I watch their fiery interaction. If I hadn’t been talking with Hunter for the past twenty minutes, I would assume they had a thing going on. That’s just Hunter's personality, though.
"What did the little shit have so far?” he asks, looking over to me and my beer.
Hunter points down at the Jim Beam bottle. I shiver at the reminder of it hitting my throat.
“Perfect. We’ll take two more please…and I’ll have one of those beers. It looks like Maisie’s is almost out. She’ll take another one as well.”
I almost double over. “And who is drinking all that? Because it certainly won’t be me.”
“We’re celebrating! It’s your first time back in how many years, Mais? Plus, it’s your first time here since turning twenty-one. If I want to drink with my baby cousin for the first time, I’m gonna do it, damn it,” he shouts excitedly, slapping the bar. I know he’s just messing around, and I secretly love it.
That doesn’t stop me from groaning. “Fine, but can we at least have something besides the Jim Beam this time? I’m going to have nightmares about that tonight.”
“You heard the princess. Top shelf whiskey it is! My treat.” Chesney's arm flops over my shoulder while Hunter fetches the expensive whiskey with dust coating the outer glass.
Hunter plops down two glasses of whiskey, the pour even bigger this time. My eyes blow wide, but, in the wise words of Lan and myself,fuck it. I’m so used to living my life to everyone’s expectations, fitting into a little perfect box. I want to experience what it’s like to let loose and live a little. For research purposes…obviously.
“Bottoms up, bitches!” Hunter shouts.
We shoot our shots back. It still burns, but thankfully, it doesn't have me wanting to hack up a lung.Progress.
Hunt places new beers in front of us. I take that as my cue to finish off the one I’m currently milking and slide it her way.
The bar starts to fill up again. Ches leads us over to a table so he can sit too. We sip our beers, taking turns making up background stories for each drunk patron. Each story gets more extreme.
I notice the ranch hands are back at the bar getting more drinks. I spot Jake snatch up two beers for himself and chuckle under my breath. He’s going to regret that tomorrow.
“I gotta take a leak. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t,” Ches calls over the music.
“So everything’s on the table then!” I shout back, watching him dance backwards towards the restrooms, his middle fingers up.
Alcohol buzzes through me, and my head bobs to the music. I’m the perfect amount of drunk to not feel anxious sitting alone. That is, until I spot a man across the bar making a beeline towards me.
He tips his hat at me in greeting. "What's a pretty thing like you doing sitting all alone?” he coos.
I point to Ches’ beer next to mine. “Not here alone, sweetheart.”
He puffs his chest out, more determined to win me over now. “You Ches’ girl?”
Oh, goodie. So he did see me sitting here with someone. He just chose to approach me when I was finally alone. I really hate men sometimes.
“What’s it to you? Just wanted to make sure I was alone before you swooped in. Thought it would give you a better chance at getting in my pants?”
“I don’t see a ring on your finger,honey.”
I flinch at the nickname. I don’t like the sound of it as much when it rolls off this man's tongue. I was secretly hoping Grayson would show up tonight. I was looking forward to seeing the more relaxed side of him. To my surprise, Ches mentioned he had anerrandto run and wouldn’t be making it. I find it odd that if it was Carl, I wouldn't even bat an eye. I’ve only just met the man, and I already feel a greater pull towards him than any man I’ve dated.
“I don’t need a ring to know I would never be interested in a man like you.” Personality aside, this man is very good looking, probably my type on paper. I could see myself checking him out from across a restaurant if the circumstances were different. That is, until he opened his fucking mouth.
“Well hold your horses. We’ve only just met. You haven’t even given me a proper chance yet.” He grabs my wristto pull me up. “One dance with me, and I’ll have you changing your mind.”
“No thanks.” I try to pull my arm away, but his grip is solid. He isn’t hurting me per se, but it’s uncomfortable. And no means no.
His lips curl into a stupid smile, turning up his charm. “It’s harmless. Just one dance.”
I rip my arm away. “Iwould rather drag my lady bits across a hot plane tarmac than let it anywhere near you.”
“Jesus,” he scoffs, throwing his hands up.
