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Drake nodded.
“I’ve gotta go see Coach,” Colt muttered, gripping the pitchfork as if he was on the verge of snapping it in two. “We’ve been so busy this week I haven’t made it there to help out.”
“As you wish,” Drake repeated.
“I don’t wish this. I didn’t wish any of it.” Colt turned away to get back to work.
“Oh, by the way. Think we’ll probably be stopping by the Gulch after to cool off. It’s a scorcher.”
That brought his buddy up short. “The Gulch? My Gulch? On my parents’ property?”
Drake nodded. He knew very well what the Gulch meant to Colt, and how his friend went there to swim whenever life got to be too much. Taking Paige there—without Colt—was practically a punch to the nuts.
Which was exactly the point.
“You got it. Your mama said I was welcome to swim there anytime.” Drake cocked his head. “Got a problem with me bringing Paige there, son?”
If Colt ground his teeth together any harder, he’d end up cracking a filling—and maybe a molar. “Nope, no problems here. You lucked out. My parents are away tonight, visiting family in San Antonio. So enjoy yourselves.”
“Thanks. We will. Say hi to Coach.”
Drake got a grunt in return.
By the time he hit the steps, he was whistling. Tonight would be fun.
* * *
Perched on a barstool at one end of the bar at Pitchers, Paige figured she had the best vantage point in the place. She could see whenever anyone left. And when anyone arrived, not that she was looking for someone in particular. Or two someones, perhaps.
That would be silly. It had been a whole week, and while she’d talked to Mr. Mond—Drake—a few times when he’d come in to pick up an order, there’d been no sight of Colt. Drake hadn’t even mentioned him. They’d spoken as easily as they always had, laughing over inane things, engaging in a little friendly debate about local politics.
Anyone watching them probably would never have guessed they’d fucked like bunnies high on moonshine the weekend before.
She giggled into her half-full beer. Now there was an image.
“You need a refill yet?” Sadie asked.
“No, I’m good for right now, thanks.” Paige glanced up at her friend and smiled.
The statuesque auburn-haired bartender always made her feel a little wistful. Sadie had a fun sense of style—proven by the purple streak currently in her hair—and the kind of confidence Paige only wished she had. She’d been forcing herself to wear sexy dresses all week, and while she hadn’t choked, she still couldn’t quite face her reflection in the full-length mirror.
But she was getting there, one incredible one-night stand with two sexy cowboys at a time.
Pity there wouldn’t be any more, though she knew it was for the best.
Sadie swished her rag over the bar and leaned closer. “Hey, can I ask you a question?”
“Sure thing.”
Her friend leaned closer. “Is it true?” At Paige’s blank look, Sadie lifted her brows. “You know, about you and Colt and Drake possibly being in a compromising position. Post-wedding shenanigans. That kind of deal.”
Paige waited for horror to fill her, the same kind that had on Sunday morning when she’d realized their disappearing act had been noticed not only by Colt’s family and the bride and groom, but town busybody Mrs. Trent too. It never came. She didn’t know if the beer was donating some liquid courage or if she’d done some spine stiffening over the past week, but for some reason, she wasn’t freaking out.
So what if Sadie knew? Hell, so what if the whole town knew? She was still worried about Charli and her reaction once she was back in town and they were back to work together, but she was the only one she was concerned about. Besides, talking to her best friend had helped alleviate some of her concerns on that score. She’d be damned if she slunk around and hid in corners when all she’d done was have some harmless fun.
Of course, talking to Charli had reminded her of other concerns. Like the likelihood that Colt and Drake wouldn’t be up for another time or two, even if she was. Especially Colt, Quinn’s answer to a player if she’d ever seen one. And she had, a time or two. Drake at least had been known to have the occasional, rare relationship. Colt had been flying very free since his divorce.
Not that she wanted to change that. Charli understanding—or trying to understand—one night was a far cry from her understanding an ongoing…thing. But they both knew that wasn’t going to happen. Colt simply wasn’t built that way. Charli had said he’d chafed at the bonds of their marriage the entire time he’d been in it, until he’d been unable to take another day.
