by Ashley Kay
Once he’s planted in front of me, I wring my hands, nerves attacking my fragile system.
“Savy, can we talk?”
Nodding, I grab my bag, falling in step with him. He places his hand on the small of my back as he opens the front doors and that tiny touch of familiarity tingles my spine.
The sun, bright in the sky, taunts me with its happiness. Preston’s hand is still on my back and the heat from his palm creates goosebumps all over my skin.
I point to an empty bench. “This, ok?”
“Sure.”
Cue the awkward silence.
Settling on the bench, I leave space in between us. I need it and hate it at the same time.
Turning all the way to face me, he reaches over, taking my hand in his. “Babe, I don’t really know what’s going on, but I wish you’d talk to me. Tell me what’s bothering you so I can help.” His eyes plead with me, and my stomach turns to lead. “Is it about Brody?” he probes.
I stare right into those blazing blues and realize I’m not only broken up over this secret—this lie I can’t tell him about—but I’m also terrified it will drive him back to New York. I’ve avoided all thoughts about the future because I wanted to live in the present, but now this—thing—threatens our future. Brody shattered my heart, and I picked up the pieces by myself, using the toughest glue I could find. However, what I know could dissolve it all.
When I don’t answer right away, he sits back, raking his hands through his hair. He looks worn out, eyes glossy and stubble much longer than usual. “I’m not him, and I swear to god if I see him again, I will kick his ass and not apologize for it.” He tightens his fists, and I know he’s serious.
I smile weakly at his heroics. My heart wants to shout that this isn’t about Brody at all, that I couldn’t care less about that man anymore, and that all I want is him. “I’m just overwhelmed, it’s a lot to take in. You’re the furthest thing from Brody, trust me.”
And he is. He’s just a broken man putting his life back together after the shit his brother put him through.
“But maybe a little space would be good. Just so I can get my bearings and get my head on straight? Do you know what I mean? I care about you, Preston, and it’s not about you…” I’m fairly certain I’ll go to hell for all this lying. I don’t want space at all. I want to scrub it all away, climb in his lap, and feel his arms wrap around me.
“I get it. I really do, and I respect your need for space.” He swallows audibly. “Can I still take you to the dance? The idea of my girlfriend dancing with other men … well, let’s just say the caveman in me would burst out, animal pelt and all.”
I inwardly groan. I don’t deserve that girlfriend title, and, as much as it’s a bad idea, I can’t say no. “Yes, you can still take me to the dance, cowboy. I’d be honored to go with you.”
Taking my knuckles, he kisses them, then stands up, looking down at me still pasted to the bench. “It’s all going to work out, Montana. I promise you.” He turns and walks back toward the building, leaving me strung out and praying for a miracle.
If I thought Preston giving me space was going to make me feel any better about all this, I was so wrong. He didn’t text me or purposely seek me out, but his presence was everywhere—in the thermos of coffee he left me each morning on the porch with bouquets of tulips that made my house smell divine, to the bottle of my favorite bourbon leaning against my door with a note in which upon reading, left me aching and needy for his touch. Under that pristine exterior lies a filthy talking man.
What tears down my reserves the most is after work one afternoon, I catch him fixing the broken step. My lungs struggle to breathe, and my stance falters after every step I take. I’m near my car, so I get in to watch him from afar.
A grey t-shirt stretches over his strong back as he leans over to pry off the rotten wood, and his arms strain when he places the new board in its place. My pulse jumps at the sight of him doing something so basic, yet so meaningful. I had been complaining about that step for a long time and no one’s touched it until now.
No one looks as good as Preston does as he pounds in the nails, wiping sweat from his brow. Every instinct and muscle in me begs me to walk to him, run my hands through his hair, and tell him how much this means to me. Instead, I wait for him to finish, watching as he steps back to survey his work, the smile that streaks across his face heart-stoppingly warm and bright.
Heat surges through me, shattering the happiness. I’m angry at Grey for doing this to him. For betraying him in the worst way and then involving me at the same time. Shaking my head, fighting the tears, I watch Preston clean up and go inside, following behind once the coast is clear. Ashamed, I hole myself inside for the rest of the night.
