"So, I saw Bo," I say quietly, watching Wendy ride Brandt's horse across the field. Quietly, because if Wendy got wind of me talkin' about him she wouldn't let me hear the end of it. Lately she seems dead set on me finding a man.
Jo whips around, almost losing her balance and I reach out to help her. "You did?"
"Yeah," I laugh. "How long has he been back?" I really don't want to push to talk about him, but he was so different from the last time I saw him all those year ago. I'm wondering how the awkward nineteen year old grew up to become...that. Bo looks nothing like he used to. When we were kids he was cute as hell. In a dorky way, yes, but I always thought he was cute.
Now he's way more than that. He's hot. He's cocky. He's dangerous. He's also dead set on seeing me again, but I don't need to let Jo know that much.
"Uh, three weeks? I don't know. Something like that. But, so, like..." She stops and glances around. "What do you think...about his face...and body?"
My eyes go wide and I snort out a laugh. "I think you shouldn't be lookin', woman."
When he left here he was the goofy guy that was everyone's friend. Now he's back, and he's not that kid at all. I'm not even sure if that guy still exists. All I saw last night was the jawline of a man that's more confident than Bo ever was. And an attitude to match.
She smirks. "Brandt already knows his best friend's a looker. I accidentally blurted something like 'holy shit, you got hot'. Something like that." She shrugs then bursts into laughter. "I just don't remember him like that."
"Yeah, no. He definitely changed." Even when I wrapped my arms around him for a hug last night I could tell that's a body I'd like getting to know a little better. "So he's workin' here? Daily?"
Her eyebrow cocks and she nonchalantly turns away with another shrug. Jo tries to act impassive about everything, but she's always calculating. "Yeah. Not much else for him to do while recovering." She starts ushering the chickens back into the pen. Plucking one up, she kisses its head and I start to laugh. That's her chicken. She's had that chicken since it was a chick and she loves it. It's unique, like her, with a few black feathers over her breast.
"You and that chicken." I smile. "Is it cool if Wendy stays here and helps for a bit? I can grab her after my shift."
"Oh..." She looks at her cell. "I have to run into town. Actually...you have what? Almost two hours? Maybe you could stick around here until I get back?"
"Um, sure. That's fine." I wanted to do some grocery shopping, but it can wait. Looking over at the barn, I scrunch my face at the stench. "Don't expect me to work though. These animals stink."
"Not worse than a big city." She chuckles. "Thanks, catch ya later." She's already walking toward the tractor barn before she even finishes her sentence and I roll my eyes.
I love this ranch, but I'd never be able to work here. Put me inside a building, with air conditioning, and I'm happy. Out here, it's hot and muggy and bugs galore. But, if it's easier on Jo, me staying here while she runs out real fast, I'm glad to help.
I head out to the stables and smile when my little sister sees me. Checking my phone, I shoot a text to Will, making sure he's okay at home, then climb on the fence and lean over it, watching Wendy do laps with Lucky, Brandt's horse.
A pair of hands grab my hips abruptly and I shriek, slipping off the fence, but I'm caught before hitting the ground. I hate being scared. Hate it.
"Holy hell!" I scream, spinning to see Bo grinning from ear to ear. "You almost gave me a heart attack." No longer caring about my racing heart from the scare, I laugh, smiling about as wide as he is. Being this happy just from seeing him smile is a very dangerous game.
He pulls his hat off his head and swipes his hand over his sweaty forehead. God, those forearms. "Jo told me you were here. I wanted to come say hi."
I slug him in the arm and take a breath, trying to calm my racing heart but I'm starting to think maybe it's not racing for the reason I think it is. "Well, that's one way to get my attention." I puff out a breath and shake my head. I gotta clear my mind of these thoughts about him every time he's around. He's an old friend. "Shouldn't you be hard at work or something?" I grin as he puts his hat on backwards. An old friend that got mighty fine looking.
"I." He chuckles and glances back toward the barns. "It's my lunch. I'm waiting on Donna to bring me a sandwich." His cheeks go pink as he rubs the back of his neck.
"You don't pack your own lunch?" I try not to laugh at his expense, but it's too easy. "Bo, you're a grown man and your best friend's mom still makes you lunch?"
"Now wait a minute." His hand is out, sitting between us in pause while he tries to talk himself out of this one. "She offered," he says simply.
