CHAPTER 1 #2
He squeezes me once more before letting me go.
“You know you’re always welcome, Kins. I think Erik mentioned making dinner tonight.
Do you want me to let him know you’ll be here too, so he gets enough?
” I shake my head. “Nah, I’m going to dinner with Hanna, Brandy, Shandy, and maybe some of the other girls.
I just didn’t want to come in at like midnight and surprise you.
I didn’t know if you’re seeing anyone and…
” Dad rolls his eyes at me. “No, I’m not.
It’s just me and Erik here. Been roommates for a whole week now.
” I shrug my shoulders and go to the fridge to grab a soda and a beer for him.
“Hey, you can’t blame me for wondering. I don’t want to be like Saxon and scarred for life, like he was when he walked in on you and—” Dad holds up his hand at me and grabs the beer with his other one.
“Your brother walked in without knocking at three in the morning. It’s his own damn fault.
Plus, he knew I was datin’ someone then, even if it was over fast.”
I sit at the table, and Dad sits across from me.
He looks at me in the way he always has when I can tell he’s studying me.
“I know you said you came to town for a girls’ weekend, but what else is going on?
You’ve been home a lot this year, not that I’m complaining. But it makes your old man wonder.”
I can’t help the sigh that comes out. “I think I’m just ready to be done with school and move back home.
I know I only have a few months left, but I’m just done with it all.
I mean, I’m glad I’m getting my credential and that I got my degree, but I feel like I haven’t really been doing anything else these last few years.
I want more. I want to be able to go to family days again, whenever I want, and to travel and just… I just want more.”
Dad continues to study me as he tilts his head.
“Do you feel like your mom and I pushed you into this because that’s—” I interrupt him because I don’t want him thinking that my feeling this way is his fault.
“No, you didn’t. You’ve supported me in what I wanted to do.
I still want to teach and do all that. I just think I could’ve just gone through school at a normal pace instead of trying to get through it all so fast.” I take a sip of my drink as I attempt to figure out the right words.
“I just feel like so much has happened that I’ve missed since I’m always at school.
I’m hoping to get hired at the school here so I can move into town.
If nothing else, at least get one in the county.
” Dad smiles at me. “You know I would love nothin’ more than you being so close.
You going to move back in here for a while? ”
I try not to choke on my drink. “No, I’m gonna get my own place.
I love this place and I love you, but I don’t think we, as two grown adults, should live together.
I mean, you bring home a guy or gal, I bring home a guy…
” Dad's expression makes me laugh so hard that tears form in my eyes. “Dad, I am an adult, ya know?” He rubs his heart. “Yeah, intellectually I know that, but in my heart, you’re always gonna be my little girl. Thinking about you bringing a guy home…that… just…I just can’t think about that.
” Oh, he’s gonna be a joy to deal with if I ever do bring someone home.
Emmett
Why am I here again? The bar scene has never been for me, and the older I get, that is even more true.
I’m here because my brother talked me into coming out with him and his buddies.
It feels unnatural going out with some guys from the fire department.
I mean, I know my brother is a firefighter, but as a cop, it just feels… wrong or unnatural.
I order a beer from the bartender and lean against the bar as I wait for it.
I know Cash means well, but this just isn’t my scene.
Hell, even when I was in college, it wasn’t.
I take my bottle of beer from the bartender and head over to the table where Cash and his coworkers are sitting.
He gives me a chin lift. “Holy hell. You actually came. Means I owe Waylon twenty bucks.” I glare at him as I sit down next to him, and he rolls his eyes at me.
He introduces me, although most of the guys I’ve met at one time or another.
A couple of the guys go to start a game of pool, and Cash tells them, “We’re next.
” He looks over at me, and I can just tell he’s got something to say.
Hell, when does Cash not have something to say?
“It’s good to see you out, brother. I know you’re a homebody, but you gotta get out and socialize on occasion and not just at work.
” Asshole. “I do socialize. I just don’t do the whole bar thing much.
