Chapter 24 Ogres Are Known for Their Strength
JADE
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ALL EYES ARE on me.
I’m not used to it.
And I don’t like it.
But the first thing I notice is that Hart’s dark gaze doesn’t unsettle me like it used to.
My eyes don’t even seek his out first. My instinct isn’t to snap back or prepare a fight.
Instead, a slow smile tugs at my lips. My bucket list is over ten years old, and I’m not that same girl anymore. Hell, I’m not even the woman I was yesterday.
And you know what?
I like this change.
I like me.
Today, the weight of a lifetime has been lifted from me. And as the sun dips below the horizon, it’s like a final confirmation that the heaviness I once carried for Hart is gone. I’m left feeling light, free, and sure of what I want, so I raise my arms in the air.
“Drinks and dancing.”
My sister’s freak out.
The guys freak out.
Who knew one sentence could rev up this old group of enemies like a race car at the starting line?
It’s as surprising as realizing I’m not angry at the Wildes anymore. Turns out, I never really was. I didn’t grow up participating in the feud. I just needed someone to blame after Hart wrecked me. But my heart’s not broken now, and I see they’re not the enemy.
“Water between rounds.” Hannah dumps the last of the chips from the bowl into the original bag. “We have to remember to hydrate. I can’t have another hangover like Jade’s celebration.”
Bronx tries to chug back the rest of his beer before Wyatt snatches it and tosses it in the recycle bin with the other cans he collects from the table.
“And don’t accept drinks from strangers.” Josie scoops her hand under the chips while our sister shakes them out of the bag. “If someone’s being too pushy or creepy, just come find me.”
“What are you going to do, kid?” Bronx snaps the top of another beer. “Twirl around like you’re at a playground?”
Josie flips him the middle finger, and he chuckles.
I don’t even notice Hart storm off until one of his brothers calls after him. And even then, I barely notice.
But I do, because I’ll never not notice him, and I’m done letting anger hold the reins.
“Let’s get ready, bitches.” Josie’s fingers tighten around my wrist, and she hauls me from the table.
My body instinctively starts to object. I guess comfortably stepping out of my comfort zone might take more than a day.
The open space inside the RV is like a mini loft on wheels, featuring light wood finishes, sleek surfaces, and ample room to move around.
A hallway leads to the bathroom and main bedroom, tucked in the back, while the lounge area boasts a sectional that doubles as a pull-out bed, and the dining booth has a sleek setup that converts into another sleeper.
That rush of excitement hits me again when Daisy syncs her phone to the RV speakers and Miranda Lambert blasts through the air.
“Little red wagon!” Josie takes the lead with a little shimmy, her hips swaying to get everyone’s attention.
I’m not as quick to sway my hips, let alone shimmy, but even Hannah joins, spinning and striking a playful pose.
Mind you, the move looks like her daughter taught it to her, but who am I to judge?
And then I realize I don’t want to judge.
Not her.
Not Hart.
Not me.
“You only love me for my big sunglasses—” They belt out the lyrics, totally off-key and laughing between every note.
I don’t flinch or ask them to turn it down like I would usually grumble. I don’t try to slip free when they grab my arm and pull me into the music.
We bounce to the beat, taking turns to spin in the tight space, laughing every time we bump into each other.
“You said, I’ll be Johnny and you be June and I’ll ride with you to the moon. But guess what?” A tiny beat of silence passes. “You can’t ride in my little red wagon!”
They’ve always been louder and more fearless than me, but tonight, it’s inside me—that fire. The kind that makes you feel like nothing can hold you back. My heart’s racing to the beat, and for once, I’m not just watching them; I’m in their moment.
All the noise.
All the chaos.
It’s mine now.
I’m the last to shower. The showerhead sputters for a second before releasing a steady stream of water. I step under it, closing my eyes for a second, letting the heat work its magic.
So much about today was magical—an ordinary, unimportant, yet special day spent with family.
But magical.
I’m in and out of the shower quickly, even with the struggle of shaving my legs in the small space. I change into a fresh pair of jeans and a T-shirt, and I catch my reflection in the full-size mirror hung on the bedroom door. It’s the same old two pieces of clothes I always wear.
No personality.
No creativity.
No flare.
Josie poses in her latest dress in the mirror, and her reflection catches mine. “Have you changed your mind?”
“No. I’m ready to dance and ride.”
Josie blinks. “Who are you? And what have you done with my sister?”
“Dramatic.” My feet sink into the plush carpet as I walk to the central area of the RV.
Josie follows, twisting open a tube of lipstick and gliding the color over her lower lip. “You’re different today.”
