Page 128 of Wildest Forever

“Sounds like something me and my friends would have done,” he bobs his head, and I hear his wife James tut.

“Of course I wouldn't do that now,” Nate spins, tracking back and placing a kiss on her forehead.

“I'm going to join the girls for a tequila,” she announces, moving from her chair and disappearing towards where Morgan and Aspen are tucked up at the bar and I clock some random talking to her.

Spur boots. Aubergine crocodile skinned leather wrapped around them.Clean light denim jeans.Crisp white shirt. Matching aubergine cowboy hat, lowered so unable to see his face, but even if it wasn’t, the bottom half of his face was covered with a bandana.

Riggs catches me staring, Nate is beside me and Riggs grunts.

“Who the fuck is that?”

And we hear Tripp murmur.

“Fucking hell, here we go,” but we ignore him. Tripp is the peace maker, likes to be involved in the drama but doesn't like the confrontation.

But he would always be by our side if we needed him.

“You know him?” Nate asks.

I shake my head.

“Not a clue, but this isn't my stomping ground. We don't drift far from our town line but since our bar got burned down, and well, since I’ve been married to Morgan... this has become our local.”

He lifts his chin.

All three of us stand and watch the guy at the bar, watch how he leans in slightly, but it seems he has his eyes on one girl in particular.

My fucking girl.

I step forward but Riggs’ hand is on my shoulder, pulling me back in line.

“Calm it, you don't want to lose your head.”

Glancing at him, I narrow my gaze on him.

“Are you shitting me? Who are you and what have you done to Riggs?” rage bubbles deep inside of me but after a minute, I realize he is right.

I don't want to go in all guns blazing when it could in fact be a harmless conversation.

Riggs' hand slips from my shoulder and that kind of feels like a go-ahead sign.

I look at him, he looks at me, but then his eyes drift to Nate who nods in the direction of the trio.

Glaring forward, that's when I see them.

Walking over with a tray full of tequila shooters and relief settles in my stomach, cooling the rage that was once consuming me deep inside.

“See, could have got messy for no reason,” Riggs leans down and says quietly in my ear.

“I don't like this new Riggs,” I groan as my lips purse into a smile when she stops in front of me.

“I knew you were watching mecowboy.”

“Did you?” I look down at her, eyes darkening for a moment.

“Mmhm,” her soft voice floats over my skin and goosebumps prick at the base of my neck.

Time stands still for just a moment and we're not in Randy's.We’re standing in a meadow. The sun is low in the sky, warm on my skin. Her hair blows in the soft summer breezeand the smell of wildflowers consume me whole.I want to slow dance with her right here, right now, but not here in Randy's.I want to dance privately so I am consumed wholly.

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