Page 44 of Chasing the Wild
Maybe this was a stupid goddamn idea after all.
There are already menus on the table and after a few moments a server comes over, who must be all of eighteen with bleached curls and bright red lipstick.
“What can I get you?” The girl eyes Layla with open curiosity before giving me a look that lingers a little too long.
“You’ll know what’s good here… can you order for me?” Layla’s green eyes meet mine, and she pushes her menu my way.
I don’t know what fucking caveman part of my brain lights up at that request, but it feels damn good. Like she trusts my judgment or some shit.
Once I’ve ordered and food eventually arrives, we’ve both got burgers and fries, and I’ve got a beer in hand. Layla’s been quiet, but she seems happy to people-watch while we sit here and finish our meal. I suppose I should be better at talking, but the music has gotten louder the longer we’ve sat down and morebodies have arrived, filling the floor. Some are dancing and it’s turned into a Saturday night feel.
Do I even fucking remember the last time I did anything like this?
Being twenty-something years old feels like a lifetime ago.
“I can’t help but notice, it looks like you’re planning for a party, Mr. Wilder.” The girl across from me rolls her lips together.
Fuck, it’s impossible not to stare at her mouth.
“How so?” Clearing my throat, I shift my weight.
“Well, that’s an awful lot of BBQ for me to try and eat on my own.” Her head cocks to one side, green eyes sliding up to meet mine briefly, before flitting away.
Oh, right. The bonfire.
“Got some guys coming up to the ranch tomorrow.”
“Really?”
This isn’t a conversation I’m prepared to have. Every year when I host this, it’s just me up that mountain. Thinking about what all those cocky sons of bitches are going to get ideas about when they get one glimpse of her green eyes, her pretty mouth…
Christ. My teeth clench and I fist my hat.
“I’ll go settle up.” Sliding out of the booth, my every concern for what lies ahead tomorrow is confirmed. I immediately feel the room full of eyes land on Layla as she slips out and follows behind me. My fingers itch to grab hold of her, to feel the soft underside of her wrist beneath my callouses again, but once earlier was risky enough to set tongues wagging around this place.
Just as I’m digging my wallet out, a voice slides up alongside my shoulder.
“Long time, no see, handsome.”
Chapter 13
At the sound of the female voice ahead of me, I glance up from my phone. I’d been scrolling through a few of the comments left on my latest video of me and Peaches from the other day in the barn. It’s fun posting the horses, and I’ve always liked sharing a bit of a diary of my work with animals across my different vet placements.
A long time ago, I’d probably have sent a quick check-in text to my mom in a moment like this, not that she ever used to reply to them, but after going fullno contactwhen I hit my twenties, it has honestly made a world of difference to my mental health.
Sad. But it's true.
I can see notifications from Sage, and there are a handful of comments on my latest photos on my Instagram I managed to upload when the internet was reasonably solid last night.
One girl has asked where the ranch was and just as I’m in the middle of typing a reply to let her know where Devil’s Peak Ranch is located, that’s when the voice distracts me.
Colt had been all sorts of brooding and quiet during our meal, even though it was his idea to come here and eat in the first place. Not to mention how abruptly he avoided my question about why we’d just loaded his truck with enough BBQ meat tofeed an army. So, when he said he’d go settle the bill, I was kind of relieved.
Too much time spent sitting two feet away from Colt Wilder is enough to have my ovaries misbehaving like little sluts.
I also cannot understand why he keeps insisting I wear his hat today.
There are rules about cowboy’s hats and the fact my ex-boyfriend’s father gave me his… well, I can’t let myself read too much into it. My horny mind is already up to no good.
