Chapter 6
brIAR
True to his word, Grahm shows up fifteen minutes early. A bubbly feeling rises in my chest when he leans over and pushes the passenger door open. He’s wearing a gray hoodie and light-wash jeans that match his baseball hat, looking as handsome as he did this morning.
“Come on, we don’t want to miss the races, Thornton.” He smirks and winks at me. I take a deep breath and shake sense into myself. Stop staring at him like you’ve never seen a country boy before.
I hop up into his truck and have to tamp down my excitement. I have no idea what to expect. It’s surprising enough that this town has something like this.
I consider telling him about my little run-in with the guys at the grocery store but decide against it. I’m just going to stick close to Grahm and ignore that entire group if I see them.
“You look good, Thornton. I thought you were stunning this morning, but fuck, those jeans are working for you. I would’ve told you earlier, but we weren’t going to a party together yet,” he says smoothly with one hand on his steering wheel and the other perched on the door. My cheeks warm with his comment.
“Thanks.” I grin. “These are the only ones that fit me well. My only other pair are covered in mud,” I admit sheepishly.
“Do you need more? We have some pretty good shops in town. Although I think they might be a little too townie for you city folk.” His tone is full of sarcasm.
I give him a wry grin. “Anything to help me blend in, honestly.”
He chuckles at my comment, but I’m not even kidding. No one wants to stick out like a sore thumb, especially when the last thing I need is to be noticeable.
We stay on the highway for ten minutes before Grahm pulls off onto a dirt road that’s heading toward the mountains.
It’s thickly forested and the moon won’t rise until at least midnight, so visibility is practically zero.
If it weren’t for the line of taillights ahead of us, I would be concerned about being in a car with a practical stranger driving toward the woods.
“Wow. Who knew there could be traffic on fire trails. Are all of these people really heading to the same place?” I ask as I roll the window down and pop my head out to see further ahead. The first thing that hits me is the fresh pine air and the cool, late-summer breeze.
My lungs fill with the euphoric scent, and chills spread up my arms. Music plays in the distance, “Soft Core” by The Neighbourhood. It must be loud because I can feel the vibrations rumbling in my sternum from here.
“Oh my God, this looks like fun. Is this legal?” I laugh, and the elation must show on my expression because Grahm leans against his arm, elbow perched on his door, grinning at me.
“Murray doesn’t give a shit what we do out here as long as it’s all adults.
Think you can keep up with us out here tonight, Thornton?
” he teases. His eyes linger around my breasts for a moment before flicking back up to my eyes.
I lick my lips and can’t for the life of me wipe this giddy grin from my face.
I haven’t felt this way in such a long time.
“I guess we’ll find out, Sutherland.”
For a foolish moment, I forget about all my problems. All ninety-nine of them, including those assholes. Tonight, I’m just going to forget about my past. Start anew.
We luck out on parking and get a spot in the field closest to the main area. A huge bonfire is already roaring. The music is so loud it feels like I’m at a concert.
“I guess we don’t have to worry about wild animals with the music being this loud!” I shout even though I’m standing right beside Grahm.
He laughs and bends down to my level. “Nope! Let’s grab some drinks. Follow me.” He threads his fingers with mine and guides me through the crowd.
Everyone is singing along to the music, beers and canned margaritas in their hands as they sway to the beat. My shoulders are already moving of their own volition.
I spot Hailey by the coolers almost immediately. Her hair is pulled up into a high ponytail and it still meets her mid-back. My jaw drops. Talk about a freaking queen. I let go of Grahm’s hand and make my way over to her.
“Briar, wait,” Grahm whisper shouts, but I’m already walking up to Hailey so I ignore him.
“Hey! Is there a canned sangria in there somewhere?” I don’t have to yell now that we’re a bit farther away from the speakers. Hailey lights up and gives me a big hug.
“Briar! I’m so glad you’re here!” she says with a slight slur. “Yes, oh my God, here, this one is the best.” She hands me a Moscow mule.
I’m not picky about drinks and I don’t mind this one, so I just laugh and nod at her. “Thank you.”
“Who are you here with?” Hailey lifts a suggestive brow at me. “You look ravishing, so I want to know who the lucky guy—” Her words fall as her eyes lift to meet Grahm’s.
