Page 47 of Rough Ride

I’m addicted to you.

Don’t you know that you’re toxic?”

“I think he’s serenading you,” Liz whispered.

She wasn’t wrong. It felt like there was nobody else in the bar except me and Eli, and he was singing only for me.

As I listened, I stopped wondering how the hell he had gotten here, to the bar where Liz and I happened to be at. I was totally entranced by him. Eli’s fingers moved with effortless confidence while strumming the weathered guitar, each chord ringing warm and true. His voice was deep and rich, like whiskey poured over old vinyl—smooth, but with an edge that made every lyric hitjust right. Near the end of the song, he lowered his eyes to the guitar, lost in the music, a smirk teasing the crowd between lines.

He finished the song to a roar of applause, an excited ripple passing through the room. And when he tipped his cap to the crowd, his smoldering gaze locked onto me again.

“I ain’t supposed to be up here,” he announced as the bar patrons begged him to play more. “Just wanted to stretch my fingers a bit.”

Eli stepped down from the stage and made his way toward us, deflecting all the TCU girls who immediately converged on him like a pack of dogs. When he reached us, he tipped his cap in greeting.

“Funny seeing y’all here.”

“Itisfunny,” I said dryly. “Almost like someone planned it this way.”

He grinned. “Almost.”

I glanced sideways at Liz, who immediately showed her palms. “I had nothing to do with this. I swear. This was supposed to be a girl’s night.”

“Guess our paths were meant to cross, then,” Eli said.

Winston came out from behind the bar with a pint of beer. “This is for you. You earned it. And if you’re interested in playing a full set, let me know.”

“Mighty kind of you.” Eli tipped his hat and accepted the beer. “I’ll give it a think.” He turned back to me and Liz. “Ladies. I’ll let you get back to your girl’s night.”

“You should join us!” Liz blurted out.

I gave her a look, but she ignored me.

“We’ve got a booth in the next room. Sophie wanted to stay out later, but I have to get home soon. You can keep her company.”

Eli’s eyes swung back to me. “I wouldn’t want to impose. Especially on your night off.”

“I wouldn’t mind,” I found myself saying. “Come keep us company.”

“Well, all right then,” he said with a grin. “Lead the way.”

We returned to our booth; Eli slid in next to me, but left a respectable amount of space between us. He placed his cowboy hat on the table, took a long pull from his beer, and sighed happily. “This is a cool place.”

“We came here to get away from the rodeo crowd,” I said.

“Ah. Well, I’m sorry to ruin the vibe, darlin’.”

“It’s all right. You’re not the kind of rodeo people we hate,” I said.

“I’m not?” Eli asked, surprised. “I’m in town for three weeks and I’ve playfully hit on you every chance I’ve had.”

“Yeah, but you’re cute,” Liz said. “Which is why Sophie hasn’t minded.”

Eli raised an eyebrow at me. “Interesting.”

“You’rekindof cute,” I admitted.

He nodded to himself. “I’ll take it.”

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