CHAPTER 8
PLAYBOY
The moment I step inside Dolly’s Place, I see them. Lara and Vanessa are on opposites sides of a booth with milkshakes they look very pleased about between them. I don’t see anyone else, only them.
How did I not realize I look for her first in every room I enter?
When did it become habit?
It’s amazing I was able to convince myself that it had anything to do with Lola. It was never about that lying bitch. It was always about Lara. Even now, in questionable lighting, she’s magnetic.
I can hardly tear my eyes away from her.
It’s amazing how plans can change in an instant.
Originally, I was just going to grab a piece of orange creamsicle moonshine cake and a cup of coffee. I had been craving the indulgence, which is famous in at least five counties. Stan’s mom, Dolly, made it a staple of the diner.
People will drive a distance to get a piece. And it’s been far too long since I partook of this particular Monroe County delicacy.
It helps that Stan only uses Over the Ridge Moonshine in the cake which makes it feel close to the club. Don’t worry, the alcohol is cooked off. Well, most of it, I think.
Now that plan has gone out the window. Oh, I’ll be getting my cake, that’s not in question. But now I think I’ll slide right into the booth next to Lara and join them.
As I move toward their booth, Vanessa spots me coming. She perks up immediately while Lara’s head whips around so fast that I almost wince on her behalf. The moment she sees me, her eyes narrow into dangerous slits.
I don’t pay her any mind. Instead, I lift a hand when Honey, one of the best waitresses Dolly’s has to offer, sees me and I point toward the booth to let her know I’ll be joining them. She nods, but I can see the questions and confusion written all over her face.
In a place like Dolly’s, I’m sure she’s already heard all sorts of whispers.
About how I’ve been a complete piece of shit to Lara.
About how no one knew what to do with me and my attitude.
About how Lola wrapped herself around me at every opportunity.
About how Lara finally shut me and my bullshit down.
Vanessa’s voice is bright as she greets me when I stop next to their table, “Hi, Playboy.”
When I slide into the booth next to Lara, the movement has her gliding along the leather of the seat to make room for me.
She lets out a growl which makes it impossible for me to look at her because I know she would only look like a pissed off kitten.
It would make me laugh too hard right now and I don’t want to push my luck more than I already am.
“Hi, little bit,” my words are smooth. “Out for dinner?”
“Yup,” Vanessa smiles wide and I notice a new tooth missing. “Did you know Stan makes the ranch here by hand? It’s delicious.”
“I did know that,” I tell her. “It’s one of my favorite things on the menu,” I admit while leaning a little over the table.
I can feel the way Lara is fuming next to me, but I ignore her. For now. There’s no doubt in my mind she probably has steam coming out of her ears.
She’ll calm down. Eventually.
Also, she probably won’t eviscerate me in front of Vanessa. At least, I’m hoping not. It’s really what I’m gambling this entire production on.
“It’s not a food group,” Lara grumbles.
While clutching my imaginary pearls I look at her completely affronted. Vanessa is shooting her a very similar look. Talk about a kindred spirit in kid form. I can’t help but grin.
“If I can order a bowl of it, it’s a food group,” Vanessa points out, completely logical.
“It is made of things,” I add.
Lara shoots me a pointed look before rolling her eyes and pulling her milkshake closer to her. If she was concerned about me snatching it, she was absolutely correct and did the right thing. That doesn’t stop me from eyeing it though.
“I was just planning on stopping in and grabbing a slice of cake, but I saw you ladies out for a night on the town and couldn’t help but join you,” I put on my most charming drawl, the one that has gotten me pretty much whatever I’ve wanted since puberty.
When I see Honey making her way over to us, I shift and drape my arm across the back of the booth. And around Lara’s shoulders. She makes a choking sound in the back of her throat and presses her small hands to my torso. The shove she gives me is adorable.
It doesn’t move me at all.
I’m not going any-fucking-where. Not until after I chip away, if only a little bit, at some of the anger Lara is holding onto. These ladies emanate light and I’m selfish enough to want to soak up some of it.
“No one invited you to join us,” Lara’s words sound almost sweet, but the bite in them is unmistakable. As is the way she clenches her jaw in annoyance.
I know she won’t say anything too scathing in front of Vanessa. At least, I don’t think she will. The more I consider it, the more I realize I might be completely wrong.
