Page 107 of Mountain Daddy (Mountain Men #2)

Jessie

I sway my hips to the classic rock playing from the speakers overhead.

What a night.

I feel awful for Rocky, but it’s been a while since I’ve been this drunk, and I kinda forgot how fun it is.

And I’m purposely forgetting how horrible I’ll feel tomorrow.

I sway some more.

This would be more fun if I had someone to dance with.

Across the room from me, the main door opens. And Joe walks in.

I blink.

Is this real?

Did I just manifest my brother’s best friend?

I blink again.

He lifts a hand.

I lift my hand in return, my lips pulling up into a grin.

Then someone walks in behind him.

Kendra.

Joe’s kid.

Wait.

Not just Joe’s kid.

The reason I’m drunk. The woman Rocky is losing his mind over.

I blink again.

Oh fuck, Rocky!

Joe and his daughter start to cross the room while I fidget with my apron.

They’re going to sit at the bar.

Of course they will.

Because Joe doesn’t know Rocky and Kendra are going through something.

Joe doesn’t know anything.

I swallow as my heart hurts for my brother.

Even shit-faced, I know Rocky will keep his secrets. But I can’t make him do that.

I can’t make him face Kendra.

Not tonight.

Not like this.

As if scripted, Smalls walks in through the back door, right next to the bar.

“Hey, Jessie.” The tall, lanky man smiles at me.

He makes it behind the bar just as Joe and Kendra grab stools.

As they all say hi, Joe introduces Smalls to Kendra, and I sidestep toward the end of the bar.

“Hey, guys.” I try to greet them casually, hoping to hide the panic I’m currently feeling.

But Joe tilts his head, that adorably curious expression covering his face. “You good?”

I nod. “Super good. Just gotta… do something.”