“No problem,” I say flatly.
The wrong sister is virtually pissing on my leg like a territorial dog.
If I can’t go after Lil Bit, I need to get out of here.
Deciding that this is as good a time as any to skip manners, I ignore Emily and turn to Reed, who’s back to watching the drama play out in front of him like we’re a damn live reality show. Cowboy Bachelor or some shit, like the girls are vying for a rose from my grumpy ass. Not that I watch that, but Allyson does and sometimes, I overhear. Fine, I might watch a little too. “Got the keys to Bessie?”
“Uh, yeah. Lemme grab ’em.” He’s slow to turn around, even slower to grab the keys I can clearly see from here. They’re hard to miss with a big metal brand of The Bennett Ranch on the keyring.
“Should I just keep calling you Cowboy?” Emily asks, honey drizzled over every slow syllable.
“Brody.” I only tell her because I’ve realized I can use the minimal intel to get some of my own. “So your sister’s name is Rix?”
“Well, it’s Erica, but she’s gone by Rix since she was a kid. Trust me, do not call her Erica if you want to stay topside. Pretty sure the last person who called her Erica is buried in a pasture somewhere.” Emily laughs at her own joke, but my lips don’t even quirk as I store the information away.
I’m not sure why. I need to just go. This is all too messed up, and even if there was something happening, Lil Bit just bolted as soon as her sister showed up.
No, not Lil Bit. Rix. I chuckle darkly inside, knowing that I’ll call her Erica at the first opportunity and every one after that too.
Reed raises his brows at me as he gets closer, holding the keys to Bessie out. I open my palm and he tosses them my way. I catch the set easily, closing my fist around it. “Thanks. Mark handled the money stuff, so we good?”
He nods, looking confused. But not as confused as Emily when I move to turn around and get the hell outta dodge.
“Wait!” Her hand goes to my forearm, stopping me. I look down, seeing her clean hands, and wonder how I could’ve been so stupid. Sophie called me observant, but I know good and well there’s no magical lavender vanilla soap that gets working hands that clean.
The proof that something was different was right there in front of my face, and okay, in my jeans too, but I ignored it. I heard hoofbeats and thought horses, the logical explanation being that one woman had a work side and an off-work side. But it’d been zebras, or rather, twins who look alike, but past that, seem to be very different and have wildly polar opposite responses from me on every level. Especially dick level.
“Let’s get a drink. My treat, to make up for the awkwardness.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to say not just no, but hell no. I had a drink with Emily a few nights ago, and I’m not looking to repeat it.
Right up until Reed butts in.
“Yeah, that’s a great idea. You already invited Rix and me, and now Brody can come too. Sounds like a fun night.”
Reed’s talking to Emily, but I see his eyes cut back toward the door Erica disappeared through.
Emily claps. “That’s a great idea! She’ll have to come if you’re coming.”
I get the feeling there’s more there than I know. But Erica was just as close to kissing me as I was to kissing her. In fact, if Reed hadn’t blasted that drill, I would know what Erica’s lips taste like right now. I’m betting sour cherries, something with a little bite to it, just like her.
I square up to Reed, meeting his eyes. The testosterone in the air between us charges. He’s not small, probably only an inch or so shorter than me, and he’s lean muscle, built from working hard. I’m the same way, never been to a gym in my life, but ranch life has made me wide and strong. The dozens of fights I’ve been in over the course of my life have made me a tough motherfucker too. If push came to shove, I’m thinking Reed could make company in that pasture with whoever it was who’d called Erica by her full name.
“Yeah. Let’s all get a drink.”
Emily smiles at the agreement. Reed hears it for what it is, though.
It’s on, asshole.
* * *
Thirty minutes later, we’re walking into a bar. Not the resort, thank fuck. Erica had vetoed that with an ‘abso-fucking-lutely not,’ which I was glad for. Instead, we’re at a rundown, black-painted wooden building with a bunch of faded beer signs nailed to the outside. I swear one is for Zima, and I don’t think that’s been for sale in decades. I remember my mom drinking it a time or two, though, back when I was a kid.
“Seriously, Rix? Can’t we go anywhere else?” Emily seems put out by the venue that is rough and rock-oriented and is drastically different from the resort, which is probably more her speed.
