Page 36 of Sweet and Wild

I flick my gaze to Alexis. I wasn’t even aware she was waiting on me.

“Hi.” She gives me a flirty smile, but I can’t keep my eyes from Lemon for long. “Can I get you somethin’, hun?”

“Beer,” I bark.

“Any particular kind?”

“Nope,” I say, and then I feel bad because my folks raised me better than to speak to a woman in anger, especially one who’s done nothin’ wrong. “Just whatever you find first will be great, thanks.”

“Okay, I’ll be right back.” She follows my gaze to the others. “Or, did you want me to take it to table seven?”

“Here’s fine. Thanks.”

“It’s pretty wild about Lemon Winchester coming home, huh? I mean, I know her daddy just died, but I honestly never expected to see her again. Especially after she ran out on yo—”

“I’ll take that beer now, Alexis. Thanks.”

“Oh, sure thing.” She blushes and struts away. I don’t watch her go because I got my eyes on one woman and one woman only.

Cash and Carla hit the dance floor, but Lemon, Wyatt, and Zadie keep throwing back shots like it’s happy hour on spring fucking break.

Alexis returns with my beer and I nod and down the thing in one long pull. I’m not sure if I should have another considering the amount Lemon and Wyatt are drinking. I didn’t see Lemon’s car parked in the lot, but one of them drove here because it’s not like we can just call an Uber in these parts.

“Can I get you anything else, Colt?”

“Steak, medium rare.”

“Sure. You want fries or mash with that?”

I don’t answer because they’re throwing back another round of shots and some kids who look like they’re fresh outta high school have joined them. The boys are just a little too close to Lemon for my liking.

“Okay,” Alexis says. “I’ll just give you mash.”

I grunt a non-reply and she scurries off again. West and Wade enter the bar and make a beeline for my table. I don’t even think they’ve realized their other siblings are here drinking too much and making asses of themselves.

West slides into the booth seat opposite me and Wade follows suit. “Hey.”

“Hey, yourself,” I mutter.

West frowns. “What’s eating your ass?”

Wade looks around the bar and squawks like a fucking idiot. “Uh-oh. I think Lemon is what’s eatin’ Colt’s ass.”

“What?” West leans around my head and chuckles. “Is it Lemon, her outfit, or the guy she’s cozying up to that’s pissing you off so much?”

“He’s a fuckin’ kid. Probably wouldn’t even know what to do with that little twinkie between his legs.”

“Weren’t you a kid the last time you were with her?”

“Shut the fuck up, Wade,” I snap.

“Well, fuck you too. I think I’ll go say hello to my baby sister.”

“Wade,” West warns.

“What?” He throws his hands up in a gesture that says he could do no wrong. “Lemon Winchester, is that you?” he crows at the top of his lungs so every man in the room who wasn’t already looking turn their heads in her direction. Lemon throws her arms around Wade and they rock back and forth on the spot.

“She’s just havin’ a little fun. I get the feeling Lemonade don’t let her hair down much these days.”

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