Page 24 of Beautiful Envy

“Yeah, yeah. I just have a hunch.”

“How are we going to get Bubba on board?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.

“I’m not sure we’ll have to do much. I think we need to talk to Darcie first, and she’ll do the rest. Besides, Bubba’s already halfway there. Listen to this text he sent me.”

I pulled out my phone and read it off.

Waylon: This girl is driving me nuts.

Me: How so?

Waylon: She wants a motorcycle.

Me: Why is that bad?

Waylon: She’ll get herself killed.

Me: Then teach her how not to. But I think she might surprise you.

Waylon: The less time I have to spend with her, the better. You guys are taking her tomorrow.

Me: Is the big bad biker scared of a little girl?

Waylon: She’s definitely not a little girl.

I looked up, catching Grayson’s eyes. He had a knowing look, his smile wide as he peered back at me.

“You’re right. Okay, maybe you’re not so crazy after all.”

“Shy, yes. Crazy, never.”

We both laughed, and that feeling of excitement I got before the gate was lifted at the rodeo spread through me. My phone buzzed, and I glanced down to see Waylon had sent another text.

Waylon: Shit, I think I messed up.

Me: Why? What happened?

I instantly went on high alert, both for my brother and the girl I had feelings for.

Waylon: I was angry and came around the corner, not thinking. She flinched, cowering in front of me like she expected me to hit her. I fucked up, man.

Sweat dripped down my back as I tried to imagine what Darcie was feeling. From everything she’d told me last night, I was worried this would push her away.

Me: You gotta apologize.

Waylon: How?

Me: Looks like you’re teaching her how to drive your bike on the way home tonight.

Waylon: Fuck.

I laughed, catching Grayson’s attention.

“What now?” he asked, finishing straightening the last pile. His desk did look better. I wondered if the threat of sending her here tomorrow had motivated him to make it more organized.

“Waylon scared her, so I told him to apologize by teaching her how to ride.” My eyes sparkled as I chuckled to myself. I knew Darcie could ride; she told me how she’d basically been raised on them. I wished I could be there to see Bubba’s face. “She grew up in an MC. She’s no stranger to bikes.”

“Oh man, that’s going to be a riot. I wish we had a camera,” Grayson said, mirroring my thoughts.

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