Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Garrett
Tonight, instead of joining the Addingtons for dinner, I’ve decided to get the hell out of Dodge for a while. There’s a honky-tonk bar outside of town called, Dirty Pete’s Saloon, owned by - you guessed it, a guy named Pete. They’ve got cold beer, decent music, and plenty of distractions. Especially since a few of the other guys are heading out too.
Wes and Sawyer are already waiting for me when I step out of my loft over top of the Addington’s family barn.
“Wes is driving since he’s pussy-whipped. The Misses ordered him to stay sober tonight if he wants to get laid.” Sawyer chuckles.
Having a designated driver sounds like a terrible idea. Terrible because it means that I’ll likely end up drinking far too fucking much and doing something stupid. Then again, it’s been a while since I’ve tied one on. Maybe letting loose is what I really need to do.
Giving into a good time, I climb in the backseat of Wes’ truck. “Where are Austin and Maverick?”
“Already on their way to Pete’s,” Wes answers as he circles the driveway.
I make a mental note to have him drop me off at the end of the drive on the way back. The last damn thing I need is Neville to wake up to a bunch of rowdy drunks at two a.m., especially after his little interrogation this morning over breakfast.
“Heard Linsdey is back. Rumor has it, she was up before you this morning and took care of some of your chores too.” Wes smirks at me in the rearview mirror.
Well, shit. Here I gave credit to Austin, who I barely saw all day, and all along it was Lindsey who had been doing barn work while I was still sleeping.
“Dude, I saw a picture of her on Instagram last week. Lindsey is smoking hot, bro.” Sawyer waggles his brows.
“Sawyer, you like your job, right?” I ask.
“Of course I do. You know the old man pays well.”
“Then, a word of advice...stay away from Lindsey. If you touched a single hair on her head, I can guarantee Neville and William will see to it that they never find your body.”
Sawyer swallows nervously. “Uh, yeah. You’re probably right. Forget I said anything.”
“Enough talk about women anyway. This is supposed to be a guys night.” Wes chimes in.
“How many times did you check your phone while we waited for Garrett?” Sawyer asks.
“I answered one text. Fuckface.”
God. Listening to these two bicker has me really second-guessing my life choices tonight. Driving myself and having just one beer suddenly seems like it would have been a better idea.
A little while later, I’m two beers in and line dancing with some blonde chick who needed a two-step partner when I spot Lindsey walking in. My dance partner laughs as I trip over my own two feet, clearly mistaking my distraction for clumsiness instead.
Guitars and Cadillacs ends and the music transitions to a slow song. Blondie gives me a soft questioning gaze but I politely decline the invitation. No way in hell I’m slow dancing with anyone unless I plan on taking them home. Wrong impressions and all that.
She gives me a tiny pout but nods in understanding and follows me to the bar. “How about a drink then?”
I don’t want to be that guy, the one who acts like an ass to a lady, but I don’t make a habit of buying women drinks either. Besides, I’m pretty sure this chick thinks that one dance means a whole lot more. “Thanks but no thanks.”
“Garrett, right?” She asks.
“Yeah.” I fight back a sigh. This is what I get for being a gentleman and trying to help a lady out.
“You’re a dick.” She huffs.
“Darlin’ I’ve been called worse, trust me. I’m not trying to hurt anyone’s feelings here. It was just one dance. Three minutes of fun on the dance floor. Nothing more. I’m sure you’re a really nice lady and all, but that’s not what I came here for.” There. I laid it out there. And I mean it. I’m not trying to hurt feelings. I’m only here to have a little fun and go the hell home.
“Ohh. I get it.” Her face softens. “What’s her name?”
“I’m sorry?”
“Her name. I’ve seen that look before. You’re hung up on a woman. What’s her name?”
I shake my head. I’m not about to go there with a complete stranger. Instead, I move further down the bar to where the rest of the guys are sitting. Blondie follows behind me, clearly unable to take a hint.
