Page 84 of Revelry
“Yes, Harriet, thank you,” I replied, my cheeks still tinged as I went to put a stop to this Chihuahua humping everything.
*
The day passed quickly and I was eager to get home to try and see if Gertrude was around.I’d been getting home late this week, and her lights were always out. I tried knocking the other night but there was no answer. She left early for the ranch but even when I swung by to check up on one of the horses, she made herself scarce.
When I turned into our little cul-de-sac, I spotted her lights on and felt like a kid at Christmas. I pulled into the driveway, anxious to get round and see her before I realized I probably smelled like damp livestock.
I had the fastest shower in history. Showers which weren’t as fun without her in them; she must have had hers fixed now. I missed our bathroom chats.
Throwing a sweatshirt over my head, I finger combed my damp hair as I ran down the stairs and swung open the front door only to find three men standing on the other side.
“About fucking time,” Max grumbled, shivering as he brushed past me.
“Hey buddy,” Jack said, following him and Leo winked before coming inside.
“Yes, please come in,” I grouched, shutting the door. My dreams of catching Gertrude long gone now these three were here.
“We brought presents,” Leo said, lifting his arms, a six pack of beer in each hand.
“Where are these chaps then?” Max asked, glancing around. Jack disappeared into the kitchen.
“Well, they ain’t in there,” I called after him, mentally trying to count back from ten and calm myself. “Follow me.”
They clomped up the stairs behind me and I went into my room, opening my closet and pointing to them. “There, take a pair each. And if you ruin them, I’ll send you a bill because they’re not cheap.”
Max sat down on the edge of my bed. Jack sat beside him while Leo snapped the top off some beers and passed them around. My stomach cramped as I realized they were settling in and not going anytime soon.
“Now hold on, let’s not justtake a pair and leave,” Leo began. “We need to make sure we get therightpair.” He held out a beer to me and I stared at him, not taking it. He raised a brow and a smirk slid onto his face as he wiggled the bottle at me.
“For fuck’s sake,” I muttered, taking the beer and lifting it to my lips for a big swig.
“For example, I can see Jack eyeing up those dark brown ones.” Leo pulled out the chaps in question. “But actually, they would look better on me.”
“Lies!” Jack shouted.
I snorted, intrigued. “How would they look better on you?”
Leo lifted them to his face. “The deep brown makes my eyes pop.”
Max barked out a laugh.
“He’s not wrong,” Jack murmured, getting up and joining Leo. “Which ones would make my eyes pop?”
Leo spun back to the closet, sifting through the different pairs of chaps and holding each one up to Jack. “Hmm, maybe these? No. What about these? No, not those either.”
“What about me?” Max asked, suddenly taking this very seriously.
“Fuck off and wait your turn,” Jack scolded but there was no heat in it.
“Ooh, maybe these reddish brown ones for Jack, it will pick up the highlights in his hair. And what about these for Max, black to match his hair?”
I’d been watching on the sidelines torn between frustrated at them touching my stuff and amused at the affectionate way theyribbed each other. However now they were talking about my favorite pair.
“Oh hell no, those are mine.” I stepped forward.
Leo held them just out of reach. “Why?”
“Because they make my butt look rounder. So gimme,” I snapped, feeling the tips of my ears burn at their snide smirks before they started laughing.
