Wilde Riders (Old Town Country Romance)

by Young, Savannah

  I was the brother who played soccer and golf. Playing in a state championship golf tournament isn’t exactly as high profile as being the star quarterback of a state championship football team.

  What really pisses me off, though, is that Jake always gets every girl he wants. And then once he gets them, he usually decides pretty quickly that he doesn’t want them anymore. I don’t want Riley to be another one of his conquests. She’s deserves better than that.

  “I’ll phone Shane Parker,” Jake says. “He can give an estimate on the damage and let you know if you’ll be able to drive it back to the city. You may have to stay the night in Old Town.”

  Jake’s friend, Shane, owns one of the two garages in town.

  Riley’s eyes grow wide and she scrunches up her cute little nose as the realization sets in. She’s probably going to be stuck in New Jersey. I can’t say that I blame her. I don’t want to be stuck here either.

  When Jake leaves to call his friend, I breathe a small sigh of relief. As much as I love my brother, sometimes I really hate him, too.

  Riley touches the front of the car. The damage looks pretty bad. I can see her try to discretely wipe a few stray tears from her cheeks.

  I come up behind her and say, “The M3 is one of my favorites. Sports car performance with style.”

  When she turns to face me, I can see that her cheeks are wet. It takes every ounce of restraint I have not to reach out and wipe those tears away.

  “You know about BMWs?” She sounds surprised.

  I nod. I don’t know why but I have the feeling that I shouldn’t tell her that I own one too, and that it’s sitting right out on the street. So I just keep that fact to myself.

  “This was my baby,” Riley states as she continues touching the damaged places on her hood.

  “Cars can be fixed. People are a little more difficult. I’m glad you’re okay.”

  “And I assume the guy who hit me is another Wilde brother?”

  “Your assumption is correct. Tucker’s twenty-four.”

  “He looks older,” she remarks.

  “He’s been through a lot. It’s aged him.”

  I guess she can tell I don’t really want to talk about it because she just nods and doesn’t ask anything further.

  “Your brothers both drive Pickup trucks. Kind of confirms the stereotype.”

  “That we’re all hicks from the sticks?” I ask. There’s a note of bitterness in my voice that I can’t control. “And you haven’t even met my youngest brother yet. He’s the real rebel. He drives a Toyota Pickup. Not driving American-made is kind of scandalous around here.”

  “Will Shane Parker be able to fix my car?” she asks. “It’s a scandalous import.”

  I smile. I’m glad she can joke a little even though she’s clearly upset. “I’m pretty sure Shane can fix just about anything.”

  Riley looks like she wants to say more. I’m not sure why I sense that. I’m usually not so attuned to other people. I’m a numbers guy. Give me spread sheets and I’m happy. Ask me to figure out what’s wrong with another human being and you’ve got a problem. But I’m definitely attuned to Riley. It’s almost like I can read everything she’s thinking.

  I have to laugh when Shane arrives in a Pickup truck. Maybe Riley’s not that far off and we are all a bunch of Pickup driving hayseeds. I just don’t want her to lump me in with all of the other Old Town boys. I’m not that guy anymore. I’ve worked too hard for my white collar.

  “Wow,” Shane says as he approaches Riley’s car. “Your car’s a mess. Have you contacted your insurance company yet?”

  Riley shakes her head. “In all the commotion, I haven’t had a chance.”

  “Maybe we’d better phone them together. Once I’ve had a chance to check everything out.” As he does a cursory inspection of the damage, he whistles. “I hope you don’t have a very large deductible. This is going to be a big bill.”

  Riley’s eyes go wide again. “Do you think I’ll be able to drive back to the city tonight?”

  Shane laughs. “Not in this car. You’re probably not going to be driving this baby for a few weeks, maybe a month.”

  “A month?” Riley cries.

  “At least,” Shane reiterates.

  “This isn’t possible,” she maintains. “I have to get back to the city tonight.”

  “Big date?” Shane jokes. Both Riley and I glare at him but I realize it may not be for the same reason.

