by Becca Taylor
Hunter drops the spoon he was using on the stove. Turning, he looks at me with a scowl in place.
“Pretty?” he questions and crosses his arms over his chest. I can’t help but notice the way his arms flex.
“Yes, you are very pretty.”
He takes two steps closer to me and raises an eyebrow.
“Men are not pretty. We’re hot, sexy, or I’ll even take studly over pretty.”
He kisses the tip of my nose then heads back to the stove. The food smells divine.
“Well, Studly, would you like an apron?”
“I’m good, Lex.”
Not a minute later, he screams when the beef pops at him.
“Goddamn, son of a bitch.”
“Told you so.”
He puts everything together in a pan—not just any one either; this is his special lasagna pan that his grandmother gave to him. With each layer he places inside, he explains the process to me: gravy not spaghetti sauce, pasta, some white stuff that I don’t remember the name of, meat, and spinach, and fresh mozzarella. He holds out a spoon to let me taste the sauce … sorry, gravy.
“Mmm. That’s so good. You really outdid yourself.” And I’m being completely honest. It’s his family’s secret recipe, and it tastes nothing like the jar I keep in the pantry.
His thumb wipes my bottom lip, cleaning the tiny drop I missed. I gladly lick it off. He grabs the front of his briefs and mumbles something about that being a dumb idea. The tray of food looks amazing, and then he disappoints me by telling me it’s going to be at least another fifty minutes before it’s ready.
“What are we going to do for an hour?” I ask him with a bat of my lashes.
He gives my ass a little tap. “Why don’t you pour us a glass of wine, and we can sit outside? I’m going to make up some appetizers quick.”
The man shocks me. I’ve never had anyone go to these lengths for me. I hop off the counter and grab two wine glasses from the china cabinet. The wine he brought is already open on the counter, and it’s just another piece of Hunter to find out about. It’s not a cheap bottle of red either. It’s the good stuff. That, paired with the fact that he knows wine needs to breathe first, baffles me. I picture him more of a twist the cap off the bottle of beer kind of guy, maybe even whiskey. He definitely looks like a whiskey man.
“Do you like wine or are you just trying to impress me tonight?” I ask only half joking.
“I’m Italian, Lex. I was given my first sip of wine at five years old. My nonna would sneak me little sips at our Sunday dinners when I was too young to have a glass. By the time I was sixteen, I was allowed a glass whenever we had a family feast, which was often.”
“Your family sounds wonderful.” My family is great but stuffy. Formal. His family sounds down to earth and very Italian.
“You’ll meet them soon enough,” he says matter-of-factly.
“Umm, don’t you think it’s too soon for that?” I ask as I grab the filled wine glasses and head out to the lanai, wanting to get away from the conversation. Too much, too fast.
Hunter follows behind with a tray in his hand. He places it on the table between the two lounge chairs. I hand him his glass.
“Tomato, basil, and fresh mozzarella.” He picks one up and feeds it to me. “And what do you mean too soon? They will love you.”
I don’t want to ruin the great night we’ve been having so far, but I don’t want this to linger between us. “I’m still getting used to this—us. You know I’ve never done the whole couple thing. Meeting family is just too … stressful. It’s not that I don’t ever want to meet them. Just give me a little more time.”
My answer seems to satisfy him. He picks up the bite of food and pops it in his mouth. He kisses my forehead. “Tell me when you feel ready for it. I can wait. What’re your plans for the weekend? This is your last week with the Sunrays, right?” Hunter asks me.
This is much better. I can handle the ‘what are you doing’ questions. My body relaxes against the chair. “I still have to go in for another few weeks but no more weekends. As for my plans, the girls decided we are going out. Caleb and Bentley are working, which you already know. Anyway, I’m not sure. I am under strict orders that this is a guy-free weekend for us. I’m sure there will be cocktails, dancing of some kind, and loads of talking about whose boyfriend is better.”
I take a sip of my wine and wait for him to respond.
“Will I be part of that boyfriend conversation?”
“Probably.” I take another sip.
