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twenty-three
greyson
After dropping off Theo with Isaac and Lynn for the night, I pick up Rowan and head to the restaurant. My clammy hands slide over the steering wheel and my heart stutters with each beat.
“Remind me again why you thought this was a good idea?” I slice my eyes over to her, watching a smile curve across her face. She’s all done up. Hair in a high, slicked back bun, large gold hoop earrings, and a long navy blue sleeveless sundress.
“Because, my dear Grey, this is another push for Scarlett to see she belongs with you, not this Kelso fellow.”
“Kellen.”
“Whatever. He’s irrelevant.” She pops open the mirror on the visor and swipes on some dark red lipstick, rolling her lips back and forth to spread the color.
“I don’t like the idea of coercing her into this.” I flit between watching her and the road in front of me. The sinking feeling in my gut screams uncertainty.
“You’ve told her we’re just friends, right?”
“Several times.” I turn left into the parking lot of Dave’s and put the truck into park. Wiping my hands on my dark jeans, I shift to face her. “But it still feels wrong.”
“It’s because you’re a good guy, and you know you belong with her. I promise you; she’s going to see you so differently if she thinks you’re off the market.” She sounds so sure of herself. However, my stomach is twisting into fisherman knots.
“I don’t want her to pick me because she’s jealous. I want her to pick me because it’s me. That’s it, I’m canceling.” I reach over to grab my phone from my center console, but Rowan stops me with her warm hand.
“Scarlett already sees you. Give her a moment to see you as someone else other than her best friend—as a man. A man very capable of meeting someone else and building a life with them. Nothing puts things into perspective than the threat of the perfect life not turning out the way you’ve imagined it.” She sees my unconvinced expression and laughs, her earrings swinging. “If nothing else, we get a meal out of it.”
“I take it you’re paying for this torturous entertainment?” I tease so I don’t flake.
She laughs again. “I believe in equality, so yes, I can pay for my own damn meal, sir.”
Scratching the light stubble on my chin, I slant my eyes at her. “I was kidding. No way are the ladies paying. I may be a modern man, but I still have some manners. And my mother would have my head if she knew I didn’t pay for a date.”
She turns her twinkling brown eyes to mine. “You’re exactly who you’re supposed to be. Remember that honey.”
* * *
Dave’s Grill is packed,floor to ceiling, with cowboys and wannabe cowboys. Honky-tonk music floods the airwaves and a trail of peanut dust and shells litter the floor. Steaks sizzle in the kitchen and the spice of bourbon marinade floats above us.
“I hope to God no one is allergic to nuts.” Rowan turns up her nose and squawks when she sees the bust of a massive bison displayed on the wall above her head.
I poise my fingers to flick a peanut at her when the doors open next to us and in steps Scarlett, followed by Kellen.
It’s hard to take my eyes off her, so I don’t. My heart rate ticks up and my pulse roars in my ears. Hair wavy and glossy, swaying at her shoulders. Some sort of smokey eye thing going on and red lips that do things to my—
“Hey.” She tucks a blonde strand behind her ear, my eyes tracking her movements. Glancing up at me with those endless blue pools, a small smile hitches up the corner of her mouth.
“You look so pretty, Scar,” I tell her, tingling when her cheeks pink. Kellen slides into view and glares at me.
Stepping aside begrudgingly, I let him guide her into the main dining area and follow Rowan to our booth, nerves trickling down my body.I don’t like this at all.Especially when his hand slides down to the center of her back. My spine stiffens and my steps falter.
Rowan glances back and shakes her head, pursing her lips. She can tell I’m irritated.
Blowing out a breath, I slap on a fake-as-shit smile. “Who’s ready for Rocky Mountain oysters?” I bark out a laugh, rubbing my hands together as we all slide into the booth.
Kellen wrinkles his nose as Scarlett’s eyes widen. “Only you, Grey. Only you.” Her mouth curls in amusement, encouraging me.
“I’m lost.” Kellen gripes, unwrapping his silverware, an eyebrow arching between the two of us.
“You wanna tell him, or should I?” I let a smug smirk glide across my face. This is going to be too much fun—the naughty little boy who lost his shadow and never grew up is ready to play.
