Page 46 of When We Met

Lillian, she’s a tiny girl. Five foot two, but curvy. What she lacks in height, she makes up for in attitude. Apparently, the conversation isn’t going well because Lillian jabs her finger into Morgan’s chest as she says something to him, and walks away.

Back at the table after our dance, Morgan finds me, keeping one eye on Lillian, who moves toward the restrooms with Kacy. “What’s with short girls?”

“Shorter the woman, closer to hell,” I mumble, finding my eyes drawn to Kacy. I can’t stop staring at her. I’d love to chalk it up to not having had sex in a long fucking time, but it’s more than that.

“Must be. She’s mean as shit all the time.”

“Or maybe because you’re you, and you cheated on your wife with her.”

“We’re separated.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Fuck you. What’s with you and California?”

“Nothing.”

“Uh-huh,” he mocks, walking away. “I better not have to drag your ass out of bed in the morning.”

I check on the girls, find Sev asleep on Jace’s lap as he sits in a booth chewing on memories he won’t talk about. He’s lost in thought, whiskey in one hand, his phone in the other. I’m curious if he’s going to call Abbi, but doubtful he will.

Camdyn is with my dad, lost in an intense game of poker, and looks like she might be winning.

There’s another Gretchen Wilson song playing when Kacy returns to the table. She’s dancing her way back to the table, glossy-eyed and sexy as fucking sin. I want to grab her, throw her on this table and show her exactly what she’s been missing with a country boy.

I’m slouched to the side, with my leg kicked out in front of me. I smile at her, and Kacy winks at me. “Christ, boy. Could you look any sexier?”

I smirk. “You’re drunk.”

She trips and catches herself on the table. “True. So… this wife of yours. She’s a loser if you ask me.”

“Why’s that?”

“Leave a guy like you? Must’ve been fucked in the head.”

“Or tired of this life.” I lean in, my elbows on the table. “Sure. It’s fun here because you’re new in town. You’re not used to the drama or the rumors. Everybody knows your business.”

Reaching for her purse, she takes out what looks to be Chapstick and sweeps it over her lips. “You mean like Morgan and Lillian?”

“Yes, exactly. When Tara left, I was the talk of the town. That shit gets old real fast.”

“So is that why she left? Rumors?”

“Fuck if I know. She…” I sigh, thinking of Tara, someone I actively try not to think about. “She was destined for a bigger life than what Amarillo had to offer.”

“And you?”

“I was a temporary setback.”

Kacy’s eyes flutter. “She’s a bitch.”

“You know her?” I tease. “You are from California?”

Her eyes widen, her mouth gaping open. “I… don’t think so.”

I reach for my beer. “I’m just fuckin’ with you.” I take a drink, wishing we weren’t talking about Tara. And I definitely don’t want to think about the fact that we got married in this bar, and the only girl I ever danced with, until tonight, had been her. “Anyways, I haven’t seen her in three years. And I don’t miss her. She can have her wandering ways. I’ll take little girl giggles any day,” I tell her, my eyes on Camdyn hustling for her college fund.

“You’re quite the poet.”

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