* * *
The delicious smell of homemade chili and freshly baked cornbread entered my nose, making my stomach growl as I walked through the screen door of Grams’ house.
Grams and Lily were seated around the dinner table. While Lily rambled on excitedly about her day at school, Colton slept in his swing in the corner of the room. As soon as Lily caught sight of me, she was up and running, squealing my name.
I scooped her up in my arms, spinning her around. “Hey, Lily pad. How’s my favorite girl?”
She giggled as I tickled her side. “What are you doing here?”
“Came to see you. I missed you.” I kissed her cheek, setting her back on her feet.
“You saw me yesterday,” she reminded me.
I ruffled her brown, curly hair, walking beside her to the table. “Doesn’t matter. I always miss you when you’re not around.”
“I’m sure you say that to all the girls,” she sighed audibly, her eyes rolling. She took her seat, digging into her bowl of chili, completely oblivious to the sharp stab her words just delivered to my heart.
Grams stifled a laugh and I arched an eyebrow at her. “Sounds like Aunt Lottie’s been a bad influence,” I grumbled under my breath as I kissed the top of Grams’ head in greeting.
Grams busted out laughing at that. “Don’t go blaming anyone else, young man. She may only be seven, but she’s brighter than you think, and perceptive. Maybe you should keep that in mind when your midnight romps are sneaking out of your place in the morning,” Grams warned. “There may be acres between us all, but the fields are bare now, and her bedroom window is on the second floor.”
“What’s a midnight romp?” Lily looked up from her bowl at us.
I laughed, backing myself up toward the kitchen to dish up some chili. “Yeah, Grams, what’s a midnight romp?”
Grams lobbed her napkin at me, cursing me under her breath as I darted out of the room cracking up. Served her right.
After finishing our dinner, we moved to the living room, where Lily and I played with Colton on the floor for a bit. Grams sat in her recliner, watching us as she sipped a cup of coffee, a soft smile worn on her face.
“Did you figure out who the mystery girl was?”
I flicked my eyes to her. “Yeah. No thanks to you.”
She hid her sardonic grin behind her cup as she took another drink.
“And don’t think I’m not onto you. And Lottie, for that matter.” I pointed an accusing finger at her.
“I have no idea what you’re going on about,” she said, feigning ignorance.
“Yeah. Sure you don’t. You should know better, Grams. Whatever you’re scheming in that head of yours is not gonna work.”
She huffed, setting her cup down on the end table. “Is it so terrible for a dying old lady to want to see her first grandson happy?”
I scoffed, shaking my head. “Now see, if you’d said your favorite grandson, we might be having a different conversation.” I winked. “And you’re not dying.”
“I very well could be,” she argued. “Besides, I don’t tell lies. Tucker is my favorite.” She pursed her lips, trying to contain her smile.
I ignored her challenge and her playful jab. We both knew she was in perfect health. She’d probably outlive us all, at this rate. “You lied about knowing who Devin was—”
“I had no way of knowing she and the mystery girl were one and the same.”
“And I am happy,” I continued.
“Hmph,” she grunted her disbelief, picking up her coffee again. “Well that poor girl obviously isn’t. And it sounds like she could use a good man in her life. From what I heard, she had her heart broken.”
I’d come to the same conclusion after meeting her that first night. Even though I knew I was playing right into Grams’ hand, I still couldn’t help but ask, “What are you talking about?”
“You hadn’t heard?”
I narrowed my eyes at Grams. She’d already won this battle, there was no sense in her rubbing it in. She had me and she knew it. She glanced over at where Lily was blowing raspberries on her baby cousin’s belly, making sure she wasn’t paying any attention to our conversation.
“Apparently, she had a little outburst in Ida’s yesterday morning. I won’t go into detail, but sounded like she had a conversation on her phone that would’ve been better to have kept private.” Grams raised an eyebrow.
I knew Grams wasn’t judging. She was only looking out for Devin. She knew I’d likely want to do the same. Grams was one of the few people who knew about my past feelings for Jenna, and how I’d attempted to stop her wedding years ago.
