“Dude, you were staring.” Tripp said. “Hard.”
“Well, hell. What do you expect? She’s a beautiful girl. I’m not the only one staring.”
Steed, Tripp, and Trevor scanned around them and Trevor growled, “I’ll kick the ass of any fucker who touches her tonight.”
“Then I guess y’all better make sure her dance card is full. I see someone on the approach.”
Trevor grabbed me by the arm and pulled me up. “Go ask her to dance.”
I stared at him, confused as hell. “You just punched me for looking at her, and now you want me to dance with her?”
“You, I trust. These others, I don’t.”
Swallowing hard, I looked over to Waylynn. She was wearing a shit-eating grin. If I hadn’t known any better, I’d swear she set it all up.
“Go. Now.”
He pushed me, and I stumbled forward. I could see the guy coming up on Amelia’s right. I picked up my pace, and when I reached her I placed my hand on her lower back. The feel of her soft skin instantly made my body come to attention. Amelia jumped. “Hey, Wade.”
“Dance with me, darlin’?”
A wide smile moved over her face. “I’d love to.”
I looked over her shoulder at the guy who had been about to hit on her as he came to a halt. I shot him a smirk and led Amelia to the dance floor. She dropped two beers at the table and then took my hand.
The second we hit the dance floor a slow song started. I pulled her body against mine and we started to two-step. The feel of her in my arms was nice. It was something I could let myself get used to, but I wouldn’t. I slowly took in the way she smelled. Like honeydew. Soft, yet sweet.
“Your brother nearly kicked my ass earlier,” I said.
Amelia drew back and looked up at me. “What do you mean?”
“I guess I was looking a little too long at you standing by the bar. Fair warning, your brothers all think you need to change your outfit.”
She giggled and shook her head. “The joys of having five older brothers.”
“They love you and worry about you. That’s all.”
“So, did they force you to dance with me?”
“Oh, darlin’, I don’t need to be forced to have you in my arms.”
Amelia dug her teeth into the corner of her mouth before she replied. “Why, Wade Adams, did you just flirt with me?”
Grinning, I pulled her closer. “Yes, ma’am, I did.”
Her fingers came up and pushed slightly against the back of my neck. “Don’t stop. I liked it.”
Fuck if I didn’t like it, as well…but…
“And risk getting my ass whooped by five cowboys? No way. One flirt a day. That’s all you’re getting from me.”
She let out a roar of laughter. “One a day? Damn. I guess I’ll take it.”
The song changed to “Night’s On Fire” and Amelia let out a little yelp. “Let’s show them how to dance!”
And show them we did.
I was out of breath by the time Wade and I left the dance floor. Four songs in a row, and we tore up each one. As we walked to the table I couldn’t help but notice Waylynn dancing as well. I did a double take when I saw that she was dancing with Jon.
“Damn, y’all,” Tripp said as we reached the bar. “I think you should enter a competition with the way you two dance.”
“Yeah, I’m not too sure how I feel about where your hands were on my sister, dude,” Trevor said.
I glared at him. “Seriously? We were dancing. Give it a rest, Trevor.”
When Trevor did the whole I’m watching you thing with his fingers toward Wade, I had to laugh.
“Ignore this jackass, Wade. He actually beat up my prom date because he thought he took my virginity.”
Wade’s eyes widened as he looked from me to Trevor. “Dude, you didn’t.”
“I sure as fuck did. Little prick went around town bragging he took her flower.”
“See! I’m not the only one who calls it that, Meli!” Steed cried out.
Rolling my eyes, I grabbed Wade. “Come on, I’m ready to dance again.”
“Wade! Hold up!” Cord called out. “The band does tons of Clint Black covers. I told them you sound just like him. They want you to sing.”
My heart dropped. If Wade got up on that stage, all the girls in the place would be after him all night and the idea pissed me the hell off. Which shocked me. I wasn’t the jealous type, and this new feeling had my stomach twisting.
Wade gave me a questioning look. “Do you mind?”
