Chapter 20 #2
I pull into my driveway after my shift at the Rusty Nail, tired and smelling like beer and fryer grease, already halfway through planning the fastest possible route to my bed. The headlights sweep across the front of the house and something catches my eye immediately.
The porch swing.
I slam the truck into park and just sit there for a second.
Because the porch swing that’s been hanging crooked for months is suddenly perfectly level. The chains have been replaced. The wood looks sanded and freshly sealed.
I stare at it through the windshield.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
I climb out of the truck and walk slowly up the steps, running my fingers along the smooth edge of the swing. The old chain links that used to creak every time I sat down are gone, replaced with thick new ones that glint slightly in the porch light.
The swing doesn’t move when I press on it.
Solid.
Secure.
Perfect.
My eyes drift toward the yard.
The barn door is shut tight.
The fence line runs straight along the pasture.
The porch step that used to wobble is still steady.
And suddenly something inside me snaps.
“Oh hell no.”
I spin around, march back to my truck, and climb in again.
The engine roars to life.
Because if Cole Mercer thinks he can sneak around my farm fixing things without actually talking to me about it, then he clearly doesn’t understand who he’s dealing with.
Ten minutes later I’m pulling into the parking lot outside Perdition.
The place is loud enough that I can hear the music from the street. Neon lights glow against the front windows, motorcycles lined up along the curb like a steel parade.
I climb out of the truck without bothering to check my reflection in the mirror because I already know exactly what I look like.
My hair is twisted into a messy bun that’s halfway fallen out, mascara smudged under my eyes from a long shift, and my jeans and boots are still dusted with dirt from the barn.
It’s basically my standard hot-mess look at this point, and honestly, I don’t care.
I shove the door shut with my hip and head straight for the entrance, pushing through the door into the bar.
The music hits me the second I step inside, bass thumping through the floorboards while voices rise over the noise of conversation and laughter.
The place is packed, bodies moving between the tables and the bar, the familiar smell of whiskey, leather, and sweat hanging thick in the air like it always does on a busy night.
It takes about three seconds for a man behind the bar to notice me standing there scanning the room.
“What can I get you?” he asks.
“I’m not here for a drink.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Okay.”
“I’m here to see Cole.”
He frowns slightly. “Who?”
“Ghost.” My patience snaps. “Where the fuck is he?”
A couple people nearby glance over at the sudden volume in my voice. The bartender studies me like he’s trying to figure out whether I’m about to cause a scene or not.
Before he can answer, a voice behind me says, “Why do you want to see Ghost?”
I turn around. Two women are standing there watching me with matching curious expressions. One of them has dark hair pulled into a ponytail, the other shorter with dark brown waves falling over her shoulders.
I cross my arms. “Because he keeps sneaking onto my farm and fixing things without permission.”
The shorter woman’s eyes widen slightly. Then something shifts in her expression. “…oh.”
The brunette leans closer. “Ooooh.”
I blink. “What?”
The blonde laughs suddenly. “Well now that makes a lot more sense.”
“Does it?”
She nods enthusiastically. “I’ve heard about you.”
I stare at her. “You have?”
She grins and sticks out her hand. “I’m Bella.”
I shake it automatically. “Rae.”
“Oh I know.”
The brunette snorts beside her. Bella jerks her thumb toward her.
“This is Brooke, my sister.”
Brooke lifts her drink slightly. “Nice to finally meet the girl driving Ghost crazy.”
I blink again. “Excuse me?”
Bella leans against the bar like she’s settling in for a story.
“My husband is Switch,” she explains casually. “And Switch talks. A lot. Especially when he’s home after church.”
Something in my stomach flips. “Your husband is Switch.”
“Yep.” She grins wider.
“And according to him, Ghost is completely obsessed with you.”
I stare at her. Then at Brooke. Then back at Bella. “You’re kidding.”
“Oh honey,” Brooke laughs. “Not even a little.”
Bella grabs my arm suddenly. “Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
“Girls’ corner.”
“What?”
She drags me across the bar before I can argue. The back corner of Perdition has a big semi-circle booth that’s clearly been claimed by the women in the room. A couple other women are already sitting there laughing about something when Bella pulls me into the empty seat between them.
“Ladies,” Bella announces, “this is Rae.”
One of them leans forward immediately. “The Rae?”
I groan. “Please don’t say that.”
Too late. Another woman slides a drink in front of me. “Drink.”
I glance down at it. “What is this?”
“Something strong.”
“Good.” I take a sip. Then another. Because if I’m about to sit here listening to stories about how apparently my life has become clubhouse gossip, I’m going to need it. Within twenty minutes the entire table is laughing.
I’m halfway through my second drink and telling them about Kevin the goat eating a dish towel when the music dips slightly and someone whistles from the other side of the bar.
I glance up just in time to see a group of large men walking toward us and one of them is Cole.
He slows when he sees the table. Then he notices me sitting there between Bella and Brooke with a drink in my hand. And the look on his face…Is priceless.
Bella leans closer to me and whispers, “Oh this is going to be good.”
By the time the guys reach the table we’re already laughing again. And judging by the way Cole is staring at me right now…He has absolutely no idea what he just walked into.