“Two Roses or I’m going home. Take it or leave it.” Under her breath, she grumbles to herself. “Not sure how I ended up agreeing to this, anyway.”
I know how I got here. I’m here for Erica.
On the surface, I feel like I need to protect her from Reed, even though that doesn’t really make sense. Hell, he probably needs protection from her, not that I’d interrupt if she took a wrench to his neck.
It’s a good cover, though, even though I know the truth.
I’m here to pick at her rough edges and see where she frays, to make her eyes shoot fireworks as she cusses me out, and maybe to find out if I’m right about the sour cherry taste of her lips.
We find a round table and sit down, fate conspiring with me and putting Erica on one side and Emily on the other, with Reed across from me. Look at us, all boy-girl like it’s a damn cotillion. I snort inside at the stupid joke, like there’s ever been a cotillion out here in podunk country. I’ve only ever read about them in old historical stories, but the thought that this rock bar would host one makes my lips twist sardonically.
The waitress comes over, her black-dyed hair the same color as her thick-soled knee boots, torn fishnets, skirt, and tank top. The only color she sports is the slash of red lipstick and the neon-green lip ring.
Toto, I’m not in Kansas anymore.
“Hey, Monica. Can we get a pitcher and four glasses?” Erica orders for the table.
Emily cringes, holding up a finger. “Oh, could I get a red wine instead, please?”
Monica’s sharpie-thin brow lifts as she looks from Emily to Erica. “Rix, your sister for real?”
“I wish I could say no, but tell Rob to just make her whatever the college girls are drinking these days. Something fruity.”
“You make a Great Falls Flyer?” I deadpan.
Emily beams, delighted that I remembered her drink. Erica cuts her eyes to me, narrowing them as she tries to decide whether I’m joking or not. I am, and eventually, she seems to realize the sarcastic bend of my humor because she blinks and lets me out of her laser beam gaze.
Monica laughs. “Yeah, no. But Rob can do something, I’m sure.” It sounds like whatever Rob is going to mix up is going to be sweet, sugary, and godawful. But Monica goes to fetch it and the beers.
Silence descends on the table, Reed and Emily looking around easily, but the thread between Erica and me is pulled tight, keeping my full focus on her. It might as well be only her and me for all the attention I’m giving her. She’s studiously avoiding looking at me, but I’ve seen her eyes jump my way five times already and we just sat down. She might’ve pawned me off, but like selling Grandma’s ring for the cash, she’s not entirely sure about it.
Emily jumps in to fill the stretching quiet easily.
“So, Brody, I know Rix called you Cowboy, but what do you actually do?”
“I’m a cowboy.” The ‘duh’ is heavy on the statement. “Work as a ranch hand at the Bennett Ranch on the other side of the mountain, on the outskirts of Great Falls.”
Emily blinks. “Oh, wow! I thought she was just kidding. I don’t know that I’ve ever met a real cowboy. What do you do, like ride horses all day and chase cows?”
The question’s not nearly as stupid as it s
ounds. Most people have no idea what being a rancher is actually about, and I don’t fault them for not knowing. Not like I know what other people’s jobs entail, either. And Emily at least sounds pleasantly interested and is keeping us from awkward silence or a glaring contest with Reed. Even though I’d win that for damn sure.
“Yeah, ride horses or ATVs, sometimes the Gator. Take care of the herd, move ’em from pasture to pasture for grazing, keep ’em healthy to make it to market, keep the fences mended and secure. It’s a sunup to sundown job, with no end in sight. It’s hard work, but I couldn’t do anything else. Been doing this since I was a kid.” Look at me with whole sentences and small talk. I’m like a regular Chatty Cathy over here.
Emily hangs on every word, but so does Erica, though she’s trying hard to hide that fact. Reed’s looking for that beer, which Monica sets down in the middle of the table with a thunk.
“Here ya go, Rix’s sis.” She sets down a pink frozen drink in a beer glass. It’s got an orange slice on the rim as decoration, something I bet Rob rarely does. “It don’t got a name, but Rob mostly kept track so if you like it, he can probably make another about the same.”
