I didn’t panic. I was able to enjoy sex. For the first time in … years.
Small victories.
“I don’t know why you think anyone would be mad. Everyone drank a lot.”
He’s not getting what I’m talking about, so I just let it go. Maybe I’m having this feeling just because of the way Matt always found ways to blame me for having fun or drinking too much. It rarely happened, but the next morning was always a nightmare of him running through my actions like a strict, disapproving father.
“Never mind.”
He finishes cleaning up the spill and continues walking toward the door. “Everyone had a great night. We’re just recovering this morning, and tonight, we have the concert and rodeo. You ready for that?”
“Yes. I’ve been having fun with you. More fun than I expected, honestly.” I offer him a smile.
His hand is resting on the doorknob to the back door. He nods, clearing his throat.
“Yeah, me too. Listen, don’t overthink it. You’re not mygirlfriend, and they know that. They know you’re not interested in anything serious. This should be a fun weekend with no pressure. We’re friends, having a little fun. Nothing more.”
The concert flies by. Duke holds me from behind, singing into my ear while Monroe is onstage, captivating the entire crowd. Being backstage is surreal. I’ve never seen what it’s like behind the scenes.
Duke is sweet and attentive and sexy. Every time he whispers in my ear, all I want to do is climb into bed with him or find another alleyway.
It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this amount of sexual desire. It got to the point in my marriage where sex was a chore and something I did to ease Matt’s angry outbursts. For at least the last year of my life, I haven’t felt a shred of arousal.
Until Duke ignited it in me.
I’m not blind to the fact that this is what he does. He’s a six-foot-three, twenty-six-year-old bull rider who’s been with a lot of women. I’m one of many to him. He said so himself earlier today—we’re just friends, having fun together.
Even so, I’m honestly relieved to be finally feeling this way. I was concerned it might never come back for me.
After the concert, we take the limo to the rodeo. Cash andMonroe will meet up with us later, after she does her meet and greet. Rosie and Dolly seem to be acting completely normal toward me, so I guess Duke was telling the truth about them not being angry at me for making out with their brother. I’m a few years older than both of them, closer to Cash’s age.
We’re all at the bar, waiting for the bartender to take our orders. The bull riding is about to start, and the guys didn’t want to miss it. They’re waiting in our box seats.
“Hey, isn’t your birthday coming up? We should have a party! Thirty is a big deal,” Rosie says.
“Yes, it is. I really don’t wanna make a big deal out of it.”
She’s wearing a pink minidress with tall pink cowboy boots. Dolly and I are matching in the same outfits but different pastel colors, courtesy of Monroe’s stylist. Dolly’s is yellow, and mine is purple.
We already took a hundred photos together since the times when we’re actually dressed up and looking cute together are rare these days.
“Briggs! Hey, man. How you doing?” The bartender lifts a hand and grins at someone behind us.
A man steps up beside us, a tattooed arm reaching forward to shake the bartender’s hand.
“Hey, Kenny. Doing all right. How’s your sister?” His voice is a thick drawl.
The bartender shakes his head, laughing. “What can I get ya?”
“Six shots of Fireball. What do we have here, the Powerpuff cowgirls?”
I tilt my head to the side and turn to face him. He’s tall,around Duke’s height. He’s wearing a plain white T-shirt that’s stained with dirt, and his arms both have full-sleeve tattoos that must cover his entire chest because the ink on his neck disappears underneath the neckline.
He looks vaguely familiar.
He flashes me a grin. “Sorry, Purple, did I hurt your feelings?”
I offer him a forced smile. “Nope.”
