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His head falls back with a laugh. “Yeah, we heard it all through high school. Then once we started goin’ to bars, it was every chick’s pick-up line.”
I snort. “I got asked all the time at school if I was hookin’ up with both of y’all. To mess with them, sometimes I’d say I was.”
He chuckles under his breath. “Hard to believe we graduated eight years ago.”
“Right? Makes me feel old as fuck. If I don’t have kids soon, all my eggs are gonna be dried up.”
“I mean, if you want kids, you know Bishops have the best baby-making genes in a hundred-mile radius.” He winks, causing a roar of laughter.
“So I’ve noticed.”
It feels good talking with him like this, and it reminds me of old times.
Once we’ve each had two drinks, Kane grabs my hand and pulls me onto the dance floor. “Think you can keep up?” he taunts.
“Oh, Cowboy. So cocky, aren’t ya?” I smirk, immediately following in step. More people surround us until we’re nearly shoulder to shoulder. We laugh and have fun, trying to keep up with the group who’s skipping and hopping to “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.” I’m laughing so hard as Kane tries to keep up, but thankfully, the liquid courage is helping. Eventually, the song ends and changes to something slower.
“I haven’t seen your sister lately. How’s she doin’?” he asks, pulling me close to his chest.
“I actually haven’t spoken to her much, but we’re going shopping soon. She probably has a new boyfriend,” I say, chuckling. “That’s usually when I stop hearing from her for a few weeks.”
He grins. “I see her every once in a while when she’s working with Harper. She’s still shy around me, though, and usually doesn’t say much.”
“She is until you get to know her. Then she won’t shut up.”
We continue dancing and drinking, and this date has been so damn perfect, I don’t want it to end. Kane’s so attentive, and there’s never any awkward silence between us. I could seriously get used to this.
“If I don’t eat something to soak up this alcohol, I’m gonna be sloppy drunk,” I tell him after a few hours.
He laughs and nods in agreement. “Let’s grab some pizza from across the street. They have the best late-night food.”
“You mean, drunk-people food.”
“Yeah, that.” He leads me to the front, and we leave.
Kane switched to water over an hour ago and didn’t drink much before that, so I’m not worried about him driving me home later. We order two slices each, then sit and chat while we eat. When his phone dings with text messages, he checks them, then looks at me.
“I guess everyone’s hangin’ out at the Circle B Saloon.”
Everyone?
“Oh man, I imagine that’s a rowdy party.”
“We could go. Then you could just crash at my place.” I contemplate his suggestion for a split second. Sleeping over is nothing new, but would it be more than just that?
Could it be, and more importantly, do I want it to be?
“Yeah, let’s go!” I finish my last bite, then jump out of my seat. He follows me out the door. A part of me hopes Knox is there. As much as I hate playing his stupid games, I want him to see how unbothered I am by his lack of communication. I want my heart to move on and for my stupid head to get on board too.
During the hour drive to Eldorado, Kane holds my hand. It’s mostly all country roads, so there’s hardly any traffic. Once we get to the main road, the parking lot and streets are packed.
“I’ll drop you off at the front and go park,” he tells me. “Wait for me.”
“I will.” I smile, then hop out.
While I stand outside, I check my phone and see Harper has replied to a message from thirty minutes ago when I updated her on my date.
Harper: Kaitlyn just texted from the saloon. Knox is there with two chicks all over him. Just thought I should warn ya.
I roll my eyes. Of course he fucking is.
Hadleigh: Good. Then he can witness how a real man treats a woman on a date.
Harper sends a few cry-laughing emojis, and moments later, I see Kane walking toward me.
“Ready?”
“Definitely!” I smile as he leads me inside. There’s not a huge crowd, but it’s still busier than usual. Two bartenders are running around taking orders, and a server is handling the high tops.
“What would ya like?” Kane whispers in my ear.
“I’ll have a margarita on the rocks,” I tell him.
Kaitlyn spots me as soon as Kane goes to place our order.
“Hads! Knox is throwin’ me a birthday party next Saturday. You have to come!”
She’s definitely had more than a few drinks.
“Please! It’s gonna be so much fun. I told Knox he better hire a male stripper.”
Before I can respond, Payton approaches with a scowl. “Why do that when you have me?” He lifts his shirt, revealing six-pack abs and a full chest tattoo.
