I shrugged, blowing out a deep exhale of smoke. “I don’t know why.”
Cash huffed, shaking his head as he all but rolled his eyes. “Fuck, Mav. You always gotta be so fuckin’ self loathin’? No wonder she’s so pissed.”
“You talked to her?” I asked.
I wondered what she’d said. Probably a whole string of curses. Girl had a mouth on her, especially when she was pissed.
“She came stormin’ in a few minutes ago. Look…ain’t nobody sayin’ you gotta marry the girl, but at least give her a chance. You’ve been so hung up on Ashleigh for so long, it’s like you don’t even know how to interact with a woman.”
I hated when Cash made sense. When he sounded reasonable. I hated it more when he was right. Cuz when he was, I was usually the one in the wrong.
I pursed my lips, grumbling around my cigar, “I get your point.”
Cash took a final drag and put his cigar out against the wall. “I sure hope ya do.”
I snorted a laugh, rolling my eyes. “Get off the damn soap box, Cash. Reasonable ain’t your best look.”
That confident, cocky smirk lit up his face once more. “Nope, but drunk sure is.”
“You’re a fuckin’ idiot.”
“Nah, not tonight, bud. You earned that role fair and square.”
“Get fucked,” I huffed, flipping him the bird, even as my lips curved into a grin.
He winked, that smirk pulling into a full-fledged smile. “Oh, I plan to.” He started backpedaling as he called out, “Go, talk to her.”
I waved him off, taking another drag as I thought of Cheyenne. I still didn’t know what she saw in me, but Cash was right. She didn’t seem like the chasin’ after type. At the very least, I wanted to know more about what she found so intriguing about me.
Making my way towards the double doors, I put out my cigar and threw it away. Looked like I had some apologizing to do.
It didn’t take longto find her. She sat on a stool at one of the bars across the way. I leaned against the table we’d reserved for the night, trying and failing to work up the nerve to go talk to her.
Go. Just go.But it’s like my feet were stuck in concrete slabs. No amount of self-encouragement could move me even an inch. What if I’d blown it? What if she told me to fuck off? I wouldn’t be surprised if she did. She seemed the fiery type. The kind of girl to have a short fuse.
Go.
Drawing up every ounce of willpower, I took a step forward…and then another…just as a guy slid into the seat beside her, angling his body toward her as he dipped his face toward her to start a conversation.
I sighed, the breath leaving me in a slow whoosh.Looks like you lost your chance, dumbass.The damn voice in my head reminded me of Cash—maybe not quite as obnoxious, but still annoying, though.
I shrank back against the table, whatever sliver of confidence I’d mustered up withering away to ash.Probably better this way anyway. She’d realize pretty quick I wasn’t kidding when I said I was no fun at all.
I was just about to go back outside when two familiar voices came from my left.
“How’s it goin, man?” Ryder’s voice drew my gaze.
He and Charlie came to a stop before me, Ryder’s arm wrapped around her waist, her hand in his back pocket. The two of them were slick with sweat, but a lightness danced on both of their faces, in their eyes.
I shrugged. “It’s goin’. Y’all look like you’re havin’ fun.”
Charlie smiled, leaning into Ryder, who seemed to pull her closer to him. She was barely pregnant, way too early to be showing, but I couldn’t accurately describe Charlie as anything less than glowing. She’d always been a knockout, but the happiness and light in her eyes made her truly something to behold. They weren’t lying when they talked about a baby glow, I guess. That, and since she and Ryder had gotten back together, both of them had been on cloud nine.
She looked up at Ryder. “Mind grabbing me a water?” she asked, leaning up and pressing a kiss to his lips.
He kissed her back before nodding. “Of course, darlin’.” Ryder glanced at me. “Want anythin’?”
I shook my head, muttering a thanks.
