Page 80 of Untamed
As soon as we enter that bar, it’s like I’m in another world. Around a hundred people surround a dance floor, some dancing, some drinking, others simply relaxing. With a firm grasp on my hand, Grayer leads me through the throngs of people to a more private corner of the bar. Haylee, Ty, Britany, and Reid follow.
Without asking for them, longneck beers are delivered directly to the table. Grayer hands me one. “Thirsty?”
I nod, taking the beer, unable to keep my hands from shaking. It’s all so surreal that I’m here with him. It’s like I’m some kind of groupie that’s been asked backstage. When I sit down, Grayer stands. “I’ll be right back.”
He takes a step in the other direction toward a man who just walked by. They must know each other because they immediately strike up a conversation.
Britany moves to sit next to me. “You okay, babe? You look nervous.”
“Yeah.” I take a drink of my beer hoping that it calms my nerves. “This is just a lot to take in. Just a few days ago we were having sex on the floor of a barn and now I’m at a bar with him and he has a kid and you’re the kid’s mom.” Well that sorta just spilled out of me, didn’t it?
Britany laughs at my bluntness and the way I revealed all that to her. “They’re the rock stars of bull riding. Be prepared for that and you’ll do just fine. And I’m sorry he didn’t tell you, but Grayer’s pretty private most of the time. He didn’t mean ill-intent by it, I assure you. He’s a good guy. Just dumb sometimes.”
Our eyes meet and I want the reassurance fromher. “You’re not together, right?”
She laughs. Once. “No. Way.” She’s so nonchalant about the way she says it, there’s no weirdness. “You got nothing to worry about. I’m not going to tell you not to see him, or him not to see you. He’s just the baby daddy and a friend.”
I can’t believe he has a kid. And why does it attract me to him more than it should? The more it settles in, the more I like him because he is a good guy. He didn’t run from responsibility and here they are making it all work together. I mean, heck, look, they’re even friends. How often can you say that happens?
I look to Haylee and Ty engaged in conversation and smile. She’s laughing at something he’s telling her, which for Haylee is not something you see that often.
Big & Rich blares through the bar, thumping in my chest. Haylee is now dancing in her seat on Ty’s lap, moving to the beat of “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy.”
Ty starts laughing. He is either turned on or finds Haylee’s dancing funny. “Show me what you got, baby,” he says, smacking her ass.
Ty reminds me of Grayer when he talks, slow and raspy.
Reid gets up when Ty and Haylee leave to the dance floor and joins Grayer and the man next to him. Grayer turns to me and winks, a reassurance he’ll be back soon.
Britany leans into my shoulder. “Are you mad at him for not telling you?”
“No, I’m not mad. It just sort of surprised me.”
“Well, I’ll tell you this. Nothing disconnects Grayer from bull riding. It’s his life. His temper rattles others, but from the moment he returned from Ellensburg, I could tell something was different about him.”
I glance over at her. “Do you know him very well?” Just because they had a kid doesn’t mean she knows him that well, or does it?
“Yeah. I met them all about the same time, but Grayer and I became really good friends. And that’s all we were in the beginning. I’m their manager, but then about three years ago, Grayer seduced me, as we all knowhowthat’s possible.” She laughs, rolling her eyes, and I get it. I can see exactly how he’d seduce someone. “We messed around a couple of times, no strings or anything—” She stops midsentence, her eyes over my shoulder. “I really should let him explain that part.”
I follow her stare to see Grayer glaring at her. “Oh.”
“It may sound strange, but I’m with Reid now.”
“Oh.” It seems that’s the only word I’m capable of. I take another drink of my beer. Britany takes a sip of her water. “How’d you end up getting together with Reid?”
“We went out for a drink one night and things just sort of led that way.”
I feel weird asking these questions. My eyes keep darting from Britany to Grayer and then to the floor.
I look at Reid standing beside Grayer. He’s about an inch taller than Grayer. I can see Reid’s appeal, just as easily as I see Grayer’s. They’ve got that rugged cowboy thing going on with the tan skin, muscles everywhere you look, scruffy faces, and roused golden locks. I definitely see the appeal. They’re like the freaking Hemsworth brothers of professional bull riding.
“Reid and I actually married this winter.” Britany’s hand drops to her stomach that I notice has a slight bulge. “We’re expecting our baby in December.”
That makes me feel better. At least Grayer wouldn’t want her back, right?
Grayer returns with Reid and kicks Britany’s leg lightly only to have Reid shove him playfully. “Hands off my girl.”
“Don’t go tellin’ her lies ’bout me,” Grayer warns, giving Britany a glare as he sits next to me, his hand on my leg, squeezing my knee. “Where’s Ty?”
