by Diana Downey
“Fay, like this,” Cyn says, taking another bottle and opening it by popping the cap on the hard edge of the bar. When Fay tries, she busts the top of the bottle, beer fizzles freely, and glass goes flying—all of it is caught on film.
Fay lets out a breath in frustration. “Sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Cyn says. This time she makes her use a bottle opener, which Fay manages.
Six very handsome cowboys strut toward the director, and he speaks to them in a low voice. They must be the bachelors. This could be fun, though I glance back at Aedan and his devastating smile. What is it about him I find so attractive, other than the shock of crude-oil black hair and glacier blue eyes? Sadly the other cowboys don’t stack up to Aedan. Maybe it was that sizzling kiss, the electrifying spark stirring the flames between us. I can still feel the burning heat.
“We have work to do,” Cyn says, catching me in the middle of an Aedan daydream.
I sigh. “Okay.”
“Forget about him,” Fay says. “We have cowboys to entertain. Woohoo.”
The bar opens at five, but it takes another half hour before it fills up. The after work crowd wanders in first, including Shane and his employees. They take a table close to the dance floor and in my section. As usual, Jeremy leers at the women wearing tight jeans, frilly dance skirts, and leather boots while ordering drinks at the bar. If he wouldn’t act like a geek, he’d get a girlfriend. Tang, underneath his button-down shirt and khakis, has a hell of a body. He’s like a little ninja.
I can’t help but notice a blonde cozying up to Shane. She hangs on every word he says, even though he scoots away to put distance between them. Cyn notices too and scowls.
“Her name’s Sonia,” Cyn says.
“I could spill something on her,” I say.
“No. It’s okay.”
Carrying the tray with both hands this time, I bring over tequila shots and a pitcher of beer for Shane’s table. He’d called Cyn ahead of time to have drinks ready.
An idea strikes me while Sonia gives Shane her best I’m-Easy smile. I sit down in his lap to give the director what he’s paying for, and fury flares in Sonia’s eyes. Cyn grins.
Shane kisses my cheek and smacks my ass. It’s probably my imagination, but I swear Aedan’s jaw tenses. I hope it did.
“You look beautiful,” Shane says. “Just don’t bend over too far in those shorts.”
“The Daisy Dukes were Cyn’s ideas.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. They look good. You always look good.” He winks at me.
“Thanks.” Coming from Shane that means a lot. I’ve had a puppy crush on him since I was little. I kept telling Cyn she should attack him as soon as she turned eighteen, but she didn’t. Now she can’t get enough of that man.
I sway my butt back over to the bar, and Cyn smiles at me. She knows she can trust me with Shane, and I know she trusts Shane. He’s like Mr. Smoking Hot Reliable.
After another two hours, the bar fills up with dance club and regulars, and the drink orders start piling up. I’m out of breath hurrying from one table to the next, and Shane’s keeps me plenty busy.
“Aedan’s watching you through the lens,” Cyn says when I return for the next tray of drinks.
It’s killing me not to glance back at him. “He is?” She scrubs glasses and gets the bar tidy for the next rush.
Fay smiles. “Yes, he is. Looks like Cyn and I won’t get much air time.”
“Okay by me,” Cyn says. “I only care about getting paid.”
The other bartenders watch Cyn in awe. When it comes to fixing drinks and snapping off beer tabs, she’s a machine. The sorority had huge bashes, which Cyn organized, so she has plenty of experience.
The owner comes by and says, “You’re hired.”
She spins a bottle of bourbon before pouring. “I may take you up on that. Tips are pretty good here.”
I’ve already collected over fifty and Shane will certainly tip well. I pat my pockets where I tucked the money away.
Fay fumbles along and the camera catches all this, so I feel bad for her, but we all signed up for the show. According to the director, viewers want to see poor little rich girls struggle to make a buck. Cyn has always been the tough one out of us all. I want to be more like her.
After I serve several more tables, each of the three cowboys picked especially for me holds a rose and approaches me. I have to pick the one I want to dance with first. Like on the Bachelor, they’re all strikingly handsome. The other three must be for Fay. They look a little older, whereas my guys look like college age.
