After buzzing her into the building, she met her friend in the front office. “Hey, I didn’t think I’d see you today. I thought we agreed on next week?”
“We did, I know, but you piqued my curiosity. Couldn’t put it off.” Kayla walked over to the wide window in the front office that overlooked the main recreation room. “Wow, the place looks fantastic. I honestly had no idea it was this big.”
“You’ve never been here before?” Bristol asked, surprised that she hadn’t realized that either.
“Nope.” Kayla smiled. “Never really had a reason to, I guess.”
“Can I get you somethin’ to drink? Water? Juice?” Bristol smiled. “We might still have some coffee left. Made a pot at lunch.”
“I’m good.” Kayla turned to face her. “You sounded chipper on the phone. What’s up?”
“Please, have a seat,” Bristol urged, motioning to the chair on the opposite side of the desk.
Kayla’s expression turned worried, a frown marring her forehead. “Did I do something wrong?”
Bristol chuckled. “Not at all. God, no, Kayla.” She exhaled, let her shoulders relax. “I just thought maybe we could chat.”
Kayla merely stared back at her, a deer in the headlights.
Because she knew Kayla would continue to worry, Bristol decided to get right to the point. “Why didn’t you tell us you got your degree?”
A hint of pink infused Kayla’s pale cheeks, made all the more noticeable by the black hair that hung down to her shoulders.
“It’s a … uh … recent development.” Kayla slowly lowered herself into the chair.
“I didn’t even know you were in school. And that makes me a horrible friend, I will admit.”
“It does not.” Kayla gave a weak laugh, her eyes lowering, focusing on her fidgeting hands in her lap. “I was taking classes online. It took longer than I wanted, but I got it done. I didn’t think it was a big deal.”
“It’s a huge deal,” she insisted. “We should’ve gone out to celebrate.”
Kayla shrugged one shoulder. Always modest, this one.
Although Renee had already told her, Bristol asked, “What’s your degree in?”
“Early childhood development. I’ve been working in a daycare in Round Rock for a while now.”
Bristol leaned forward, smiled. “Why didn’t you tell me? I would’ve been thrilled to hire you.”
Kayla’s eyes lifted and there was the familiar wariness in them. “Because you’ve done enough to help me. Last thing I want is for you to think I’m a mooch.”
Inside those dark gray eyes, Bristol still saw a hint of the woman they’d met years ago, the one who had been abused by a longtime boyfriend. Four years younger than her and a Coyote Ridge transplant since the age of thirteen, Kayla had been brought into their informal girls club a few years ago when they’d all been having margarita night at Moonshiners. That night, Bianca had chased off Kayla’s heavy-handed boyfriend and they’d befriended the woman. Since her breakup with that jackass, Kayla had been breaking out of her shell bit by bit. Yes, she was still a little on the shy side, but she’d come a long way.
“Well, I know for a fact you’re not a mooch. And I wouldn’t be the one doing a favor here. You’d be doing me a huge one.”
Kayla’s eyebrows dipped down. “How so?”
“I am in desperate need of someone who can help me run this place. Not only a teacher,” she explained, “but someone who can assist with the other stuff, too.”
Bristol could see the hope glittering in those pretty gray eyes.
“With a degree, the pay’s a little better than a teacher,” she continued. “And I figure, as we progress, we’ll work out compensation according to your job duties.”
“You … want me to work here?”
“I do, Kayla. I really, really do.” She grinned. “Would you be open to that?”
Her friend’s smile formed slowly but it grew wider as her eyes sparkled. “I’d… Oh, God. That would be fantastic. My car’s about to crap out on me, but this is close enough for me to walk if I have to.” Kayla inhaled deeply. “I can’t thank you enough.”
“No need to thank me. I should be thanking you. Just let me know when you can start and—”
“Two weeks,” Kayla blurted. “I just need to give my notice.”
“That’s perfect.” Bristol opened the bottom drawer in her desk, pulled out the required paperwork, and slid it over. “If you want, you can get started on this before then. I do have to run a background check, as you know.”