There’s an awkward beat that passes through them, and I feel it like a gut punch. Grahm’s frown is half shocked and half pissed. My brows pull together, and I look back at Hailey. Her high spirits have been severed, and a dead-eyed stare has set in.
“Be careful with him, Briar.” She locks eyes with me before turning abruptly and stalking away.
“What is she talking about?” I snap my attention to Grahm. He runs his hand through his hair and lets out a long sigh. His pupils are blown wide, and he looks furious.
“We used to date, and she didn’t take the breakup so great.” He sounds genuine, but there’s something about her warning that makes me think it’s more than that. Girls don’t warn each other for nothing. Something happened that wasn’t okay, and it sends the red flags up.
“Okay,” I say slowly, wrapping my arms around myself uncomfortably.
“Fuck. Hang tight. I’ll go get her to explain.
I can’t stand you looking at me like that, Thornton.
And I want to have a good night.” He gives me a pleading grin before setting his beer can down on a stump to chase after Hailey.
I watch him disappear into the dark trees before I turn my attention back to the party.
I don’t want to just stand here and wait with my thoughts, so I decide to venture out into the crowd.
I’m swallowed whole by the music and the swarm of the bodies around me instantly.
I’m glad I didn’t bring a sweater because it’s hot with all the people dancing and bumping into one another.
Not to mention the bonfire blazing in the center only twenty feet away.
There’s something so invigorating about being in a new town where no one knows you. It’s like a new lease on life. No one knows your past, and you don’t have any baggage or drama attached to your name. In my case, it’s a dead family and murderous ex. But still. I can be whoever I want to be now.
I smile at a few guys who keep stealing looks my way.
I move my hips and sip on my drink. The light buzz starts to sift in after a few minutes, and a group of people have moved in around me, dancing with their hands in the air and having a careless, fun night.
It’s easy to get swept into, and I enjoy every second of it.
It’s like a nightclub in the fucking forest.
After a few songs, I cast a glance back in the direction where Grahm went after Hailey. He should’ve been back by now, right? I don’t see either of them back by the coolers. Weird. I frown and start to maneuver around people and head in that direction.
A hand snags around my wrist and pulls me back against a hard chest. I stiffen and look over my shoulder, meeting John’s sultry eyes.
“Hey, Briar, thought I saw you at the store today. Weird, though. I could’ve swore that Roman told you to get out of our town.” His grip on my wrist is tight, but everything about his tone and facial expressions are disarming. Playful rather than threatening.
I turn to face him, giving him a scowl. “Funny, I thought I saw you too. Are you incapable of keeping your hands off women?” I reply sweetly.
His smile fades and his eyes darken. “Briar, you should leave before Roman sees you out here. We did you a courtesy not saying anything to him, but you need to get fucking lost somewhere else.” He starts pulling me toward the parking lot.
I tear my arm from his grip, garnering a few bystanders’ attention. “I came here with someone, and I’m not going anywhere. What’s the difference between me and the woman you were with earlier today? I don’t see her being dragged out of town.”
His expression is unreadable, and his jaw is flexed.
“Fine.” He takes a wide step back and lifts his hands in surrender. “But don’t expect me to help you later, Briar.”
I give him a fake smile. “Gee thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”
John’s returning grin is filled with amusement. “Someone has spunk. I hope you keep it. I hate seeing the girls that lose it.” He pats my head as he walks by and moves into the crowd. I lose sight of him in a mere second and can only assume that he’s off to find his little posse of douchebags.
Great. Well, I didn’t last long before getting spotted. I’d better find Grahm. I finish off my mule before passing the coolers and moving into the dark shadows that the forest creates.
“Grahm?” I say moderately loud. The music is still bumping, so there’s a good chance he didn’t hear me.
I narrow my eyes and try to see better but can only make out some figures in the trees.
There are a handful of groups standing around and talking while they sip their drinks.
A few couples are pressed up against trees and making out.
Where the hell did he go? My eyes skirt over another couple before I pause and look back at them. It’s Hailey and Grahm. It’s too dark to see what they’re doing, but he’s leaned up against her, and their faces are close enough for me to draw conclusions.
The blood leaves my face, and my throat knots up. I know we just met, but I had hopes that I’d be kissing him tonight. Damn it.