Page 18 of Fires Creek
“Do you have to bloody ruin everything?” I squealed, pushing him off me and gesturing to the surprise guest in his jeans.
“Peach?” He said, though it was really more of a question. His voice had dropped to barely a whisper.
“I love you too, Theodore. Always.”
I wasonto my third glass of Cabernet before Jonas strode up to me with a cheeky smile and whispered against my ear, “Careful, Red. Don’t you remember what happened last time you had a few wines?”
Before I could open my mouth to speak, I felt Teddy’s presence linger behind me as he joined us. I could smell the lingering scent of tobacco when he nestled his mouth into my neck. “Peach?” he slurred. “Are you being a bad girl?”
“Come on, baby, we better take our seats. Red’s up next,” Jonas confessed.
“Wait, what?” I asked, confusion lacing my voice.
Jonas didn’t have a moment to answer my questions before Link appeared on the make-shift Karaoke stage that we set up for ‘Ladies Night’ – AKA ‘The Book Club’, AKA ‘Karaoke Night’. His classicRealtor for the Starsvoice rang through the diner as he announced, “Ladies and Gentlemen of Fires Creek. We have a special treat for you tonight. Please welcome to the stage, River. Fucking. Carlisle!”
Our neighbours and friends erupted in cheers, whistles, and laughter. Before I could comprehend what I just heard, Teddy lifted me from my seat and carried metowards the stage, while Hannah laughed hysterically from her perch on the counter across from me. The sound of my boots echoed against the wooden floor as Teddy dropped me next to Link, who narrowed his eyebrows as he passed me the microphone with a smirk. “Ready, darlin’?”
The bass increased as Hannah turned the music up louder. The familiar intro of ‘Bottom’s Up’ by Brantley Gilbert faded in from the previous song and radiated through my body and the diner.Of course she picked this song. Bitch.
I had – in confidence – told her last time we had a girl’s night at Ashwood, that I loved this song. I had climbed onto the table, using a spoon as a microphone, and performed the living shit out of it for her. That night ended with her passing out on the couch and Teddy throwing me over his shoulder and carrying me up to bed. Jonas was patiently waiting for us, already naked and hard.The boys were always starting without me.
I took a deep breath and let my eyes close, letting the music enter my soul. My body became one with the beat, my hips swirling instinctively to the song. My eyes flashed open, and as the first line of the song amped up from the speakers, so did my inner confidence.
I belted the song – there was no stopping me now. I was drunk, I was happy, and I was completely in my element. The sound of my boys cheering my name only egged me on as I pranced around the platform. I felt every riff, every lyric, every drumbeat. I was living my small-townCoyote Uglyfantasy, and nobody could stop me.
The guitar solo started and so did my feet. I didn’t hold back. The chorus that followed was sung with passion and fire. As the final beat burst through the diner, I stompedmy well-worn boots hard against the floor beneath me, punched my fist into the air, and smiled.
The next song, ‘Austin’ by Dasha faded in from the speakers before my applause was over. Hannah had made me learn the TikTok line dance, and you bet your sweet ass I was absolutely doing it. I dragged her from her perch on the counter to the middle of the dance floor, and we stomped and twirled our way through every beat – our boots clunking in unison like a sweet melody.
I was loved.
I was home.
I was fuckinginvincible.
That song ended, and the next one erupted from the speakers. Jonas joined us on the dance floor – drink in hand – and wrapped his arm around my waist from behind. He nuzzled his bearded chin into my neck as his hips moved in time with my own.
“You smell so fucking good, Red,” he growled against my earlobe. Taking it in his mouth and sucking on the milky flesh. His tongue was warm and wet as he trailed kisses down the column of my neck. His empty hand snaked its way up to my throat and coaxed my head back until our eyes met. The deep-chocolate of his eyes sent pools of heat to my core.
“Open your mouth,” he demanded, his eyes burning into mine.
My lips parted and I arched my neck, baring myself to him. He took a swing of his drink, then his lips met mine as he spat the warm, honey bourbon into my mouth. He spun me to face him, the liquid now burning my throat and his tongue encircled mine. His kiss was rough and hard, like he was claiming me.
As I pulled away, his lips crept into a satisfiedsmile. His tongue slid across the pink flesh, and his eyes closed as bit his lower lip. “Red?”
“Hey,” I replied, as I nestled my head into his chest. I felt his lips brush against my hair as he pressed a gentle kiss to the top of my head. His hand stroked through my locks like he was scared I’d disappear if he didn’t hold onto me.
“You smell good,” he groaned. I giggled as I looked up, meeting the deep pools of chocolate beneath his lashes.
“I love you, River Carlisle.”
“I love you, Jonas Carter.”
He had told me he loved me once before, one night as we were moving the cattle in from the stockyard. He wasn’t one with words. His love language was more on the acts of service scale.
I had never been cared for the way he cared for me. Little things like washing my hair, polishing my boots, or helping me wash the truck. He was always finding ways to provide for me – and I cherished every moment.
Teddy stumbled out from behind the bar in the diner, holding a bottle in one hand and a cigarette in the other. I felt his hand meet Jonas’s against my waist until I was completely surrounded by my men.