“Am I?” I snatch her lipstick and slide it over my lips before handing it back.
“That shade looks good on you.” Daisy garnishes glasses on the polished marble countertop.
“Thank you.’
“Rub your lips together.” Celi demonstrates, holding a vodka above the shaker across from her sister.
I rub my lips together.
“Perfection.” Celi tips the bottle into the shaker.
Josie is still staring at me, all suspicious, as she tucks the lipstick between her cleavage. “Did you sleep with Hart?”
“Josie!” Hannah stops rummaging through her bag and locks eyes with our sister, who’s always wreaking havoc.
Even Natalie glances over her book. Of course, she’s settled into a whole different world. The two of us have always been the outcasts that way.
“Rude.” Hannah points a black ankle boot at Josie.
Josie clicks her tongue, her eyes never leaving me. “Did you finally let that cowboy take you on the side of the road, against a tall mesquite tree? Just slamming that bark uncontrollably until your back is stamped with scars to remember the experience?”
It’s my turn to stare.
Too graphic.
Too much detail.
A fantasy for later.
“No,” I say.
She frowns. “But you two are acting so weird. Like you have a secret. Or something awkward happened and now you’re avoiding each other.”
“Josie, it’s not our business.” Hannah hits her with a dress.
Josie ignores her.
“You’re telling me that you two weren’t making out and naked when those fire ants attacked?”
“His brother shouldn’t have told you that.” I slip past her.
Using the small towel draped over my shoulders, I squeeze the water from the ends of my hair, absorbing it into the fabric.
“What do you mean Dean shouldn’t have told us? Why didn’t you tell us?” Josie beelines for Hannah’s open suitcase, tearing her dress over her head.
“You do thrive on tearing him apart.” Hannah mindlessly folds the clothes Josie takes out of her bag like she’s one of her kids.
“What happened to him was personal, and I didn’t think it was y’all’s business.” I grab a hairbrush sitting on the counter and run it through my damp hair.
I can feel their eyes burning into me.
“Since when?” Natalie curls her leg under her, adjusting a copy of Wheeler’s wife’s newest romance book from resting on her lap to her knee.
“Since she slept with him,” Josie says.
“I didn’t sleep with him.”
“How big is he?” Josie holds her hands apart in a silent estimation.
“I’m not answering that.” And not because I can’t. I know how big he is. How thick. How incredible.
“As big as the cowboy in Nat’s book?” She nods her head at our sister.
Natalie peers over her book, a smirk playing on her lips. “Cowboys are nothing compared to the fairies and ogres in my fantasy books.”
“Do tell.” Josie slowly turns to her, but not before Natalie winks at me.
I silently thank her for the distraction. Josie’s mind flits around like a butterfly in a garden, never settling on one flower.
“The women can’t exactly put their hands around the man’s—” Natalie’s fingertips meet, forming a circle in the air, as though she’s holding an invisible bottle.
“Shut up.” Josie throws a skirt at her, but Hannah’s hand whips out in record speed and catches it. “Are you talking about his dick?”
Natalie nods.
“Wait—” Josie steps into another dress.
This time it’s a long denim dress with buttons all the way up the front. Not her style. It’ll hit the floor in less than a minute.
“Wait? His dick? His dick is this big?” She grabs a bottle of water and shakes it.
Natalie twists her mouth to one side. “Bigger.”
“What do you mean by bigger?” Josie lifts the bottle to her mouth, making exaggerated gulping motions.
Slowly, my sister is reminding me why I limit these interactions.
“I mean bigger.”
“Damn.” Josie takes a second to peer down the hallway at her outfit, twisting this way and that before shedding it.
Hannah picks up the dress and tucks it away before zipping her suitcase closed. She excels at juggling tasks while maintaining an effortlessly stylish appearance.
She sits beside Natalie and pulls on the black ankle boots. They suit her sleek, fitted black ribbed top and the high-waist denim skirt.
I don’t know how she nails that perfect mix of country and chic, with just the right amount of edge.
I glance down at my plain outfit again, never having noticed before how much of an ordinary country girl I am.
Josie distracts my thoughts, grabbing a mug she holds between her hands.
“This big?”
Natalie shakes her head. “Bigger.”
We laugh at Josie’s exasperation as she picks up a few more items Natalie knocks down. She finally holds up a waste paper can and stares at Natalie, waiting, with doubt in her eyes.
“That’s more realistic,” Natalie says.
She scoffs. “More realistic?”
“They’re fairies and their giant peens are, well, giant.”
Josie eyes the can, unease flickering across her face. “This is absurd, and I’ve tried some absurd stuff. The women must have magical pussy’s to fit this in.”