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My house on the ranch is more than adequate. It has enough room for a family—something I’ve always wanted but haven’t allowed myself to think too much about. My phone vibrates where I left it on the counter next to the back door. I almost don’t look at it, wanting to just eat, relax, and then go to sleep. But when I glance over and see Dolly’s name, I practically trip over myself in my rush to read the message.
Dolly:Hey . . . want to hang out this weekend? We haven’t gone bowling in forever, and last time we played you said you’d give me a chance to redeem myself. I think it’s time I wipe the floor with your ass, Ranger Danger.
I can’t help but smile when I see her use of my childhood nickname. My mom gave it to me before I can even remember. After a few daredevil antics at a young age, she told my dad that I was either going to end up in jail or become a stuntman.
The last time we went bowling, she got a little drunk and I drove her home. When I dropped her off and walked her inside, she insisted I stay and watch a movie with her. I did, and she fell asleep on me on the couch. When I picked her up and carried her to bed, she sleepily told me she loved me. I remember my heart gripped with panic as a lazy smile spread across her face and she reached her hand up to grab my shirt. I was frozen for a moment then realized that between being half-asleep and having had so much to drink, she either meant as a friend or thought I was Dean. I don’t think she remembered it, and I never brought it up to her.
That memory pulls at me as I hover my finger over the keyboard to type out a response. I want to say yes—to have fun and spend time with her. I know there’s no way that exact scenario would play out again, but I’ve also tried my best not to spend too much one-on-one time with her over the last year. Instead of saying yes, I take the coward’s way out.
Me:I do still owe you that, but I’m busy this weekend. Sorry about that. Have a good night and have fun if you go with someone else.
I turn the phone off, placing it back on the counter and pushing any thoughts of her from my mind.
* * *
Two Weeks Later. . .
“You aren’t serious, are you?”
“Hell yeah! You really think Iwouldn’tbe excited over hot half-naked men on a stage? Do you know women at all or . . . ?”
I playfully shove Dolly’s shoulder. “Pretty sure my past would say otherwise.”
“No, your looks did that. You don’t even have to say more than two words and women would line up to get in your bed.”
“I can’t tell if that’s a diss or a compliment.”
“Both,” she laughs, shoving a handful of cotton candy into her mouth.
It’s officially fall, which means our annual Fall Fest is in full swing: three full nights of carnival rides, rodeos, games, and more food on a stick than you can possibly imagine. There’s also a cattle show and livestock auction on the final night, but the auction everyone can’t seem to stop talking about is this damn bachelor one. Thankfully, Milly didn’t pressure me too hard after I told her emphatically that it wasn’t going to happen this year.
Since our heated exchange two weeks ago, the tension between Dolly and me has been at an all-time high—along with my sexual frustration—but neither of us has mentioned it again. I’ve been more than tempted to close my eyes in the shower and imagine her in that little swimsuit while I find release, but I’ve managed to talk myself out of it every time.
“Speaking of . . . it should be starting soon. Let’s head over to the main stage.” She grabs my arm and begins to pull me, but I slide out of her grasp.
“Think I’m good. I don’t really need to see a bunch of men gyrating on stage while horny women go apeshit.”
“Oh, come on, don’t be lame.” She pooches out her bottom lip as she looks up at me. I stare down at her, and her tits look mouthwatering in the black top she’s wearing. It’s low-cut, revealing an ample amount of cleavage, and stops just above her jeans, leaving a tempting sliver of her skin on display. “Pleeeease, it’ll be fun. You can make fun of the guys the whole time and I won’t mind.”
I smile at her, her hands reaching out as she hooks her index fingers through my belt loops and tugs me toward her. This feels so natural, so intimate, like we’re already a couple on a normal Friday night date.
“And what do I get out of it?” I reach up, pushing a strand of her dark hair behind one ear.
“To hang out with me and look down my shirt, which I’ve already caught you doing several times.”
I laugh. “Fine, but no judgment if I stare at your tits the entire time instead of the dudes you’re drooling over.”
“Deal!” She giddily loops her arm through mine and guides us over to the main stage just as Milly walks out to applause.
“Thank you all so much for coming out tonight. As you know, we did this before and it was a helluva success, so we thought we’d bring it back with some all-new bachelors!”
The crowd erupts into cheers and hollers.
“This year we’ll be benefiting our very own public library with a brand-new tech learning center for children. This state-of-the-art center will be an interactive experience where kids can learn coding, web design and development, and so much more. If you want to donate but don’t want to participate in the auction, you can scan the QR code on the screen behind me. That’ll also take you to our website where you can see a 3D rendering of the project and much more information. So with that, let’s get tonight started!”
Multicolored lights dance across the stage as the DJ drops a beat to get the crowd pumped up.
“Let’s make some noise for your first bachelor!” the DJ shouts into his microphone, the too-loud speakers buzzing with his words. “Welcome to the stage . . . Axel Slade!” The crowd screams as my younger cousin, Axel, proudly struts across the stage. “Axel is 26, 6’2”, a Libra, and he loves to listen to blues and jazz, sip whiskey, and talk ancient Roman history with anyone who will listen. He also has a heart for animals, having raised two horses, several goats, two sheep, and four dogs. He will make sure you feel like the only woman in the world when he sets his eyes on you, so don’t hesitate to bid on this young stud and bring him home!”
