Chapter 11
Hallie
The hayride date of the bachelor auction is an institution.
Tractors pull flatbeds through the town while auction couples sing Christmas carols and drink wassail.
The constable’s office provides escorts for traffic safety, and town members line up along the streets in camp chairs as if watching a parade, which it sort of is, considering there’s four flatbeds housing over forty people.
It’s kind of like a Christmas parade preview, where town members gauge which couples are in it for fun and which couples may have a spark. Some town members even put together unofficial brackets, kind of like the college basketball Final Four, as a way to get in on the fun.
Brooke being on the Bachelor auction committee gave her leverage to make sure that Gentry and I were on her float, which means I get to enjoy the festivities with both my bestie and my arch-nemesis.
I’ve thought a lot about what Colt said, and for the life of me, I can’t figure out what I could have done to spook Liz.
But whatever it is has taken a backseat to her ongoing competition with Brooke for Nate’s attention.
And, I don’t like the ease with which Colt and Liz interact.
He’s polite, a good date even. And he doesn’t give off any romantic vibes toward her, but they have history that we don’t.
And I’m still annoyed with her. She’s not a ‘girl’s girl.
’ Grown women shouldn’t treat their sisters the way she doe.
Gentry turns out to be a great hang, though.
He knows the words to every Christmas song in existence and can slip in and out of making up lyrics with ease.
He knows the history of every store on Main Street, giving everyone in our flatbed our own personal story hour, including the time he and Colt and some of their buddies filled their coaches’ office with wads of newspaper because they’d just won the district championship.
Everyone ends the ride relaxed and having enjoyed themselves.
By the time we make it to our cars, Colt surprises all of us. “Y’all up for some Mexican food? Brooke, Nate? Gentry, Hallie? Liz?” We all mumble some form of “Sure, that’d be great” and “Okay,” surprised at the request.
The thing people from Texas don’t understand is that Tex-Mex is some of the greatest food there is.
You can go out of town and eat at a Mexican food restaurant in some other state, but it just is not the same.
The best places are locally owned mom-and-pop eateries.
They have Tex-Mex menus plus a selection of authentic Mexican dishes. You can’t beat it.
Gloriana’s is a local favorite that I could eat at every week.
It’s been around for years. Arriving a little later than the typical dinner rush, we’re able to get one of the round tables pretty easily.
We order a round of margaritas, Colt orders two large quesos to go with our chips and salsa, and we scan the menus.
Once the order is put in and we’re enjoying our frozen drinks, Colt leans back in his chair. “What the hell is everybody doing? This is the most ridiculous pile of crap I’ve ever witnessed in my life.”
He thumps the table. “Brooke, you like Gentry. Admit that you like him and put the poor guy’s heart at ease, ‘cause you’re gonna lose him.
My man’s done waiting. And Gentry, what the hell were you thinking even signing up for the bachelor auction to begin with?
I understand you’re hurt. I understand. But don’t you think it’s time to put up or shut up?
Brooke’s not gonna keep trying to guess your veiled hints or something more.
Man up. And Liz? What the hell? Why did you get into a bidding war with Hallie during Nate’s bid at the bachelor auction? ”
Liz’s nostrils flare, eyes narrowing as a server walks by with a platter of sizzling fajitas. “You’re one to talk, Colt Sawyer. You’re lusting so hard after Hallie Emory the transmission’s going to overheat from exhaustion.”
I can’t help it. I start giggling. But she’s not wrong.
“What are you laughing at?” Liz counters. “You’ve been lusting after him since high school.”
I shut my mouth.
“Oh, you think I didn’t know? The way you stared at him every time he was in the hallway? You were not subtle, Hallie. More like Captain Obvious.”
“Hey, you watch it,” Brooke says. “Everybody in school had a crush on my brother, including you.”
“I did more than have a crush on him, Brooke,” Liz says, and chooses a chip as if she didn’t just intimate she had sex with Colt.
Nate sets down his glass and looks at Liz. “Stop it, Elizabeth.”
Her name’s Elizabeth?
“Enough’s enough. Colt’s right. Hallie hasn’t done anything.
” His nostrils flare as he stares at from her across the table.
“And we both know I should have asked you out a long time ago. You’re smart.
When you want something, you will go after it, heart and soul.
You’ve brought a lot of business into this town with your tearoom, and the way you help your brother with his kids after his wife left is admirable. I want you, Elizabeth Peck.”
For the first time that I can recall, Liz is speechless, blushing a deep shade of red. He walks over to her, leans down, and slams her with one of the hottest kisses I’ve ever witnessed. Not gonna lie, it weirds me out and makes me ant to to back Colt into a corner all at once.
When Nate sits back down, he nods to Colt an says, “I’ve this one.” He turns to Gentry. “Dude, seriously. Get it together, man. You’re about to lose the best thing that will ever happen to you.”
“I am not going to discuss my relationship with Brooke in the middle of Gloriana’s. Especially not in front of all of you.”
Brooke slams her cup and looks right at Gentry. “But you haven’t discussed a relationship with me at all. Not ever. You’ve never made a move, not even after the giant-sized hints I keep dropping.”
“There haven’t been any hints, Brookie.” Gentry’s jaw clinches so tightly I think it’s about to break.
She throws her hands up. “Why else would I have a fire helmet tattooed on my wrist, Gentry? It’s not rocket science.”
He reaches across the table and grabs my bestie’s wrist, studying the ink before dropping it. “You and I will talk about this in private.”
Brooke huffs but acquiesces as Colt turns to his high school ex. “Liz. What the hell are you doing messing with Hallie? You’re better than this. It isn’t the time or the place, but you two need to sort your shit out.”
Nate runs his hand through his hair, heaving a sigh. “It’s time, Elizabeth.”
I open my mouth to scoff when Liz does the most surprising thing. “I will, but if I’m going to do that, then you two need to admit to whatever this is.” She points between me and Colt. “Because it’s obvious to the world that something is going on.”
Colt sends a wink my way.
“She’s my girl. Sorry, Gentry. She’s off the market.”