Page 34 of Boots, Bucket Lists & Bad Ideas
It was a mistake coming here. I wonder if I ducked out the back door, would my brothers even notice once they have their beer, wings, and pie?
A beer slams down in front of me, the frosted glass slick with condensation.
Wheeler plops into the seat across from me, watching me with raised eyebrows. “What’s got your panties in a twist?”
“Nothin’.” I sip the foam spilling over the rim and then take a long drag.
My brother sits back, looking cozy in a seat that I’m sure is pinching his backside. “You look like you just saw your ex-girlfriend marrying your worst enemy.”
“I don’t have an ex.”
Not that he knows about.
My love life’s nothing but one-night stands—fast, forgettable, and far between these days.
Used to be different, back before Dean and Wheeler settled down. We’d hit the road, find some dive where nobody knew our names or our business, and we’d get laid by dawn.
Those days feel like forever ago.
My brother slides a coaster under his drink, and then proceeds to slide one under mine, like it’s going to make a difference on the weathered wood.
“No, but you do have a glower that could curdle milk. What’d I miss?” He pauses. “Biker beat you to someone?”
“This ain’t no damn therapy session,” I growl.
I didn’t tell him shit back in the day, and I sure as hell aren’t about to start now.
My gaze circles back to her, uninvited.
How long can it take to sink a few balls?
Levi drops two baskets of wings on the table. One is already missing half its contents. He hangs his Stetson on a hook outside the booth before he slides in next to Wheeler.
“Why do we look so serious? What’s going on?” He frees the mug of beer wedged under his arm.
“Nothing.” If Wheeler is anything, it’s discreet, respectful, and private.
He doesn’t tell what’s not his to tell. I’ve always admired that in him.
“Looks like the girls talked Jade into coming after the meeting.” Levi tips his chin in her direction and then plucks a wing from the basket.
I’ve never had anything against my brother. Not until he took it into his own hands and saddled up with the enemy. Sometimes my disgust is so raw that I can barely stand to be in the same room as him.
Like now.
When he says Jade’s name so easily and refers to the Fox girls as if they’re just part of his everyday life. That son of a bitch threatened to destroy everything our family built for a Fox girl, and I don’t think I’ll ever get over it.
Yet, my eyes find Jade.
She’s got that look—the one like she’s focusing on something, but still trying to have fun with it.
“Hope and her sisters were surprising her with a birthday celebration. She’s turning thirty next week.”
I know the exact date of her birthday, but I don’t say it.
“Her birthday reminded us it’s also your—”
Wheeler hits him. “Shut up.”
