Chapter 20 Honey
HONEY
I’m supposed to be grading. Instead, I’m curled up on the couch with my planner and coffee, staring at Beau’s texts. He sent me a winky face.
Are we really calling each other friends? We had dirty sex in my back seat, and now I have to pretend nothing happened between us? That was easy when all I had to do was ignore him. But now that we’re both in Baylee’s wedding, I guess we have to play nice.
I force myself to set down my phone so I’ll stop obsessing about Beau Walker. Instead, I pick up my laptop, open it, and scroll to the real estate website that features the Turner farm. I flip through the terrible photos of that property.
Where other people see weeds and a demo project, I see stalls for horses, gardens, and chicken coops. Maybe a roadside stand to sell eggs or baked goods like Nora Jean and I talked about a few weeks ago. The thought makes me smile.
My phone buzzes, interrupting my daydream. Maybe it’s Beau. My heart races in excitement.
Except it’s not Beau. It’s Cash.
I put my hand over my chest to chill out. What’s wrong with me?
Cash: Check out Summer’s Halloween costume.
He sends a photo, and I grin at my niece dressed up as a ladybug.
Me: She’s adorable! I’m going to print this and put it on my desk.
I was disappointed Summer couldn’t go trick-or-treating at the high school, but Cash and his ex were arguing, so I knew Natalie wouldn’t go for it. Maybe it worked out for the best, though, since we had that fire.
I’m checking off kids’ homework in my record book when my phone buzzes again. This time, it’s Cynthia.
Cyn: I HAVE A TREAT FOR YOU! Swinging by your place in fifteen minutes.
Me: It’s Saturday morning. I have papers to grade.
Cyn: This is too good to miss. Get your ass in gear!
That’s the thing about Cynthia. She loves being spontaneous. Me? I prefer scheduling things in my planner.
I jump in the shower, and by the time I’m dressed, she’s ringing the doorbell. I hobble down the stairs. When I open the door, she holds up two coffees and some bagels. “Let’s go. We’ll eat on the road.”
When I get in her car, I wait for her to join me. Instead, she tosses dirt on the hood of her Lexus and smears it in. I give her a little side eye when she joins me. “Is there a reason you threw mud all over your recently detailed car?” Because the interior is spotless.
She dusts off her hands and slides into the driver’s seat.
“You’ll see, but first, I need an update.
You went out with the guy your dad wants you to fucking marry like this is the 1950s.
I want to know what he was like.” She slaps the dash.
“And you hooked up with the same guy from the Devil’s Den after you and I had drinks?
How did that happen? Tell me everything. ”
I unwrap my bagel. “All I need to do to get you to come to town is have a dirty hookup, huh?” It’s hard to believe Beau and I had sex two weeks ago. My head’s been a mess ever since.
“Your life is more interesting than mine, so yes, I drove all the way over here to get the details. Plus, I have to meet my stepbrother later.”
“How is Hayes doing?” I’ve never met her family, but the stories she tells me about them are crazy.
“Still an asshole.” She starts the car. “Enough about me. Tell me about the guy who wrecked you.”
Sighing, I look out the window. “The Laughing Pony was, hands down, the hottest night of my life. Beau made me come apart at the seams.”
“Beau? His name is Beau? That’s so cowboy. Does he ride a horse too?”
“He rides lots of things.” We look at each other and laugh.
As we head downtown, I fill her in on how it happened. Us arguing in the hallway by the bathrooms, which turned into more. “He’s a firefighter and rancher. He’s a little grumpy, but really handsome. And holy hell, is he good at sex. Except we agreed it was just a one-time thing.”
“That’s so wrong. I’m crying for your vagina right now.”
I snort. “Thank you.”
“Why just the one time? Why not run off and marry him? Or at least take advantage of your single status now and sex him up?”
“Because that would complicate everything. He’s not just any man. He’s a Walker.”
It takes her a minute to remember. “You mean the same Walkers your family shoots in those Wild West reenactments downtown?”
I took her to one of those a few years ago. She thought it was hysterical. “The very same.”