Cyn told the director she didn’t want any part of the whole dating and drama action, so she has no suitors. Shane would probably kick their asses, so it’s for the best.
The first one goes to college in Montana. I don’t really want to move that far away from here, and my scholarship is at Stu’s. I don’t know why I’m thinking that. Most of the romances on the Bachelor don’t last, and it’s scripted reality. None of the drama is real.
“Willa,” I say, extending my hand to Mr. Montana.
He picks me up and smooches me, which is a little much. “Don’t be alarmed Ma’am. That’s not a gun in my pocket. I’m just happy to meet you.” He gives me a smarmy grin, and I almost deck him. “Lynch is the name.”
As he hands me the rose, I give him a tight smile and step back from him.
The next one sidles up to me. He works at the stockyard, stinks of tainted meat and Wild Turkey, and oozes creepiness, despite his good looks. A toothpick twirls in his mouth. When he goes to peck my lips, I turn my head, so his lips brush my cheek. The toothpick barely misses my eye. This is not going well.
“Travis, little missy. Ride my horse and you can save this here cowboy.”
I don’t even hide my WTF expression. I snatch the rose out of his hand and move onto the next.
Wyatt is much more subdued. He goes to Texas A&M. He gets on one knee to hand me the rose. “I only need eight seconds to make you mine.”
Now that was cute. I laugh, and his hesitant grin grows. He’s not as cocky as the other two.
He’s my first dance, and from Lynch’s tight mouth, he appears angry—no dances for him. Wyatt leads me into a waltz, and he’s quite deft on his feet.
Looking over Wyatt’s shoulder, I can’t help myself. I glance over at Aedan. Concern wrinkles his brow almost hidden by thick unruly tufts of jet-black hair. He’s not watching me, so I follow his line of sight. At first jealousy nicks my heart seeing a pretty redhead, but beyond her is Lynch staring hard at me. An icy shiver works under my skin.
Who is Aedan looking at? I hope it isn’t the redhead.
I thank Wyatt and get back to work. The three bachelors try to score time with me, but we’re swamped. My sisters and I run around like crazy until the DJ plays Luke Bryan’s Country Girl. One of Fay’s bachelors helps Fay onto the bar and then Cyn. He’s a honey, and from his relaxed candor, he’s comfortable with himself, and I like that.
Lynch swaggers to me, and I almost freak until Shane sweeps me off my feet and easily puts me on the bar beside my sisters.
“Stay away from the first two guys,” he says only to me.
Leaning down, I kiss his cheek. “I will. Thank you, prince.”
Shane smiles and then forces Cyn to her knees where he lays a smoldering kiss on her lips. She’s out of breath as he helps her back onto her feet.
Cyn, and I both turn to see Aedan’s reaction.
She nudges me. “He is so interested.”
“I hope so.” At least on my end, the connection was instantaneous after that first kiss. It still sears my lips. “I thought he was too old?”
“He is, but he’s more respectable than the first bachelors. Geez, what was the director thinking?”
We slap our butts and shake them on the chorus for “Shake it for me.”
The cowboys whoop and holler while we perform the line dance on the bar. We all took dance lessons and spent lots of time
in honky-tonks. Lynch buys us tequila shots, so Fay and Cyn down them, but Shane takes mine. Though I’m only eighteen, Cyn lets me drink at our house but not here.
Lynch shoves Shane, and Shane just laughs and stands closer to him. A bouncer comes by and breaks them apart. Shane could take him easily. He’s like rock-hard and insanely big.
I catch Aedan’s camera pointed solely on me, so I shake my butt extra hard. The song ends and Shane helps Cyn down, swinging her around and kissing her like there’s no tomorrow. From the moment I saw him at Mom’s funeral, I knew he was the perfect man for Cyn. It took her longer to realize that.
Once we’re off the bar, Cyn scrubs more glasses and fixes more drinks. Before I leave with the tray loaded with two buckets of beers, Aedan stops me.
“More coffee?” he asks. “Please. I look better drinking than wearing it.”
Mortified, I put the tray down to pick up a rag and daub at the stain on his shirt. Warmth pours through his shirt, and it’s hard not to touch him. He’s so close, so infectious; I want to catch whatever he has. Why do some men do it for you and others don’t? Puppy love, that’s what I have for this man.