The day of the barn dance comes quickly. Every year prior, I’d looked forward to it—the music, the food, the company. But this year, I’m dreading it more than a yearly gynecological visit. I’d rather have some stranger inspect my lady bits than pretend to have fun when everything I know will come crashing down once it’s over. The only bright spot is that Lynn is coming to stay for a few days.
I had just put away the last of my clean dishes when a knock sounds at my door. “Knock, knock, anyone home?” Only I would know who that voice belongs to.
Screeching, I dart through the hall, fling open the door, forgetting for the moment all about my drama. “Lynn! Oh my god, I’m so happy you’re here!” Pulling her to me, I wrap my arms around my best friend, smelling her familiar brown sugar and coconut perfume. She reminds me of a tall tropical cocktail paired with a comforting dessert.
She drops her luggage, squeezing me right back. “Girl, it’s so cold here. I already miss the Florida sunshine.” With exaggerated shivering, she removes her jacket, laying it across the back of my chair.
I wheel her bags to the spare bedroom. “Florida is too sticky and full of bugs. Gross. Besides, it’s May, it’s spring, and it’s beautiful,” I sing-song before coming back out.
“Yeah, yeah, you forget about all that when you’re on the beach and all the hot boys strut around in tight swim trucks.” She wags her auburn eyebrows at me and sprawls out on the couch.
I’ve missed her. Lynn is so carefree and lives life to the fullest now that she’s left Montana. I hate she felt driven to leave, but I’m happy she’s here now.
“Tell me about this shindig we’re going to.” Lynn’s golden eyes dance as she leans forward, her springy auburn hair in a wild halo around her head. She looks like a goddess without even trying.
Plopping down in the chair next to her, I hug a pillow. “It’s usually pretty fun. Live band, food, and dancing.”
“Ooo, sounds like my kind of party.” Her eyebrows knit together. “Wait. No one from our hometown will be there, right?”
“Nope. It’s just employees and significant others. I got a free pass for you since I’m friends with the owner.” I couldn’t leave her out to dry and made sure no one questionable would be there.
She releases a breath and relaxes her tense shoulders. “So … you going with Sexy Neighbor, or is he fair game?”
I toss the pillow at her chest—her catching it as she cackles. “You know I’m kidding, right? As long as I get a dance out of him, I’ll be good.”
“Yes, we’re going together, but…” I pause, not sure what to say.
“But, what?” She squints at me, the light from the window glinting off the gold hoop in her nose.
I’m going to have to tell her everything. She’s a hound. I jump up and go to the kitchen, busying myself with making us some snacks. She follows me, crossing her arms, and parks herself in one of the kitchen chairs, head cocked, eyes boring holes into my skull.
“Spill it.” She’d make a great cop. The perps would wilt under her scrutinizing gaze.
Spinning and leaning against the sink, I raise my head to the ceiling. “I’m just going to spit it out because it’s been eating at me the past couple of days.”
She whirls her f
inger around, signaling I’m taking too long to spit it out.
“Things were great, awesome, wonderful all the best adjectives in the world. The sex is epic. I’ve never had it so good. Preston is amazing.”
“But…”
“Greyson is keeping a secret and therefore involved me in it unknowingly.”
“Ok, what secret and what’s it have to do with lover boy?”
Blowing out a breath, I cup my cheeks with my hands. I give her a detailed novel of what happened and watch as her face contorts with each revelation.
Lynn’s eyes widen comically. “Holy shit, that’s a lot. Wow, definitely a telenovela. Let me get this straight, Preston doesn’t know that his ex is literally down the road, whom his own twin brother slept with and got pregnant?”
“Yep, and I’ve hung out with her on multiple occasions. Grey made me promise not to tell Preston because he feels it needs to come from him and I’ve been a mess because he’s going to feel so betrayed once he finds out.” I drag my hands through my hair, groaning. It sounds much worse saying it all out loud.
