Page 8 of Shadow

The minute his plane landed Dad made it his mission to help me find resources for my grand plan and see exactly what it was going to take to make it happen. I’m hopeful that he might have stumbled across some answers while I worked with Jacob.

“Yep.” I follow both men and don’t even bother looking over my shoulder to give Garrett a backward glance.

ChapterFour

Garrett

Tonight, instead of joining the Addingtons for dinner, I’ve decided to get the hell out of Dodge for a while. There’s a honky-tonk bar outside of town called, Dirty Pete’s Saloon, owned by - you guessed it, a guy named Pete. They’ve got cold beer, decent music, and plenty of distractions. Especially since a few of the other guys are heading out too.

Wes and Sawyer are already waiting for me when I step out of my loft over top of the Addington’s family barn.

“Wes is driving since he’s pussy-whipped. The Misses ordered him to stay sober tonight if he wants to get laid.” Sawyer chuckles.

Having a designated driver sounds like a terrible idea. Terrible because it means that I’ll likely end up drinking far too fucking much and doing something stupid. Then again, it’s been a while since I’ve tied one on. Maybe letting loose is what I really need to do.

Giving into a good time, I climb in the backseat of Wes’ truck. “Where are Austin and Maverick?”

“Already on their way to Pete’s,” Wes answers as he circles the driveway.

I make a mental note to have him drop me off at the end of the drive on the way back. The last damn thing I need is Neville to wake up to a bunch of rowdy drunks at two a.m., especially after his little interrogation this morning over breakfast.

“Heard Linsdey is back. Rumor has it, she was up before you this morning and took care of some of your chores too.” Wes smirks at me in the rearview mirror.

Well, shit. Here I gave credit to Austin, who I barely saw all day, and all along it was Lindsey who had been doing barn work while I was still sleeping.

“Dude, I saw a picture of her on Instagram last week. Lindsey is smoking hot, bro.” Sawyer waggles his brows.

“Sawyer, you like your job, right?” I ask.

“Of course I do. You know the old man pays well.”

“Then, a word of advice...stay away from Lindsey. If you touched a single hair on her head, I can guarantee Neville and William will see to it that they never find your body.”

Sawyer swallows nervously. “Uh, yeah. You’re probably right. Forget I said anything.”

“Enough talk about women anyway. This is supposed to be a guys night.” Wes chimes in.

“How many times did you check your phone while we waited for Garrett?” Sawyer asks.

“I answered one text. Fuckface.”

God. Listening to these two bicker has me really second-guessing my life choices tonight. Driving myself and having just one beer suddenly seems like it would have been a better idea.

A little while later, I’m two beers in and line dancing with some blonde chick who needed a two-step partner when I spot Lindsey walking in. My dance partner laughs as I trip over my own two feet, clearly mistaking my distraction for clumsiness instead.

Guitars and Cadillacsends and the music transitions to a slow song. Blondie gives me a soft questioning gaze but I politely decline the invitation. No way in hell I’m slow dancing with anyone unless I plan on taking them home. Wrong impressions and all that.

She gives me a tiny pout but nods in understanding and follows me to the bar. “How about a drink then?”

I don’t want to be that guy, the one who acts like an ass to a lady, but I don’t make a habit of buying women drinks either. Besides, I’m pretty sure this chick thinks that one dance means a whole lot more. “Thanks but no thanks.”

“Garrett, right?” She asks.

“Yeah.” I fight back a sigh. This is what I get for being a gentleman and trying to help a lady out.

“You’re a dick.” She huffs.

“Darlin’ I’ve been called worse, trust me. I’m not trying to hurt anyone’s feelings here. It was just one dance. Three minutes of fun on the dance floor. Nothing more. I’m sure you’re a really nice lady and all, but that’s not what I came here for.” There. I laid it out there. And I mean it. I’m not trying to hurt feelings. I’m only here to have a little fun and go the hell home.

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