I already knew how much he liked to sing. Who was I to keep him all to myself?
A selfish bitch. That’s who. What is going on with me?
“No, I don’t mind at all.”
Lies! I speak nothing but lies!
As I made my way back to the table, Cord got everyone’s attention.
Waylynn was back at the table sitting next to Trevor. She smiled and motioned for me to sit by her.
“So, we have a little special treat for y’all tonight. You’re familiar with The Country Boys, our local band that plays here, but you haven’t heard this guy sing yet. I’d like to welcome Wade Adams to Cord’s Place. Give him a big round of applause, y’all.”
The place went wild, women screaming. I had to force myself not to make a gagging sound.
When the spotlight hit Wade, I smiled. He really did look at ease up on the stage.
“Thanks, y’all. I appreciate the warm welcome. So, the boys here told Cord they like to cover a lot of Clint Black songs. He was my idol growing up. I drove my mama crazy asking her to take me to his concerts. Never did get to go, so singing his songs has been the next best thing. I hope y’all enjoy it.”
He turned and said something to the band. I held my breath and waited for him to start on that harmonica. When the steel guitar sounded instead, I was thrown off.
Wade sang Clint Black’s “Nothing’s News.” He sounded so much like Clint it was eerie.
Waylynn leaned close. “He has such a sadness to his voice.”
I nodded as I watched him sing. He looked around at the audience, and when he smiled it didn’t touch his eyes.
“Damn, that boy can sing,” Cord said as he sat down at the table.
“I’m telling ya, he turned down that record deal in college. His number one goal was running his dad’s ranch.”
The song ended and the crowd went wild.
“Thanks, y’all. I’ll do one more song, then let these guys take over.”
When the piano started and I recognized the song, I had to fight back tears.
“Oh, God,” I whispered as Waylynn grabbed my hand.
Wade started singing Rascal Flatt’s “I’m Movin’ On” and no one made a sound.
As I listened to the words I was taken back to the day in the café when he told me about his family. The song seemed to be have been written for Wade. My heart broke as I watched him sing. His eyes were closed mostly, only looking over the crowd every now and then.
I glanced to Trevor, and my breath caught when I saw the tears in his eyes. It was clear that he thought of Wade as a brother. In that moment, I could believe that what Wade had said in Lilly’s was true. Trevor had saved him.
A single tear rolled down my cheek as I focused back on Wade. He had such a pained expression. I had the urge to run to him and take him in my arms.
When he opened his eyes, they met mine and my heart stopped as he sang the title words. When the last note played I couldn’t believe how everyone clapped. My brothers all stood, as did Waylynn. She yelled out Wade’s name. Our eyes were still locked. It wasn’t a stare. It was a connection that I couldn’t deny, and I was positive he felt it as well.
Wade finally looked away, and I placed my hand over my chest. My racing heart confused me. What was happening between us? I stood and clapped while Wade handed one of the band members his guitar back.
He lifted his hand and jumped off the stage, and I lost sight of him in the crowd.
“Damn, that took everything out of me not to cry,” Steed said.
“I hate that he lost his family,” Tripp said.
Trevor cleared his throat. “Yeah. He’s good people. I’m glad he took my job offer.”
Waylynn took my hand. “Are you okay, Amelia?”
All eyes were now on me. “I guess I was overcome. That’s a pretty powerful song.”
My sister stared into my eyes. She knew it was more than that, but even I wasn’t exactly sure what had happened.
The band started playing, and everyone began dancing again.
“Well, I’ll give him one thing. He recovers well,” Steed said as he pointed to the dance floor.
What?
Wade had a girl in his arms, and they were dancing. Cord walked up to me, blocking my view of Wade. “Dance with your brother?”
With a forced smile, I nodded. “Of course. It’s about damn time one of y’all asked me.”
Trevor and Waylynn headed out to the dance floor with Cord and me behind them.
I tried my best not to look for Wade. What in the hell was wrong with me? Why did I care that he was dancing with another woman? I had no right to care.