“How am I looking in the running?”
“If dinner tastes as good as it smells, then you are definitely in the lead.” I take another one of his appetizers and take a bite.
“What about in the other boyfriend duties? How am I measuring up?” He wiggles his eyebrows, and it’s cute. I’m becoming one of those girls who thinks her man is cute. It’s like I’ve gone back in time and become a teenager again—or for the first time, since I never had a boyfriend to talk about—only it’s grown-up talk.
“You measure well above average, Big Boy. No man comes close to the monster you’re packing.”
“Wait, have you girls already talked about this?” He points at his briefs, more to what is hidden under those briefs.
“Oh, yeah.”
“Huh?” He seems stumped.
“And you win by at least an inch. Maybe more.”
A look of pride fills his face. He’s trying to hide a smile—that same smile that I like more and more every day. I’m doomed.
EVEN ON MY way to Kat’s house, I still have no clue where we are going tonight. She even told me not to worry about what to wear. She has it covered. It makes me more than a little nervous thinking about what she has in store for us.
The Bluetooth starts ringing. I answer when I see Hunter’s name appear on the screen in front of me.
“Hey, Studly.”
“Lex, you can stop calling me that now.”
“You’re the one who said you prefer that over cute. You have no one to blame but yourself.”
He groans because he knows I’m right. “Are you on your way to Caleb’s?”
“Yes. Kat’s house too.” It’s funny how they have been living together, and he still calls it Caleb’s house. I think it’s becoming more Kat’s house with all the decorating she’s done.
“Just be careful tonight. I don’t like the thought of you ladies being out alone with none of us there.”
“We’ll be fine. You know, before all you burly men came along, we went out all the time. Alone.”
“It doesn’t mean I have to like it now.”
“Right. Got it. Boyfriends don’t like it when their women go out alone. Mental note made.”
“Lexi.” He says my name as a warning. Maybe if I piss him off enough, he will punish me later. What woman doesn’t love a good spank now and then? The way my friends talk, they seem to enjoy it just as much.
“Hunter.” I try to suppress the delight in my voice.
“I know what you are doing, and I’m not going there. I wanted to let you know I have to go out for a bit tonight.”
“Okay.” I’m not sure why he feels the need to tell me. He’s allowed to do whatever he wants. I would never tell him he couldn’t do something.
“An old buddy of mine called …”
“Hunter, it’s all good. You don’t need to explain. Go have fun.”
He seems surprised. “Just like that? No questions asked or complaining?”
“Nope. I’m not like that. I trust you, just like you should trust me.”
“I never said I didn’t trust you. I just don’t trust any guy around you. The thought of anyone going near you has me wanting to rip their arms from their body.”
“I promise I’ll be careful.” I interrupt him because he sounds like he’s telling the truth.
“Text me if you need me. I’m heading out. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Night, Studly.”
I hear h
im grunt again but disconnect the call before he can say anything else. That’s when it clicks. We just had another couple conversation. I really feel like I need a manual or something: The Idiots Guide to Being a Girlfriend. It’s really exhausting trying to figure this out.
I pull up outside Kat’s house and grab my overnight bag. Secretly, I brought extra clothes in case what they have picked out is not me. It’s the first week of October, and Halloween decorations already cover the front of the house. I knock on the door, but I let myself in. If I know anything, it’s my girls. I’m sure they are piled in the bathroom, putting their faces on, and they won’t be able to hear me over the music.
I am right too. Kat, Aly, Jade, and Dani are in there, each doing something different. Dani is the last one in our little group. She recently moved because of her job. Getting together with her is rare since she lives so far. I run and give her a hug first before showing everyone what I brought. Tequila.
We all retreat to the kitchen where I make a quick toast. “Here’s to making it home with our panties in place.”
They all look at me funny.
“What? It’s all fun and games until someone loses their panties,” I add.
Everyone breaks out in hysterics. It has been known to happen occasionally. I won’t say who because I’m sure it was more than one of us. Good times.