“Your family really hates them, huh?”
“You have no idea. And Trig has it out for Beau for some reason. So no, Beau and I won’t be banging again.” Unfortunately.
She glances at me as she takes a bite of her bagel. “What about the douchebag your father set you up with? Was he fugly?”
I consider Ian. “No. He’s handsome, but we’re so different. He’s really put together. Wears designer suits and is all business. Seems really closed off. He’ll fit right in with my father.”
“This is bullshit. I won’t let you marry him. This is the fucking United States. We don’t do arranged marriages here.”
It feels good to have Cynthia in my corner.
We pull into a line of cars, and she grins. “My vote is for the firefighter with the big dick.”
“I never said he had a big dick.” I would never share private details like that with anyone.
Cyn gives me a look. “You didn’t have to. I know big dick energy when I see it. Speaking of…”
That’s when I realize we’re at the fire station. “Why are we here?”
“To get my car washed. Duh.”
I squint to make out the burly figures washing the vehicles. “Cyn.”
“When we texted earlier this week, you said the guy was a firefighter, and it reminded me of a flyer I saw at the Laughing Pony.” She waves her hand at the man candy.
“I don’t know if your dude is working, but I’m not sure it matters.
All of these guys are ripped. So now we can enjoy our breakfast while these hotties wash cars. You’re welcome.”
There are five vehicles in front of us.
As we creep closer, I can’t decide if I hope to see Beau today or not.
I should be making a clean break so I can give Ian a chance.
But based on the way my heart races when I spot Beau, shirtless and laughing, I figure I can at least enjoy today.
Because oh, my God, he’s mouthwatering. His hair is damp and his chest glistens as he washes the truck in front of us, making all of his muscles contract.
Cyn leans over. “Is he here?”
I point ahead. “Yeah, the one with the beard and dirty blond hair.”
“Jesus, Honey. No wonder he made your eyes cross. He’s fucking ripped.” She lets out a sigh. “Why can’t I find a man like that?”
“Want to meet one of his friends? They’re all handsome.”
“No, they’re probably nice. They probably return your phone calls and make plans and stick to them. I wouldn’t know how to date anyone who wasn’t an asshole that jerked me around.”
I frown and grab her hand. “You need a good guy too.”
“I’m working on that with my therapist. Hopefully by the time I’m thirty, I’ll have worked out my daddy issues.” She laughs and reaches for her coffee.
When it’s our turn, Cyn nudges me. “He’s going to wash my car. I am so here for this.”
I bite my bottom lip to hide my grin. When we pull up, I roll down my window, and Beau rests his hand on my door. He glances around like he’s looking for someone, but then turns to me. “Hey, Honey. Nice of y’all to support us.”
“That’s what friends do, right?” My heart beats faster when his smile widens.
I clear my throat. “I’m glad you have warm weather today.
Only in Texas can you have a car wash so late in the fall.
” I get a whiff of his cologne and melt into my seat when he winks at me.
Cyn clears her throat, and I laugh. “This is my college roommate Cynthia.”
Beau tips his head. “Howdy, ma’am.”
“Shut up. He’s adorable.”
I elbow her hard, and Beau grins at me. “I have my moments.”
I’m about to admit this was a good idea when Melissa, who’s wearing a teeny white bikini top with her turnout pants, tosses her arm around Beau like she owns him. “Sorry, but we have to keep the line moving.” Then she yanks him off our door.
I roll up my window as they begin to wash Cynthia’s car. My friend’s eyes narrow. “Who is that bitch? And why is she so handsy with Beau?”
“They used to be an item.” We watch as Melissa intentionally sprays him across the hood of our car.
When she moves to the front of our vehicle, Cyn grips the steering wheel. “I could start the engine and accidentally hit the gas.” She lifts her brows to get my permission.
“This is why I love you.” Laughing, I shake my head. “But let’s not commit any homicides today.”
“Damn. You’re no fun.”
My phone buzzes with a text, and when I see Ian’s name, my smile fades.
Because I might want the handsome firefighter, but that doesn’t mean I can have him.