“It’s a little late for that,” he says, smiling and melting me into a puddle. “Yer fellas will think yer flirting with me. Wouldn’t want that.”
“No sense flirting with a guy who can’t remember my kiss,” I mutter.
“Yer sore over that?” He’s poking fun at me and so not interested in me. He’d remember.
I certainly do. I touch my lips where he took a torch to them.
I go behind the bar and pour him a cup of fresh coffee. “Sorry about your shirt.”
“No bother. I look good all wet.” Nodding and winking, he hoists his coffee. “Thanks.”
Did he just flirt with me? No way.
Aedan looks good. His butt and broad back are to be admired and kissed.
He probably thinks I’m like his little sister. Besides we’re supposed to go out with the supplied bachelors. Ugh.
After I deliver my drinks, Cyn whispers into Shane’s ear, and he immediately takes my hand, leading me to the dance floor.
I should’ve known he could two-step. He twirls me around on the dance floor and just before the song ends, I see Niki and so does Cyn. Niki glides across the dance floor for Shane. My heart races, and I glance over at Cyn. What am I supposed to do? Cyn told me what the feds asked Shane to do, and that bites.
From the hurt flashing in her eyes, I want to rush over and console her. The feds are making Shane keep ties with Niki. It’s not his idea. Cyn doesn’t think she’s smart enough, but the feds must have some evidence against her.
Niki steps in between us, so I back away. “Why are you here?” she asks, obviously upset, poking Shane’s chest. “Cyn’s whole family is here. What’s up with that?” Her nose flares, and steam comes out of her narrowed eyes.
She is pissed. I glance between Cyn and Shane. She fixes more drinks, her eyes never leaving them.
I don’t wander too far because I know how much this hurts Cyn. Sonia folds her arms against her chest and glowers.
“I told my team I’d take them out, and tonight is the first taping of Riches to Rags. The guys wanted to go.” He’s so smooth, even I believe him.
Niki glances over at Cyn and then grabs Shane by the collar to press her lips against his. Her tongue flicks out like a lizard, and no one looks as shocked as Shane. He doesn’t quite push her away but stands straighter, so Niki no longer has access to his mouth. Red lipstick smears his lips.
He stares at Cyn, horror in his eyes. I know how much he loves Cyn, but that kiss ignites flames and hurt in her eyes, and Shane takes this all in. He wants to go to her, but Niki hangs onto him with her tentacles, like an octopus and its prey.
The good-sized dirty blond cowboy Travis spins me around, and without asking, pushes me along the dance floor. I give him a perturbed smile. He’s drunk and stumbles, a couple times catching my toes.
Seeing my distress, Fay pulls me away. “Excuse me, but the director wants us to try the mechanical bull. Cyn told me I should save you,” she says only to me.
“Thank you,” I breathe. I love my sisters, and the fact Cyn is trying to get along with Fay for the sake of the show and me is good.
“Thanks for the dance,” I say, hurrying away.
He’s caught in the sea of dancers, and I feel thankful for that. Aedan and the crew follow us. Only one camera is on Cyn while she tends the bar. I doubt they’ll give her much airtime, other than the obvious tension between Shane and her.
Fay gets on the mechanical bull first. While I was dancing with Shane, her bachelors introduced themselves and spun her around the dance floor. Unlike most of mine, hers seem okay.
She puts her left hand in the air instead of the hand she normally uses. I think she’s supposed to use the other hand. The bull starts out slow and gradually speeds up.
“Oh shit,” she cries out. She’s tossed around, barely hanging on and screaming.
The gorgeous, tumbleweed-mud-slinging cowboy who helped Fay onto the bar grins at her lame attempt at riding the bull. He’s one of the three bachelors meant for her.
The bull bucks hard and throws her onto the cushioned pit. The cowboy hops over the barrier and helps her up. He pulls off his hat and shades the kiss he gives her. Fay blushes, kissing him back.
She’s had several shots and has never been much of a drinker, and she’s not hiding her infatuation of this bowlegged man. He looks like an official cowboy with his bolo tie, bull-riding championship belt buckle, and tight jeans. He’s not her type at all, but she should have fun.
