Page 73 of Giddy-Up
“Look at you, all smiling and shit.”Benny slapped him on the back.That was him.He’d turned into a smiler.Life was good.“Riley got any single friends who want a tour of Woodvalley?”
That would be a hell no.
“You run out of women in town already?”Wade teased.
He was treated to a wink.“It’s a small town, man.”
Wade could only shake his head.Itwasa small town so he and everyone else were well aware of Benny’s inability to commit to any one woman.
“Hey, Benny.”Riley smiled as she tucked herself under Wade’s arm.“How did the move go?”
Benny had just bought a house.A fact he was only aware of because he’d been staying at Luke’s while he waited for completion, and Luke had a big mouth.And spent the majority of Benny’s time there bitching about how his friend was a cockblock.
“Good, thanks, sweetheart,” Benny replied.“But could do with a woman’s touch—you ever get sick of this one, you come find me.”Another freaking wink.
“Seriously?”Wade’s sneer was met with a full belly laugh.
Unbelievable.
Bella and Luke were the next to arrive, greeting Libby at the door with a bottle of wine.After a quick glance around, they made a beeline for Wade, Riley, and Benny, where the group had started to gather.Luke waved a stack of envelopes like a man on a mission as he strode toward them.
“Hey, douchecanoe, how many times do I need to tell you to change your address?I’m still getting all your mail, and trust me, I have no interest in hearing about your penis enlargement plans!”
The group burst out laughing as the letters were shoved into Benny’s hands.
“Sorry.”Bella giggled as her hand went to Luke’s arm.“I’m getting him tested.”
“Tested for what?”Riley asked.Not getting the joke.God, she was cute.
He couldn’t help himself.He dipped down to lay a sloppy kiss in her hair and was rewarded with her bright smile.
“Save your money, sweetheart.He already tested positive to being a dick.”Benny quipped.
After a while, conversation between the group faded into the background as he held Riley close.
How did I get so lucky?
He finally had it all.His dream woman.A job he loved.Actual people he considered friends.And it was only just the start.He had big plans.One of which was already burning a hole in his pocket.
“What the fuck!”Benny’s usual jovial demeanour switched in an instant, bringing Wade out of his head and turning to look at the man in question.
He’d been opening his mail, and one particular letter had caught his attention.In a bad way.But Wade suspected it wasn’t just an unwelcome bill.There was too much tension thickening the air.
Bella, Luke and Riley all asked, “What?”But their question went unanswered as Benny continued to stare at the small card in his hand.Then he was gone.Storming through the arch leading to the kitchen and then slamming the back door.Not before chucking the mail onto the countertop.
Riley was off.Following his footsteps and retrieving whatever he’d been holding before coming to a stop.
My little detective.
She bit down on her lip as she passed the card to him.
Wade looked down at the wedding invite, Benny’s anger no longer a mystery.
So the rumors he’d heard were true.Not only was Benny’s old high school sweetheart back in Woodvalley.She was getting married.And apparently, Benny had been invited.
God help Woodvalley Pines.The past was back...and she was wearing a white wedding dress.