She sits silently, absorbing all of what I told her. Coming over, she puts her hands on my shoulders, bringing me eye level with her. Her eyes are golden flames. “You’re scared. I get it. You’re worried that Preston is going to see this omission from you as disloyalty because Brody betrayed you. You think you might be projecting that on to Preston?”
“No, it’s totally different. I don’t even think of Brody much anymore, unless he’s sending annoying texts to remind me of his existence. I don’t know how Preston is going to look at me after he finds out. Not telling him is hurting me more than the information itself. I didn’t know about them, but now that I do and said nothing to him—it’s going to destroy him.”
She shakes her head. “He’s a big boy, Savy.”
“He is, but he’s had to go through a lot in just a short time here and I don’t want to be another person who hurts him.”
She rubs my arms up and down, frowning as tears spill over my cheeks. “Well, he will find out, and all you can do is to be there for him when he does, and hope he sees you as the safe place to fall when he falls. You’re a wonderful person, and you’re not malicious. Preston will have to see that. I’m sorry you have been so anxious about it. I can tell you really care about him. I’m about to wring Greyson’s neck for being such a douche.” She snags a cookie and bites into it.
I chuckle, although I’m far from happy about it all. “I already gave him an earful. I just want to enjoy tonight. I love this time of year, and this dance is so fun. I don’t want any of this to ruin it, especially now that you’re here. You don’t need any of this drama.”
Tapping her fingers on my countertop, she nods her head before swallowing. “Girl, that’s what best friends are for. Let’s make this the best night ever! We’ll get all dolled up, look sexy as hell, and then the guys will forget all about their silly problems along with their own names.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me, making me laugh.
“What would I do without you?” I squeeze her hard, so grateful she’s here.
“You’d still be your badass self, trust me. Now come on. We’ve got to get ready. I brought you a dress to wear. Preston is going to flip!”
Groaning, I let her lead me to my room to change, my thoughts refusing to disappear. I can’t get it out of my head that Preston needs to deal with this whole Greyson/Scarlett thing and lay it to rest. What if, in doing that, he realizes he still loves her? My stomach flips upside down at the possibility. I imagine being a jilted bride left at the altar for the best man’s lover. I visibly shudder and resolve to stop this never-ending narrative before I hurl. Shoving those terrifying feelings down, I concentrate on Lynn and the how glad I am she agreed to come.
Standing in front of the full-length mirror, the white lacy material of my dress stops mid thigh, the flower appliqués soft under my fingertips. Long billowy sleeves complete the whimsical country vibe. This dress is perfect. I twirl in a circle, the fabric airy and delicate, swirling around me like a cloud. Lynn comes up behind me, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. She curled it with an iron to create voluminous waves that bounce down my back.
“You look beautiful. Preston’s going to lose his mind.” Clapping, she runs to her bag and grabs a necklace. A turquoise pendant hangs from a thin, gold chain. She moves my hair to the side and clasps it around my neck.
Fingering the smooth stone, I gasp. “It’s gorgeous. Where did you get it?”
She shrugs. “I found it in one of those cutesy country stores on the way here. I saw it and knew it would be perfect for you.”
“I love it, thank you.” Reaching into my hair accessory bag, I pull out a feather clip. “Here, take this, it will look amazing in that jungle hair of yours.”
She piles her hair up before letting the curls fly away, shaking her head back and forth. Gathering one side, she slides the clip in and inspects it. “Perfect.” She has on a green dress that also cuts mid thigh, with spaghetti straps underneath a lace overlay. The green complements her red hair and freckles, making her golden-brown eyes glow. Whoever snags this one will be the luckiest man in the world.
While she twirls, I fling my closet door open, finding our shoes. Eyes gleaming, I hold them out. “A barn dance outfit is not complete without cowboy boots.” I sit on the bed and slide on the pair of red leather boots with cacti embroidered into the sides. They remind me of the chair that Preston was forced to sit in when his desk chair broke. I still haven’t told him that chair is mine. I hand Lynn my tan pair that is a little too big for me, but luckily her size. They go perfectly with her dress.