“Who are you looking for, Amelia?” Cord asked against my ear.
“What?” I shouted. “No one.”
He gave me a doubting look. “Seems to me you’re searching. Wade, maybe?”
I laughed. “Please! He’s a friend. I’m not interested in anything more than that.”
“Good. Then you won’t be bothered by the fact that he’s walking out with some girl.”
My smile dropped, and I spun around to see Wade doing just that. I had no idea who the girl was. A blonde. Of course. Why did guys like blondes? And why were there so many blondes in Oak Springs, damn it?
Putting my attention back on Cord, I shrugged and faked a grin. “Let’s hope he uses protection.”
Cord tossed his head and laughed. “You and your condoms, baby sister.”
“Extra-large is all I’m interested in, if you catch my drift.” We continued dancing, which kept my mind off Wade.
After dancing with Tripp, Steed, and Trevor, I called it a night. Waylynn was still having fun, so Steed offered to take me home. The moment we got into his truck, I put my head back and pretended to fall asleep. The last thing I wanted to do was talk. Not when all I could see was Wade walking out with some girl to do God-knows-what.
At some point on the drive back, I actually fell asleep. My brother’s strong arms carried me up the stairs to my bedroom. When he gently set me down on the bed, he brushed my hair back from my face.
“Thank you, Steed,” I mumbled, too tired to look at him.
The bed moved slightly, warm breath at the side of my ear. “Goodnight, darlin’. Sleep good.”
Wade’s voice caused warmth to rush through my body. When his lips touched my cheek, my breath caught in my throat, I didn’t move. Not one inch. I listened to him slowly retreat and walk out of my room, gently shutting my door. The second it shut, I sat up in bed and placed my hand over my cheek. It still tingled from his lips.
It was Wade who had carried me upstairs. Not Steed. What in the hell? Where was Steed?
I jumped out of bed and rushed to the window that faced the front of the house. Steed’s truck was driving off toward the house he shared with Paxton.
Facing my bedroom door, I wrapped my arms around my body. Wade must have offered to carry me up to my room. My heart was beating so hard I thought for sure it would pound right out of my chest. I wasn’t sure how long I stood there and stared at the door. Once I heard Wade’s bedroom door shut, I slowly sat on my bed.
A million things ran through my mind. When did Wade get to the house? What about the girl he’d left the bar with? Maybe they had sex and that was it. Maybe he just left her. Would Wade do something like that?
Wade Adams had managed to do what no other man had ever done: gave me a sleepless night filled with one question after another.
I walked into the kitchen and stopped when I saw Wade sitting next to Trevor. He glanced up and smiled. The way my stomach dipped surprised me.
“Good morning,” I said with a grin.
“Morning, sis,” Trevor said.
I could feel Wade’s eyes as I made my way over to the coffee maker.
“How did you sleep?” Wade asked.
I glanced at him over my shoulder. Did he know I’d stayed up half the night?
“I slept like a baby,” I replied with a fake smile.
Trevor pointed toward the stove with his fork. “Mom made some potatoes and eggs. Grab ‘em while they’re still hot.”
After making up a plate, I sat back down, the weight of Wade’s stare still heavy. “You sounded amazing last night,” I said as I sipped my coffee.
“Thanks. I didn’t realize how much I missed singing.”
“You could be making millions, especially if you had let me be your manager like I said.” Trevor huffed.
Wade chuckled. “Manage a country singer and a ranch. How would you make that happen?”
Trevor shrugged. “I’d manage. Can you imagine the endless puss—“He stopped talking and looked at me. “Sorry, sis.”
Instead of responding to Trevor, I turned my attention on Wade. “You had a bit of a little fan club last night.”
Wade nodded, but his eyes grew intense. Like he was trying to read me.
“Speaking of fans, who was the little blonde you left with?” Trevor asked, causing my fork to freeze mid-air.
“I didn’t leave with her.”
“You walked out of Cord’s Place with her,” I added. Trevor looked over at me with a surprised look on his face.
