Page 13

So, why the hell did I let things go as far as they did with Brad?

More importantly, why did I do so without a second’s hesitation … and enjoy it?

CHAPTER 8

“The hat’s too much, isn’t it?” As I take another look in the mirror, I straighten my cuffs and then readjust the wide brim.

“A cowboy in a suit ain’t much of a cowboy without his hat.” Sky slides up to my side, barely reaching my chest without her heels on, and presses a shot glass into my hand.

“You’re sure?” Why am I overthinking this? It isn’t usually my style to be concerned about other people’s opinions, but I suppose there’s been a whole lot of unsettled—and very much unlike me—energy swirling through my veins considering the events of the past week.

“No way.” Her big smile lifts to meet mine as she clinks our glasses together. “You look fine as hell, Bradford Rhodes. A suit and a cowboy hat, goddamn. Watch out.” She fans herself slowly with one hand before giggling and tipping the shot back.

I follow her lead, both of us scrunching our faces as the after-burn goes down. “What … the fuck … is that? Pure cinnamon poison?” Both of us double over immediately, lost to a coughing fit, eyes watering.

“It’s some holiday special … flavored vodka.” Sky recovers with a shudder before sticking her flattened tongue out. “Blegh. Gross. Never again.”

“Until later, when you think it’s a great idea to after-party with that shit.” I pluck the glass out of her hand and point with my elbow at her boots lying beside the mirror. “Hurry the fuck up and get those on. We’re gonna be fashionably late as it is.”

As I deposit the empty shots in her tiny kitchen, I catch another shadowy reflection, this time of myself in the window. The world beyond the glass lies darkened with nightfall and promises of more snow tonight.

Thoughts of this hat, and home, and being on the precipice of leaving college life to return to Crimson Ridge all mingle with the alcohol warming my belly. That makes me start chatting away as I grab Sky’s coat for her and check it over for any lint.

“I guess it makes sense to wear it, right? I always feel a little bit of home is with me when I wear this thing. Man, I miss the horses, and even though life with Dad at the ranch is nothing but stupidly hard work, I’m kinda excited about moving back.” Watching Sky finish putting her heeled cowboy boots on, I hold the coat out, ready for her to slide her arms in. “Weirdly, I do miss my dad. Is that uncool to admit out loud? He won’t tell me shit over the phone, and you know how that man is about as easy to convince to open up as a rusty trap … but I worry about him being lonely when I’m not around.”

Sky splutters and squirms a little bit just as her arm slips inside the sleeve. When she turns back around to face me, there’s a deeper flush high on her cheeks, and those blue eyes of hers look a little startled.

“You feeling okay?” Tipping my head to one side, I shrug into my own jacket.

With a quick fuss at her hair, she nods. “Yup. Perfect. How’s my lipstick? Good? Okay, let’s go.”

And with that, Sky practically shoves me through the front door, out into the chilly night air. Not even waiting for my response. Looks like we’re on our way to tonight’s Yule Ball.

Sky lives right in the heart of campus, which is a blessing and the reason we so often spend time at her apartment. After a few drinks, I’ve crashed here more often than not, since it’s walking distance to almost everywhere at the center of college life. Unlike my place, which is a cabin out of town.

Cheap rent for the win. Even if it’s a pain in the ass sometimes living further away than most students.

“Woah, they’ve really gone all out. The place looks amazing,” Sky croons, and a giant white plume of frozen breath billows in front of us as we get close to the stone arch entrance illuminated by hundreds of fairy lights. The buildings on campus are all old as fuck and gothic inspired, very much giving off old-school academia vibes.

Tonight it basically looks like a snow globe and a castle just had a baby, producing this very festive scene we’re climbing the worn stone steps up to. Sitting prominently at the entrance is a giant fuck-off Christmas tree, with groups posing for photos in front of it. The thing must be at least fifteen feet tall, commanding the space where coat check and tickets are being handled.

“Impressive.” I smirk. “You know what they say about the bigger the tree …”

“It’s all about the angle.” Sky pokes me in my ribs. “Not to mention the girth and ability to decorate that spot just right.”

A snort comes out of me as I hand both our coats over. “Let’s see if we can find someone to polish your baubles tonight, huh?”

She gives a funny sort of look my way before scanning the crowd. I’ve hardly readjusted my hat as we step through into the thrum of music and noise when Sky drags me by the elbow, cutting a determined line across the crowd.

“Festive cocktails incoming …” she squeaks as the sight of a well-stocked bar greets us. “And your bitch-face ex at three o’clock.” Her words morph into a whisper-shout in my direction, just loud enough for me to hear over the noise of the ballroom.

Oh, shit. Yup, drinks are gonna be required for this. At least there are more than enough people here to make it easy to stay well out of her orbit. Except, I already know, as I position myself at Sky’s side and order a heavy-handed pour of the complimentary punch, that my skin has started prickling with anticipation.

Is he gonna be here with her?

It only takes one look. One moment as I turn and lift the glass to my lips. The split second when I allow my eyes to slowly tip up, that everything is confirmed. As I glance across the sea of students enjoying their final blowout before moving on from college, I see him.

He’s already looking at me.