Page 24 of Rope Me In

Kade’s jaw ticks again. This time, I don’t think it’s from annoyance but because he’s trying not to laugh. Now I’m curious what story lies between them, even if I shouldn’t care.

“I like strawberry mojitos,” she says.

“HowCity Girlof you.” It’s past my lips before I can stop it. The urge to slap my hand over my mouth is strong, but I can’t take it back now. Kade purses his lips, but a bit of laughter sneaks out.

“Kade.” Cricket bristles. “Are you going to let her talk to me like that?”

“You asked for it.”

Her lower lip shoots out in an obnoxious pout. “Kade,” she whines, squeezing his bicep. “I’m not trying to be mean. Can you please make us a drink? You know how we like it.” With the lift and tone of her voice, her double meaning was clear.

But Kade doesn’t play into whatever trap she’s trying to lay. “City Girl can learn how you like it.”

Cricket huffs, reminding me of a child who isn’t getting their way. “Come on, Kade. I want you to make it. The city girl will screw it up, I just know it.”

“The only thing that screws things up in this place is you.” His words startle me just as much as they do Cricket and her friend. I bite my inner cheek and stand there awkwardly, waiting to see what happens next.

Cricket’s eyes water. “Now, that’s not fair.”

“And what you did was?”

Her lips part to answer, but she doesn’t get the chance.

“That’s enough, Kade.”

Cricket’s back stiffens at the deep tone of a new voice. Gavin is now standing at the table with a hard expression on his face, and Kade clenches his fists at his sides and stares at his brother. The chatter around us has quieted, and when I dare to look beyond the spectacle we’ve created, the people seated at the surrounding tables have stopped to watch and listen. They may have been watching the whole time.

Kade doesn’t say anything to Gavin. Instead, he walks off to the bar, and I’m left standing there, trying to figure out what’s going on.

“Gavin,” Cricket says. “I thought you wouldn’t be here tonight.”

My eyes bounce between the two of them, the tension palpable. Now I’m wondering if the brothers have both slept with her. That would be a cause for awkwardness for sure. But I don’t stay to find out.

I quietly back up and leave, and no one at the table seems to take note of my exit. When I step behind the bar, Kade is fixing a cocktail. He puts the metal shaker over the top of the glass, forearms flexing as he shakes the drink. He’s glaring at the back of Gavin’s head, the flirty and carefree demeanor he had before now gone.

“Are you okay?” I ask, not understanding why I suddenly care how he feels.

“Leave it be, City Girl,” he snaps.

That’s all it takes to make me remember why I shouldn’t care. Why I shouldn’t have even asked. “Right, then.”

“Just go do your job, and stay away from anyone who looks like Cricket.”

I stare into his hazel eyes and know I should leave this conversation because he’s in a mood, but I can’t help myself.

“What’s your issue?” I place a hand on my hip.

That little smirk of his pulls at the corners of his lips, but it’s not flirty this time. “I don’t have an issue, Sweetheart.”

My stomach turns, and I’m left speechless. I’m confused as to why he’s upset with me and intentionally pissing me off—I had nothing to do with whatever happened at that table. Besides, a minute ago, he was trying to defend me. This man is so hot and cold, and I’m questioning even more now why I ever found him attractive.

Kade puts the cocktail on the bar top, adding one of the limes I cut up to the rim.

“Take this to Cricket,” he says, sliding it toward me.

“What is it?” I ask, the pink drink bright in the glass.

“Tell her I call it ‘The Cheater.’”

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