"I'm sure you didn't use that panty melting smile on her at all," I mumble, the moment I realize the words that just fell out of my mouth weren't really supposed to come out, I feel the color rising to my cheeks. I laugh, shaking my head, at a loss for words.
"Which one?" He smirks. "This one?" Pointing to his face, his smile broadens and his eyes glance down to my jeans. "Is it workin'?"
"Wouldn't you like to find out?" I grin and bite my lip, stepping away from him because it is working, all right. Way too damn good.
"I...yeah. Yes I would," he says point blank, but when my mouth drops and I suck in a breath of air, he starts to laugh. "Rosy cheeks look good on you, Kinlee. I gotta hunt down my sandwich before my break's over. You want something?" He's pointing at me with both fingers as he walks backward away from me. "I don't think Donna would mind whipping you up a sandwich too."
"Uh...no. Thanks," I stammer. "I'm just fine." I can't tear my eyes off him, as hard as I try.
That grin is still on those lips. Lips I don't remember being that full. Lips I really, really want against my skin. He gives his head a little shake because he knows I can't stop staring. Before turning around, he lifts his arm and pulls up his t-shirt sleeve, flexing with a wink then jogs to the house. I don't want to laugh at him, but I do. I don't want to enjoy his company, because it's the last thing I need...but hell if I don't want it.
"Bo not stayin' around?" Wendy asks, walking up behind me and scaring the shit out of me.
"Shit!" I scream, laughing. "Y’all have to stop scaring me!"
"He's cute." She grins, watching him head to the house.
"He's full of himself," I mutter, letting my eyes enjoy his ass in those jeans.
"I probably would be too if I looked like him."
I turn and my eyes go wide. "You're sixteen!" I smack her arm and nod toward Lucky. "Come on, show me what you've learned."
We spend an hour out here on the horses. It's nice, sometimes, just to blow off responsibilities and have fun together. We don't get much time together with me working as much as I do and I regret that. But I'd regret not being able to provide for them more.
Bo whistles at us on his way back to the tractor barn and I feel myself blushing without Wendy even having to rub it in that he's cute and paying attention to me. Bo left and got insanely hot, and I'm still the boring, hometown Kinlee with debt and two siblings hanging over my head. There's no way a guy as good-looking as Bo Hart will be interested in a girl like me. I'm a walking billboard for 'what not to do if you ever want to date again'.
My attention stays on Bo working for way too long, apparently, because when Brandt walks up and scares the life outta me I have to tear my eyes away from the cute boy across the field.
"Didn't mean to scare ya." He chuckles, shoving a pair of gloves in his pocket. He smiles at me then his eyes hit Bo. "Happy he's back?"
"Why didn't anyone tell me he was comin' back? I feel like a bitch for not knowing." I mutter. "He looks so different."
"Didn't realize you wanted to know, Kinlee." He winks at me. "He was askin' about you a few weeks ago."
"He showed up at my work." A grin pulls at my lips. "Asked me out."
Brandt's eyebrows raise. "Yeah? And you said?"
"No, Brandt. I said no. I don't have time to date, and he doesn't have time for my baggage." I huff, pouting because he's too good looking to turn down. Looks aren't everything though. I've met way too many pretty country boys that were douchebags over the years. I know a man that's too good for this town when I see one, and sadly I fear that's Bo Hart.
"He's got all the time in the world for you, Kinlee. Always has." He kicks the fence pole back into place and glances around, squinting his eyes. "You seen my wife?"
"I don't know if she's back yet," I murmur and drift my gaze to Bo again.
"Give him a chance, Kinlee. You may be surprised," he says as he walks away.
I'm not really a fan of surprises. Especially the bad ones that catch you off guard, like when Bo realizes I'm not worth his time.
"Order up!" Larry yells through the window just as the door dings. We haven't been this busy in a while, but tonight's the tractor pull so it's no surprise. I'm actually happy about it, because I could use these tips.
"Coming," I sing, smiling as I carry the tray to the booth in the back, full of high school kids heading to the football game tonight.
As annoying as groups of young kids like them can be, it really makes me happy to watch them interacting. It's like, their entire lives still have to happen but they're so into the moment that they aren't worried about anything else. It's nice. Reminds me of our gang back then.
After getting them settled, I head to the hostess stand and the minute I see him standing there my work smile is replaced by one a little more excited. I try to tamp it down, but being around him does something to me.
"You gonna order somethin' this time, cowboy?" I ask Bo, grabbing a menu.
