Truly, Madly, Whiskey

by Melissa Foster

  “It’s not about that. It’s about respect. You don’t go against the man who brought you into this world.” Bullet sucked down his beer, clearly ignoring the idea that Bear might want to do something other than work with the family business. He probably couldn’t fathom the idea, because Bear was Bear, and it was Bear’s own damn fault.

  “Really, B? What kind of bullshit is that? You think it’s cool for women to do the heavy lifting behind the scenes but not get the credit they deserve?”

  Bullet leaned forward, his coal-black eyes as mean as a snake’s. “I’ve got no issue with a woman doing anything. It’s not about whether Dix is capable or deserves to do it. It’s about respecting the decisions of the man who raised us.”

  Crystal’s words came back to him with a vengeance.

  “And what about Dixie? Who respects her?” When Bullet didn’t respond, Bear pushed to his feet. “That’s what I thought. Yeah, our father is old-school, and you’re so fucking militaristic that you salute whatever the hell he does. But we have a sister, and she’s got a fucking brilliant mind and just as strong of a work ethic as each of us.”

  Bullet scoffed. “You just don’t want to give up more time now that you’re finally getting a little pussy.”

  Bear grabbed him by the collar and got right in his face, gritting his teeth. “Respect her, B, or I swear I’ll tear you to pieces.”

  “Bear,” Bones warned.

  “I might get my ass kicked because B’s a fucking Sasquatch,” Bear seethed. “But I’ll get enough shots in to make my point. I learned from the best.” He let go of Bullet’s shirt and glared at Bones. “How about you man up for your sister?”

  Conflicting emotions washed over Bones’s face.

  Bullet crossed his arms, his massive biceps flexing, but he had a fucking gratified look in his eyes, trying to rile Bear up. He lifted his beer as if he were going to toast and said, “I respect Crystal, and you fucking know it. You’ve got big balls, bro, which is why whatever you think you’re going to do about her past, you are not doing it alone. Got it?”

  “You’ve got my back when it comes to that shit and not when it comes to our sister? Yeah, B. I’m starting to get it. I’ll see you for my shift Wednesday night.” He turned to Bones. “See you around.”

  As he drove home, his thoughts returned to Crystal, where they remained for the rest of the long damn night.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “BONES IS ON his way to Tru’s. We’ll be painting for hours,” Bear said. They were in the parking lot of Whiskey Automotive, waiting for Gemma and Truman to get the kids ready to leave. Crystal was meeting Gemma and Dixie to get Gemma’s wedding dress fitted and to shop for Crystal and Dixie’s dresses.

  “I cannot wait until Friday,” he said. “Still on for our date?”

  “Yes. I’m counting down the lonely nights.” Crystal’s stomach flipped. She was looking forward to dinner and a walk on the beach, but she’d been hot and bothered last night thinking about what they’d done—and how much more she wanted to do. She’d stayed up late putting the finishing touches on two of the costumes she’d started last week, and then she’d tossed and turned all night, considering trying to take care of her neediness herself. But she knew that even if she could bring herself to orgasm, it would pale in comparison to the way Bear turned her inside out. Waiting had only served to make her more desperate for him. Even Gemma had noticed, teasing her about how she looked like a girl in love. She hadn’t corrected her. And now she was counting down the hours until she could be close to him again.

  “If I had it my way, you’d never be lonely.” He nuzzled against her cheek. “Why aren’t you making your own dress for the wedding? Something black and lacy, with a splash of red satin?”

  Even hearing him talk like that got her all revved up. How would she make it until Friday? “I’m too busy making costumes, and because we’d never make it to the wedding if you saw me in something like that.”

  “Damn right.”

  As he lowered his lips to hers, Dixie hollered, “Get a room.”

  “What does that mean?” Kennedy asked as she ran across the parking lot toward them, looking adorable in the new shirt Bear had bought her and a pair of purple shorts. She launched herself into his arms, and he kissed her cheek.

  “I saw you kiss Cwystal,” Kennedy said with a sweet smile. “Mommy says girls only kiss boys when they love them. So Cwystal loves you.”

  “Let’s hope so,” Bear said, winking at Crystal.

  Dixie lowered her voice, for Crystal’s ears only. “Mommy will be surprised when her little girl gets into high school.”