I wanted to crawl under the table. The way it came off made me sound like a jealous girlfriend. I didn’t want to draw Trevor’s attention to even the slightest feelings I might have for Wade.
Which I didn’t. At least, I didn’t think I did.
Wade leaned back in his chair and tossed his napkin on the table. “Lacy was her name.”
I found myself holding my breath. At least he remembered her name.
“I met her a few days ago. She works at Ace Hardware.”
I couldn’t help myself. I lifted my brow and said, “Seems like you’ll fit in good with my brothers.”
Wade’s forehead pinched. “What do you mean?”
I’d lost my appetite. “Nothing,” I mumbled as I cleared my plate in the trash and rinsed it.
Trevor laughed. “She’s calling you a manwhore, dude.”
“If the shoe fits,” I said with a wink. I was trying not to let it bother me that Wade had had a one-night stand—then carried me up to my bed like a gentleman. Ugh. To think I stayed up practically all night trying to talk myself out of having feelings for him.
“Well, maybe you should have let me finish my story. Lacy’s husband texted her and said their truck battery was dead. I happened to be standing there and offered to help. We used my truck to jumpstart theirs. After we got it running, I took off and came back here.”
The defensive tone in his voice had me wishing I could take back the last few minutes and start over.
I swallowed hard. “That was nice of you.”
Trevor stood and grabbed his plate and Wade’s. “That’s Wade for ya. Always helping people out.”
I smiled and my eyes caught Wade’s. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
He stood, grabbed his cowboy hat and nodded. “No worries. Trevor, I’m going to take that soil sample on in and have it tested.”
Trevor gave Wade a nod. “Sure. Hey, when you come back, you mind helping me vaccinate those goats?”
“Nah, I don’t mind. I’ll be back in a few hours.”
“Where are you going?” I asked.
“San Antonio.” Wade didn’t even bother to look over as he answered and that bothered the hell out of me.
I had no idea what came over me, but I asked, “Mind if I tag along?”
Trevor tur
ned and stared.
Wade didn’t bother to even look my way. “If you want. I’m only dropping off a soil sample.”
“If you don’t want the company, I totally understand. I just figured if you’re heading that way, I might be able to stop at a print shop that has an order of swag for me.”
“Swag?” Wade asked.
Trevor laughed. “Yeah, like pens with her book covers on it. Shit like that.”
“It’s not shit, Trevor.”
“I don’t mind you tagging along,” Wade said. “I have to make another stop if you’re not in a huge rush to get back.”
With a smile, I shook my head. “Nope, not in a hurry at all.”
Wade looked at Trevor. Almost like he was asking him for his okay. When Trevor nodded, my mouth fell slightly open.
What in the hell?
“You ready to go now?” Wade asked, causing me to pull my death stare off Trevor.
“Ummm…” I glanced at my clothes before looking at Trevor. “Can I have five minutes?”
“Plan on that being twenty,” Trevor said while slapping Wade on the back.
I shot Trevor the finger.
Wade laughed. “I’ll meet you out at my truck in ten.”
I dashed out of the kitchen and ran up to my room, the anxiety kicking in.
What do I wear?
I threw open my closet door and stared.
My teeth! I need to brush my teeth.
I rushed into my bathroom. Toothbrush in hand, I made my way back to my closet and stood there, brushing and staring.
I reached for a dress, then shook my head and tossed it onto my bed. Next came a shirt.
“Nope,” I mumbled and threw it. Another vetoed dress followed, landing in the growing pile of clothes.
“Do you need help picking something out?”
I screamed and toothpaste went everywhere, including on Waylynn’s face.
“Gross!” she cried out and wiped it off with her shirt. “What in the hell, Meli?”
Dashing back to my bathroom, I rinsed out my mouth and threw my hair into a ponytail.
“I have zero clothes.”
Waylynn pulled out a romper I bought in New York. “You have a ton of clothes. This will be perfect.”
Narrowing my eyes, I replied, “You don’t even know where I’m going.”
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