I know her well enough to know now that her tone is clipped and forced. An easy smile touches my lips. I finish off my beer and slide the mug across the counter.
“Sure, let’s line dance. I need to practice.”
Madi squeals. I’ve never actually slept with Madi. She’s had sex with my oldest brother, Holden, and probably Cash and Sterling too. There’s no telling with her. She views us like passport stamps, collectibles she can brag about around town.
“Practice for what?” she asks.
I go up to the DJ booth. “Hey, Ethan. Can we get some line dancing going? Start with ‘Cotton Eye Joe.’ Keep ’em coming.”
He nods, cueing up the song. I walk back over to Madi, resisting the urge to see if Dallas is still watching.
“I’m in the Spring Showdown at Old Harry’s.”
The music starts playing through the speakers. I kick my feet in time with the beat, dancing in the line of drunk idiots who know the steps by heart. Madi is across from me, grinning widely. I remember, once upon a time, hoping I’d one day get the chance to be with her before I realized she had an agenda to sleep with all my brothers.
She grabs my hand, and I spin her around even though it’s not really a part of the steps. She laughs and falls into me, brushing her oversize, silicone breasts up against my chest.
I help her stand up straight. The song ends, so we wait for the next one.
I dance with Madi for the next two songs before Delilah takes her place. I had a fling with her for a few months before moving on when I found out she was still off and on again with her ex. She has a leg and arm sleeve tattoo, and last I heard, she was back with her baby daddy, who tried to fight me when he found out we’d slept together. It was funny to me at the time, but after what happened at the rodeo, I’m looking at it in a different light.
With Delilah, there’s no telling if she’s single or with him right now. But we’re only dancing, so surely, he wouldn’t care. I still need to find a partner for the showdown in a few months.
“I forgot you were a damn good dancer,” she says after I dip her down and flip her body around while she’s suspended in the air.
“You’re not so badyourself.”
“I haven’t seen you out here too often lately.”
“I usually go to Old Harry’s to dance.”
And to avoid a certain bartender. Some nights I just can’t stay away though.
“I heard they’re moving the showdown over here now.”
“Oh, yeah?” I haven’t heard that, but I guess the venue doesn’t really matter.
“Are you competing?”
“Sure am.”
“Well, if you’re looking for a partner, I’m game.”
I’m about to nod in agreement when I hear a crash to my left where the bar is. When I turn to look, my stomach drops.
The gray-haired man is gone, and Dallas’s ex-husband is standing at her bar. Her eyes widen in fear when he sways to the side and takes a seat right in front of her.
20
DUKE
My heart thunders inside my chest as I watch Dallas’s reaction to Matt’s presence. She must have dropped the glass because the red-haired bartender, Harper, starts sweeping it up in front of her.
“I need a drink,” I tell Delilah, leaving her in the middle of the dance floor.
I feel like a zombie with no control over my body as I walk toward the bar. Matt’s back is to me as I approach. I take the seat two spaces down from him because I don’t think I can sit right next to him without violently lashing out.
“Can I get a beer, beautiful? You know what I like.”