Standing side by side in the mirror, we look at each other and bust out laughing. “Alright, cowgirl, you ready?” I make a loop with my arm, and she hooks hers into mine.
“Let’s go! I’m ready to line dance with a bunch of sexy cowboys, ow, ow!” Lynn howls. I howl along with her and for just a minute, forget about how turned upside down my life is about to get.
The barn used for the dance is on the far end of the facility, nestled in between vast acreages of forest and the main road. It’s primarily used for storage, but tonight, they have transformed it into a country fairy tale.
Lynn’s eyes light up as we pass through the large pine doors and focus our attention up to the twinkling lights strung all over, crisscrossing overhead, creating a romantic glow. A bar lines one wall with barstools, and a stage across from it has enough room for the band’s equipment. Tables scatter around the gigantic dance floor that takes up most of the room. Couples clad in tight denim jeans, flannel, and cowboy boots are already dancing to the classic country-folk music the DJ pumps through the tall speakers. Long tables in the back display the food and scents of home-cooked biscuits, bison burgers, and huckleberry pie wafts over us.
Mouth watering, I step in that general direction before Lynn’s hand on my arm stops me. Trying to read her eyes, they widen over my head and then slide back to me. “Is that your man? Holy shit, Savy. He’s even more divine in person. You lucky girl.” She whispers, lightly slapping my arm as I spin around, nerves tingling around my insides.
Preston strides through the doors—the world instantly freezing on its axis. All the outside noises fade away as my vision tunnels only on him. He scans the room, and it’s clear he’s looking for me, because once his eyes find mine, we lock gazes. A slow smile spreads across his face, deepening his dimple, and butterflies shamelessly take flight in my belly. It’s only been a few days since I really looked at him this closely and my body physically feels the void. His midnight blue eyes flash with desire as he drinks me in and my skin’s on fire under his nuclear regard. Dark denim jeans hug his thighs and paired with his fitted blue shirt that makes his gorgeous eyes pop—I’m one step away from incinerating. He dips his head, and a wavy strand of inky hair flops over his forehead in hair model fashion.
Hands itching to touch it, I barely register Lynn pushing me in his direction.“Good lord, ge
t over there before every other woman in the room attacks him. Don’t worry about anything except staying in the present moment, babe. Things will sort themselves out later. I’ll be by the bar. Come find me later.”
Taking my eyes off him reluctantly, I look at her. “You sure? I don’t want to leave you all alone.”
Perusing the room, she settles back on me, smiling. “I see plenty to keep me busy. Besides, gauging by the raw sexual energy flowing between you two, getting caught in the middle might make for an interesting party. I don’t think these folks are hankering for an orgy.” Laughing at herself, she wanders away to the bar.
Once I’m satisfied she’s ok without me, I glide toward Preston. Lynn’s right. Women are peering over their cups, gawking at him. Smiling because he has only eyes for me, I stop in front of him, running my gaze from his boots up to his hopeful expression. “Hi.”
He reaches out, grabs me by the waist, and tugs me to his chest. Cupping my face with his free hand, he stares down at my lips but doesn’t kiss me. “Hi, yourself. You look gorgeous tonight.”
Blushing, I bite my lip. “You don’t look too bad yourself, cowboy.”
Preston angles his head, smiling softly. I resist the urge to throw my arms around him, inhale his panty-dropping cologne, and instead squeeze his arms, looping one through his.
“Come on, let’s get a drink. I can introduce you to Lynn.”
Intertwining our fingers, I drag him over to the bar. Lynn is leaning up over it, talking to the bartender, obviously flirting. Dexter—the one making the drinks—looks amused as he pours a cocktail into a glass, a coy smile draping his face. He’s clearly enjoying the attention from her.
Plopping down on the bar stool, she spins toward us, drink in hand, sipping from a mini straw. Holding out one hand in front of Preston, she introduces herself. “Hi, I’m Lynn. Hurt my friend and I hurt you.” She slurps at her drink, never taking her eyes off of him.