Just as Honey stops at the edge of the table, Lara’s foot comes down on my boot. I barely feel it, but I know she’s putting some real oomph behind it. When I look over at her and smile and wink, I think she’s about to wrap her hands around my throat.
The way her blue eyes blaze with fire is sexy as hell.
“You want your regular, Playboy?” Honey’s voice is bright.
Honey has worked at Dolly’s for years. She’s always been a nice girl, bubbly and kind. Collectively, the town tips her a little extra since she’s paying for college. Most of it she does online, but I know she drives to at least two classes on campus even though it’s not a quick trip.
She sticks to Dogwood Ridge because she has people relying on her. We try and help her out however we can.
I wasn’t planning on eating dinner, but now I might as well. I nod at Honey, already tasting Stan’s perfect burger on my tongue.
“You are the best waitress this side of the county line,” I sweet talk her. “Just put us all on the same ticket.”
The smile Honey gives me is radiant, but she doesn’t blush and she doesn’t look at me with hearts in her eyes. With a curtsey, her voice turns amused and teasing, “Thank you. Remember to tip your waitresses.”
She walks away giggling and I hear Stan’s chuckle from the kitchen. I can only shake my head as I focus back on the table. Lara twists around and tries to push my arm up and off the top of the booth behind her. Her tongue peeks out of the side of her mouth like she’s concentrating hard.
“You’re like a ton of bricks,” she huffs out before turning back around and giving up while slumping back into the leather booth.
The action sends the ends of her hair sliding against my skin. My cock gets hard and I have to shift slightly in my seat because that shit pinches.
Ignoring Lara, since it’s the only way I’ll be able to control myself in this very public place and at a totally inappropriate time, I focus on Vanessa. She looks between us like she already knows how this ends.
I wish she would tell me because I’m still at a loss.
I’m not sure Lara will ever forgive me for the dumb shit I said. She doesn’t have to ever forgive me.
Hoping she will feels far too fragile. I can’t pick up that feeling; I don’t trust it in my hands. Not yet.
“How’s school been so far this year?”
“It’s good,” she starts and then pauses before adding, “I’m ready for the year to be over though.”
“Already?” I tease her.
Lara reminds her daughter with amusement and reproach in her voice, “Not that long ago you were saying you were bored and wanted to go back to school.”
“I’m just done with elementary school, I think,” Vanessa muses like she’s contemplating one of the great mysteries of the universe and finding an answer. “I’m ready for middle school.”
“One more year,” there’s an edge of panic, hurt, resentment, and pain in Lara’s voice.
But there’s also warmth. The love between them is so clear to see when they interact like this. Part of me wants to stay quiet just to steal more little moments like this one. But I also want to be in it with them; I want to be a part of it.
It’s a gluttonous feeling and it twists in the worst parts of me.
“Don’t try to grow up too fast,” I warn Vanessa lightly. “Middle school will be there next year. And I bet once you get used to it, you’ll be wishing for summer break again even when you’re in middle school.”
“It’s too hot in the summer,” Vanessa makes a face.
“That’s when you get outside and embrace it.
” I glance around the diner and remember sitting at this same booth a time or two growing up, making plans, and then finding out what summer had in store for us.
“When I was growing up, I spent a lot of time in the woods camping out and setting traps for the Coyote Man.”
Lara shoots me a look like I’ve lost the last brain cell I was still being graced with. “I am not taking you camping to hunt for anything,” she warns Vanessa before the girl can even say anything.
“That’s fine,” Vanessa says sweetly. “I bet if I asked Playboy, he’d say yes and make it a whole thing with s’mores and a few brothers,” her tone turns sarcastic, “for protection.”
“No,” I joke, “they’d come just because they like a good Coyote Man hunt. What do you think we did back in the day? It’s not like there was more to do around town back then.”
Lara laughs softly but then coughs to try to cover the sound. She’s not fast enough.
“Scratch was always up for a weekend in the woods.” Nostalgia fills me while I think back over those years.
“Sometimes Diesel would come out with us. We’re all the same age, were in the same class throughout school, and spent a lot of time together.
All the club brats spent time together,” I explain, wanting them, for some reason, to understand my world a little better.
I haven’t exactly given them the best impression of what they can expect from the club or time spent at the clubhouse. Internally I wince at the reminder of my dickishness.