CHAPTER 12 #2
“Not having this conversation, girls,” I mutter, lifting the menu like a shield.
I’m halfway through my second beer when I notice Grace’s gaze flick over my shoulder, her expression tightening.
I follow her line of sight.
Asher just walked in. And he’s not alone.
The woman on his arm is everything this place isn’t, polished, perfumed, perfect. Posh. Her city-girl energy clashes against the rustic warmth of the bar.
He’s all cowboy, tall, golden, easy grin beneath his Stetson, and she’s sleek, like a glass of champagne in a room full of beer. Her nose wrinkles faintly as she scans the crowd, eyes landing on the scuffed boots and laughter with clear disdain.
“Who’s that?” Grace asks quietly.
I glance at Penny. “Ash’s new girlfriend. Met her at an event in Cheyenne.”
Grace looks down, blinking fast. “Since when does he have a girlfriend?”
Her eyes shimmer, and Penny gently slips an arm around her shoulders, no words needed.
“Evenin’, ladies.”
Asher’s voice pulls our attention as he approaches, the brunette still clinging to his hand.
“Hi,” Penny greets easily.
“Hello,” I echo.
“Good evening,” Grace murmurs, tone polite but distant.
“This is Leona, my girlfriend.” Asher’s eyes flicker between the three of us, but linger just a heartbeat too long on Grace.
“Nice to meet you, Leona,” Penny says warmly.
“Nice to meet you.” I extend my hand. Leona hesitates, just long enough to make it awkward, then finally takes it.
“Leona,” she says, her voice smooth but chilly.
“Summer,” I answer, just as flat.
She glances at Asher again, who is still watching Grace. Her gaze follows his and cools several degrees. She studies Grace before turning on a practiced smile.
“Hi, I don’t think we’ve met yet,” she says sweetly. “I’m Asher’s girlfriend.”
Grace stares at the offered hand, then shakes it. “I know. I’m Grace.” Her voice could cut glass.
They hold eye contact a moment too long. Then Leona smirks. “Nice hat. Is that a thing around here?”
Grace straightens, fire flashing in her eyes. “Around here?” she repeats slowly. A shiver runs down my spine. Oh no.
“Yeah, the hat, the boots,” Leona says, running her eyes over Grace. “Yeehaw and all that…”
“Asher,” I interject lightly, forcing a smile. “Why don’t you go say hi to the guys?”
“Yeah,” he says quickly, tipping his Stetson. “Girls. Have a nice evening.”
He guides Leona toward the bar, her heels clicking sharply against the wooden floor.
“Summer,” Grace says, still glaring after her, “I already liked you a lot till now, but the way you’re looking at Leona right now? Girl, you’re my spirit animal.” She tips her glass at me.
We all burst into laughter.
“Why don’t you like her, Summer?” Penny asks, still giggling.
I shrug. “I guess I grew up around people who walk, talk, and dress like her. And I do not care to relive any of that.”
“I need to go to the bathroom,” Penny says, a wary look on her face. Just a month ago, her abusive ex-boyfriend kidnapped her on Halloween night. Cas saved her, and Mark, the bastard ex, was arrested, but I think that wound is still healing.
“Want me to come with you?” I ask.
Penny straightens and shakes her head. “I need to win this fear. He’s behind bars. I can go to a bathroom by myself.” She nods.
“Ok, but take your cell, if you get scared, you call me, okay?” I ask.
She nods again and gets up. I see Cas’s eyes follow her, and he makes his way over to the hallway that leads to the bathrooms, his gaze fixed on the door.
I don’t think he’ll ever let his guard down in public places where Penny is concerned.
That night, I saw him, and I had never seen a man look so scared and angry at the same time.
Five minutes later, Penny walks out, and as soon as she sees Cas, he pulls her into his arms, kisses the top of her head, then lets her go.
“You okay?” I ask as she sits down.
“Yeah. One step at a time, just as my therapist told me.” Penny smiles.
“I’m here if you want to talk.” I take her hand and squeeze it.
“Love you.”
Penny squeezes my hand back. “Love you too, Pen.”
Right then, we hear the microphone crackle, and Dex takes the stage.
“Well, ladies and gentlemen, we still have room for some karaoke,” he announces, eyes landing on our table. “And one tiny redhead in particular asked for this karaoke, so she better sing tonight.”
We all laugh as Penny blushes.
“You asked for it,” I shrug, and she tosses a napkin at me.
“But for now,” Dex continues, “we have someone I really cannot wait to hear.” He gestures toward the bar. “Ethan Hawthorne, get your ass on this stage!”
People start cheering as Ethan strides over and picks up the mic. He leans toward the man behind the karaoke machine, whispers something, and then a song I’ve heard on the radio a few times starts to play: Mystical Magical by Benson Boone.
“This one’s for a special someone,” Ethan says, looking right at me and smiling.
“Whooohooo!” Penny claps her hands, and Grace puts a hand to her mouth, whistling like a true cowgirl.
Ethan begins to sing, his eyes locked on me, voice lower than Benson’s but smooth and strong. He starts dancing a little, and the women cheer, hooting as he shows off some moves. By the bar, his brothers and Asher call out, catcalling and yelling yeehaws.
“That’s my big brother!” Jace shouts over the crowd, which laughs and cheers.
Then Ethan points directly at me, and my heart rate spikes. Torn between loving that he’s doing this for me and terrified at how much it tugs at the walls I’ve built, I down my beer in one go. Penny watches me with wide eyes.
“What?” I laugh, and she picks up her own beer, finishing it in one shot too.
Ethan sings the last lines, the crowd going wild.
Women are cheering on the dance floor, his brothers are calling him names and making ridiculous gestures, and I can’t stop smiling.
After a lifetime of fake smiles and being told how to behave, these are the people I want around my daughter, people unafraid to let go, to laugh, to sing, and to live.
Ethan finishes, sets the mic down, and winks at me.
The slight buzz from the beer only makes it easier to relax.
“My turn!” Grace announces, striding over to the karaoke host. She picks up the mic, squares her shoulders, and faces the crowd, and I catch her glancing at Leona.
“This is for all the city girls out there,” she says, tipping her white Stetson with a wink. “Yeehaw!”
The opening notes of Redneck Woman by Gretchen Wilson blast through the speakers, and I laugh out loud. Grace owns it immediately. After a few lines, the entire bar is on their feet, singing along. By the first chorus, people are dancing, some even climbing onto tables.
I glance at the bar: Jace grins, Cas, Ethan, Dex, and Jude switch between watching the men hoot and whistle, then cheering on their baby sister. Penny, Cassie, and I shout, “Hell yeah!” with Grace as she points her mic toward the crowd.
Grace can sing and dance. I glance over at Asher, who’s glued to her, a small smile on his face, while Leona drapes herself around him, looking furious.
I can’t help it, I’m having the best time. I grab Penny and Cassie by the hands and pull us onto the dance floor, aware of Ethan’s green eyes on me. The slight buzz dulls my fear, and I wink back at him as we move. He smirks, and warmth spreads through me.
I scream over the music, “We should do this every week!”
Penny laughs and hoots, Grace rocks the stage, and we’re all dancing, cheering, and letting go. When Grace finishes, we all scream, “Hell yeah!” and clap.
This is the best night ever!