” Cash gives me a look. “Socializing at Booker’s games and school activities doesn’t count.
” He holds up his hand and continues before I can add anything.
“It also doesn't count when you hang out with Meg and Maddie. Meg is your ex-wife after all. That’s not normal. She’s moved on, and it’s time you do too.
” I can’t help but scowl at Cash. “I have moved on, asshole. We’ve been divorced for almost five years.
I’m not living as a monk. Besides, what about you?
You gonna stay single forever? You know Momma is dying for you to settle down.
” Cash glares back at me. “I just turned thirty. I still have plenty of time. You’re the one who’s closer to forty every day than you are to thirty.
” Cheering over at the pool table interrupts the discussion, which we have at least once a week.
I take a sip of my beer and realize I’ve finished it.
I bump Cash’s elbow. “I’m gonna grab another one.
Want one?” He nods, and I get up and walk over to the bar.
It’s gotten busier in the last half hour, with a decent crowd for a Friday night.
I make my way over to the bar, and I’m almost there when someone is pushed into me.
“Oooff!” I reach out to make sure she doesn’t fall.
When she turns to me, it’s like a jolt of lightning.
Her gray eyes feel like they're seeing through to my soul. She’s got to be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in person.
“I’m so sorry! I hope you’re okay. See, this is why I don’t go out. I can’t even not knock into anyone when I do! I—” I squeeze her arm ever so slightly to get her attention to stop her from chastising herself. She looks back at me, and it’s like the world shifts.
Say something, asshole. “I don’t think you can control a crowd of people.
I’m no worse for wear. Are you alright?” She gives me a slight smile and nods.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just so out of my element here.
My friends dragged me out against my better judgment.
” I can’t help but chuckle. “My brother dragged me out. Seems we’re both here completely involuntarily.
It must mean we should stick together to make it to the bar.
What do ya say?” She shrugs. “You probably can clear a path a lot better than I can since you’re as tall as a tree.
” I laugh and watch her face. She must realize what she just said because I can see a blush on her cheeks.
She smacks her face. “Ugh, I’m so sorry.
I didn’t mean that the way it came out. I swear I haven’t even been drinking.
My filter just isn’t working tonight.” My hands move without permission, reaching out to grab her hands and pull them from her face.
I’m just going to ignore how right they feel in my hands.
“I actually find it refreshing. Plus, you ain’t wrong.
It’s one of the few perks of being this tall.
Now, since this conversation has been the most interesting one I’ve had in quite a long time, why don’t I buy you that drink you were trying to get? ”
I watch her bite her bottom lip and look up at me again with those fucking mesmerizing eyes.
“Actually, I came over to get drinks for me and my three friends.” I look over in the direction she’s pointing and see a group of women looking over here with big smiles on their faces.
They also happen to be sitting next to my brother and his friends.
I look back at her and just know I need to continue the conversation.
“Well, let me grab them for all four of you, and we can take them back over. My brother and his friends are at the table next to yours.” She tilts her head in thought, and I’m really glad I wasn’t drinking when she asks her next question.
“You’re not some serial rapist or killer and gonna spike our drinks, are you?
” I let out a laugh, then realize she’s completely serious.
“No, in fact, you can order them and even carry them if you’re worried.
I’ll pick up the tab. If it helps you, I work in the sheriff’s department, so you can call them and ask them if you want. ”
She bites her lip again for a moment, then must make a decision because she looks back up at me.
“Just because you’re a cop doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a good guy.
But I was gonna order a pitcher of margaritas, so I think it would be safe for you to carry the glasses.
” I can’t help but smile at her again as I watch her place her order.
I add in my order and lean against the bar to look at her again as we wait for the bartender to come back.
Kinsley
Holy hell in a handbasket, this guy is h-o-t hot.
Like the kind of hot that makes you replay a TikTok over and over again.
His dark brown eyes look like they actually light up when he smiles.
He’s so far out of my league, it’s not even funny.
He’s the kind of guy I think about when I use that rose vibrator that I won’t admit Kierstie bought me.