"Well, ma'am, what do you recommend?" He lifts the menu but his eyes stay on me.
"Maybe grabbing a table so I have a place to set your food?" I smirk at him and he chuckles. "Come on, I got the perfect spot for ya." Heading over to the corner closest to the waitressing station, I slide into the booth. "This good?" With a smile I nervously pat the table with my paper pad and our eyes lock as he slides into the booth.
"If you're staying right there," he points at me, "then this is great."
"Unfortunately I have a shift to finish, and a busy diner tonight." I bite my lip. "But I can sit here while we discuss the menu. In depth," I whisper leaning in, telling myself not to play this game but I can't stop now that I've started.
"So the chicken," he loudly says, looking around then dips his head and quietly asks, "What time you off this shift?"
"Nine. But I have to run to the Kenshaws' and pick up Wendy right after. How about the chili?" I point to the menu and giggle when I see Larry glaring at me from the server window.
Bo's eyes shift from me to Larry and he lowers the menu. "What's the cook recommend?" he calls to Larry then looks at me again and says, "I just so happen to be heading to the Kenshaws' after this. Maybe I can pick up Wendy and drop her home, then swing by here and pick you up. Then you can help me look like less of a loser. I accidentally bought two tickets to the tractor pull tonight." He cocks his eyebrow.
I chuckle and stand, realizing Larry's still watching me. "You don't give up, Bo Hart, do you?" I shove my paper pad back into my apron and bite my lip, glancing around the restaurant then lean down. "I know you don't need tickets to that pull," I say, grinning at him.
"Come on, Kinlee, you know I do things big. I bought the VIP tickets. All you can drink, up close and personal, in harm’s way and all. But I'll protect you. Just two old friends hangin' out like the good ole days."
My eyes narrow but my smile stays. "You're gonna get me in a heap of trouble, aren't you?"
"Nothing worse than when we were kids." That wolfish grin won't leave his face and I like it way too much.
I nod and start walking backward while smiling away at Bo. "Nine?" When I bump into a table I spin and apologize to the elderly couple sitting there, then turn back to Bo and press my lips together, trying not to laugh.
"Nine." He winks and stands, throwing money onto the table before grabbing a toothpick and walking out the door. Again, not ordering anything but paying for something.
I growl, swiping up the money and shove it into my back pocket, dead set on leaving it in his truck tonight. He can't keep doing this. Visiting is fine, but paying for nothing is ridiculous.
I get a text from Wendy about an hour later and can't help but laugh. She snuck a picture of him driving her home and sent it with a bunch of those heart eye emojis.
Kinlee: He's too old for you!!!
Little Sis: Maybe for me, but not for you!
I roll my eyes and shove my phone away, antsy for the end of my shift. By nine I'm a ball of nerves. I haven't gone out with friends in a long ass time, and though he says this is just like we used to do, I have my doubts. Even if he thinks so, I know this is nothing like how we used to hang. Hell, it's been a long time since I've looked at a man like I've been looking at Bo. And now we're about to spend the whole evening together. In public.
I change out of my uniform and glance at myself in the mirror, frowning. Jeans, the white t-shirt I wore all day today, and my hair in a ball cap because it's too wild after that shift to do anything with. Thankfully I had my boots in the car to round this hot mess together. At least I'm not throwing 'fuck me' vibes out there tonight. Honestly, I'm not even sure if I have any of those vibes left in me.
The minute I head out to my car to drop my bag off, I glance up and he's standing there leaning against his truck, and grinning at me. I smile and toss my things in the trunk before walking over to his truck that probably costs more than my yearly salary.
"Good shift?" He walks to the passenger door and opens it for me.
"Decent." I hop in. "Thank you."
He winks and shuts the door, heading to his side and I grab the wad of cash from my back pocket, shoving it in the glove box before he catches me.
"Is that a Buckskin hat?" He smirks.
I grimace because I know Buckskin was an opponent of his at one time, but it was given to me and the only thing I had in my trunk. Knowing I'm caught, I laugh into my hands. "It is. You like it?"
Giving his head a shake, he pulls onto the road. "Me and Wendy made you something today but I'm not so sure I want to share with traitors."
"You made something with my sister?" Weirdly affected by him bonding with my little sister, I can't tell if I'm mad he's intruding on my life after only being back in town a few weeks, or happy he's trying to be...sweet.