Emily smiles at Monica sweetly. “Thank you.” She takes a sip through the straw, her lips puckering in a way that should have my dick standing up and taking notice. But nothing’s happening south of my belt buckle. She swallows and hums, “Oh, that’s good!” She leans back to see the bar, where Rob is looking over uncertainly. But when Emily smiles and lifts her glass, mouthing ‘thank you’ before taking another apparently heaven-inducing sip, he melts for her. Even from here, you can see him fall under her sway.
I wonder if that’s what she’s used to. I wonder why it’s not working on me.
Monica pours the rest of us our first round. Erica must need a drink to handle this little outing because she taps her glass lightly to the table and upends it, chugging the whole thing in one go. She finishes with a sigh, swiping the foam off her mouth with her fingers.
And my dick is rock fucking hard.
If she can guzzle a beer like that, throat open and swallowing reflexively, I know for damn sure she can do it with my cock stuffed down her throat, her nose buried against my belly. And that is a sight I desperately want to see.
I lift my glass her way. “Impressive.” I take a healthy swallow of my own beer. It’s not Budweiser, but something light. Might as well be water. I could probably drink this pitcher alone and not feel a damn thing.
Emily gapes at Erica. “Manners.” She hisses the admonishment, but it’s with a laugh. Shaking her head, she looks at Reed. “I swear our parents taught us manners. Rix has just forgotten how to use them because all she does is hang out with burping and farting boys all the time.”
Reed grins at the excuse, like it’s an inside joke between the three of them. “I know. She just needs a reason to behave.” He winks at Erica flirtily, expecting a smile back.
She burps instead, looking pleased with herself.
I can’t help but laugh, which sucks because I’m halfway through a drink and I get a little gagged as the beer-water goes down the wrong pipe. I sputter, and Emily pats me on the back. Pretty sure she’s feeling my muscles too. I watch Erica for any sign of jealousy, but she’s stone-faced.
“You okay there, Brody? I know she’s rough, but don’t let her get you choked up.”
I keep my eyes on her, but Erica’s moved on to ignoring me completely, pouring herself another glass.
“I’m good,” I grumble, my voice rougher than usual from the coughing fit. I take another sip to smooth it over.
Reed jumps in this time, taking the conversational softball. “So, a cowboy, two mechanics, and a car salesman walk into a bar . . .” It sounds like he’s starting a joke, but I deduce he’s talking about us.
“Car saleswoman,” Emily corrects with a giggle, reminding me of Sophie, and Reed smiles. Seems like that’s another inside joke. She explains to me as the newcomer, “That’s the family deal. If Rix can’t fix your car, I’ll sell you a new one. Our whole family, basically everyone we know, is all about cars. So please, can we talk about something else—anything else—for a change?” She’s begging me to be the subject changer, but I’m fascinated by a whole family that’s car-oriented the way mine is cow- and crop-oriented.
“How’d you end up all about cars?” I ask the question to Erica because she hasn’t said a word since her friendly chatter with Monica.
“Our dad,” Emily answers, not even giving Erica a chance. It doesn’t seem rude, though, more like it’s their usual MO of conversational flow. I’m betting Emily often takes the focus and responsibility off Erica, in a ‘I’ve got you, Sis’ sort of way. It’s familiar, like the way Shayanne always chatters away to make up for my selective conversational skills. “He ran the garage for thirty years, brought us up right there in the grease and grime. Reed too.” Reed nods agreeably at what seem to be pleasant memories. “They ended up grease monkeys. I got out . . . in a way. But the best salespeople sell what they know. And I know cars.”
Erica snorts at that. “You memorize the spec sheets, Em. That’s different from knowing what makes them tick.”
Emily grins at her sister’s dig, and I can see the affection between them. It’s like how I tell my brothers that I love them by swapping shots with them . . . just fewer punches and more words.
“You’re just jealous because I get employee discounts on a new car every two years. Think I’ll get a Mustang next time.” She’s teasing, dangling an invisible carrot over Erica’s head. Or maybe, invisible keys.
Erica sets her beer down, leaning forward with one elbow on the table, her chin resting on her fist. Her excitement pulls me into her orbit. “A Shelby? And so help me, if you say no, I’m gonna tell Dad you’re pussing out.”
