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Lottie and Romy are standing with Laurel by the bar. Laurel’s giving me the eye, but I keep my face passive. I’ll tell her later what happened tonight with Ben.
We’re not out in the open for long before Brooks comes up to us and pushes Ben by the shoulder. “Asshole. Your dad thinks I’m some perv who can’t control his hormones for the length of a party.”
Ben laughs and steps back. “You took one for the team.”
I step forward. “Thank you, Brooks.” I go to hug him but step back. “Maybe after you wash your hands.”
“Assholes,” he mutters and walks away.
“Ah, Brooks, we’re joking,” Ben calls.
Brooks puts up his hand and heads to the bar since he’s like a magnet to Lottie nowadays, or maybe it’s been for forever. It’s hard to remember.
“Where’s Clayton tonight?” Ben asks.
I pull out my phone, feeling like a neglectful parent. There’s a text asking if he can spend the night at Drew’s. But I’m not ready to sleep with Ben yet. “He’s at Drew’s, but…”
Ben shakes his head. “No, I didn’t think… although when you’re ready, you just have to tell me, or put your hand on my dick, or get naked. I’ll take any of those options.”
I giggle and step toward him before realizing I can’t. There are a lot of people here.
“Let’s go have some fun with our friends since you have the night free.” He puts out his arm for me to head toward the bar.
“That I can do.”
We walk over to the large group of people from our generation: Ben’s two sets of cousins from his dad’s sisters who have all built businesses on the ranch, along with Brooks and Laurel, Jude, and of course Sadie. Emmett is surely out in the field with some girl.
Ben gets me a new beer and raises his cup. “To being home.”
Everyone clinks their Solo cups and takes a sip.
All the tables around the dance floor are separated by generations. Ben’s dad, aunts, uncles, and their friends are spread along two tables. Our age group is at one, while another table is filled with the elderly people from town. Our table is filled with red Solo cups. It feels as though I’m a part of a family again. Just that quick.
“So, you’re going to be the high school football coach?” Romy asks.
“It appears that way.” Ben sips his drink, looking uncomfortable with the discussion.
“I’d assist, but I’m way too busy at the station.” Brooks smacks Ben on the back. He somehow swindled the spot next to Lottie.
“Busy getting coffee.” Lottie never denies an opportunity to give Brooks shit.
“I have to stay awake.”
“Because your job is so strenuous? You need caffeine to keep you up because it’s boring. I’m pretty sure the NYPD don’t need coffee to ‘stay awake.’” She puts stay awake in air quotes.
“Can we please discuss the softball team this year?” Jude interrupts because those two will go on forever.
“I heard Walker Matthews just hired some guy that was all-state in baseball.” Romy sips her drink as though she shouldn’t have shared, but it’s too juicy not to.
“I heard.” Jude shakes his head. “I swear Wild Bull Ranch only hires someone if they can play on their team.”
“But we have Benny now!” Brooks smacks Ben on the back. “I’m sure with all that muscle you have, you’ll be hitting homers.”
Ben chokes on his beer, coughing for a moment. “I didn’t say I was playing.”
Jude stares across the table. “You are.”
“I have a lot on my plate.”
