Page 66 of Promise Me Never

“I know.” She repeats my words back with an extra dose of sass.

Sam’s voice calls out from downstairs that dinner is ready, so we both take off down the hall. I stop short of the staircase on the landing which has incredible views out the window over the front door and the two-story windows in the great room below. I thought Colorado had beautiful views, but they don’t hold a candle to the Tetons.

“Quit starin’ and get your ass down here.” Sam looks up at me from the open concept kitchen. “I’m hungry, and the view isn’t going anywhere.”

I flash my middle finger at him and turn to go down the curved staircase. The guys have the table on the deck set and covered in platters of steaks, baked potatoes, salad, and a basket of garlic bread. Everything looks and smells delicious.

“Who made all this?” Amber asks.

“We did.” Colt gestures between the three guys.

We all take seats, Luke on one side of me, and Amber on the other. The tiniest smile lifts the corner of his lips as he wraps his foot around my ankle and pulls my leg closer while he takes a drink from his bottle of Coors Light.

“Do you ever drink anything other than that?” I ask, gesturing to the bottle in his hand.

“Nope.” He gives me a smile.

Sam pours wine in Janey’s glass. “Some for Blue.”

I watch as her cheeks turn the subtlest shade of pink. I wonder what that’s about? She and I didn’t have much time to discuss her date in Denver. I’ll have to get her alone this weekend and get all the details out of her.

“How old are you?” Colt asks Amber as he rounds the table with the bottle from Sam. “I know this one is underage.” He walks right past me.

“I’m twenty-two.” She takes the bottle from his hand and pours wine into my glass after he fills hers. “There you go, love.”

I lift my glass and clink it against her. “Cheers.”

Sam lifts his bottle. “Cheers to all of us getting away for a long weekend.”

We all dig into the food, quietly talking among ourselves. Whoever grilled the steaks did an incredible job. The wine is the perfect addition.

“So Amber,” Sam says, drawing everyone’s attention. “I’m dying to know what Eli’s like at school? Is she a wild child? A wallflower?”

“She’s focused.” She glances over at me mischievously. “But when I convince her to go out and party, she parties.”

“Really?” Colt asks, honestly looking surprised.

“I believe it.” Janey takes a sip of her wine. “When we went to that bonfire after the rodeo, she was all party girl.”

“Ah, yes.” Colt’s eyes light up. “I remember that. The night we saved you from losing your v-card to a douchebag.”

“That’s right.” Sam snaps his fingers. “Luke threw you over his shoulder.”

“I’d rather not remember much more of that.” I grimace. “Probably the most embarrassing night of my life.”

“We all have nights like that. You weren’t that bad.” Janey says.

“I think she learned her lesson.” Luke finally enters the conversation with a smirk.

“You would know, you held my hair back.”

“That’s so sweet,” Amber says.

“Sweet and my brother do not belong in the same sentence.” Janey shakes her head. “He probably lectured her the whole time.”

“I honestly can’t remember.” I smile as I put the rim of the glass to my lips. “Did you?”

“It’s hard to lecture someone who’s on her hands and knees picking up rocks and looking under them while mumbling about looking for her dignity.”

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