Page 37 of Starting Over with You
FIFTEEN
Dean
I scored a goal, I checked Matt into the boards twice, and I shot the puck at my sister when she was leaning on the glass, talking to the Belles. Her beer went flying, and boy, did she cuss me out, but I just flashed her a grin.
All in all, it was a good night of hockey.
Whiskey and Whirl night is in full swing as I step into the Thirsty Pine. The scent of beer and bad choices hits me square in the face as I take in the packed bar and pulsing dance floor. There are more tourists than locals, which is what Jasper, the owner, banked on with his theme nights. This would be good if I were in the mood to take someone home, but lately, that just hasn’t been enticing me. I don’t know when it happened, but I’m tired of meaningless hookups. I feel like my whole life has been nothing but hookups.
Exhibit number one: Skyye Leigh Moore.
I tip my refreshed hat to a group of ladies from the police station, and I’m rewarded with saucy grins and little winks before Ihead toward the bar. I like to get two shots in me before I hit the floor. That way, if I fall, I can tell my bruised ego it was because I was drunk. My boots crunch on the peanuts and whatever else is on the floor as I make my way to my spot at the bar. The space above the bar is crowded with taxidermy animals that have been shot and posted up by the locals, along with hockey sticks and old photos of people playing hockey and hunting. It’s a kitchen sink of shit that somehow goes together.
People are shouting and laughing as “Watermelon Crawl” by Tracy Byrd plays through the speakers. The crowd on the floor is killing the dance, and I almost hope they play this song again since it’s one of my favorites. It isn’t until I’m most of the way to the bar that I notice someone is sitting in my seat.
Not just someone. Kenni.
She doesn’t have to turn for me to know it’s her. I can tell by the slope of her neck, the fullness of her cheeks, as she laughs at whatever Jasper just said. Her jet-black hair is in two braids down her back, and her pink shirt is riding up, giving me one hell of a view of the small of her back, which has two delectable rolls on either side. Her full ass hangs over the sides of the stool she sits on, her dark jeans painted on her thighs, and the heels of her boots are hooked into the rung of her stool. Jasper fills her glass and pushes it to her just as I step up.
“Put her tab on mine,” I say when I pull out the stool beside her and sit down. “I’d like the same.”
I don’t catch Jasper’s look or even his response as my eyes meet her surprised ones. Her eyes are shining under neon bar signs as she slowly curves her lips up at me. Delight swirls in her blue depths, and the look goes straight to my cock. She licks her lips, completely oblivious to the torture she’s putting me through, before she says, “Fancy seeing you here.”
I settle beside her, squirming a bit to alleviate some of the pressure of my cock against my zipper. I put my elbows on the bar as I lean forward. “Me? Where is the rest of your trio?”
Her eyes dance as she brings her glass to her lips. “Well, Sadiehad date night with Matt, and I had to get out of the house. I forgot how awful it is living with my sister.”
I chuckle loudly, and I pick up the drink that Jasper sets down for me. “That she’s a slob and blames everyone for her messes?”
She tips her drink to me. “Oh yes, and that it’s basically newlywed central in there. I walked in on them, Dean. I was just trying to do my laundry, and he’s got her over the damn washer!”
I choke on my drink, the liquor burning as I laugh, shaking my head. “Yeah, I heard they’re a little wild. Skyye hates it.”
She grimaces. “My poor niece. I need my place to be ready so she and I can go hide.”
“She has my house,” I say defensively, and I don’t know why. I love that Skyye loves Kenni; they’re truly best friends.
“I know, but she doesn’t like to bother you when it’s not your week.”
I bring in my brows. “She isn’t a bother. She could move in tomorrow.”
Kenni gives me a look, one that tells me she means no harm or offense, before she says, “Then she’ll be walking in on you.”
I scoff, shaking my head. “Women don’t come into my house.”
Her eyes widen as amusement plays out in them. “Because you can get away from them quicker at theirs?”
“Damn right,” I say, tipping my drink to her. Her laughter is lyrical as she throws her head back. I love the column of her neck and how the sound of her laughter brings such a wide smile to my lips. Kenni has the best laugh. It’s loud, obnoxious, and all her. Her laughter subsides as she leans in, taking a long pull of her whiskey. I follow her lead, but when I go to ask her a question, she’s doing the same.
“When do you?—”
“I see your hat?—”
Our eyes meet, and once more, our laughter fills the space between us. I nod toward her. “Go ahead.”
She smiles in thanks before she says, “I see the hat is wearable.”
I flick it with my finger. “Good as new. Thanks for that.”
