Page 8 of Wild Card (Men of Action #4)

WILLOW

“Walking on sunshine… whoa -oh…. Oh yeah…”

Wolf barks, or more like howls, glaring over his shoulder at Bex.

“Yeah, baby, join in.” She shimmies her hips and continues to sing horrendously off-key.

A couple jogs by, shooting her amused smirks, which only encourages her further to butcher the classic hit.

“Dear lord, please make it stop.”

“Shut it, I’m jamming. KC and the Sunshine Band would be proud.”

“They may be proud that you aren’t singing their work.”

“Huh?”

“The song was by the band Katrina and the Waves.”

“Really? Are you sure?”

“Pretty sure.”

She pulls out her phone and Siri confirms my statement. “Well, who cares? I feel like singing and it fits today.”

“In that, I agree. But maybe keep it down. Half this park is covering their ears.”

She nudges me and hums the tune this time.

I inhale deeply, taking in the smell of cut grass. The sun warms my skin, making its presence known. For the first time in months, there’s no sign of snow anywhere as the early spring teases us.

Wolf struts along the path, his tail wagging eagerly at the return of our Saturday morning adventure.

“Not that I’m complaining, but tell me again why you decided to walk with us?”

“You’ve been prattling on all week about the chance of beautiful weather today. It inspired me. Besides, I need the exercise. This winter weight isn’t shedding on its own.”

“You didn’t gain any weight, Bex. You’re still disgustingly perfect.”

“Um-um, girl, look at this ass.” She arches her back and slaps her butt. “Swimsuit season is around the corner. Gotta tone up this tail. Sacrificing a little beauty sleep won’t hurt me.”

I giggle, shaking my head. “God help us if you get much more beautiful.”

“I have to keep up with my beauty queen bestie.”

“Hardly true.”

She nudges me, staying quiet as more joggers pass. The silence stretches on a bit too long, and when I glance over, she’s chewing on her bottom lip. “Something on your mind?”

“I saw your mom and Rylee at the mall after work yesterday.”

“I’m not surprised since it’s their favorite place to be.”

“It was stupid. I should have been paying better attention.”

“What do you mean?”

“I was obsessing over these sandals when they caught me off-guard.”

Bex obsesses over shoes of all seasons. No shock she was lost in thought. “Did they approach you?

“They did. Rylee was her usual bitchy self, making it known she had better things to do. It was Stacy who spoke to me.”

At her name, an ache stabs in my chest. “My mom talked to you?”

“She did, and it was weird.”

“I’m sure it was. You’re my best friend and haven’t seen them since all the drama went down.”

“It was more than that. It was almost spooky.”

“Spooky how?”

“Everything about her was off. I’ve never seen Stacy haggard.

Early morning, late night, the beach, the gym…

she’s always put together. Yesterday, her hair was dull and limp, her make-up was barely visible, her nails were chipped and clothes wrinkled.

It’s obvious she’s lost weight but her skin was gaunt. ”

I trip over my foot and reach out to steady myself. The mother I knew was a champion of self-care. She instilled it in us from a young age. It wasn’t always about spending money or having the best. It was about taking care of ourselves.

“Her Louis was scuffed,” Bex whispers as if the secret will be heard.

“Wow.” If the other wasn’t already a surprise, this takes it up a level.

Stacy Richards loves her handbags. I never cared much about material things or labels.

That was more Rylee’s thing. But I did inherit my love of designer handbags from my mom.

My collection is small, most of them classics, but I adore each of them.

For Mom to go into public appearing ragged is one thing, but to carry a scuffed bag means she’s definitely not herself.

“There’s more. She wanted to know all about you.”

“Like what?”

“Our classes, our schedule. She looked like I struck her when mentioning upcoming graduation.”

“Not sure why she seemed stricken. My graduate school calendar hasn’t changed.”

“Yeah.”

There’s a melancholy tone that falls between us.

“Is there something else?”

“Stacy lost all my respect. But yesterday, I felt sorry for her. Just hearing about you seemed like it was slicing her up. Then your sister, the attention whore that she is, threw a tantrum.”

“Do tell.”

“She declared you have no regard for manners or tradition. Called you bitter and childish. This set me off and I may or may not have unleashed some of my own inner-bitch.”

“Bex, what did you do?”

“I explained that people don’t respond to save-the-dates.

Then explained that in case she was waiting—Chase, Wyatt, Grandma, and Grandpa also wouldn’t be wasting their energy or time on a silly response for the nuptials.

Basically, she could take her announcements, invitations, responses, and entire wedding and shove it up her ass because she is a conniving, raunchy, backstabbing bitch that deserves the two-timing slick dick.

She turned purple, screamed bloody murder, and stormed off. ”

“God, please tell me you weren’t kicked out of the store.”