  “I love you, Uncle Beah.” Kennedy pressed her lips to his cheek.

  “I love you, too, peanut.” Bear’s eyes warmed. He’d go to the ends of the earth trying to make Kennedy’s dreams come true.

  Crystal had a feeling he’d do the same for her.

  Truman came out of the shop with Gemma under one arm and Lincoln in the other.

  Lincoln looked cute in his new Future Dark Knight shirt. He held his arms out toward Bear. “Bababababa.”

  Bear reached for him as Kennedy wiggled out of his grasp. Crystal melted anew at the sight of Bear smothering Lincoln in kisses, earning the most adorable little-boy giggles.

  Gemma kissed Kennedy. “Bye, sweetie. I love you.”

  “Bye, Mommy. Me and Uncle Beah will paint weally pwetty.”

  “I know you will,” Gemma said as Tru pulled her in for a kiss.

  “Bye, princess,” Tru said. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”

  “I’ll text you later, sugar.” Bear kissed Crystal, giving her ass a swat as she walked away.

  “Enough already!” Dixie pulled Crystal and Gemma toward Gemma’s car. “I swear, when I get a boyfriend, he’s calling me Dixie. I’m surprised you girls even remember what your names are. Sugar, princess…”

  The girls laughed as they piled into Gemma’s car. Dixie gave them a hard time the whole way to Chelsea’s Boutique. They’d just arrived when Crystal’s phone vibrated with a text.

  “Ten bucks says that’s my brother,” Dixie said.

  Crystal opened the text and held up her phone for Dixie to see. Bear.

  “He’s such a dork,” Dixie said.

  “He’s not a dork, but if he were, he’d be my dork. So watch it.”

  “Whoa, someone’s possessive.” Dixie narrowed her eyes. “That means you’re serious. Thank God, because all that dicking around was making me crazy. Please tell me you’re all in with him. He’s crazy about you.”

  “I think it’s safe to say that I’m all in, Dix.” She couldn’t suppress her grin as she finished typing her text to Bear. If you’re good, maybe you can visit my Bear cave Friday night.

  Bear’s response was immediate. If? I’m better than good. But you know that, which means my girl knows what she wants.

  A little thrill rushed through her. She tucked her phone in her purse and they headed for the door.

  “You are all in?” Gemma sidled up to her. “But I thought you two hadn’t done the deed.”

  Walking ahead of them, Dixie covered her ears. “That’s my brother you’re talking about.” She spun around with a disbelieving look in her eyes. “But that cannot be true.”

  Crystal opened her mouth to respond, and Dixie held her palm up, silencing her. “Forget it. Don’t tell me. But…All this time? Really? What the heck are you waiting for?” She waved her hand again. “Oh God. Don’t tell me. I don’t need to know those details about my brother. I’m going inside.”

  Dixie bolted into Chelsea’s, and Gemma hung on Crystal’s arm. “You’re all in?”

  “All in, Gem. We haven’t done the deed, but I…he…” She inhaled quickly and blew it out hard. “I’m falling so hard for him. Or I’ve fallen. I’m right there. All this time, all these months. It was building and all the emotions were there, and I couldn’t—”

  Dixie pushed the door open and stuck her head outside. “Hurry up, sex kitt
ens! Ew. Now I’m thinking about Bear again.”

  “I’m so happy for you,” Gemma said as they walked inside. “We’ll talk another time.”

  Crystal was excited to talk to Gemma about her new awareness and acceptance of her feelings, even if she wasn’t ready to share all the details of her past just yet. She was a nervous wreck about that, especially the lies she’d told her about bad dates and one-night stands.

  A beautiful blonde looked up from behind the counter where she was flipping through a magazine. “Hi. You must be Gemma.” She smiled as she came around the counter. “I’m Tegan, your nip-and-tuck girl.”

  Gemma glanced at Dixie and Crystal. “How did you know who I am?”

  “It has something to do with the starry-eyed, almost-a-bride look. And maybe because when you were walking up to the door, Jewel ran in the back and said, ‘There’s Gemma. I forgot to bring her dress up front.’” Tegan laughed.

  “I’m sure I have the starry-eyed thing going on, too,” Gemma said. “I cannot wait to get married.”

