“So? You in or out?”
Blowing out a frustrated breath, I looked out over the field. As much as I didn’t want to let Taylor go . . . I knew what had to be done.
“I’m in.”
Rick slapped me on the back and practically shouted for joy. “Yes! Tonight is going to be awesome. There’s a new band playing there tonight also.”
I pulled my head back in surprise. “At Joe’s?”
Rick looked at me like I was saying something wrong. “When was the last time you were there, dude?”
With a shrug, I replied, “I don’t know . . . about a year or so.”
His smile grew bigger. “You’re in for a few surprises tonight.”
Walking down the stairs, I stopped in the living room and smiled when I saw my parents sitting on the couch together. They were both engrossed in a movie while holding hands.
“Hey, I guess I’m going to go out for a bit. I won’t be home late.”
They both turned and smiled. “Where ya going?”
“Joe’s.”
“Joe’s . . . what memories we have of Joe’s,” my mother said as she looked at my father who smiled lovingly at her.
“Yeah, I don’t need to hear about them, but thanks.”
I started for the door, but stopped and decided now was a good time as any to let them know my plan.
“So, I was thinking . . . the old hunting cottage is just sitting empty. I could fix it up and move in, if that’s all right with y’all. I’ve contacted an architect in Mason who I’ve spoken with a few times. When the time comes, I’d like to build a place on the property y’all gave me.”
My parents, as well and Reed and Courtney, bought out our neighbor’s ranch and spilt it between me, Liza, Walker, and Ava. We each received a little over twelve hundred acres.
“Jase, this house is plenty big enough for you to stay here. There’s no rush in moving out.”
My father shook his head as he pulled my mother closer and kissed her on the head. “I’m going to guess our son would like a little privacy.”
“Well, you have privacy here!” my mother said sitting up and giving me a serious look.
All I could manage to say as I looked at my father was, “Um.”
It wasn’t like I was planning on bringing a girl home anytime soon, but if I was moving on with my life and letting Taylor go . . . I needed to have my own place.
It must have clicked with her because she blushed and said, “Oh, I see. Well we’ll do whatever you want to the cabin to get it fixed up for you.”
With a nod to my parents, I grinned and said, “Thanks. I should probably be heading out. Rick will be waiting for me.”
“Have fun, sweetheart. Don’t drink and drive.”
“I will and don’t worry, Mom. I have no intentions of drinking.”
Drinking only ever led me to trouble. The last thing I wanted to do was get hammered and end up with Jill in the backseat of my truck.
My phone buzzed in my pocket as I got to my truck. Pulling it out, it was a text from Rick.
Rick: Dude where are you? The band has brought fresh * in. The girls in this bar are beyond beautiful. I’m in absolute heaven right now.
Sighing, I got in the truck and shut the door. I sent him a quick reply and prayed I made it through this night.
Me: I’m leaving now. I’ll be there soon.
By the time I got to Joe’s, Rick had called three times. Each time I ignored it. Walking into the bar, my eyes widened in surprise. What once was a small country bar looked like a full-on club. The dance floor was huge with the stage straight ahead. The band was covering “Moonlight Crush” as half the bar seemed to be dancing.
“I was really hoping I’d run into you tonight.”
Turning on my heels, I came face to face with Jill Gates. “Hey, Jill. How are you?”
Her eyes moved over my body with desire. Looks like she hadn’t changed much.
“I’m doing much better now that I see you. I was hoping you hadn’t decided to become a city boy.”
With a light laugh, I pushed my hand through my hair. “Yeah, well at one time I thought I wanted something different, turns out ranching is in my blood. Besides, I really enjoy working with Walker and my dad.”
With a polite grin, she tilted her head. “So . . . are you going to offer to buy me a drink?”
And so it begins. “Sure. Sorry about that.”
She waved off my rudeness and walked past me and up to the bar. The band was taking a break and a DJ was taking over as I ordered myself a Coke and Jill ordered some fancy-ass drink that caused the bartender to shake his head as he walked away.
“What have you been up to since you graduated?” she asked, taking a sip of her fruity looking concoction.
Glancing around the bar, I took in the new place. Rick was right; it was bigger and for sure catered to the young crowd. I took a drink and looked back at her.