CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE Ginger
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Ginger
T he Horse and Barrel is packed with the usual crowd that frequents ladies’ night. There are also quite a few men here who I can only assume are on the prowl—a bunch of Silver Pines cowboys included.
Haden Westbrook, Wade’s right-hand man, and three others take up a booth in the far-right corner.
“He gets better looking by the year, doesn’t he?” Avery says to us. “I mean, Haden’s no Jacob, but he’s sure got that whole rugged cowboy thing going on.”
I look over at their table to eye Haden up. He’s worked on the ranch for a few years now, and has grown close with all the guys during that time. He’s definitely good-looking: dark blond hair, scruff along his wide jaw, that enticing kind of cowboy mustache and a tattered old cowboy hat perched atop his head. He’s got the whole if-Charlie-Hunnam-was-a-cowboy thing going on.
He’s certainly using that cowboy draw to his advantage tonight as some buckle bunny sits on his lap and whispers into his ear. It’s clearly working for her.
“Looks like ladies’ night brings out all kinds.” Liv grins, nodding to Brent Wilson in the other corner of the room as he drinks in the women on the dance floor.
“I trust that man as much as I trust a dog with my plate of steak,” I say, and CeCe, Liv and Avery laugh as I gulp down my sangria.
“Of all the people for Cole to get stuck working with,” Liv says, tapping her nails on the table, “hopefully he can make it through his term without pummeling him.”
“Cole will keep him in line,” I say confidently.
“Okay, so I’m going to just bring up the giant elephant in the room here,” CeCe starts. “Now that I’m a happily married woman, I have a little more time on my hands. Which means I can help with what we’ve been ignoring all summer.”
She flashes her massive diamond ring and matching band at us.
“That thing is blinding,” Liv says with a laugh.
“The elephant being the fact something is clearly going on with Cole and Ginger?” Avery says with a grin. Her long, chocolate brown hair shines in the bar lights.
“The very one,” CeCe agrees. “You two were stuck together like glue all night at the wedding.”
I tuck a rogue curl behind my ear and shrug, not knowing how to explain what Cole and I are and feeling protective over what is going on between us.
“It’s something that appears to be serious if Ginger Danforth is speechless …” Liv comments.
“You guys want what I can’t give you right now. I have no explanation for y’all other than the fact things are oddly easy between us and I’m … happy,” I say.
CeCe smiles at me across the table. “Some part of me knew this was going to happen with you two living in the same house. Though I can’t say I’m not worried.”
“I get it. But I’ve got this,” I say, hoping I’m right but also feeling a little defensive.
Thankfully, one of our favorite Shania Twain songs, “I’m Gonna Getcha Good,” comes on the sound system, giving me a much-needed break from their scrutiny.
CeCe jumps up and looks at us all expectantly. Of course, we all gulp down the rest of our drinks and follow her out onto the dance floor. One is simply not allowed to turn down dancing to Shania.
We get through the song and another good one starts. Typical Sunday night. The Horse and Barrel DJ knows how to keep us and every other woman in this place dancing.
We spend the next hour on and off the dance floor until I’m sweaty and a little tipsy but having the best time with my girls. I needed a night to not think about Cole, my father, or the fact I’m going back to work soon. A little girl-time to gain some perspective.
CeCe, Avery and Liv move off the dance floor to the restroom, so I take a moment to head back to our table and chug some water before I start on another sangria. When I get there, I see my phone light up. It’s my dad. So much for a night off.
WARDEN
I need help going door to door on Tuesday.
I can come.
WARDEN
Good. There’s a team of us to canvas. I’ll have Kate contact you.
Kate’s his administrator.
Can’t wait.
WARDEN
Sarcasm isn’t becoming, Ginger, and it would be nice if you were on stage with your mother and I for my speech next week.
So cocky and sure of winning the primary. I sigh. I know if I don’t go, I’ll never hear the end of it. A pang of dread sits in my stomach like a rock.
I’ll be there.
WARDEN
Good. I’ll be in touch.
Just as I roll my eyes at his response, a new text comes in.
HUSBAND
I think pineapple is growing on me.
I smile at his new name in my phone. Even if it’s short-lived, it makes me happy to see it.
That so? Why?
HUSBAND
Read an article.
On pineapple?
I start laughing. What the hell is this man talking about?
HUSBAND
Apparently if you eat a lot of pineapple, it makes your cum taste really fucking good. I’m testing the theory. But I’m gonna have to rely on you for the study and conclusion.
I take another sip of water as I read his text, and suck it straight down my windpipe. I don’t respond as I attempt to calm my coughing fit. Another text comes through.
HUSBAND
Looking it up, aren’t you?
No, you made me choke.
HUSBAND
Title of your sex tape. And I love making you choke, Vixen.
I play along.
What do you expect? It’s huge.
HUSBAND
It is a good size, isn’t it?
I can practically see him patting himself on the back from here.
Stop making me think about such things when I’m out with your sister and the girls.
HUSBAND
Such things = my cock.
Stop kidding yourself, Vixen. You’d be thinking about it anyway. You’re always thinking about it.
That so?
HUSBAND
Yes.
You been reading my diary, Cole?
HUSBAND
No need, purse letters say it all.
Fucker.
Pretty confident to assume you know what I’m thinking.