  Why didn’t it occur to me that Riley might have a boyfriend? And why do I suddenly care so much if she does?

  “I’d better make a phone call,” she says as she steps away from us for some privacy.

  When Riley is out of earshot, Shane says, “This is the third accident Tucker’s had in the last six months. They may pull his insurance.”

  The more I hear, the more concerned I am about Tucker. Not to mention the fact that he looks awful. “Thanks for letting me know. I’ll talk to him.”

  When Riley returns she looks even more flustered. It makes me wonder who she phoned.

  “So, do you want me to tow it back to my shop?” Shane asks.

  “Do I have a choice?” Riley asks.

  “There is another shop in town but he charges a lot more than I do and he’s not as cute as I am.”

  Shane is anything but cute. If they were casting for The Hobbit in northwest New Jersey, he’d be at the top of the casting list.

  But the comment brings out Riley’s incredible smile. When she really smiles, not just a polite business smile but a genuine expression of joy, it lights up the space around her.

  “I guess I’ll take my chances with you then,” she says.

  When Shane winks at her, I feel like I’ve been slapped. I don’t know why it’s bothering me so much that he’s flirting with her because 1) he’s Shane and 2) she’s not mine.

  But I want her to be. And that’s a complete shock to me.

  A relationship at this point in my life is definitely not part of the plan. I’ve always put my career first and it’s served me well so far. I’m on my way to becoming a Vice President before I turn thirty. I definitely don’t need a relationship to throw me off my career path.

  “I’ll call for the tow truck,” Shane says as he turns toward his Pickup. Then he turns back and adds, “And you may want to get a drink before you come by my shop. I think Jake just opened the bar.”

  As Riley and I watch Shane drive away, she asks, “Is it too early for a drink?”

  “Never,” I reply.

  She grabs my elbow and we head into Haymakers.

  I’m really starting to like having her hands on me. Maybe a little too much.

  Four

  Riley

  When I phoned my boss and told him about the accident, he was very understanding. He told me to take a sick day if I needed tomorrow off as well. I may very well be sick if I have to stay in New Jersey another day.

  Patti was not as understanding. She made it sound like I got into an accident on purpose so I wouldn’t have to go out on the double date. I’m not that devious but I kind of wish I had thought of it before it actually happened.

  I like feeling Cooper’s strong grip on me. I feel like I’m slowly falling apart and I’m glad he’s holding me together. He’s so serious and self-assured. He’s kind of the opposite of his brother Jake, who seems so carefree and wild.

  I’ve had a history of Jakes in my life and it’s never turned out very well. Jakes tend to come on strong until they get what they want. Then they fade away just as quickly.

  Cooper is different. He’s cool and restrained. But he still seems interested in me. I’ve never been with a guy who was so serious and intense. When he looks at me, it’s almost as if he’s looking right through me.

  Not that I’m considering a relationship with him. If anything happened between us, and that’s a big if, it wouldn’t be more than a fling. The last thing I want is a relationship and I definitely don’t want to start a relationship with someone w
ho lives in farm country.

  Haymakers has just opened, so Cooper and I have our pick of any table. He leads me to one close to the back of the place. I’m glad because it seems a bit more private.

  Jake looks busy behind the bar. I notice there’s a young blonde behind the bar with him. She looks really young, like she’s not even old enough to be in a bar. Jake says something to the blonde and then points to our table. She nods and then heads over to us.

  Her eyes are planted on Cooper as she approaches. It’s like I don’t even exist. I barely know her but I already kind of hate her. I wish she’d take her eyes off him.

  Then I chide myself for being jealous. I don’t know Cooper that well. He’s certainly not mine. And I know it’s completely ridiculous to want him. My rational mind has to remind my emotional self that if anything happens between us, it will only be a one-night stand. How could I have any kind of relationship with someone who lives in New Jersey? And not just “across the bridge” New Jersey, this is like into the backwoods New Jersey.