"She was bored and I was watching the rugrats, so we had to pass the time." He holds out what looks to be a bracelet and when I look closer, I can't stop from smiling.
"Y’all made this today?" I inspect the brown bracelet made from what looks to be Lucky's mane, twisted together into this tight, beautiful design, I give him a funny look. "You didn't make this. I have a very hard time believing you did this. This was all my sister."
He chuckles. "She braided it," he admits. "But, I did the gluing and grooming. She was having a hard time snipping a lock of Lucky's hair 'cause she didn't want Brandt to catch us. If he ever asks, it's from a random horse." When he grins, his blue eyes sparkle and his cheeks ball up, narrowing his eyes.
"Well it's beautiful. Thank you." I wrap it around my wrist and clasp it together. "First date and already giving me jewelry." Realizing those words weren't meant to leave my mouth, I let out a nervous laugh. "I mean, you know. It's just, horse...hair..." Who the hell have I turned into around him? I'm like a bumbling idiot when he grins at me like that.
"Dang, Kinlee, you know how to knock a guy down. I thought it was cool." He looks out the window as he turns and I can't see if I've hurt his feelings.
"Hey, no." I reach over, gently touching his arm. "I love it. I do." The feel of his bicep under my hand makes me take an extra minute to pull away. "Thank you for my bracelet, Bo."
When he looks over, he's smiling again. "Sorry it ain't diamonds or somethin'. I'd rather make you something with my own hands. Now, let's find a spot," he quietly groans, finding somewhere to park this massive thing. Only Bo would come back to the country in a Denali. It's not a cowboy's truck, but when a cowboy has money, he does stupid things with it.
"I'm not really one for big flashy things. Simple, not expensive, not flashy. That's more my style." I hear my phone ding as he hops out of the truck and I pull it out, making a face at the damn cracked screen, and let my eyes scan the message from Will. He's spending the night at a friend's house tonight, but I don't know this friend and now I'm going to sit here and worry all night that he's getting into trouble.
I watch Bo round the front of the truck and when he pulls the door open, I'm still gripping my phone because I was too busy staring at him to even unbuckle my seatbelt. He's an old friend of mine, how is it that I'm so attracted to him? It shouldn't be any different than with Chase. But it is, and I don't want to like him like that. We're too different to even try to work.
"Ma'am." He holds out his hand for me to take and helps me hop down. "I like the simple things too. There are only a few things I don't like simple. My cars. My bulls. And my women." He closes the door and holds out his arm to escort us in and my stomach drops at the mention of 'his women'. It shouldn't. I have no claim to him and he pretty much just told me I'm not his type, whether he realizes it or not.
I'm simple to the max. Work, work, work, pay bills, run out of money, rinse, and repeat.
"I think I need a drink," I say, heading for the gate.
It doesn't take long for people to start flocking to Bo. I wish I could say these are old friends, happy he's back in town, but they're not. These are people that know who is because of what he's become and the longer we're bombarded by this crowd, the more aggravated he seems to be getting.
I set my beer down and walk over to him, grabbing his hand in mine. When his stressed eyes hit me, I smile. "I kinda wanna take a walk. You up for keeping me company?" There's really no place around here to 'walk', per se. It's a tractor pull. But I know he needs a break. Hell, I need a break. If the men flocking him aren't bad enough, I'm not a fan of watching breasts being flaunted and shirts being tied up to try to get the attention of the hot, hometown bull rider.
"Any day. Any time." He smiles, happily walking away from his fans. "Sorry, y’all, but when a beautiful lady wants your attention, you show some respect," he apologizes and nods his head right before a big breasted brunette practically jumps in front of us. She bumps our connected hands and wraps her arm around his neck, almost like she's going to kiss him! Bo dodges the girl and pulls me to his side. "When did the south lose its dignity?" he mutters, but loud enough for the girl to hear.
"The minute the awkward nineteen year old left town and came back five years later looking like this," I say, nodding at him and laughing. "I hate it for you. That looked miserable." Our hands are connected still and I should probably pull away, but it feels nice touching him. Different.
"It's not all so bad, but not when I'm on a date."
I smile, looking away so he can't see how happy his statement makes me. "Is it like that every time you try to go somewhere?"
He smiles and glances down at me. "Being a bull rider ain't like being a music sensation. Only reason people in this town know me is 'cause I'm from here. I can walk into any given bar in Nashville and not be recognized."