“Want to come see our costumes for the night?” Kat asks me.
“What do you mean costumes?” I stop in my tracks in the middle of the hallway. “It’s three weeks until Halloween.”
“I know that.” Kat smirks.
Aly gives me the rundown. “Remember that country bar that Kat and I went to?”
“Yes.” The two of them went, and it was one of Kat’s first dates with Caleb.
Kat jumps back in. “They are having a country Halloween party. Since most adults will be busy on the holiday, they celebrate early. There will be a live band, country style dance-off, and a bull-riding contest. Doesn’t that sound fun?”
I miss the days of us dressing up hot and hitting the clubs. It doesn’t all sound bad but a dance-off? “I’d better not be dressing in a horse costume or wearing overalls.”
“No, they have a theme for us,” Jade says. She has this terrified look on her face, and I pray it doesn’t have anything to do with penis references on t-shirts again.
Kat and Aly grab my hand, dragging me into the bedroom. Laying on the bed is a pair of worn denim jeans, cowboy boots, and a variety of cropped black tops to show some skin.
“That’s not it. There’s more,” Dani says. She picks up these shorts that remind me of what I wore under my cheerleading costume. I read the print on the back.
Coyote Ugly.
“Why have that if no one will see it?” I ask.
“That’s the best part. We are going to cut the jeans to look like chaps.” Kat whips out her phone to show me a picture.
“Caleb and Bentley are okay with this?” It would be different if they were coming, but they’re not.
“They know and are fine. Okay, not at first. It took a little convincing, but we got them under control.”
Kat and Aly have become little homemakers. They start going to town. I am hauled off into the bathroom to get my makeup and hair done. I feel like I am trying out for the movie, but I hope we aren’t entering the dance-off. I’m not up for learning a routine.
We get dressed, and I have to admit that these outfits are hot. We take one too many selfies before leaving for the night. Rich and another guy I never met are in the driveway, and I’m surprised to see them. Then it hits me. They are our babysitters for the night.
“Did Caleb call you?” Kat asks.
“Nope. Hunter is helping one of my brothers tonight. He mentioned you ladies were going out. We offered to be your drivers for the night as a thank you to him. Where are you headed tonight, ladies? I have to say, with you dressed like that, I’m glad we came. Aren’t you, Tag? Too bad they’re all taken,” Rich says in that smooth-talking way. He doesn’t hide the fact that he’s looking us up and down.
“Jade’s single,” Kat says.
All eyes turn to Jade again. She looks like a deer in headlights. Rich looks over her and winks. I think Jade may pass out from embarrassment. Rich is far from her type. Tattooed bad boys aren’t her ideal; she’s more of a suit and tie man.
“Let’s get this show on the road. We need an address,” Tag states.
“The country bar, Stompin’ Grounds.” Aly tells them the address as we pile in the SUV the guys came in.
Rich looks at his friend and busts out laughing. “Well, this should be fun. Red, did your man tell you what he was doing tonight?”
“No, and I didn’t ask either.” With the way they are laughing, I think this place is going to be a bust.
The parking lot is packed, but it seems as though these two men have some pull. We are directed to a front spot, and we don’t even have to wait in the line that wraps around the block to get inside. Rich walks with us to the bar. He talks to the bartender who hands him five wristbands.
“Put these on and your drinks are taken care of for the night. We’ll be in the back helping the band out. You need me, just text.” Rich mainly tells me.
“Wait, you’re staying here,” I ask Rich.
“It appears our destinations tonight were the same.” He asks for my phone to plug in his number then heads in the direction of the stage.
Kat takes the liberty of starting us off with a drink she calls the strawberry lemonade sweet tea with a kick. It’s tasty and goes down too easily. After a second round, the lights dim and the band steps on stage. A guy who looks like he models for a rodeo magazine steps up the microphone.
“Thanks for coming out tonight. I hope y’all are having a great time tonight.” The crowd cheers. Boot stomps can be heard everywhere. “We’re The Iron Boys, I’m JT the voice of the band, playing lead guitar is Asphalt, on bass is Garrett.” Each one plays a little of their instrument. “And last tonight we have a special guest with us. On drums we have Hunter Natoli.”
