Page 122 of CowSex

Kai reappears in the kitchen, freshly showered and dressed for the day.

“You be sure to bring it then, and I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Okay. Love you, Daddy.”

“Love you, too, baby girl.”

I listen to a few muffled sounds before the call ends without anything else from Lucy, and then I slide my phone back into my pocket.

“Your ex-sounds like a right charmer. Can’t wait to meet her.”

Kai looks at me, and we both start to laugh.

“Hope I’m here to witness that one when it happens,” Kai states. “My money’s on Gracie to win that smackdown.”

“Son, you wouldn’t be wrong. You should’ve seen how she handled Misty Walker in the diner the other weekend and then Logan Barnes on the sidewalk.”

“Shit, see? This is what I’m talking about. I miss everything living in that commune you sent me to.”

I throw the keys to my truck at Kai, and he catches them with one hand.

“Quit complaining. You’re the DD today, so no alcohol for you.”

I’M DRUNK.

I hadn’t meant to get this way, but good food and great company have me more relaxed than I have been in a long time.

I’m standing in Dean’s kitchen with my ass against the counter, Gracie’s back pressed to my front, listening to Mason, Dean’s younger brother, tell a story I’d heard a thousand times.

“The third time I went under, I thought I was done for. My lungs were filled with water, and I knew there was no room for air. I’d just started to pass out when I felt myself—”

“You wanna get out of here?” I ask Gracie, missing her ear completely and talking into her neck instead.

She turns around and winds her arms around my neck as I slide my hands to her ass.

“Will it be rude to leave this early?”

I notice that the room has fallen silent and everyone is watching us. The game finished an hour ago, and there’s music playing from the lounge and the sound of people laughing and talking carries from in there.

“You good, bud?” Dean asks.

I frown and try to bring him into focus. “I’m great,” I announce, holding my glass up in the general direction of his voice.

“I bet.”

The rest of the guys in the room seem to find that amusing, but I’m not sure why.

“What the fuck? Dean. Dean!”

All heads turn at the sound of Shannon’s voice.

“Where is he? Where the fuck is he?” A different voice screeches. A voice that I’m unfortunately familiar with.

“Shit,” everyone seems to say at once. Kai, who had been standing beside me, steps right in front of Gracie, who turns around to face the way the commotion is coming from just in time to see Danielle stagger through the door. Misty, Curtis, and Cal, Dani’s brother, following close behind.

This time, the whole house falls silent, and I’m instantly sober. I move my hands to Gracie’s waist and force her to step to my side. She looks up at me confused. She’s had a fair bit to drink herself, but even if she hadn’t, she still wouldn’t have a clue as to what’s going on.

“Well, just look at you.” I watch my ex-wife, the woman I once would’ve laid down my life for, sway on her feet in front of our son and me.