“Nothing to worry about on that front.”
Bristol grinned, feeling genuinely happy for the first time since she woke up that morning. “I look forward to having you here in two weeks. In the meantime, I’m going to see if I can find another teacher to replace the one I need to let go.”
She took a deep breath, released it.
Maybe her life wasn’t going into the crapper after all.
Two hours later, Bristol was recanting that thought.
At some point between last night’s debacle and the stress of today, she had completely forgotten that she’d promised to go to Moonshiners with Bianca. Her best friend had texted to remind her about the pre-auction celebration and made it very clear Bristol was not allowed to back out.
Now, as she was walking to her car, having closed up the daycare for the weekend, Bianca’s last text was rattling around in her head. Ever since she’d talked to Bianca a few hours ago and given a noncommittal answer, she’d been checking in to make sure Bristol wasn’t planning on holing up in her house and ignoring everyone.
It was exactly what she wanted to do.
Unfortunately, Bianca was relentless when she wanted something, and it seemed she wasn’t going to let this go. Which meant Bristol had no choice but to take her friend up on her offer of a night out at Moonshiners.
She only hoped Kaden and Keegan wouldn’t be there. She honestly didn’t know if she’d survive an encounter with them.
*
When Keegan stepped into Moonshiners on Friday evening, the place was empty, save for a couple of old cowboys sitting at the bar shooting the shit. An hour after that, the place was packed. There wasn’t a table to be had, the pool tables were crowded, the jukebox blared, and conversations rolled through the room at a dull roar.
Just a perfect Friday night in the sticks as far as Keegan was concerned.
He loved coming to Moonshiners because it felt like home to him. Perhaps he wasn’t from Coyote Ridge, but the people here sure made him feel as though he was. He especially enjoyed nights like tonight when he’d managed to round up a handful of people. Along with his friends and family there to sit back and chill, he noticed a few single ladies lurking about, which meant the possibilities were endless.
And yes, he was determined he was going to keep an open mind, pretend last night had never happened, and fucking move on with his damn life.
After Bristol had stormed out of their house, Keegan never expected to see her again unless absolutely necessary. And fine, he had been an asshole. But he wouldn’t apologize for it. Hell, she’d proven it was true, practically turning green at the thought of the town realizing she was hooking up with two men at the same time. Some women simply couldn’t handle the pressure. Bristol Newton was evidently one of them. It was for the best, really. Deep down, Keegan knew nothing would’ve ever come of that anyway.
And with that, Keegan made a promise not to think on it anymore tonight. It was done and over, the deed successfully completed, and now they could put it behind them.
He would, at least.
“Thanks, Bailey,” Zane told the waitress when she delivered another round of beers to the table.
“No problem, boys. Maybe nurse ’em a little longer, would ya?”
“We’ll give it our best shot,” Keegan assured her, then turned toward Sawyer. “So I’ve got a question for ya.”
“Hit me,” Sawyer said with a smirk, tilting his beer bottle t
o his lips.
“If a new shop were to open up on Main Street, what do you think would survive there?”
“I have no fuckin’ clue, man. But I can tell you one thing. Snatch up that real estate and do it fast.”
“Yeah?” Keegan glanced at Kaden, smirked.
“You’re talkin’ about ol’ Eddie Schneider’s place?” Zane prompted.
“Helluva deal,” Jaxson Briggs chimed in. “Considered snatchin’ it myself, to be honest.”
“Okay,” Kaden spoke up. “And your thoughts on an arcade?”
All eyes shifted from one person to the next, as though they were waiting for the punch line.
“You’re serious?” Zane chuckled.
“Not my first choice,” CJ stated.
The consensus from the peanut gallery was the same.
“Just an idea,” Keegan told them.
“Yours?” Zane asked with a grin.
“It might work,” CJ said, though there wasn’t much conviction in his words. “But I’m not sure the teenagers these days are interested in the same shit we were.”
“If it ain’t in their Instagram feed, hell, they don’t even know it exists,” Zane rumbled.