“That’s too bad.” I looked back at my niece and nephew, trying to pretend I wasn’t bothered by the whole situation—the gossip about Devin, the fact that some asshole had hurt her. “Someone should probably warn her about how word spreads around here.”
“Yes. Someone should.”
“I’m sure Lottie and the girls will fill her in tonight,” I said, hiding all emotion in my voice as I kissed Colton and Lily’s heads before standing up. “Gotta go, kiddos.”
“Where you headed off to?” Grams asked as I bent down, giving her a quick hug and peck on the cheek.
“Oh, you know...” I took a small step back. “Got a midnight romp waiting for me to pick her up.”
Grams’ hand shot out, barely missing my arm. I laughed, taking off before she managed to get out of her recliner and whack me good on the back of the head.
5
DEVIN
Wes had taken off once again, leaving me standing in a cloud of dust at the bottom of the steps. I wanted to get in my car and leave too, knowing they probably already thought I was a nutcase after the gossip going around town about my outburst in Ida’s, and having found me crying in an alley the other day.
But I sucked it up, mainly because they already knew I’d arrived. When I’d looked up toward the house, I saw the curtains closing quickly as the girls tried to duck out of view.
Taking a deep inhale, I lugged myself up the porch steps and knocked on the door.
I was glad I hung in there. As soon as I knocked, they had immediately eased my worry, welcoming me into their fold without making me feel like an outsider. Conversation was easy and funny during dinner as I got to know Leighton, Lottie, and Hannah better.
I’d learned Billy and Leighton were siblings and Leighton had fallen for and married his best friend, Aaron. They had no kids and she wanted to wait a bit longer, since her job as a kindergarten teacher exposed her to plenty daily.
Lottie and Tucker were high-school sweethearts who rekindled their love over a decade later. They were now married, raising Tucker’s niece, Lily, who’d lost her parents tragically, and their three-month-old son, Colton.
Hannah and Billy had initially been a one-night stand, but they fell in love and had recently married and were expecting their first child.
After hearing all their sweet love stories, I’d avoided discussing my recently failed relationship, guiding the conversation a different direction before they could ask. They didn’t seem to notice, or were kind enough not to press me, most likely because they already had a good idea of what had happened.
We had since moved to the backyard to sit under a beautiful pergola lit up by string lights and a fire pit in the middle. The wood crackled as the fire burned, releasing a comforting smoky smell as we sipped on our wine, wrapped in blankets, laughing.
I hadn’t been this relaxed in what felt like months. And I hadn’t had this much fun in what sadly was probably years. Until now, I hadn’t realized how badly I needed a night just like this.
“So, let me get this straight,” Hannah said, her eyes still wide. “Not even once? You’ve never gone down on Aaron even one time? Not even on your honeymoon or for his birthday?”
“Hell, no. This dolly is a one-way trolley. I don’t want that shit in my mouth.” Leighton scrunched up her nose.
“I have no idea how Aaron puts up with
you if you aren’t constantly giving him head.” Hannah sat back in utter dismay.
Lottie and I both erupted with laughter.
“Ha ha,” Leighton mocked us all. “Trust me, my man has nothing to complain about.”
“I’m with Leighton,” I interjected, still giggling. The wine had completely disintegrated my nerves around these women. It was like I’d known them my whole life. I figured that was why I was having no qualms about sharing details of my sex life after just meeting them.
“You’re telling me you’ve never given head either?” Hannah turned to me.
“Oh, no. I have…once. And it was terrible. He had whiskey dick, it was like a never-ending blow job.”
They all looked at me, half-shocked and half-horrified.
“Whiskey dick is the worst. Anything longer than twenty minutes and you might as well start charging. What a terrible first, no wonder you’re turned off.” Hannah sighed, as if she truly felt sorry for me.
Lottie nodded her head in agreement as she took a sip of her wine. “So, you never tried it on anyone else?” Lottie asked.