“It was Nordstroms, security came running, then took off after her.”

I can’t help the smile, picturing the scene. “Damn, sorry I missed it.”

“Stacy ended up chasing after them, but not before she looked at me with pure devastation. It’s like she wanted to say more.”

My smile fades. “She’s had plenty of chances, Rebecca. Don’t let her manipulate you.”

“I’m not manipulated, I’m hopeful.”

“I haven’t changed my number or my address. She knows where to find me.”

“You’re right. Maybe she’s finally coming around. She lost the best things in her life. I can’t imagine.”

Her words warm me throughout. Bex may be full of wit and sarcasm, but she’s loyal and loving to her bones.

“I have some news of my own. I called Dad. We’re having dinner tonight.”

Her face lights up. “That’s great.”

“Would you like to join us?”

“Isn’t that kinda strange? You have a lot to talk about.”

“We’re going to Grandma’s. All of us, including Chase and Wyatt. Grandma declared it’s Mexican night. Chase is the DD. You and I can indulge in margaritas.”

The mention of margaritas brings a spark to her eyes.

“I can’t miss Mexican night.”

“Didn’t think so.”

“Speaking of food…” her words hang.

“Nice segway.”

“Come on, Wills, I’ve been sooooo patient. It’s been two days since Talon went over the top.”

“Over the top is one way to put it.”

“Can you get more romantic?”

“Never thought of Ralph’s as romantic.”

“It was the gesture. He catered lunch for the entire clinic just to spend time with you!”

“Let’s not forget he had help.” I side-eye her. “Thanks for the warning, by the way. And what the hell were you thinking inviting Chase and Wyatt?”

“It was knee-jerk.”

“Knee-jerk my ass. You could have put him off instead of inviting him.”

“I was swept up in the moment. Love was in the air.”

At this, I come to a stop, poor Wolf jerking back. He whines in confusion. “Love is NOT?—”

“Incoming!” a yell comes from behind as Bex yanks me out of the way.

Three women run by, all of them in skimpy clothes with hair perfectly slicked back in long swaying ponytails.

A few feet behind is another group, this time with faces full of make-up.

It’s an unusually warm day this time of year, but still not exactly skimpy clothing weather.

“What’s with the Barbie squad?”

“Shhh,” I hush Bex.

“How far are they behind us?” one of the women asks.

Her friend glimpses over her shoulder. “We should slow, they’re out of sight.”

“I’m calling dibs on the one with the Dalmatian.”

“I’m fine with any of them.” The third woman says as they slow.

“Holy, sweet baby Jesus.” Bex’s hand lands on my forearm.

The first thing I spot is three dogs trotting in a pack.

Then…

Holy Jesus is right.

It’s like any cloud in the sky parts and the sun shines down on the three men jogging behind them.

Their strides are in perfect sync. Muscles bulge and ripple under their clothes, black hats flipped backward, aviator wrap glasses, trails of ink snaking down their arms—it’s too much at once.

They could be a real-life advertisement for an energy drink… a sporting event… a cologne for men.

Whatever it is, I’m ordering…

… in bulk…

…and buying stock.

I’m so lost in the view I don’t catch Wolf’s excitement as he takes off, his leash slipping out of my hand.

My brain processes in slow motion as the guy on the end hands off his leash and steps to the side, crouching to catch my baby before he barrels into the pack of animals.

“Whoa, Buddy, where ya going?” His smooth, velvety voice instantly registers.

“Oh my God,” I whimper, realization washing over me.

Talon props his glasses on his head, his breathtaking eyes glimmering in the sunlight. Wolf laps at his hands, trying to get to the other dogs who are all now sitting obediently.

Wolf wiggles to get free, his whine snapping me out of my stupor. “Wolf, behave.”

Talon stands, lifting him easily. “You named your dog Wolf?”

“Yes, why?”

“Babe, he’s a poodle.”

It’s then I feel all eyes on us. The girls from earlier have moved to the side, pretending to stretch but gawking openly.

His friends are watching with amusement.

“He’s a Goldendoodle,” I correct Talon.

“Not exactly a beast.”

“He’s perfectly capable of being a beast when needed.”

Wolf chooses that moment to lick up the side of Talon’s throat and pant.

“Yeah, a real terror.”

“Give me my dog.” My cheeks heat when one guy chuckles.

“He good with others?”

“Of course, as you can see, he’s very friendly.”

Talon jerks his chin, his friends go away from the trail and let their leashes go. Wolf goes berserk, begging to get free until Talon lets him down. The four dogs immediately do the dog sniff meet-and-greet before chasing in circles.

“Heya, Talon,” Bex chirps.

“Bex.”

“Funny seeing you here.”

“Heard it was the place to be on Saturday mornings.” He grins at me. “First beautiful day in forever. Didn’t want to miss it.”