I grip his hand tighter as we pass through a crowd of people. For someone as rich and popular as he is, and I don't care what he says about people not recognizing him, in my world he's famous, and he's actually pretty humble about all of it.
"How's your back been feeling?" I glance up at him the minute the words flow from my mouth. It's like the elephant in the room each time we're together. I just want to know about him, about his career, and I'm not going to be afraid to ask.
"My back?" He chuckles, his smile trying to tell me not to worry about it. "There ain't nothin' wrong with my back. Them doctors are crazy."
"I'm having a hard time believing you." I grin but drop it, not pushing the subject tonight. "But you're moving good. And working on the ranch, so I mean, that's fun, right? Workin' with your best friend again?"
"We don't work side by side or nothin'. But seeing him around is a hell of a lot better than not. I'll admit that. Missed that guy like crazy and I'm happy for him. He's happy. He's a lucky bastard with all that happiness. He's got a good head on his shoulders and a better family to back him."
"You've got a lot of happiness, Bo." I nudge him, stopping when we get to the end of the bleachers with nowhere else to go. "Just a different type than him, I'm sure." I smirk and wiggle my eyebrows. "I mean, all the money you could want. All the cool cars and stuff you can buy with it. And all the girls, I'm sure."
The look on his face makes me pause but he suddenly forces a chuckle. I think I offended him. "Yeah, I guess. Just would be nice for someone to actually get me. The way Brandt has." Glancing around, he ends that conversation quickly by pointing and saying, "Hey, you wanna move to the stands? It'll be startin'."
"Sure," I reply softly.
I want to 'get him'. I thought I did get him. He seemed to have everything he wanted. If it ain't bull riding and money that makes Bo happy, what is it?
He starts up the bleachers and when we make it to the VIP area, we find a table where hopefully no one will flock to us.
"Hey, I didn't mean anything by what I said back there. I just mean you're pretty lucky too." I grin at him and my hand reaches across the table, my fingers tracing around his. How his hands can turn me on I'm not sure, but they're so big, and strong. I rest my hand on top of his to block out the distraction I don't need right now. "You do get to spend the evening with me. That's pretty lucky."
He laughs and locks his eyes with mine. He's got a demanding stare that entices you and I'm sure he's used it on a million and one women. "I got your attention tonight and that makes me the luckiest guy I know." He reaches toward my face and softly, but quickly, touches my chin.
Just that one touch does things to me that I haven't felt in years. I try not to sigh but I think I fail when he chuckles quietly, shifting in his seat. I sit here, watching him, letting my eyes flick to where our hands are still connected, and wonder what the hell I'm doing. This man's too good for me. He could have anyone in the entire world, there's no reason for him to be here with me right now. But he is and he seems happy about it.
"You really like this stuff?" I ask, trying not to laugh as the pulls start. I've never understood the allure of tractor pulls, and I only said yes to tonight because I really did want to spend time with Bo.
"I like excitement." He smiles at me, not saying anything for a moment while I wrinkle my nose, watching people go crazy over the tractor that's on the strip right now. "You're still the prettiest girl in the state, Kinlee."
"It's a pretty big state, Bo," I say, not pointing out that there're a million other girls out there.
"I'd say in the world, but then you'd think I was lyin'." He waves over a girl that's serving beers and she rushes him like she thinks he wants more than a drink. "Darlin'." He nods to me. "You want a drink?"
"Please." I smile, enjoying the look of disappointment on the waitress's face. "Bud light lime."
"What about you, cowboy?" She turns her back to me and Bo looks her in the eyes.
"I'm driving my lady home tonight. I'm fine, thank you." After his reply, he shifts his shoulder to her and she walks away sulking.
"You could have one with me so I don't look like a lush," I whisper. "But thanks for getting rid of Barbie. Maybe next time we can go somewhere with only dudes workin'."
He cracks a smile. "I didn't peg you for the jealous type."
"I didn't peg you for comin' back here lookin at me like you have been either, Bo Hart." I shrug and shift in my seat, throwing my legs up on the chair in front of me.
"Well, Kinlee Jones." His eyes scan from my boots up to my hips, lingering on the rip on my thigh. "I didn't plan on coming back and remembering what I left."
"You did leave a lot." I nod, uncertain what he really means by that.
It's like he completely forgot about all of us when he left. He wasn't at my parents' funeral. He wasn't in town for any of the Kenshaw births. How can someone just walk away and not look back like that? Not that I blame him much. His parents were always too strict on him, and this town doesn't have much to offer if you want anything other than working at the family farm, or in his case, getting into politics like his daddy.