  “The usual?” the blonde asks as she leans over the table and practically shoves her ample cleavage under Cooper’s nose.

  I cringe. Why do I care so much if she knows what he likes to drink…and that she’s got large breasts…and she’s young…and gorgeous. What bothers me the most, though, is the way she’s looking at him—with so much adoration.

  “What would you like?” Cooper turns to me and he’s got a sparkle in his eyes.

  My heart skips a few beats because he didn’t look at her with that kind of sparkle.

  “Jack and Coke,” I say, and I can see that a slight smile appears on Cooper’s face again.

  “Is that funny?” I add.

  “No, not at all.” He’s now biting back a full grin.

  I wish he wouldn’t. I want to see his big beautiful smile.

  He continues, “I just pictured you as a white wine kind of girl.”

  “This doesn’t seem like a white wine kind of place,” I fire back.

  He nods. “You’ve got a point there.”

  “Two Jack and Cokes,” Cooper says to the blonde.

  She raises an eyebrow as if she can’t believe what he’s ordered. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I’m sure,” he insists.

  The blonde then glances in my direction, as if she’s just noticing me for the first time. The glance is anything but friendly. It’s more like she’s inspecting me.

  “Harley, this is Riley Smith,” Cooper says as he points in my direction. “Riley, this is Harley Davis.”

  Just as I’m about to put out a hand, the girl actually crosses her arms over her chest. I get the distinct feeling she thinks I’m invading her territory. I just don’t think Cooper has any idea that the girl has staked a claim on him.

  “I’d better get those drinks,” Harley says, still glaring in my direction.

  “Thanks, Kiddo,” Cooper says.

  Kiddo. He obviously doesn’t think of her as a viable partner for some reason and that makes me feel giddy inside. Then I feel completely ridiculous for developing a crush on a guy that I barely know, and who lives in New Jersey.

  No matter how cute he is, the idea of spending any amount of time in New Jersey that isn’t a completely necessity gives me the creeps.

  And besides, I’m supposed to be investigating him. Or his brothers. Or whomever actually owns the bar I’m about to get drunk in. There are actually three names listed as owners of the bar, all of them Wilde, but not one of them Cooper.

  Is that odd?

  “Harley’s kind of in a bad mood,” Cooper remarks and I have to laugh.

  He frowns. “Why is that funny?”

  “She not mad, she’s jealous. She’s obviously crazy about you.”

  Cooper shakes his head. “Harley’s family owns the farm next to my parents’—um —what used to be my parents’ place. I’ve known her since she was a kid. She’s always had a crush on me. It’s nothing.”

  He tries to wave it off like he’s waving at a fly buzzing around his head.

  “She’s not a kid anymore, Cooper. I think it’s a little more than that.”

  He seems to think about it for a moment until the drinks arrive.

  Harley places a single glass in front of Cooper and then she slams two glasses in front of me, the contents nearly spilling over the edges of the glasses with the force of her slam.

  “I didn’t order two drinks,” I mutter.

  “The guy at the bar bought you another one,” she states not so nicely.

  When I look at the bar, I notice that Tucker has joined Jake. They’re both looking at me from behind the bar.

  “Which guy?” I ask. Not that I want either one of them buying me drinks. They both scare the hell out of me but for completely different reasons.

  Harley glares at me. “Does it matter?”

  Before I can respond, she turns and hurries away.

  “I guess I really will be drinking my problems away today,” I say as I raise my glass.

  He raises his glass. “To drinking our problems away.”

  We toast and then I take a gulp of my drink. I’m not used to drinking hard liquor and it stings on the way down. “That’s strong,” I choke out.

  Cooper gives me his half smile. “My brother is known for being a little heavy handed with the liquor. It’s one of the reasons we’re still the most popular bar in the county. Even after my dad died.”

  I can see a shadow of sadness cross over Cooper’s face. He takes a sip of his drink and chokes his down as well. “I’m not much of a drinker,” he admits. “That’s why Harley looked so surprised by my order. I usually just order Coke. Maybe the occasional beer.”

