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Dolly leans close to talk directly in my ear. “We should try to get rid of Cash and Duke. We’ll never get to flirt with anyone with them hanging around us.”
I glance over at her brothers. Duke is smiling and chatting with two blondes. Cash looks irritated that he even had to come, standing with his feet apart and his arms crossed, as far from other people as possible. He doesn’t like people.
I heard Holden say that Dolly and I needed two guys with us if we were going out. They debated who would come with us and who would go to The Riders event tonight, where some of their newer bulls were being ridden for the first time. I guess Cash got stuck with us.
I don’t know what he’s so worried about. He’s always been overprotective of Dolly, but since the night when Holden killed my uncle Cain, they don’t let her go out alone. She doesn’t fight it. This is the first time I’ve ever even heard her say she wants to get away from them.
“Well, Duke is plenty distracted. Cash is the only one you’re gonna have trouble losing.”
Someone is strumming a guitar up onstage as they prepare the equipment for Monroe Blue. Dolly and I have listened to her music for the last six years, but she’s gained popularity like crazy in the last two. She’s only one year older than us, and her music is a cross between folklore and country. She has a raspy voice, and people say she looks like a country Marilyn Monroe with her short blond hair and sensual, slim figure. She’s one of those women with off-the-charts sex appeal and natural beauty.
“Do you want me to go punch Duke in the face for flirting with those girls? Because I will. You should try to make him jealous.”
I laugh, shaking my head. Our pretend flirting must be convincing, or Dolly is just giving in to her delusions about me and him giving our relationship a second chance.
“Duke and I have an understanding.”
The three nights I’ve spent in Holden’s bed have infiltrated my ability to think logically. I slept there last Friday, then Monday and Wednesday this week. He didn’t say a word to me Wednesday night. When I woke up, the pillow barrier was in place, and he was gone. I had to get dressed and ready in his bathroom, sneak back out his window, and walk through the front door.
There’s a pinch of giddiness in my stomach for tonight. He hasn’t said anything yet, but I’m assuming he wants me to stay over.
Pathetic. That’s what you are.
The fact that I’m looking forward to sleeping in Holden’s bed is something I’ll take to my grave. But for crying out loud, I am only human. Any red-blooded female with eyes, ears, a nose, and any sex drive at all would be jumping to take my place. Hell, they’d probably throw me in front of a moving train to take it.
Even though I know he’s a dangerous criminal, I still don’t have any sense of self-preservation.
“Let’s tell Cash to save our place while we go to the bar and get refills before she starts. That one bartender with the tattoos was hot.”
“You need to get out of the house more.”
She nods emphatically. “Preferably without a male relative trailing after me all the time.”
We start making our way back toward the bar area. When we pass by Cash, Dolly whispers in his ear. His eyes narrow in on her. She gestures to the stage. He finally nods, eyeing me before returning to his bored expression.
“We’re good.” She smiles, grabbing for my hand. “He hates concerts. Hates the crowds. I asked him to save our spot.”
My phone buzzes in my hand. Butterflies sprinkle through my belly as I hope it’s from Holden.
Holden
My bed. Tonight. When will you be home?
I can’t hold back the smile that forms over my lips.
Doesn’t like you. Actively hates your guts. You feel the same!
Holy shit, why does that text look like a special invitation?
Rosie
Whenever I feel like it.
Holden
Have you always been this big of a brat?
I clap my hand over my mouth. Dolly is walking ahead, and we’re almost to the bar. I don’t want her to see that I’m texting and smiling like an idiot. She’ll catch on to me. She’s way too perceptive not to. She’ll ask who it is, and I won’t have an answer.