  Jewel hurried through the store carrying Gemma’s dress. “Hi, Gemma.” She gave her a quick hug. “I see you’ve met Tegan. She’s amazing with a needle and thread.”

  “Don’t let her fool you,” Tegan said. “I’m amazing at everything I do. Using a needle and thread is just one of my many talents.”

  Crystal liked her already. She reminded her of a certain cocky male.

  “Why does everything sound like it’s about sex?” Dixie shook her head.

  “Because you’re lonely,” Gemma teased. “Tegan, these are my besties, Dixie and Crystal. Jewel, they need dresses, too.”

  Dixie looked around the shop. “Gem, do you want us to wear a certain color?”

  “No,” Gemma answered. “I want you to be comfortable and be you.”

  “How could you forget that Gemma is all about being free to be you and me?” Crystal said. “That’s why she loves my freaky side.”

  “I bet my brother likes your freaky side. Oh geez. Forget I said that.” Dixie turned to Jewel. “Do you have a dress that says sexy and strong?”

  “Do we ever.” Jewel waved a hand around the store. “How about brown leather and floral lace?”

  “Ohmygod,” Dixie said. “Sounds heavenly.”

  “Leather and lace? That sounds like you and me,” Gemma said to Crystal.

  “True, but your man has brought out your wild side. Want me to hang with you while you get fitted?” Crystal asked.

  “No. Look around. Maybe they have something for you, too.”

  “You’d look smokin’ hot in the sexy little number I saw Jewel putting on the mannequin in the window earlier,” Tegan suggested. “Gemma, why don’t you get changed, and I’ll show Crystal that dress.”

  Tegan led her to the front of the store and pulled a sixties-inspired, blue-gray shift from a rack. “This dress is to die for. I love the crepe fabric, and the peekaboo cutout around the neck with that sewn-in choker? Girl, you are going to look hot as Hades.”

  Crystal took it from her, admiring the dress. The bare shoulders would drive her man out of his mind. He loved kissing her shoulders. “This is gorgeous. What about the color? And it’s so feminine. I’m not used to wearing anything like this.”

  Tegan glanced at Crystal’s Rolling Stones T-shirt. It was her favorite, with the big red lips. Her eyes dropped to her skinny jeans and ankle boots, then climbed back up to Crystal’s face. Crystal had taken extra time with her makeup this morning, giving herself smoky eyes to go with the dark outfit.

  “There are not many girls who can make the outfit you have on look like it belongs on a runway, but you definitely do. I think you can more than pull off this dress. If you put your hair up and leave some tendrils hanging down, you’ll look beyond elegant. Throw in a pair of pretty heels, and no man will be able to resist you.”

  “I don’t need every man, just one particular very hot one.” Crystal fidgeted with the ends of her hair. She could count on one hand how many times she’d worn her hair up in the last few years. It was another layer of protection, something to hide behind. Maybe it was time to step out from behind that shield, too.

  “Come on.” Tegan walked toward the back of the store. “I’ll show you the dressing rooms.”

  Dixie fell into step beside them. “I love that color.” She held up a short, off-white lace dress with a wide brown leather belt. “What do you think?”

  “That is totally you. It’s perfect.” Crystal stepped into a dressing room, pushing away the reality that the last time she’d bought something this feminine was when she was in college. She hung the dress on a hook and looked at herself in the mirror, feeling nervous and oddly proud of herself for even considering trying on the dress.

  She’d had black hair for so long, she couldn’t remember what she looked like with dirty-blond hair. How would Bear react if she ever went back to blond? Her heart squeezed with the memory of his silence when he’d seen her blond pubic hair, and she knew it wouldn’t matter what color hair she had. Bear’s affection was bone deep.

  She changed into the minidress, instantly feeling prettier and even a little freer, though she was nervous about how feminine it was. The cutout beneath the choker, and the bare shoulders, made it super sexy. If she added one of her jeweled arm cuffs, she could take this dress from ultra feminine to edgy and hot. And Bear liked hot.

  “Crys?” Gemma called out.

  “In here.” She ran her hands nervously over the dress, preparing for Gemma’s reaction.

  Gemma’s head peeked through the curtains and she gasped. “Oh my gosh. You’re gorgeous! Dixie, come see!”

