Page 22 of The Story We Wrote

“Which is a problem because I drove to the bar. I’m usually the responsible one. I don’t drink when we all go out. I’m always on my best behavior!” I laughed. “Except tonight.”

“Mhmm…” Boone hummed, again.

I couldn’t seem to shut up. “Theo already left. Penny and I are still here. This band is so good! We’ve been dancing and singing. I’m having fun! I like fun Aspen.”

“Is this your way of asking me for a ride home?”

Again, I couldn’t control my giggles, the damn tequila. “Maybeeee,” I said, drawing out the last syllable.

“I’ll be there in a few. You girls better drink some water before climbing in my truck.”

“Yes, sir,” I said, mock saluting to literally no one.

“Sir?” Boone said in response. I could hear rustling on the other end, he must’ve been moving around.

“What are you doing?” I asked, biting my lip. I rolled my head back and forth on the hard brick with my eyes closed.

“I’m putting my shirt on to come get your drunk ass.”

I felt my face flush and my core tighten, picturing shirtless Boone sprawled out on the couch. The things that image did to me…

“Why put one on to come get me, Cowboy?” The balls I’d grown to be able to say that to Boone Cassidy was unreal. I mean, it was all shameless flirting, right?

“Aspen…” was all he said when silence took over the phone.

“I’ll be waiting inside with Penny. Just look for the youngest girls on the dance floor when you get here.” Before he could get a reply, I hung up the phone. It was my sad attempt to seem mysterious, maybe even sexy. Like “hey, come and get me.”

I put my phone back in my clutch and went back inside. When I spotted Penny on the dance floor, she pressed her back against some guy, grinding on his front. That was definitelynotMac. We hadn’t seen him tonight which meant he must’ve had the night off. This guy was probably old enough to be my father and looked like a western Sam Elliot, kinda hot though. I shuffled my way closer to Penny, leaning over to her ear. “Boone will be here in a few. I think he told us to have water before we,” I used air quotes, “get in his truck.” Penny laughed and turned around to her newest dance partner, whispering something in his ear. They guy took a hint and walked away.

“I told him that my dad was on the way, so he better walk,” Penny said, shrugging her shoulders and taking my hand in hers. I laughed and began dancing with her, swaying our hips and letting the music take over. The dance floor was starting to clear out, it was time for the older crowd to head home.

I wasn’t sure how much time had passed while drinking the last bit of my tequila sunrise when I felt a cool breeze from the front of the bar. My head swung to the door and my eyes caught a dimly lit figure coming inside.

The figure was wearing a white t-shirt, cowboy hat, and well fitting jeans. I knew instantly it was Boone, and I took off running. When I reached him, I jumped up to wrap my legs and arms around him. The melted ice in my drink spilled slightly down his back.

“Woah there,” He ordered, catching me and placing his hands on my hips. I unraveled my legs and, when they hit the floor, I stumbled to the side. Boone had his hands on me and kept me from spilling myself on the floor. “Boone!” I shouted. “You came!”

“You called,” His response was low enough that only I heard. The patrons in the bar were most definitely looking, but I didn’t care.

The adrenaline and excitement took over and I acted on impulse. I took Boone’s hat from his head and placed it on mine. In the moment, it felt right. I’d ride Boone all day,everyday.

“Oohs” and “ahhs” filled the bar at the sight of me wearing Boone’s hat. “Does it look as good on me as it does you?” I teased, looking up into his oceanic eyes. I was so undeniably attracted to this man.

My heart sank, like someone attached at ten pound weight, when I saw Boone wasn’t smiling. The stern expression on his face took all the confidence I had and crumbled it to dust. Boone and I stood in front of each other, his hands still on my hips.

The moment disappeared when he whispered, “Aspen, don’t do that again unless you mean it. Restraint isn’t a strength of mine, Darling.” He took the hat back and put it on his head.

I felt embarrassed, so fucking stupid. I retreated back into my timid shell and turned away from his hold. Walking to Penny, I grabbed her by the arm and guided her towards Boone at the door. The party was over and my fun meter was empty. I sobered up instantly. Did he not want me to do that in public?Was he worried about his reputation? I wouldn’t want him to lose his “game” because he was caught close with me.

When Penny saw Boone, she thanked him and grabbed his elbow so he could escort her to the truck. I moved out the door first, tossing my cup in the trash can outside. Wasting no time walking to Boone’s truck, I stood at the back passenger seat. There’s no way in hell I’m sitting upfront.

I kept replaying the last five minutes in my head. My anxiety reminded me of how ridiculous I must’ve looked. I bet everyone heard him reject me, tell me pretty much to take it off and don’t do it again. I felt foolish, did I push the flirting too far?

“I’m sitting in the back too!” Penny yells, running to the other back door. “It’s like he’s our chauffeur,” she giggled.

When Boone unlocked the car, we all climbed in. I sat silent for most of the ride. Penny talked to Boone, asking him questions about the ranch, his family, and even his sister. Boone answered them unfazed in typical Boone fashion. I couldn’t find it in me to pretend to be interested because I was too stuck in my own head.

We dropped Penny off at her apartment. Before she left, she and I hugged goodbye in the back seat.

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