I shook my head. “Nope. Not that I wouldn’t…it’s just…the last guy I was with wasn’t circumcised. You never know what kind of cat is under that hat.”
They all laughed. I grinned. It felt good to throw a jab at Noah, even if he wasn’t present to take the hit.
“You know what we need right now?” Leighton spoke up. “A night out on the town. A true ladies’ night!”
Lottie and Hannah both groaned. “Leighton. Seriously, give it up already.”
Leighton ignored Lottie. “Plus, what better time than while we have a DD?” She pointed over at Hannah’s overgrown belly.
Hannah responded with her middle finger in the air.
“The night is still young…” I said, and all three heads whipped my direction. I ducked lower in my chair.
“See!” Leighton cheered, rising to her feet. “That’s what I’m talking about.” She gave me an animated high five.
“Well, shit,” Hannah sighed. “Fine. Let’s do this. Might as well get in all the fun I can before this baby comes.” She rubbed a hand over her belly.
“Do you mind if we stop at my place so I can change?” I asked, remembering the stares I got the last time I’d shown up at Dudley’s.
“Oh no, lady,” Lottie protested, helping a struggling Hannah to her feet. “We got you covered.”
All three women had wide grins on their faces, and I got a sudden sinking feeling I’d just managed to sign myself up for something I hadn’t intended to.
* * *
I tugged at the bottom hem of the black mini the girls had forced me into. I’d been struggling with the skin-tight dress the entire walk up to Dudley’s front door, pulling at the bottom, only to have to tug at the top, so I wasn’t revealing too much cleavage. We’d stopped at Lottie and Hannah’s boutique on the way. They dressed me and did my makeup and hair like I was their personal Barbie doll.
I was just glad they allowed me to wear a pair of cowgirl boots like Leighton, versus the tall-ass heels Lottie wore. I didn’t mind heels at the office, but once I was home, I preferred my Chucks or no shoes at all. When given the choice, I’d pick boots over heels every time. Especially these ones: they were black, with intricate tan stitching. I fell in love with them as soon as I saw them.
Lottie pulled open the door for us. Leighton led the way, followed by Hannah, then me. I tugged at the dress one more time as I passed through, and Lottie slapped at my hands.
“Cut that out, Devin. You look hot and you’re gonna have everyone in here talking about the new girl in town.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” I muttered, dropping my hands and straightening my back, my feet stalling at the threshold.
Lottie nudged me and I shuffled forward. She looped her arm through mine, full of confidence as she guided us through the bar to the table Leighton and Hannah had claimed.
I took a seat, already feeling like all eyes were on me and hushed whispers were circling around me. It was the first public appearance I’d made since my scene at Ida’s. I had no idea now why I’d agreed this would be fun.
“I’ve got the first round of drinks,” Leighton said, standing from her seat.
“What do you want, Devin?”
“Oh. Um. Whatever you guys are having.”
“Easy enough,” she said as she took off toward the bar, squeezing between the packed bodies. She was back quicker than I expected, with three bottles of beer and a glass of water for Hannah.
I took a big swallow, needing the buzz I’d been feeling earlier from the wine to return. We fell back into easy conversation, the same way we had earlier in the night. I had begun to relax and somewhere along the way, no longer cared if the town was talking about me behind my back.
“Lottie?” A small voice interrupted our conversation. We all turned to look at the blonde standing behind Lottie. I immediately recognized her from the first night I’d been here.
“Oh. Hey, Mandy,” Lottie said with little enthusiasm and a plastered smile.
“Sorry to interrupt, I was just curious if you’d heard from or seen Wes tonight?”
“I’m his sister-in-law, Mandy. Not his keeper.”
She forced her own smile onto her face as she glanced over at me and then back to Lottie. “Right. Well, it’s just, we had a date tonight and he cancelled last minute. I just wanted to make sure he wasn’t sick or something.” She delivered her words almost as if she was bragging, rather than truly being concerned for him.
