Page 18 of Tempting Promises
“No shit.”
Grady wasn’t like us. He wanted to see the world, live outside the confines of a small town, and he definitely didn’t want to come here after he joined the military. Asher and I came—for Brynn. He came first and I followed shortly after. She needed her family after Mom got sick, and we needed to be there for her.
“When is the trip?” Asher asks as we leave the storage barn, heading back toward his house.
“Two weeks.”
“Who’s going? The normal crew?”
I nod. “It’s three guys and three girls. I don’t know all the girls who are going, but the guys are me, Joey McNair, and Sawyer. I know Faye and her friends are going, but that’s just what Sawyer said.”
“Is Sawyer going on the hike with you?”
“No, I’m going alone. Those guys like to stick to the partying, and I can do that shit here.”
I can see the concern flash in his eyes. “Rowan . . .”
“I’ll be fine. I know what I’m doing. I’ve been to that area before. Don’t get your panties all twisted, okay?”
He shakes his head. “I swear, one day your luck is going to run out.”
“I’m like a cat with nine lives.”
“Yeah, and how many have you used up?”
Too many, but I’m not going to admit to that.
“Do you come around here often?” a voluptuous blonde asks as she rims the glass with her finger.
“You could say that. I live here, which makes it a very convenient option.” Peakness is the only bar in Sugarloaf, so we’re all here a lot.
She nods slowly. “It’s my first time in Sugarloaf. My brother is annoying and demanded I come out here for a few days to see the area.”
“Your brotherdemanded?” I ask before taking a pull from my beer. “My sister would kick my ass if I ever tried that.”
Brynlee would do more than that if I’m being honest. She’s feisty as hell when it comes to me, Asher, and Grady. There’s not a chance in hell she’d put up with us demanding anything. Although, it might be fun to try and see what happened.
The blonde snorts. “To be fair, he’s my boss as well, so I guess I should say my employer demanded it.”
I laugh once. “Sounds like a fun time. I could never work with my siblings.”
“Oh, the family business is super fun, and we don’t really have a choice. I’m Kimberly.” She extends her hand to me.
“Rowan.”
“Nice to meet you, Rowan. So, since you live here, what is there to do?”
I chuckle. “Not much. Hence, why this place is packed.”
“This is packed?” she asks, looking around.
I do the same, see Charlotte, Faye, and some other girl doing shots, and roll my eyes. I came here to get away from people I don’t like, only to run into the one I hate the most. Fantastic.
I turn back to the hot blonde and force a smile. “Well, for Sugarloaf it is.”
Her eyes widen. “Wow.”
Yeah, it’s not a lot, but this place is pretty full tonight. “Where are you from?”
