Page 48 of Never Fear (Whiskey Ridge)
She frowned. “Booker’s just worried.”
I let out an extremely half-assed scoff because it was sweet of him, really.
“I’mworried,” she went on. “You saw what happened to me, McKenna. I could have died.”
“But you didn’t,” I noted. With her slight look of hurt, I quickly added, “I know you could have, but you’re okay, Brynne.” I set a gentle hand on her arm, sliding it down to intertwine her fingers with mine. “The same won’t happen to me.”
“You’re notorious for jinxing things, McKenna. Maybe don’t say that.”
“This time I’m certain.” I mustered a grin that hopefully looked somewhat confident. “Besides, no one can get close enough to me with Austin following me around like some lost puppy.”
With that, the worry in her gaze lightened up slightly. “More like a retired guard dog looking for a job.”
“I’ve tried firing him. Trust me. He won’t go away.”
“Well, you know what they say. When a dog finds their home, they don’t tend to leave.”
My nose scrunched. “Can we please stop referring to the man as a canine?”
Brynne smiled, the look warming something inside me. “I’m just saying, I think his following you around has a lot less to do with the situation and a lot more to do with you.”
I plastered a hand over my stomach. “Brynne,please. I’m going to be sick.”
“Have you guys been using protection?” she asked with a smirk.
I swatted her arm. “Maybe I’ll be the one replacing you with the new girl.”
She laughed, flattening a palm over her heart. “I’m wounded.”
“Good,” I snapped. “Maybe your broken heart will keep you out of la-la land.”
“Whatever pleases you,” she teased, pulling me in for a hug. “I love you, McKenna. Just be smart, okay? It’s not like the world will crumble if you let someone take care of you.”
“No, just my ego.”
I felt her tilt her head like she was weighing the consequences of that. “Maybe that could do with some knocking down.”
I shoved away from her, unable to hide my grin. “Alright, shit stirrer. Go home. I’m sure Booker is missing you.”
She wagged her eyebrows as she started walking backwards. “Or maybe I’m missing him.”
“God, you guys are horny. I think you need to get that checked out.”
“I already have my medication, and its name starts with a B.” She emphasized the letter, curling her lips around it.
“Please leave,” I begged, clasping my hands together.
She twisted around, heading for the driver’s side of her vehicle. She flashed me a wide grin before flipping me the bird and disappearing into the cab.
“Saw that!” I yelled.
“That was the point!” she shot back before starting the engine.
I got into my own vehicle, clicking the locks and cranking the heater after starting my car. Brynne waited for me to shift into reverse before she followed me out of the parking lot and headed in the opposite direction, toward Booker’s ranch.
The road was completely black, save for my headlights and the occasional outdoor light on a house deep in thewoods. But five minutes into the drive back to my house, what looked to be a truck swerved onto the road behind me and beamed its brights.
Chapter 19