“Anyone else notice how everything’s sellin’ these days?” Sawyer mused.
Jaxson leaned in, rested his forearms on the table. “Shit, I remember back when Mack was thinkin’ about sellin’ this place.”
Yep. Keegan remembered it like it was yesterday. The whole town had been up in arms thinking their beloved bar would be out of commission, likely converted into a yarn store or some shit. It had been Mack’s son doing the pushing, attempting to get his father to turn his back on all of them so Daniel could turn him into someone he wasn’t.
Everyone in town knew that Daniel Schwartz had no qualms about flipping Mack’s life upside down. According to the rumor mill, he’d been doing it since he came to Coyote Ridge several years back with the excuse he was attempting to have a relationship with his absentee father. Over time, Mack’s elation at having his boy around had turned disastrous.
While Daniel never had stuck around for long, he’d jack-in-the-box it about the time Mack was getting back to normal, flip the man on his ear once again. And the dance would start again. Right up until Mack had finally put his foot down, refusing to give in to his son’s ridiculous attempts to ruin his life. The bar was now safe, and the town’s favorite bartender had up and married the man he’d been in love with. All was right in their world.
Keegan was grateful. He couldn’t imagine what his Friday nights would look like if these doors weren’t open.
“Are you really thinkin’ about doin’ it?” Jaxson asked. “Openin’ an arcade?”
Sawyer intervened before Keegan could respond. “I figured you’d be givin’ a go at the ol’ Tucker ranch.”
Keegan’s ears perked up. “What’re you takin’ about?”
Sawyer glanced around, frowned. “Ol’ Jeremiah Tucker. He’s gettin’ on up there in years. Ninety-one this year. His kids talked him into movin’ to Wyoming with them. He’s puttin’ the place up for sale.”
Keegan leaned in. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah.” Sawyer lifted his beer bottle, pausing before it reached his mouth. “I thought you knew.”
“Hell no, I didn’t.” If he had, he would’ve put an offer in already. “Do you know if it’s on the market yet?”
Sawyer shrugged. “No idea. Stop in and talk to my old man. He’s got the inside scoop. Been friends with ol’ Tuck for years.”
Keegan resisted the urge to look at his watch. He knew he couldn’t swing by Uncle Curtis’s tonight. But tomorrow was a different story.
He glanced over at Kaden, breathed a relieved sigh when his brother nodded his head. They’d go by there tomorrow. Talk to Curtis, maybe talk to Jeremiah Tucker.
Holy shit. A ranch.
Grinning ear to ear, Keegan gulped the rest of his beer. No way could this night get any better.
No sooner did the thought clear his gray matter than the doors at the front of the building opened and everyone’s attention swung to the newcomers. A round of greetings erupted, welcoming anyone and everyone in for a good time.
He continued to watch as the bodies dispersed, allowing him to see who had arrived.
“Holy fuck,” Keegan muttered under his breath.
His mouth went instantly dry the second she walked through the door.
This was, perhaps, the first time he’d seen Bristol Newton dressed up for a night out. The body-hugging, chocolate-brown dress she wore didn’t reveal a whole lot of skin up top, but it did more than enough to highlight every single one of her glorious curves. And the short skirt showcasing her sexy legs … Fuck. She’d topped off the outfit with western boots and he was seconds away from swallowing his own damn tongue.
She’d done this on purpose, he knew. She was taunting them, letting them see exactly what they couldn’t have.
It pissed him off. After last night…
When her eyes swung over, Keegan met her stare head on. She looked tired. And not at all happy to be there.
Someone nudged his shoulder and Keegan tore his gaze away long enough to glance at his twin, who looked like someone had just run over his dog.
Then Zane elbowed him, leaned in, and chuckled. “Put your tongues back in your mouths.”
Too damn late for that.
Chapter Seven
The moment she stepped into the bar, Bristol felt eyes on her, and it had nothing to do with ego. She knew exactly whose heavy-lidded gazes she felt, which was the very reason she was sitting with her back to Kaden and Keegan, who were currently engaging in conversation with a group of mostly Walker men.
