Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 114068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
She reaches around to squeeze my ass. “I like the sound of that.”
Wheeler’s family arrives a few minutes later. We make more awkward small talk over drinks by the fire on the porch. Wheeler sips a fake tequila and soda I made her that’s just soda with lime.
“So Wheeler’s staying with you here.” Preston lifts a finger in the general direction of the cottage.
“She is.”
“And how long have y’all been dating?”
“Long enough.” I sip my beer. Watch Wheeler laugh at something Haines says. “The minute I met your sister, I knew I wanted to date her.”
Preston chuckles. “Yeah. Right. Sure you did.”
“You sayin’ something?” I eye him.
“Just saying you didn’t know her then. Like, know her know her. She’s always been so…” Shaking his head, he tips back his tequila soda.
I hold my bottle in a death grip. “So what?”
“How do I say this nicely?” He squints. “She’s not an easy person. Like, she’s a little off, you know? Just really hardheaded. She wouldn’t even hear out my dad about going into law, even though he has really great connections at a bunch of big law firms and could get her a plum job, no problem. She gave up a lucrative career to do what, make stupid cowboy boots for Barbie?”
I see it: me calmly setting my beer down on the table. I’d push up my right sleeve a little bit more. Curl my fingers into a fist. Then I’d turn around and hurl that fist into this smug bastard’s face.
He’d cry.
I’d smile, satisfied I let him know exactly what I think of him talking about my girl this way.
Talking about any girl this way. Who the fuck does this kid think he is? God’s gift to the world, just because his parents are rich?
But decking Preston in the mouth would upset Wheeler, so instead I paste on a smile and say, “I know Wheeler pretty well. Just like I know the quality and craftsmanship of her boots is top notch. She’s smart, she’s capable, and she does amazing work. I’m proud of her.”
But Preston just raises his brows and rolls his eyes, letting out an annoyed breath. “Whatever you say. Good luck with that one.”
My turn to chuckle. “You know, it’s funny.”
“What?”
“You went to law school, right?”
“I did, yeah.”
“And now you work with your dad?”
Preston nods. “I’m the youngest partner in the firm’s history.”
I bet you think you earned that too, don’t you? When really it was handed to you on a silver platter.
“Congrats. But really, we should be congratulating your sister, because she’s going to make more money doing her ‘stupid’ cowboy boot thing than y’all ever will pushing paper behind a desk for ninety hours a week for the rest of your lives. Because turns out that ‘stupid’ cowboy boot thing isn’t so stupid. It’s actually really cool and really lucrative too.”
Preston blinks, a pink flush working its way up his neck. “Dude, I’m not, like, attacking you—”
“But you are attacking Wheeler.” I put a hand on his chest. “And that’s something I’m not gonna tolerate. You understand me, dude?”
He blinks again. “Whatever.”
I pat his chest. “Good.” I turn to face everyone else. “All right, y’all. Time to eat.”
I look at Wheeler. Ready?
She looks back. Ready.
Everyone serves themselves in the kitchen, and then we head outside to sit at the picnic table. I notice Tim is slapping his leg, a scowl on his face.
“You all right there, Mr. Rankin?” I put my napkin on my lap.
“I’m getting eaten alive out here. Christ.”
I nod at the bug spray on the ledge of the window behind him. “Mosquitoes are starting to get bad. Help yourself to the spray.”
He doesn’t thank me, but he does grab the bottle and spray down his legs. I notice his movements are sluggish. Is he already drunk? He’s still scowling when he turns back to his plate.
Frannie frowns as she sets her plate beside Wheeler’s at the other end of the table. I’m sure she saw Tim’s face. We all have. His bad mood is a dark cloud that hangs over the meal.
I do my best to ignore it, making polite conversation with Haines. The light begins to fade. Dinner is delicious if I do say so myself. But dessert is even better.
“God, that’s good,” Wheeler says, spooning the last of her ice cream into her mouth.
Preston makes a face. “Since when do you have such a sweet tooth?”
She looks at me. My stomach drops.
Time to spill the beans.
Honestly, it’s kind of a relief. I’ve been waiting on tenterhooks for Wheeler to give me the go-ahead.
I clear my throat. “Funny you should mention that.”
“Duke and I have some news.” Wheeler drops her spoon and grabs my hand. It’s the first—only—time her palm’s felt clammy.
Frannie claps. “Oh my God! Are y’all engaged?”
“Mom! Jesus fuck, they’ve known each other for, like, a week.” Preston shakes his head. “Now let her finish.”