Emily’s smile falters at the edges. “No, not a Shelby. Even with a discount, I can’t do that. Not even a 350.”
“What’s the price difference between a 350 and a 500?” Reed asks, but something tells me he already knows. Good for him if he does, because I have no fucking idea.
“Retail? A 500 starts around $73K, a 350 around $60K. Doesn’t matter, though, because Dad wouldn’t let me drive one. I’d get in too much trouble.” She looks to me, trying to involve me again in their car chatter. But unless it runs on diesel and has a John Deere logo on it, I’ve got almost no idea. “I’ve got the family lead foot and love for speed, but putting me behind the wheel with enough horsepower to go zero-to-sixty in three seconds is a death sentence. I don’t have the technical skills to control that like Rix does.”
I’m about to ask a follow-up question on that, but the jukebox roars to life, overtaking any conversation with a loud bass line and a guy screaming from what sounds like the deep, dark, demon-infested depths of his soul. Still, I store the information about Rix’s apparent driving skills and the family trait for speed.
“What is this?” Emily says, her shoulders bunching up to her ears. “Sounds like a monster screeching for mercy!”
Erica tilts her head, listening easily. “Mudvayne. Dig. 90s metal—no . . . maybe early 2000s. Good stuff.” Each bit is punctuated and sharp so we can hear the sound bites over the music.
It’s not that loud now that I’ve adjusted to it, not like the garage music volume, but it is harsh on the ears. Definitely not Johnny Cash, though Erica is tapping out the rhythm on her beer glass like it’s her jam.
Engines. Cars. Heavy rock music. Sarcasm. Biting quips. Beer. Wrenches as weapons.
An image is starting to form. But there’s more to Erica.
Freckles. Fiery sass. A sense of humor that zings with excitement. Tiny body I want to hold as I bury myself in her. Hair I want to wrap around my fist. A mouth I want to taste.
“I think I’ll see if there’s anything more . . . well, less screamy. Any requests?” Emily asks me. “Or you could just come see what speaks to you? Maybe we can find something to dance to.”
Her nod to the jukebox i
s an open invitation to more. But it’s one I need to close the door on quickly because I’m not interested in door number one with Emily. I’m all about getting behind a closed door with Erica.
“Don’t dance. Don’t care for rock either, so whatever.” I’m intentionally short, my tone flat as I try to let her down easy. Or at least help her see that I’m an asshole she should avoid.
But she just smirks, like I’m playing hard to get, as she gets up from the table and goes toward the jukebox.
“Hey, Reed, go tell Monica that we need to close out.” Not a question, an order. He blinks, looking at her with puppy dog eyes that tell me he wants to please her, and then to me, his blue eyes going frosty in warning. I smirk back, knowing my cockiness is needling him like a thorn in his side.
“Be right back.” I swear, he virtually runs for the bar.
“What the hell, Cowboy?” She doesn’t use my name, though I know she knows it now. It irks me, so I do it back to her, figuring she’ll feel just as prickly about it.
“Whatcha talking about, Lil Bit?” My thumb scrapes my lower lip as I smile her way. This smile has dropped panties damn near every time I use its powers for bad, dirty things. Erica is completely unfazed.
“Don’t be a dick to my sister. She’s into you, and you damn well know it. I’m trying to help you out here, but I won’t let her be some notch on your bedpost. Don’t fuck her over.” The order is punctuated with a pointed finger and a heavy glare of warning.
“That usually work for you?” At her raised brow, I clarify. “Barking orders at people. Get me this . . . and Reed runs off to do it. I’ll only go to this bar . . . and here we sit. People usually do what you tell them to?” I’m actually curious, not giving her shit. Okay, maybe I am a little bit, but I do want to know the real answer too.
“It works better when they do. So again, don’t fuck her over.”
I glance at Emily, who’s scanning the listings on the jukebox like something Top 40 is going to magically appear. “I’ve got no intention of it.”
Which is true. I have no plans of fucking Emily over—or fucking her, period. I have about thirty different plans already sorted by priority for Erica, though.
Rough Edge Page 6