Page 98

I slam my beer down on the bar. “Wyatt.”

“Fine, fine.” He holds up his hands. “But now that I’m thinkin’ about it, would it be so bad if y’all joined forces? Ifthings worked out between the two of you, that could be good for us, brother.”

“Or it could mean losing everything we’ve worked so hard for.”

Wyatt tilts his head. “I think you need to give yourself more credit. You’re not young anymore?—”

“Shut up.”

“You know what I mean. You’re not stupid. Or reckless. I don’t know.” He shrugs, drinking his beer. “Maybe it’s your time.”

“My time?”

“To settle down. Find your person. Be happy, for Christ’s sake.”

The idea sends a burst of something…not unpleasant through my bloodstream.

What if Wyatt’s right?It’s crazy, yeah. But crazier shit’s happened.

“Didn’t Tim McGraw and Faith Hill first meet because they were working together?” he continues. “Now look at ’em. They’ve built a goddamn empire together. Could be you and Mollie.”

I smile, unable to help myself. “But I’m better-looking than Tim, right?”

“Dude, no one’s better-looking than Tim. Have you seen him lately? The man is a fuckin’ ripped, music-making machine. My point is, maybe…well, who knows what the future holds? But it’d be a cool thing if you and Mollie got together and made some?—”

“Wyatt.”

“Good business decisions.” He flashes me a wolfish smile. “That’s what I was gonna say.”

“Sure you were.” I glance toward the door again. My heart dips when it opens.

My heart full-on falls a hundred stories when Molliewalks in, followed by a guy with slicked-back hair. He’s wearing dark jeans and a button-up shirt.

Fucker is way overdressed for The Rattler. He sticks out like a sore thumb. But Mollie?—

Christ, Mollie looks hot as all get-out. She’s wearing a sequined shirt and the tiniest denim skirt I think I’ve ever seen, along with a pair of cowboy boots. She has her hair in a ponytail, and she’s wearing big-ass earrings that are ridiculous but somehow work on her.

My blood pumps overtime when her eyes catch on mine. She immediately smiles. “Cash! Hey!”

The band’s bassline vibrates inside my chest as she and Slick approach. I notice he doesn’t touch her. No hand on her waist, her back. Her nape.

She were mine, I’d have my hands all over her. Everyone would know she was taken. And she’d know just how much I wanted her.

Fuck.

Fuckme, I don’t just have a crush on Mollie. I don’t just want to sleep with her.

I want all of her. And I can’t deny anymore that I want to bethatguy for her. The one she dances with. Who protects her from scumbags like Roddy and Slick here.

The one who shows her what a true partner could and should be.

I can be that man, Mollie, if you’d let me.

I can’t shake the feeling that she and this guy are more than friends. Maybe it’s the way his beady little eyes lock on me and narrow.

Pushing off the bar, I grab my beer and paste on a smile. “Hey, Mollie.”

“I was hoping y’all would be here. Cash, Wyatt, meet Palmer. Cash is the cowboy I was telling you about—our foreman. Wyatt’s his brother.” She gestures to Slick. “Palmer is visiting from Dallas.”