"No I didn't." He chuckles with a shake of his head. "I left a small handful of people I really cared about. But," he shifts in his seat, "isn't that what growin' up is all about? Guess I coulda stayed to watch everyone else grow up around me and still been awkward but funny Bobby Hart. By now, I'd probably be my dad's mail boy at his office downtown."
"You were pretty awkward, weren't you?" I scrunch my nose. "I mean, you were cute, but real awkward." I start to laugh at the look on his face, and I can't stop. "I'm so happy you're out of that phase!"
He's smiling, and when he stands, he yanks me out of my chair by my hips then grabs my thighs so I have no choice but to wrap my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. His hands hold me up at my ass and I gasp at the completely unexpected move.
"I'm long out of that stage, darlin'." His eyes flash to my lips and my only reaction is to stare with my lips parted and my chest almost panting for him. It feels like he's going to kiss me, and hell I want him to, but he unwraps my legs and slowly sets me back on the chair. "I need to find a john. Don't leave this spot." When he struts away, looking for a bathroom, I lick my lips, staring at his ass in those tight jeans as he goes.
What did he just do? What the hell was that? And then to up and walk away like that?
My heart's racing and I barely notice when Chase walks up. "Hey, you," he says, gripping his beer. "Didn't know you were comin' tonight." When he takes Bo's seat I shake my head at him, still in a daze from what Bo just pulled.
Did Chase see it? Does it even matter?
"I didn't either. But that seats taken, Chase." I laugh at the hurt expression on his face. "Sorry."
"Yeah? Don't look like it." He shifts to get comfortable and I roll my eyes.
"Seriously. I'm here with someone. He'll be back soon." I suddenly wish I woulda told Bo no, only because I don't want our friends catching on to whatever this is. Because it can't be anything, as much as I want it to.
"Who you here with?" His eyebrows push together and he takes a swig of his beer.
I huff and lean back in my seat, my body still reeling from being that close to Bo. "Bo," I whisper, glaring at the tractors.
"Bo, as in Bo Hart?" Chase laughs. "I heard he was back, but I never believed it! What're you two doin' out without the rest of us? We coulda gotten the gang back together!" His laughter is patronizing because I know that's the last thing he wants to do.
I pause and shake my head. "Sounds like a good time. This was a last minute decision." I haven't dated in years, really since Chase, and though we've been cool I still feel awkward as hell right now.
"Well, I guess I can leave you two to it..." He trails off, the expression on his face changing from mocking to possibly hurt. "Talk to you tomorrow?"
"Of course," I manage, panicked that Bo's going to come back and take this whole thing the wrong way.
"Well, shit," Bo's voice comes from behind me.
That's not the direction he went when he left, which means he's seen more of me and Chase interacting than I'd care for. Again, I don't know why I care, but ex-boyfriend and...well...Bo just makes things awkward. I whip around to see his smile plastered on his face while he stares at Chase.
"Kinlee told me they cleaned up the town." He chuckles and walks up to Chase. They do that man hug, slapping each other on the back. "You botherin' my date?" Bo takes his seat and looks at me.
My eyes fly to Chase whose expression has gone from confused to hurt and I wince. "Nah, he's just heading out. Right, Chase?" I give him a look like I'm begging him to go.
"Date." He chuckles. "Nice, man." He bumps knuckles with Bo then looks over at me. "Actually I'm not headin' out for a little bit. Mind if I join you?"
"Up to the lady." Bo gestures to me, the smile on his face says he's clueless to my past with Chase but there's still tension there because these two had the biggest falling out of them all.
"Sure." I grin. "I think we're gonna have to get going soon. I can't be out too late, what with the twins at home." I could kill Chase for this. And Bo. And myself for getting into this situation.
Chase grabs a chair and swings it around to our table, sitting between Bo and me. He catches Bo's gaze. "So how's life been treatin' ya, Hart? Heard you got hurt. How ya feelin'?"
"Fine. All healed." Bo's attention goes to the strip as an engine roars.
"So you'll probably be heading back out on the road soon then, huh? That big city callin' your name again? I bet they're itching to get you back on a bull. More rides, more money, am I right?" He nudges him and I stare at Bo's face.