HUSBAND
Don’t need confidence, baby. I know for a fact that just talking about this is making that tight little pussy wet for me.
A rush of heat filters through my core at his words. Dammit.
I have no idea how this man makes me feel this way. Oh wait, yes I do. It’s because he’s fucking incredible and the literal definition of Hot Sheriff Daddy, big dick energy.
HUSBAND
Tell me I’m wrong.
I bite my lip and start to type, honesty and my second sangria driving me on.
I can’t. You’re right. I’m always thinking about it.
HUSBAND
Want to know what I can’t stop thinking about?
I take the bait.
What?
HUSBAND
Only three more hours until I get to kiss those beautiful lips, prop them open and stuff my cock down my dirty little wife’s throat.
I shift in my seat. Any more of this and I’m going to have to take care of myself somewhere at the bar. It’s at this moment that I realize Liv, Avery and CeCe are back from the bathroom and in front of our table, watching me sit here and grin at my phone like an absolute idiot. I have no idea how long they’ve been there.
“At the risk of me making myself feel grossed out at the thought, that’s my brother, isn’t it,” CeCe says.
“I …” I sip my sangria.
“You’re practically making love to your phone,” Liv giggles, before turning to CeCe. “Cover your ears!”
“Why do I feel like I’m always covering my ears?” She gets up. “I’m going to kiss my husband. Talk about the gross stuff while I’m gone. You have two minutes.”
She saunters over to the bar, seating herself on a stool in front of Nash. So maybe I have three minutes.
“Well?” Liv asks.
I glance over at CeCe and decide to give Liv and Avery the one-minute CliffsNotes version of what has happened between me and Cole this summer, leaving out the fact we got married because Cole’s becoming my ride-or-die and we promised to keep that part between us.
“But now it feels more serious and …” I put my head in my hands. “I don’t know. Ugh, I think I might … Things are just more complicated now.”
I trail off as I catch a glimpse of Brent standing at a table one over, wrapping up his conversation. He looks at me with a grin which instantly unsettles me.
Liv’s eyes grow wide as saucers.
“Wait … no you didn’t. Ginger Lily Danforth, did you let yourself fall in love with our best friend’s brother?!” she asks, her voice hitting a higher octave.
“Shhh,” I hush her. “I …” I drop my head into my flattened palms and muffle into them. “I think I did.”
“But it’s Cole ,” she says.
“Sometimes these things just happen, and no amount of trying to prevent it would’ve helped if it was meant to be,” Avery offers. “It’s how you handle it now that counts. You need to make sure he’s on the same page. From what I remember, Cole isn’t the serious relationship type.”
“I know,” I say, looking up at them both.
“Wow. That is a lot of information to take in. I thought you two were just having a fling. Getting it out of your system.” Liv looks back at me, and a serious expression crosses her face. “Avery’s right. Do you think he’s serious about you?”
“I don’t know … maybe? Sometimes he looks at me like he is,” I answer honestly, draining my glass.
Liv snorts.
“He’s been looking at you like that for years,” she says. “I’ve been telling you that this whole time, but you never listen.”
“Even I noticed it last year,” Avery adds.
I nod, starting to think that they might be right. But that still doesn’t tell me how serious he is about me. It just tells me he’s desired me physically.
“I don’t need to tell you but, Ginger, you have to have that talk with him,” Liv says. “You have a best friend who just happens to be his sister, and he has a daughter . One it seems as though you’re getting very attached to. And vice versa.”
I catch the eye of Asher Reed, Nash’s always-a-little-intimidating bartender, and hold my empty glass up. He knows the drill. I should have a new pitcher here in less than five.
“Oh, I’ll go get us more,” Liv offers. I watch her stand up and smooth her hair. “Be right back.”
“Okay …” I say. She’s being so weird lately, but right now I have my own problems. I can’t deal with hers too.
“Take my advice now that they’re both gone,” Avery says, leaning forward. “If you have a shot at being happy, Ginger, don’t pass that up to please anyone else.”
I smile at her non-judgment.
“Thanks,” I say as her phone rings. She pulls it out and smiles.
“It’s Jake,” she explains, before standing up to answer it and moving outside.
I blow out a breath and sit at the table, now alone. I pull my phone out, and type a message to Cole.
Only two hours and fifty minutes now. And Cole? I’ve eaten a ton of pineapple today. If I test your theory, you’re testing mine.
And you’re right. I am already wet.
I smirk down at my phone as I watch the three dots appear then disappear. I picture the look on his face right now; the way he’ll be shifting in his seat at work.
Liv is right. I need to have that talk with Cole. And this week, with Mabel away, is the perfect time. I start planning how I’ll bring it up. Maybe I’ll make a nice dinner. I could cook us something special, and we could hash everything out. I will myself to believe I can put my fears aside and have an honest conversation with him. As bold as I try to be on the outside, I’ve never been the best at putting myself out there.
I take a deep breath as I watch Liv make her way back from the bar, fresh pitcher in her hand. My phone lights up just before she reaches me.
HUSBAND
Be naked when I get home.
I’m definitely going to have that conversation with Cole this week. But first, because I’m way too turned on to do anything else, I’m going to let him have his way with me tonight. I mean, what kind of dirty little wife would I be if I didn’t?