Page 13 of Cowboy Crush
“Me and a few buddies will be there tonight if you want to stop by and meet some people to hang out with,” he offers.
“Oh, okay. I actually think me and my friends are planning on going there tonight also.”
“Perfect. I’ll save ya a dance,” he tells her before walking away. My head had a mind of its own and it turns to see him go. I can’t help the annoyance that builds inside me. Anger fills my gut and bubbles up to my throat, burning like acid. What the hell is going on? Am I…jealous?
I hand over the card for the items and take the bag I’m handed. Then I’m given the card back along with the receipt. I turn and look at her as she puts her light bulbs onto the counter.
“I guess I’ll see you tonight then?”
She smiles wide and nods. “See you tonight,” she agrees and I turn and walk away, wanting to kick my own ass.
I’m confused as all get-out as I walk over to my truck. I toss the bag into the passenger seat and twist the key, firing it up. I can’t figure out what it is about this girl. Why is she able to get to me like she does? I’ve gone years of my life now, pushing everyone away. Why doesn’t it work with her? Why won’t she give in? Why can’t I just walk away? And why in the fuck was that guy in there who was talking to her making me feel jealous?
I shake the thoughts from my head as I push on down the road. I make it back to work and I have a few hours on the clock still to do the repairs that the barn needs. The work is a welcomed distraction and it keeps my mind off her and the bar and that guy at the hardware store. I wrap up around five and then I leave to head home to shower. As I’m driving down the mountain, I look up the driveway next door and find her and her two friends loading into the car, dressed to kill. She’s wearing a light pink dress that’s low cut and ends high on her high. Her long blond hair is curled perfectly. I’m driving too fast to see anymore than that, but suddenly, I’m in a hurry to get home and get cleaned up.
I stop at the house, take a shower and change into some clean clothes before heading directly to the bar. I walk in and it’s only going on six so it isn’t too full yet. I go directly to the bar and have a seat. The bartender gives me a confused look but she sets a beer down in front of me.
“Three days in a row? What’s the meaning of this?”
I shrug. “No meaning, just thirsty.”
“Yeah right,” she says with a grin as she takes my money for the beer. I turn around, looking for the pink dress. Across the bar, our eyes connect. She offers me a smile and I watch as she tells her friends something before standing and starting her walk over to me. The closer she gets, the better I can see her. Her long, tan legs are on full view with that dress that ends mid-thigh. The skirt of the dress isn’t tight so it moves and sways with her every step. The top of the dress is tight though and it’s low cut. It has tiny sleeves that only cover her shoulders. The light color of the dress only makes her tanned skin glow that much brighter.
“I wasn’t sure you’d actually come,” she says, stopping in front of me.
“I told you I would.”
She nods as she slides into the barstool next to me. “I know, but I wasn’t sure.”
“Your boyfriend here yet?”
Her brows lift as she looks over at me. “Boyfriend?”
“The guy from the hardware store,” I remind her.
She laughs. “Oh, him…” She shakes her head. “No, I don’t think so. But I’m okay with that. The guy I wanted to show up is already here,” she says with a grin as she picks up her beer bottle and takes a swig.
I try to ignore the innocent flirt but it’s hard to do. I can control how I outwardly react to it, but inwardly, I have no control. My heart races and I feel breathless. My stomach muscles tighten as a fluttering feeling takes over. I don’t know what I’m getting myself into, but I hope that Kaden’s advice is right.
Tonight, I’m trusting the process…something I’ve never done before.
9
HANNAH
He’s coming around and the thought leaves a smile on my face that I can’t control. When my beer is gone, I push it to the edge of the bar.
“Another?” the bartender asks.
I nod. “And two shots please.”
She smiles at Jameson. “Think I’ve found the meaning,” she says, turning and walking away.
“What’s that mean?” I ask him, confused.
He shrugs. “It was just a conversation we were having earlier. I’m normally not in here this much,” he confesses.
Does that mean he’s only been coming in here in hopes of seeing me? I want to ask but I don’t. I let it go.