His eyes narrow slightly but he recovers quickly. "Actually, I'm not ridin' right now. I fulfilled my contract, so I'm a free agent at the moment. I just bought my granddad's place so I planned on sticking around for a while. Didn't think I would." He looks at me. "But, I think I changed my mind."
If I'm the deciding factor that changed his mind…god, that shouldn't make me feel the way it does. I bite my lip to keep my smile from spreading too wide.
"What changed your mind?" Chase asks, either completely clueless or playing a game that's gonna end in a black eye.
Bo laughs with a tinge of annoyance and looks at the table. "Let's talk about you, Chase. What've you been doin' these past five years?"
"Still runnin' the parlor in town. Bar backing on the weekends and some nights throughout the week." He takes another swig of beer then grins over at me. "Keepin' this town rollin'. And keepin' this one in line." When his head nods my way, I roll my eyes.
"I don't need to be kept in line, thank you very much," I scoff. "Pretty simple, easy life here." I play it down, because I know if Bo hears about all the shit I've gone through these past five years, and how Chase was there for every second of it, this date won't end the way I hope.
"Yeah? Keepin' her in line? What's she been up to that the likes of you needs to keep her in line?" Bo's smiling, and though he looks different than when he left, he's always gotten a wrinkle on his forehead when he didn't like something. It always gave him away. Even when he's smiling through it.
"Ah... I mean I don't wanna bring up sore topics. Shit just kinda fell apart after the accident..." Chase cringes and I clear my throat, widening my eyes at him. "Just, you know, man. She needed people. I was there."
I try not to growl, because it's obvious this is becoming a pissing match, at least on Chase's side. "Chase, we're headin' out," I blurt, standing from my seat and holding my hand out for Bo. "I gotta get back home." I'm in no hurry to leave, but I want to get away from him. I shoulda just said no when he asked to sit, but I couldn’t do that! He's my closest friend!
"Take it easy, Chase." Bo's eyes stay on him when he takes my hand.
As I pull him away, Bo glances back. "Calm down, cowboy." I chuckle, giving his hand a squeeze. "He's harmless."
"No need to comfort me, darlin'. I've known Chase since we were kids. I'm not worried 'bout him, or his backhanded comments."
I'm not really sure what to say. I don't feel like I need to apologize for Chase, or apologize for whatever type of relationship we've had in the past. I also don't want to hide whatever this is with Bo from our friends, but I need to figure out what the hell this is first. He's too good for me, he has stability, and land, and cars, and probably has too much money at the end of his month. Whereas I'm sitting here waiting to pay last month's power bill until I can scrape up enough and still be able to feed the three of us. Bo and I are totally different and since he's been back, I've been drawn to him. Though, I always have. I did have sex with him before. But it's different this time. The only turn off is the money. That's something I'm not interested in, and I'm not interested in the rumors that'll start about how that's all I'm interested in.
"I don't really need to get home," I mutter, praying I didn't ruin this date.
"Just wanted away from Chase being a douche?" He chuckles and opens the door for me, helping me up into the big truck. Before I can comment, he gets in and leans his elbow on the console, slowly drifting his hand to tuck my hair behind my ear while he stares into my face with a serious expression. "Hey, I'm sorry I wasn't here to lean on when that happened. I didn't even know it happened, but if Brandt woulda told me, I woulda came back. I suppose it's my fault for not checking in more often, but I wanted to leave a few things behind and that made me leave a few, more important things behind."
A frown plays on my lips, because I really don't want to talk about my parents' death over and over again. "You did what you had to do, Bo. I get it. We all grew up. Drifted apart. I didn't expect you to drop the big show just to come back for a funeral. Not sure if you know this or not, but those things aren't fun to attend." I grin, trying to lighten the mood.
"If I had known, I woulda came back. Not for a party, just to pay my respects as a friend." His knuckle trails down the side of my face before he moves away and starts the truck. "You want to grab a shake at Dotty's?"
"That sounds amazing." My smile is real this time. "And don't beat yourself up over there, cowboy. You can't change the past, and I'm not mad about it." I poke his side and let out a laugh when he squirms away. "I'm happy you came back, Bo. This town needed some excitement."
His smile is forced but he looks over at me with that glow in his eyes. "I'm not as excitin' as I used to be. But a shake sounds pretty damn exhilarating right now."
"Mint chocolate chip?" I grin, remembering his favorite from high school.
His smile's real this time when he looks over and winks. "You know it, princess."
