Page 94 of When the Smoke Clears

Leah starts pouring tequila shots and handing them around as another truck pulls into the clearing. This time, the ranch hands step out. Considering my time with the guys over the last few years, and all that we have ahead of us, it doesn’t seem right to have a get-together without them joining in. The ranch is their home, and they’re our family as much as we are theirs.

Cody and Jason carry another cooler between them and set it near the one Nick and I have stationed away from the fire. Kelly shakes Nick’s hand and pulls a beer from the newest cooler.

Maci stalls as Leah shoves a shot cup her way. “This didn’t go so well the last time.”

Leah grins wickedly. “I’m pretty sure you brought a better cock this time.”

“Jesus, Leah!” Izzy’s face turns a deep crimson color, and her eyes bounce around us as she rights herself on the log. Liv wears a similar expression and Nick laughs loudly.

Maci’s darkening cheeks reflect in the light as she peeks my direction, gauging my response.

I take the few steps over to her, crowding her space and lowering my voice so only she can hear. “Have you been telling your friends about my cock?”

She pins me with a smirk and tips her chin up. “Have you been telling your friends about my pussy?”

I grip her hip deeply with my fingers and she bites her lip appreciatively. “What part of I don’t share do you not understand?”

She leans up on her toes. “I’ve already told you I don’t either. Leah’s just digging.” Her fingers grab my shirt, gripping several buttons as she yanks me. “Now give me a kiss.”

“Fuck, I love when you’re bossy.” My tongue delves into her mouth and she groans into mine.

“I didn’t say ride it now,” Leah says loudly.

I release Maci’s mouth with a smile that mirrors hers.

When everyone has a cup, Leah gets out a half-hearted toast before we all toss our shot back.

Maci grimaces. “Fucking tequila.”

“You don’t like tequila?” I should know this already, though I know her usual drink of choice is whiskey and Coke.

“Blech. No.”

“But you’re a good sport!” Leah makes air kisses, pulling something colorful from her bag.

A truck parks at the entrance of the meadow and two doors close before Shane and Casey head our way. Casey was the responding officer when Maci filed the report after Colt busted her window, but she’s never met Shane before.

“What’s up, man!” Casey yells as he approaches. Greetings go around and Maci introduces Casey to her friends before I introduce Shane to them all.

They’re an odd pair for brothers. Casey, despite being nearly thirty, has a baby face void of facial hair. He’s average height and build. Next to Shane, he’s tiny. Shane even puts Nick’s large frame to shame. He’s over six feet of bulging muscles. His dark hair, opposite Casey’s reddish blonde, is cut short and tucked into a cap tonight, as usual. He looks more like an enforcer than the Sheriff that he is.

Leah smiles at them both and pulls two more solo cups out. “You’re behind.” She hastily hands one to each of them. “Here, you need these, too.” She dangles some of the color before her and I study them, realizing they’re some sort of bracelet.

Liv pipes up. “Do these attach to the cups?”

“Yep. Each one has a hole punched already, so you just wind the ring of the bracelet through the hole on the cup and you can hang onto it all night.” She’s clearly proud.

Shane’s face remains stoic, but Casey’s eyes jump in surprise before he accepts the token with a grin. His face drops quickly. “Mine’s pink.”

“You sweet little thing, you,” Nick says and snickers.

Casey shoots him a playful glare and says, “Real men wear pink.”

“Hear, hear!” Cody shouts and the brothers down their shots.

“Come on, let’s dance,” Izzy says, standing from her place at a log.

Liv follows. “I’m going to need another shot for that.”

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