Shaking my head, I let out a puff of air. “Not sure. Fucking Jep Shepard was over there.”
Colter groans. “Can’t fucking stand that guy. I swear he is the one responsible for that shack fire that got out of control last year, but no one could prove it.”
“I believe you, brother.”
“Think he could be the guy you’re looking for in connection to the murders?” he asks.
I think about it, then shake my head. “Nah. Can’t see him being smart enough to not be sloppy about it. At least every crime we suspect him of it’s because he taunts us in ways that don’t really provide what we need to arrest him.”
“Makes sense.” He nods. “One last round?” Colter asks, nodding towards the table.
“Why not.”
Iwatch West from across the room. The way his thick corded muscles of his arm flex every time he shoots the cue. The way his jeans hug his ass every time he leans over the table.
My skin heats and desire sparks through me every time our gazes meet. He’s shaved since yesterday. His jaw is sharp and smooth, free from the scruff.
I’ve gone so long without being interested in anyone or having the desire to date, but somehow in such a short amount of time, West has come in and put fissures in the walls I’ve put up. It both excites and terrifies me.
“Jade, you’re drooling,” Sarah teases me with her brows raised.
My cheeks flush, and I look at Wren, who’s scrunching her nose.
“You guys have been making googly eyes at each other all night,” she notes. “Just go over there already.”
“Yes! I mean, Harper’s already left, so maybe we can call it an end to girls night and go get ourselves some fine looking men?” Sarah suggests, waggling her brows. “There’s a cute cowboy sitting at the bar that I’ve been eyeing up for the past hour.” She giggles, fanning her face.
“I think I’m good on the man front, but I’ll go with you to see my brothers,” Wren tells me.
I shake my head. “No way.” Having West come up to me is one thing. But me going up to him? I am nowhere near that confident.
Sarah and Wren share a look and then both slide out of their chairs and begin pulling me up.
“Come on, Jade. You know you want to,” Sarah says, trying to convince me this is the right thing.
I look around nervously and try to think of any excuse to protest, but the truth is, I would like to go over there. “I don’t know about this. He’s having fun,” I say gesturing over to the guys, biting my lip.
“Trust me. He wants you over there. I’ve been watching the man stare at you all night. I guarantee if Wren wouldn’t have told him this was girls’ night, he would have been over here the entire night,” Sarah tells me, giving me a look.
Wren nods in agreement. “Honestly, it’s sickening, I have never seen my brother infatuated like this before.”
I don’t know why her admission makes me feel as good as it does, but it gives me the encouragement I need. “Okay, fine,” I tell them, breathing in an air of confidence. “I’ll go over there, but only if Wren goes with me.”
“You got it, babe. Now let’s go!” She grabs my hand, and the butterflies in my stomach start to stir.
Sarah slaps my ass and wishes me good luck. “I’m going to head over to the bar and see if I can get a good make out session in with that cowboy, but I’ll meet up with you guys in a bit and then we can head home. Okay, Jade?”
“Sure,” I tell her before following Wren through the now mostly emptying bar. The earlier crowds have died down, but conversations still lull and music still pumps through the speakers.
As we curve around tables and make our way to the pool area, I reach up to feel for any loose strands that may have fallen from my hair and run my hands down my body, smoothing my dress.
“You look hot. Stop worrying,” Wren whispers into my ear as we approach her brothers.
West looks up, and our eyes meet. I smile and feel my palms start to sweat. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. We had such a great time last night. Maybe it’s the setting. There’s just something about a bar. It speaks of one-night stands and late night promises.
“Hello, brothers,” Wren singsongs, locking her arms around her brothers’ necks.
“What’s up, Wrenley cakes? You girls wanna join?” her brother, who I think is Cade’s twin, asks.