With a beaming smile, she strides over to me and introduces him. “This is Tanner. He owns a large ranch in Wyoming.”
He takes off his hat and in a low whiskey-laden voice says, “Nice to meet you, Ma’am.”
Fay cozies up to him, and for the first time amongst her litany of beaus, I think she really likes him, and it surprises me.
I get back to waiting on tables while Cyn rustles up drinks and mopes over Niki kissing Shane. Fay is a bit preoccupied with the cowboy, and the cameramen pick up on this. It’s nice that the focus isn’t on me.
By the time the TV crew stops filming; the three of us are exhausted. Shane finally sends Niki home, but I don’t think that’ll matter after he kissed her. Cyn’s boiling mad and has taken her anger out by burying herself into her work. She cut him off at the bar because he has drunk way too much. He’s probably worried about the almost-certain backlash he’ll receive back at the house.
Travis, I’d danced with earlier, keeps eyeing me. I clean up my station, so we can go home. Wyatt and Lynch said goodnight a while ago, and Cyn and I have no intention on closing the bar down.
Shane sends all his guys home in Uber taxis before coming over to a snarling Cyn.
“No you don’t.” She shoves him back with her palm and holds back tears. “You kissed her.”
“Cyn, you know why. Don’t give me a hard time. I don’t like this any more than you do.”
I don’t need to be in the middle of their argument. “I’ll see you two at the car.” My statistics book is in the car for me to study while I wait on them or maybe I’ll sleep. Tonight wore me out.
Fay kisses my cheek before Tanner walks her out. “See you soon, Willa. You’ll be seeing a lot more of him,” she whispers to me.
It’s good that she likes him. She dumped Trevor pretty quickly after she found out that Cyn dated him in high school, and I don’t blame her. He’s an asshole.
Fay needs a real man, like Tanner, instead of the wealthy assholes she usually dates.
Aedan has packed up all his gear while swigging on a beer. Now that he’s off the clock he can drink. He doesn’t even notice me. He forgot the kiss, so no point stewing over it, even though I am.
I dig in my purse for my keys and walk out into the dirt parking lot. The night is desert cool, so I inhale the sagebrush. I love Austin. Mom used to sit under the stars wi
th my sisters and me.
A sliver of the moon casts light onto the cars. It’s a beautiful night if only Mom were here to enjoy it with us.
When a hand taps my shoulder, I spin around. It’s Travis who had stepped on my toes while dancing and told me how to save a cowboy.
His beer breath about knocks me over. “You wanna go back to my place, little filly?” he asks, slurring his words.
“No, thank you.” I continue to my car, and this time, he roughly grabs my arm.
What the hell? “Let me go,” I demand, terror filling my throat and choking my words.
He tightens his hold. I circle my arm to escape his grasp and run back to the bar. He catches up to me, pulling me into him. I slug him in the gut, but his grip doesn’t loosen.
My lungs seize in my chest, and a weak whimper escapes. I finally find my voice to let out a terrified scream. I’m not going to be raped in the dirt.
The cowboy clasps my mouth, and I bite down hard.
He yells and before he can slap me, an Irish voice intones, “Let the lassie go.” Aedan puts his gear down and pulls out his cell phone.
“And you’re going to make me?” the cowboy asks, holding onto me tightly.
Aedan’s eyes narrow, and his fists clench at his sides. “I don’t need to kill yer. I’ll call the coppers and let them take care of yer.”
Travis looks at the phone that Aedan has perched in his hand. 9-1-1 glows on the screen.
Travis releases me, shoving me aside like I was used up.
He points a finger at Aedan. “This ain’t the end of this. I’ll see you, little filly, tomorrow.” He stalks off, kicking the bumper of a car. The alarm goes off, and Travis swears under his breath.
“What an arse?” Aedan grins. “I see yer got yerself into trouble, wee miss. Somehow that doesn’t surprise me, being a pretty lass.”
Why does he call me pretty when he can’t remember something as simple as a kiss that wasn’t so simple? “I saved you from sleeping in the graveyard. We’re even then.”
“That’s interesting. I think yer still owe me a kiss, seeing as how I cannot remember the first one.”
“You stole the first one.” Not that I minded.