Page 172 of Giddy Up, Daddy

He groaned. “Shoot. No, he didn’t. Do you want to talk about it?”

“I thought it was a little too easy to convince Kennedy and Wyatt to get into a throuple. Turns out I was right.”

“You do have the tendency to be right…” Luke said, chuckling, but he wasn’t teasing. No, he seemed to know there was a bigger story there. Which there was, of course. I’d been so cocky believing I could lead without thinking everything through.

“Those two are like oil and water sometimes. And yet, they are so much alike, it’s humorous. Anyhow, I’m sure they’ll manage while I’m gone.”

“Distance only makes the heart grow fonder,” Luke mused. “Maybe I can offer some solutions?”

“We’ll have five minutes of downtime somewhere over the next three days. Right?”

“Five would be generous.”

“Plenty of time,” I said sarcastically. “Text me the name of the arena.”

“Will do. See you in a few hours.”

“Later, Luke.”

“Bye.”

I sent Kennedy a quick text letting her know I would be out of town and to also behave herself. Then, I sent a similar message to Wyatt, adding a request that he watch the ranch and keep an eye on Kennedy. She needed a set of eyes on her whether she’d admit it or not.

I didn’t have an ulterior motive, but it did cross my mind that there was a possibility my time away would cause them to lean on each other. Hell, maybe they’d even work their shit out by the time I returned.

Chapter Nine

Kennedy

I should have gone to my friend’s bar instead ofThe Bad Cherrybut I didn’t want to see anyone I knew tonight. No. I wanted to drink away the thoughts I’d been having and sulk alone. Alden offering a relationship to me last week was all I could think about. The fact that he wanted it to be a throuple with Wyatt… In theory, it was everything I’d ever wanted. Years ago, I’d have jumped at the chance. Since my divorce though, I was a lot more guarded with my heart, and although I loved Wyatt, and was attracted to them both, I couldn’t entertain the three of us. It just felt too much like a recipe for heartbreak. And I’d had all the heartbreak I could handle, thank you very much. Instead of talking to either of them, I’d gone radio silent and decided to drown my sorrows again.

“You were being so friendly a few minutes ago, baby. Where’d that smile go?” Leon Collier, an old acquaintance from high school, elbowed me. I’d been flirty and free-spirited after a few drinks, but I didn’t like his tone anymore.

“Don’t call me baby.”

“You’ll be singing a different tune when I get you on your back.”

I was almost impressed with his level of cockiness. Snorting, I finished my margarita and grabbed my purse. “It’s been fun catching up with you.”

“Come back to my place, Kennedy. I’ll let you suck me off.” Leon ran his hand up my arm until he reached the back of my neck, pulling me close to him.

Eww. No, thank you!

Instead of kicking him in the balls, I burped in his face. “I have to pee,” I mumbled as I rushed off to the bathroom. Huddling in a stall, I dialed Alden’s cell phone. A few unwanted advances wouldn’t bother me typically. I was solid and could handle myself, but something had me on edge. “Come on… come on answer!” I chanted.

When he didn’t, I hung up and dialed his number several more times. Running out of ideas, I finally hit Wyatt’s name. That I pressed his contact before anyone else’s in my phone wasn’t lost on me. He answered immediately.

“You okay?”

“I… I need Alden. Have you heard from him? He’s not answering his phone.”

“He left this morning and is out of pocket for a few days. Didn’t he text you?”

“Oh, maybe. I haven’t been checking my phone,” I lied. I’d put Alden’s alerts on silent.

Smart, Kennedy.

Hesitant to ask Wyatt for help, but not wanting to face Leon alone and without a solid plan to get home, I sighed.

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