Thankfully, her friends surrounded her, chatting and laughing. It was almost enough of a distraction for her not to remember what had happened last night, to ignore the pain that continued to stab somewhere in the vicinity of her heart. After all, she’d promised herself she would put that not-quite-sane encounter with Kaden and Keegan behind her. Forever.
Of course, Bianca was still urging her to bid on the twins at tomorrow’s auction, to live a little, her friend continued to say. No way was Bristol telling her that she’d already given in to that urge and it had blown up in her face. Nope. She would be taking that secret to the grave. Hence the reason she was here tonight. If she’d been able to tell Bianca what happened, she knew her friend wouldn’t have been so adamant she come. Nor would Bianca continue to drone on about the auction.
And the constant reminder that they would be auctioned off to the highest bidder tomorrow wasn’t helping, either. Just the thought of some woman taking them home for a night … she didn’t want to admit it, but it didn’t sit well with her. In fact, it filled her with insane jealousy, something she had absolutely no right to feel.
“Tell me this isn’t just what the doctor ordered,” Bianca said with a chuckle. “Chilled wine and hot cowboys. What more could you ask for?”
Chilled wine and a dark room, that was definitely preferable.
“Amen, sista,” Adeline crooned.
“Hey,” Kayla said in a stern voice, “don’t encourage her.”
“Yeah, exactly,” Jamie teased, mock-glaring at Bianca. “Aren’t you married?”
Since Bianca was the only one of the five of them who was hitched to the ol’ ball and chain, they took it upon themselves to give her crap as often as possible.
Bristol and Bianca had grown up with Adeline Miller and Jamie Collier, all four of them being roughly the same age and having lived in Coyote Ridge their entire lives. Kayla Spivey was the recent addition to their little group. The five of them chatted endlessly via their group text message and made a point to get together at least once a week, even if it was only for coffee on Saturday morning.
Bianca grinned. “Married but not dead. I’m sure you ladies remember what that’s like, right?”
“Don’t remind me,” Bristol choked out. If she never thought about her ex-husb
and again, it would be too soon.
As of now, none of them had a good track record when it came to forever and ever amen. Well, except Bianca. She seemed to be doing something right.
“Where is Jake, anyway?” Jamie asked.
“Miami. He’ll be back tomorrow night,” Bianca said a little dreamily.
Bristol chuckled. Her friend had been married for just over six years now, but you wouldn’t know it by talking to her. If Bristol had to guess, the honeymoon period still hadn’t ended for those two. Probably helped that Jake was some fancy advertising executive who traveled all over the country. Bianca went with him when she could and when she couldn’t … well, she claimed their time apart only made his homecomings that much hotter. They were certainly still in love.
Then again, that seemed to be the case for most people Bristol knew. Since becoming close to the Walker family, she found herself surrounded by so much love, sometimes it was nauseating. The way the Walkers treated their women… well, to be honest, Bristol often found herself daydreaming about finding a love like that. She envied Curtis and Lorrie the most, hoping one day she would find a love like theirs, one that would transcend time and tragedy.
Granted, her fantasies of happily ever after never lasted long. With a failed marriage behind her, Bristol didn’t subscribe to the love-lasts-longer-than-a-day philosophy that plenty of others did. The funny thing was, she didn’t have too many standards when it came to men. Unlike her friends, who were always coming up with another prerequisite for their “perfect” man. Everyone knew there was no such thing, but sometimes it was fun to pretend. No, Bristol only preferred they be employed, educated enough to hold a decent conversation, and willing to be friends before they moved on to the next phase. The last one was usually what killed a decent opportunity. The last three guys Bristol had dated had been polar opposites except for one thing: they thought sex was the foundation for a relationship.
Too bad she wasn’t into one-night stands. That would be the route she would take if she were. Until last night’s debacle, she’d been enduring the sexual drought just fine, thank you very much. Now it looked like the clock was going to reset.
Kaden & Keegan (The Walkers of Coyote Ridge Book 9) Page 11