“Well, hello.” Maverick purrs while the rest of us roll our eyes.
Lucky for me though, Mr. Casanova can take over and hopefully get this chick out of my hair. He introduces himself and I grab another beer.
Wes elbows my side and leans a little closer. “Don’t look now but, Lindsey is headed right for us.”
“So?” I shrug.
“Dude. I really wish you’d two would just fuck it out and eliminate all the tension whenever you two are within twenty feet of each other.”
“Shut it,” I warn him.
“Just saying. The two of you are not as subtle as you think,” he adds before tipping back his beer.
Lindsey slides up onto the empty barstool beside me and orders herself a beer before acknowledging any of us. The bartender smiles a little too wide and stares at her for a little too long. Meanwhile, I’m fighting the urge to reach across the bar and slap some sense into him.
“So much anger,” she leans in and whispers, making my entire body tense.
I raise a brow and look over at her. “Really? What are you doing here?”
“Everyone at the house had plans tonight so I figured I’d get out for a while. Kevin said you guys were headed here and I figured if I wanted to grab a few beers, I might as well do it in safe company. Right?”
I’m going to kill Kevin. I can’t believe the fucker had the nerve to tell his sister where I was. Though she did have a point. Here, she was safe. We may laugh and joke like a bunch of assholes but Lindsey would always be safe with the five of us. We all respected Neville and William far too much not to look out for her.
“Yeah. Right.” I mumble.
“Then again. The big bad wolf could still eat me,” she winks at me. The bartender slides her beer over to her and she nods in my direction. “Thanks, Brian. Put it on his tab.”
Brian nods and rings her up with mine while she saunters over to a group of ladies who all wrap her in a warm embrace.
“You got played,” Wes laughs beside me.
“Wes. If you want to keep breathing, shut up.”
He laughs.
So much for a relaxing time with the boys tonight.
Several hours later the bartender calls last call and we all close out our tabs. I’ve only had one more beer since Lindsey showed up and she’s taken it pretty easy all night too. When we all head outside I look around for Lindsey’s car but don’t see it.
“Where’s your ride?” I ask.
“Kevin dropped me off. I told him I’d catch a ride back with the guys,” she smiles innocently.
I shouldn’t even be surprised right now.
“Wes, you got room for one more?” I don’t even know why I’m asking. There isn’t a chance in hell that he’d refuse a ride back to the ranch for Lindsey.
“Dumb question,” he grunts back. “Let’s get y’all back home.”
Sawyer climbs in the front seat while I help Lindsey into the back and climb in beside her.
The whole car ride home she’s tried to keep one hand on me. First, she tried tiptoeing her way up my leg with her fingers. When I grabbed her hand to stop her, she began tracing circles on my palm. No matter how many warning glares I’ve shot her, she persisted.
I let out a sigh of relief when Wes finally turns on to the driveway and stops him when he reaches the gates. “Let us out here. No need rolling down the drive and waking up Nev. I’d like to not get shot tonight.”
Wes laughs and stops the truck. Lindsey and I jump out and I give Wes a wave as he turns the truck around and drives away.
As soon as they fade out of sight, she leans into my side and takes my hand. I’ve never been more torn in my life. I should push her away right now but damn if she doesn’t feel absolutely perfect tucked beside me.
“I’m sorry I crashed your boys night,” she whispers.
“It’s fine. Like you said, as long as we were there, you were safe and you could have a good time.”
She sighs. “Still. It was pretty shitty of me to ruin your night. I know you don’t go out often, at least you didn’t back then.”
“Yeah, well. I was only going out to get my mind off of you.” I admit.
“Finally, a tiny ounce of truth from you.”
We’ve made it back to the house and I want to ask her what she means but I won’t get into it here. She pauses in front of the main house and waits, no doubt, expecting something from me. Instead of kissing her goodnight, I give her a gentle smile and nod for her to go on in. Disappointment lines her face as she walks away.