbing Hayes and pulling him away to follow me.
“I like the lacy thing you got on underneath,” Hayes mimics, and I shove him into a table.
“Fuck off,” I grumble.
We find Cade and Colter and join them in a round of pool, talking shit and sipping drinks. I’m shocked Cade joined us tonight. Two weekends back to back has to be a record for theguy. We had no plans to go out tonight. Colter goes back to work tomorrow, and Cade and I agreed to help Ma and Pa at the farm all day since we’re both off duty. We just all happened to be at the house when Wren came inside and said she was going out tonight. Mom and Dad offered to keep the little tornadoes for another night and all but forced us out the door with her. Though I have to admit, once I heard Jade would be here, I had no qualms about coming.
I try to focus on the game of pool, but my gaze keeps sliding across the room. She’s like a goddamn beacon. A few times I’ve caught her staring back, and fuck, if that doesn’t make me feel good.