  Dixie’s head appeared above Gemma’s. “Holy smokes.” She held up her phone and took a picture.

  “Do not send that to Bear!” Crystal reached for Dixie’s phone, but she held it up over her head. “Please don’t, Dixie. I want to surprise him.”

  Gemma grabbed Dixie’s hand. “You can’t ruin this surprise for her.”

  Dixie rolled her eyes. “Fine. But look how pretty you are. And he has to wait weeks to see you in it? Bear is going to lose his shit when he sees you.”

  “You really think so?” Crystal hoped she was right. “You guys look amazing, too. Gemma, you were made for that dress, other than the excessive amount of boob space that needs to be taken in.”

  They all laughed.

  “I’ve got that covered,” Tegan said, waving a pincushion.

  “And, Dixie?” Crystal shook her head. “I’ve never seen you in anything but jeans. Talk about stunning. You should wear dresses more often.”

  “Yeah?” Dixie looked down at her dress. “For what? It’s not like I need easy access for anything. If only I could find a guy who isn’t afraid of my brothers.” She’d told them that she’d hooked up with a few guys over the years, but finding a man who was alpha enough, sweet enough, and who flew under her brothers’ radar was nearly impossible.

  “Oh please,” Jewel said. “There has to be some guy in town who isn’t afraid of big biker guys.”

  “You are now on my Find-a-Man-For list,” Crystal said.

  “You have a Find-a-Man-For list?” Gemma asked.

  Excited at the prospect of helping Dixie find a man, she said, “Well, I didn’t. But now I do.”

  “I’ll help,” Gemma said. “Project Find a Man for Dixie. I like it.”

  Dixie rolled her eyes. “Might as well start the interviews with, ‘Are you afraid of gnarly dudes on motorcycles?’”

  “Yup,” Gemma agreed. “That’ll come right after, ‘How fast can you run?’”

  “Okay, ladies. Let’s nip and tuck.” Tegan waved to the three-way mirror. “Step right up here on this platform, Gemma, and I’ll get you squared away. I’ve got to be out of here by nine. I’m making a clown costume for my niece, and she needs it by Friday.”

  Gemma and Crystal exchanged a curious glance.

  “You make costumes?” Gemma asked.

  “Just for Melody. She love
s to dress up,” Tegan said as she tucked and pinned the bust of Gemma’s dress. “I’ve made my own clothes for years.”

  “Do you do seamstress work for other shops?” Gemma asked.

  “No. I work here whenever Jewel needs me, and I do photo editing for my sister, Cici. She’s a photographer. One day I’ll figure out what I want to be when I grow up.”

  Gemma and Crystal told her about the costumes they were making for the boutique.

  “I would love to get in on the ground floor of something like that,” Tegan said. “When you’re ready to hire, let me know.”

  They talked as she finished pinning Gemma’s dress, and afterward, they exchanged phone numbers. Crystal picked out taupe open-toed slingbacks to go with her dress, and Dixie chose a pair of ankle boots, while Gemma went with jeweled white pumps.

  “Crystal.” Dixie held up a piece of copper and blue jewelry. “Have you ever worn an anklet bangle? It’s totally you. They have a whole basket of them.”

  “I have ankle cuffs and bracelets.” She took the pretty ankle jewelry and slipped it on. A thin rope of copper wound around her lower leg like a snake. Intricate swirls sprouted from the main branch of copper, and a hummingbird rested just above her ankle.

  “Is there one with a bear?” Crystal asked.

  The girls dug through the basket, and Crystal almost squealed when she found one with a bear standing on its hind legs. “Could this be more perfect?”

  “He does like to show his dominance,” Dixie said.

  Crystal knew that was true, but he was also careful with her, and handed over control when he knew she needed it.

  They paid for their purchases and piled back into Gemma’s car, stopping at the bakery on their way home because Dixie needed a sugar fix. They peered into the glass displays, salivating at scrumptious éclairs, doughnuts, cakes, and cookies, while Cassie, the bakery owner, and her assistant, Anna, helped other customers.

  “I liked Tegan,” Crystal said. “I think she’d fit in well with us.”

  “Me too,” Gemma agreed. “Let’s see how the two costumes I’ve finished go over. We can put them on our website and wear them in the shop, letting people know we’re taking orders.”