Page 5 of Lassoed Love

Isla rolls her eyes. "Trent, save your charm for someone who givesa fuck. We're not interested."

Trent, looking somewhat defeated, finally retreats. “Alright, alright, relax. I was just checking if Wattle Creek’s very own prodigal daughter had any exciting news for us old timers.”

Claire retorts, “Well, she doesn’t. Now, again, fuck off!”

“You three always did have the worst foul mouths. Shit.” He winks, almost as if to insinuate something dirty.Disgusting prick.

With that, Trent finally turns around to saunter off, but just before he can disappear into the crowd, he stops abruptly and then turns back around, leaning in closer to me. His eyes narrow, and he lowers his voice. “Does Xavier know you’re back in town, Isla? Or is it a surprise for him, too?”

I freeze on the spot, my eyes widening. A surge of anger courses through me, my fists clenching involuntarily. “Why? It's none of his fucking business, or yours, for that matter.”

Trent finds this amusing; he laughs and counters, “Don’t worry, he’ll find out sooner or later. It’s a small town, after all. And I’ll thoroughly enjoy seeing the two of you butt heads again.” He adds with a smirk, “Maybe you should’ve stayed back in the city. It’s bad enough your dad runs amuck around town. Should be embarrassed, really.”

This remark infuriates Claire and Imogen.

They snap at him in unison, “Fuck off!” Their displeasure is evident in their expressions. With that, he does a mock salute, winks, and confidently walks back to his table.

My friends exchange concerned glances, and I force a reassuringsmile. But beneath the surface, the unexpected encounter with Trent has now stirred up a tempest of emotions. Tears threaten to spill from my eyes.

Claire shoots a disdainful look in the direction Trent had disappeared.

“That guy is a worthless piece of shit, always has been, since high school. Ignore him, Isla. You're here to have a good time. You've been so wrapped up in the clinic these past four weeks. Let loose for once!”

Imogen adds, “Absolutely! Don’t worry about Xavier. That man hardly ever leaves his farm. He’s too busy being a full-time farmer—working 24/7. I heard he’s become the ultimate recluse. Completely different from his high school days when he was the social butterfly, don’t you think?” She smirks, and we share a chuckle at the image of Xavier immersed in farm life, worlds away from his past socialising self.

Imogen continues, “And your dad is doing alright. He’s had a few ups and downs, but you know how it is. Dad has been around to check in on him from time to time. But I thinkyoushould check in with him soon.”Ugh.

I sigh. “Yeah, I guess I should, aye. I appreciate that. Thanks, Midge.” She shoots me a playful glare, clearly not a fan of the nickname. Says it makes her feel like she’s pint-sized—and let’s be honest, she kinda is.

Imogen grabs my hand, determination in her eyes. “Come on, let’s dance. Fuck everyone. We won’t let one loser ruin our night.” I hesitate, a bit apprehensive, but their words finally sink in. Blinkingaway the threatening tears, I nod and join my friends in dancing away the troubles of the night.

“Wait!” Claire says as she saunters off quickly heading straight for the bar, and in less than five minutes she's heading back towards us holding three shot glasses—this time of a clear liquid with a twinge of pink through it.

“Wet pussy shot, bitchessss!!!” she exclaims. Imogen and I just look at each other and chuckle.

We down the shots simultaneously, expecting the liquid to burn or taste like shit, but the taste never comes. Instead, it’s sweet and tangy.Wow, that’s actually quite nice.I look over to Imogen, who’s cursing and wiping her mouth of the trickles of liquid that had escaped from the shot glass, missing her mouth entirely.

“Fucking hell,” she shouts, flicking her hand away, laughing it off.

“Sip happens,” I say, slurring my words and joining in on the laughter.

“Sip?”Claire looks at me like I’ve grown two heads and starts pissing out laughing.

“Oh shit, I meant to sayshit,not sip.”But the girls are howling with laughter; Imogen bowls over, holding her stomach.

Fuck, my head is buzzing already—after three shots—and it’s not even midnight.It’s going to be one long, hopefully fun, night.

The dance floor welcomes us back, the beats pulsating through the air. The endless amounts of shots begin to work their magic, adding a buzz to the mix. Imogen twirls with carefree abandon, and Claire matches her enthusiasm move for move.

We laugh, we dance, and for a moment, the weight of the past is forgotten.

2

Present

Something In TheOrange - Zach Bryan

The sun sets over the vast expanse of our family farm, casting long shadows that stretch across the fields. The air is thick with the familiar scent of hay, and a gentle breeze rustles through the grass. I guide the horses back into the barn, Buddy following at my heels.

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