We get to Dotty's and we're the only ones here, so we take a seat at a booth in the corner after ordering our shakes. I bring the twins here once a month for ice cream treats. At least, I used to before my brother became such a thorn in my side. Remembering he's at a friends house tonight, I pull out my phone and swipe over the cracked screen, yet again telling myself I need to get it fixed before it breaks even more. No missed messages. Nothing from him for a few hours now. I type out a quick text, asking for him to check in.
"Sorry, I had to check in with Will. It's been a few hours since I've heard from him and he's at a friend's house tonight."
He takes my phone and inspects it, looking at me with a cocked eyebrow. "You're gonna cut them pretty little fingers, Kinlee." He sets the phone down and slides it toward me then looks up while I stare at my fingers. "What's goin' on with Will?"
"I don't have pretty little fingers," I mutter then start to laugh. "Bo, that phone cost a fortune. I'm not about to pay for another one because of a few cracks. I'll throw some clear tape on it and call it a day." I grab it and tuck it back in my purse. "And Will's just any teenage boy that lost his parents way too soon. He's angry at the world, and he takes it out in the worst ways possible. Last week he got caught in the locker room at the high school with a lighter. He likes fire." I shake my head, running my hands down my face and groaning. "You and Brandt never did that dumb, evil shit. I don't know where it's coming from, and I don't know how to fix it."
"The boy needs a positive role model in his life. Not that you're not, but you're his sister and it don't count. Maybe he can come help out on the Kenshaws’ ranch a few days after school."
"I tried that. Brandt found him attempting to set a few hay bales ablaze and that was the end of that. He still goes there, but they don't let him help out." I roll my eyes. "He needs to be scared straight, that's what he needs. And I just don't have the fear of God to put into him anymore."
"Hey." His hand clamps to my shoulder. "Don't give up. You're stronger than that." Grinning at me, he says, "He needs guy time. I happen to have a lot of free time." When he shrugs, I look up at him, almost blurting no. "Maybe me and Will can hang out to keep him busy."
"He's difficult to hang out with, Bo." I want to say no, but I really want to say yes because maybe he can get through to him. But then what if Will does somethin' stupid and Bo decides the twins are too much baggage to be in any type of relationship with me? Lord have mercy, my head's swimming.
"I'm used to difficult." He smirks but for the second time since we sat down, he leans like his back's hurting. "Let me get my schedule at the ranch this week. Then I'll plan something stupid for us to do. Safe," he blurts. "But stupid." His grin is too much sometimes. Instant panty melter.
"Safe, but stupid." I laugh. "I feel like that's your life motto." When the waitress brings us our shakes, I grab his first. "This is just as delicious as the last time we had it. Chase got one and it was way better than mine." I don’t want to but I slide his across the table to him.
He looks up from his shake and wipes his mouth. "What's goin' on with him? He seemed to have some issues with us together tonight. Last thing I need is to have to deal with some bullshit with him like I did in the past."
I don't fully know what that means, and it's in the past so I don't want to bring it back up, but I do know it's partially the reason Chase backed off from everyone.
"He's my best friend, Bo."
"Wow, best friends." His brows are high. "I leave and this town flips upside down." With a chuckle, he sits back. "Well, if he's a best friend, we coulda hung out, Kinlee. We're all friends."
I stare at him and his choice of words throws me. Friends. I thought me and Bo were here right now because we were trying for something more than friends.
"Chase and I dated for a while. It was getting awkward. I haven't had a chance to tell him about us, because I don't even know if there's anything to tell him. And like you said, friends." I grab my straw and try to get some shake, but it's still too dense. Not only is Bo's choice of words frustrating me, but this damn shake can go right to hell with those words.
That classic Bo chuckle sounds. The one he does when he's holding back his annoyance. Join the club, buddy.
"I don't know what you and I have to do with Chase Haring, Kinlee. As far as I'm concerned, he doesn't need to know anything about what I want or don't want. Who I see or don't see. He's your best friend, you can fill him in on what you want him to know about you, but I'll handle the stuff about me."
I blink a few times. "I hear you loud and clear, Bo." Nodding slowly, I let out a puff of air. "I uh... I think I'm gonna be headin' home."
I knew I shouldn't have accepted this date. I knew I shouldn't have enjoyed it as much as I did. I actually let myself want something with Bo. I let myself think this may be the first relationship that I actually pursued. But like he said, we're all just friends.