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, unable to process how I felt about everything she’d just said. He’d really been headed for a date when I saw him earlier. Part of me thought he was only testing my reaction when he said that. Knowing that wasn’t the case shouldn’t bother me. But it did.
“Nope. He was perfectly well when I saw him a few hours ago,” Lottie tossed out flippantly, turning her back to Mandy.
The girl looked like she was about to blow a gasket, and I almost felt sorry for her until she turned her eyes on me and they narrowed. She gave me a once-over and then, with a dismissive toss of her hair, she walked away. I had no idea what problem she could possibly have with me and frankly, I wasn’t going to waste a second more wondering.
“This round is on me,” I said, standing from my seat. “Who wants a tequila shot?”
All three hands went in the air.
“I’ll have him dress you a shot of water, Han,” I promised as I laughed and headed for the bar.
Timmy smiled as soon as I approached, making his way to me immediately. “Dr. Chaplin, what can I get ya tonight?”
“Call me Devin, Timmy.”
“We’re on a first-name basis, now? Does that mean you forgive me for calling Deputy Hill?”
“No. But I’ll consider it as long as you keep the shots coming tonight.”
He raised both eyebrows.
“Calm down, Timmy. I have a DD.” I pointed my thumb over my shoulder toward where Hannah sat. “I’ll take three shots of tequila and one shot of water.”
He chuckled, grabbing four shot glasses and lining them up to make our drinks.
“Thanks, Timmy, keep my tab open.” I smiled at him as I picked up the drinks with both hands and headed back to our table.
As soon as I returned, the girls’ conversation cut off awkwardly, their eyes refusing to meet mine.
“So, how about them Dallas Cowboys, huh?” Hannah threw out randomly as I set their drinks in front of them.
Lottie and Leighton both glared at her.
“Like that wasn’t obvious,” Leighton muttered, taking a drink from her beer.
Hannah shrugged. “Sorry, it’s the first thing I could think of.”
“Really? Because all of us sitting here are such big sports fanatics?” Leighton scolded.
“What’s going on?” I asked, taking my seat as my stomach twisted into knots, suddenly worried I’d misjudged what I thought were goin
g to be new life-long friendships.
“Will you two stop it.” Lottie narrowed her eyes on both Leighton and Hannah in a silent warning before turning to look at me. “Sorry, Devin. I’m just going to be up front. We were talking about you.”
“Oookay…” I shifted in my seat uncomfortably.
“Nothing bad! I promise. It was more about the way Mandy acted, and the fact that she had the nerve to come over here.”
“I’m confused. How does that have anything to do with me?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Leighton asked.
“Um…no?”
“She feels threatened. She’s one of Wes’—shit.” Lottie looked toward the other two for help. “How do I say this and not make him sound like a complete douchebag?”
Hannah snorted a laugh as Leighton piped up, “She’s one of his regular booty-calls.”
“Will someone cut her off, please?” Lottie snapped, pointing her glare at Leighton.
An uncontrollable laughter bubbled up and burst through my lips.
Maybe it was the alcohol, or the thought that Mandy assumed I was a threat to whatever she and Wes had, or that for some reason, the women I was sitting with seemed to agree. Either way, I was finding this all quite hysterical.
“It’s fine, Lottie. You don’t have to try and cover for Wes. There’s nothing between us and there never will be.”
All three ladies exchanged dubious looks. Admittedly, the words sounded like a lie even to my ears.
“Seriously. Besides, even if I thought he was cute, I’m not in a place to start a new relationship.”
“Oh, Wes doesn’t do relationships,” Leighton announced as she lifted her shot glass to her lips.
“Seriously!” Lottie released an exasperated sigh as she swiped the shot glass from Leighton’s hand and took it herself.
Leighton stared at her in utter shock, then reached for Lottie’s tequila. But Lottie was too quick and downed that one too.
Hannah cracked up laughing, and I couldn’t help joining in with her as the two childhood best friends had a stare off. It only lasted seconds before they both busted out giggling, too.
Taming Wes: BOOK THREE|BILLINGSLEY SERIES Page 5