The girls and I all look at each other at the same time. I mouth to Kat, “Did you know?”
She shakes her head emphatically. He told me he was helping a friend, but I figured it was moving or construction stuff, not playing in a band. He should have told me. I love watching him play, and the girls would have worked our plans around it. Only we are here, anyway, and I get to watch my man in action. This band is different from Slither.
We try to make our way closer to the front, but it’s impossible with the dance-off. The floor is packed with people trying to impress the judge who’s walking around tapping people out. The prize is a trophy with a bronze cowboy hat. It hardly seems worth it. We managed to squeeze our way to the side of the stage, giving me a great view of my man.
He looks sexy up there in his tight t-shirt with a short sleeve flannel over it, worn jeans, and straw cowboy hat. The band starts in unison “Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy.” Damn him, he has the cowboy thing down. As if it isn’t enough of a shock that he’s here tonight, he starts singing along with JT. He’s good, really fucking good. His voice is deep and thick, like sex and chocolate.
Kat lets out a loud whistle. I see him glance our way, and he tips his hat to us. Fucking hell, I shouldn’t get wet from that, but I do. The man turns me on like no other. I think about renaming the song to say, Fuck the horse, ride Hunter, and I plan on doing just that tonight.
We dance the entire time they play. I can’t even tell you how many songs there are. When they stop for a quick intermission, we make our way to the bar. I pull out my phone to send Hunter a text.
Me: Do you have time for a quick drink? We’re at the bar.
Hunter: Be right there.
I am getting ready to order Hunter a beer when a shiver runs up my spine, and it’s not the good kind. It’s a cold feeling, and my body tenses.
“If it looks like a slut and dresses like one, it’s a slut for sure. Right, Me
l?”
I glance over my shoulder, and Gabby is standing right behind me laughing with Mel. When I turn around, she dumps her drink down my top. Instantly, my girls flank behind me. I know they have my back.
“Oops, that was an accident.”
I don’t even answer. She’s asking for a throw down, but there is no way in hell she will win this. She has no idea what she’s in for. The image of throwing my beer to the ground, pulling up my sleeves, and wrapping my hands in tape come to mind. But I’m not about to waste a perfectly good drink on a bitch like her. Instead, I take my time drinking the beer I just got for Hunter as I wait to see what she’ll do next. Years of kickboxing classes taught me how to react and to do it quickly.
The minute I see her claws come at me, I spin out of the way. Moving quickly, I grab a handful of her hair, pulling it back. I want her looking up at me. She’s had her say, and now, it’s time for her to hear me out. Mel makes a move to come at me, but my girls stop her in her tracks.
The people around the bar spread out making room to watch the show. It’s one of those moments that you see in a movie, the music stops and the hollers of men wanting to watch a chick fight surrounds us. I won’t throw a punch unless it’s necessary. The truth is I don’t need to. I’m in control here since I have her hand behind her back and she can’t move.
“Listen, Crabby. I think you have me mistaken for someone else. The slut comment was for someone else, right? Because I never let another man kiss me while I was with someone else.”
“What the fuck is going on?” Hunter’s voice comes through.
“Give me one minute, Hunter. Crabby and I are just having a conversation. She’s about to apologize for her name-calling, and I’m going to let her leave here tonight still looking pretty. Isn’t that right, Gabs?” I toss the words she said to me months ago back in her face.
She answers wrong. “No. You’re the one who should be saying sorry for sleeping with my boyfriend. Mel and I warned you to stay away from him.”
“Jesus fucking Christ. We weren’t together, Gabby. And what do you mean you warned her?” Hunter says frustrated.
“I got this, Hunter. Take out a pen and paper, Gabby, because I’m about to give you an important lesson.” I let her go, more push her away, and she hits the bar with a thud. I make my way to where Hunter is standing. “Hey, Big Boy. You going to give your woman a kiss hello.”