  “You didn’t have to order a drink just because I did.”

  He looks into my eyes and he’s serious again. “I don’t want you to drink alone.”

  “Thanks.” I take another sip of my drink. It goes down a little easier this time. I can feel the stress of the accident start to slowly dissipate from my body.

  “How long ago did your dad die?” I ask.

  “Six months,” Cooper says softly. I’m almost sorry I asked because he looks so sad. Like a little boy who lost his best friend.

  Without thinking, I reach for his hand. I want it to be a comforting gesture but the moment I touch him and he looks into my eyes, my chest tightens and I can barely breathe. And I get tingly, like every neuron in my body is suddenly firing at the same time. It’s almost overwhelming.

  I’ve been with my share of guys, obviously nothing that’s ever lasted very long. I have to consider the possibility that none of those relationships ever lasted because no guy has ever made me feel like I’m feeling right now.

  “Drink up,” I hear a deep voice say.

  When I look over, I notice that Jake has plopped down in the seat next to me. I try to pull my hand away from Cooper’s because my rational mind reminds me that I’m touching someone I’m supposed to be investigating, but Cooper won’t let me go. Instead, he tightens his grip on me like a vice.

  Jake seems oblivious to the fact that his brother is now holding my hand and actually moves his chair closer to me. “I’m usually pretty good at guessing what drinks people are going to order. I had you pegged as a Pinot Grigio girl.”

  I don’t want Jake to know he’s hit that nail on the head. In the city, I always order a glass of Pinot Grigio. But this definitely isn’t the city.

  “Thanks for the drink,” I say as I down another gulp of the stuff.

  A guy I dated a few years ago always ordered Jack and Cokes. He was originally from Dallas, Texas. One of the many guys Patti set me up with and with whom I had absolutely nothing in common. But Texas had a gorgeous best friend that Patti wanted to get into bed. The only thing I really liked about Texas was his drink.

  “Don’t thank me,” Jake says. “Tucker’s the one who bought it for you.”

  “Then will you thank Tucker for me?”

  Jake gives me one of his megaw
att smiles. “I think you should thank Tucker yourself.”

  I gulp. When I look over at Tucker, he’s wiping down the bar with a scowl on his face. How is to possible that he got even meaner looking in such a short period of time?

  “I promise he’s not as scary as he looks,” Jake tries to assure me.

  When I glance at Tucker again, I’m not at all convinced. The guy looks like he could kill someone and not think twice about it.

  Cooper grabs his drink and to my surprise completely drains it. He slams the empty glass right in front of his brother and glares at him. “I’ll have another.”

  Jake blinks a few times like he can’t believe what he’s seeing then he slowly rises. His eyes are now completely focused on Cooper’s hand, which is gripping mine even more firmly now.

  “Sure,” Jake says, but it still seems like he’s in kind of a daze. He can’t take his eyes off our joined hands.

  Cooper then lifts my hand to his mouth and kisses it. But he’s not looking at me. He’s looking directly into his brother’s eyes.

  My stomach clenches when I realize that I’m being used as some kind of pawn between these two brothers.

  “Are you going to get the drink?” Cooper says. It’s not a question.

  Jake’s face starts to turn red and I’m not sure if he’s embarrassed or angry. Maybe a combination of both. He looks like he wants to say something more to his brother but he doesn’t. He just turns and stomps away.

  “What was that about?” I hiss as I try to pull my hand from Cooper’s.

  He’s a lot stronger than I want him to be and he doesn’t let me go.

  “Unhand me,” I insist.

  When he laughs at me, I can feel my face start to heat up with anger.

  “Why are you laughing?”

  “Unhand me? This isn’t Pirates of the Caribbean. It’s the twenty-first century and you’re sitting in a country bar in New Jersey.”

  I glare at him. “Let. Go. Of. My. Hand. Is that better?”

  “No.”

  I notice he still hasn’t let go of me. “Why won’t you just let go of me?”