As if to prove my point, just as the music starts to quiet down to transition into the next song, I see Jesse’s head over the crowd as he kneels on a barstool. He points at me, which causes the people around him to look in my direction before he cups hishands around his mouth and yells, “I’m going to marry you one day!”
Someone pulls him off the stool so he disappears from my line of sight, the crowds murmuring vanishing as the music picks back up. I feel a smile tugging at my lips that I force away before looking back at Rylie. She’s got a swoony smile on her face, her hand on her heart as she stares at the space where he had just been.
“Something tells me he means it.”
Grabbing my beer, I down the rest before telling her, “And that right there might be a problem.”
6JESSE
INDIANAPOLIS
I think the ice is thawing
You knowthat moment when you realize you’re awake but refuse to open your eyes just to get a few more minutes of peace before your day starts? Yeah, I’m not getting any moments of peace this morning. It’s like one of those monkeys with the cymbals is directly behind my eyelids and there’s no off button.
Throwing my hands over my face, I crack my eyes open and slowly spread my fingers apart, easing the sunlight in so my pupils can adjust with this splitting headache. Besides, it’s not like I have anywhere I need—fuck me, what time is it?
I frantically roll over and fling a hand out in search of my phone, but instead, I hit what appears to be a bottle of Tylenol. Squinting, I read the time and notice it’s only eight in the morning. But once I set it down, I realize there’s also a glass of water and a written note on my nightstand.
Drink up, Pretty Boy.
I can’t stop the grin that tugs at my lips as I stare at the piece of paper like my life depends on absorbing her words. As if they’re the most important words I’ll ever read in my life. Grabbing the bottle, I pop off the lid, tossing back two of the pills before swallowing them down with a sip of water. As I set it back down on the nightstand and swing my legs off the bed, a thought occurs to me.
How did she leave this note and the meds in my room?
I stand and walk to the bathroom, turning on the faucet so nothing but cold water comes streaming out. I splash some on my face and then brace my hands on the countertop before looking at my reflection in the mirror. My hair is a mess, standing up in all different directions. There are bags under my eyes and my skin is slightly pale.What the fuck happened last night? Did I drink the entire bar?
After a cold shower, mouthwash, a good teeth brushing, and a change of clothes, I’m feeling a little better. My hat rests on the dresser, but I don’t bother to throw it on, wanting to give my hair the opportunity to dry properly.Food, I think to myself.That’s what I need.
Leaving my hotel room and heading for the elevators, I tap my foot impatiently as I wait for the doors to open. The ride down to the lobby seems to take an eternity, the music echoing off the elevator walls not helping the headache. But as soon as the doors open, I’d take the music over the boisterous crowd of bull riders waiting by the front doors. I dip my head and cover the side of my face with my hand so no one sees me and hastily disappear around the corner. As soon as I drop it, I collide with someone and hear a surprised grunt.
“Would you watch where you’re going?” My eyes widen as I glance down at Faith. “What are you looking at, Pretty Boy?”
“Just an overdressed reporter,” I fire back, crossing my arms over my chest as I let my gaze roam over her. She’s in a pale pinkblouse with white dress pants and black heels. Her hair falls in those beautiful curls over her shoulders, and her face is free of any makeup.Be strong, Jesse.
She rolls her eyes and starts to walk by me but I reach out and grab her arm. “Do you want to get breakfast with me?”
Way to be strong.
“You can join me as long as you eat your meal in silence.” She doesn’t give me a chance to respond and instead disappears around the corner the way I had just come. I practically run after her and see her turn another corner, heading in the opposite direction of the other riders. I breathe a sigh of relief as I trail behind her and notice the hotel restaurant come into view.
The hostess gives us both a smile, grabs two menus, and leads us to an open booth. It’s quiet in here, only a few patrons enjoying a meal. I slide in opposite Faith and immediately reach for the menu. Glancing over the top of it, I see Faith looking at her own menu, a slight furrow between her brows.I wish I knew what she was thinking about.
“Good morning, you two,” an older woman says as she pulls a notepad out of her apron. “What can I get you started with for drinks?”
“I’ll take a coffee,” Faith responds immediately, giving her a warm smile.Why can’t I get that smile from her?
“I’ll do the same.”
She gives us a nod as she disappears and I find myself studying Faith again. We haven’t talked since that night at the bar in Salt Lake City. I had gotten her number from Kai but couldn’t get myself to text her, too afraid she’d just ignore me. That night keeps coming back to me in flashes, but the one moment that won’t seem to leave me alone is me yelling for the entire bar to hear that I’m going to marry her one day. I don’t remember what happened after that.
“Will you please quit staring at me?” I snap out of my thoughts at the sound of her voice to see she has lowered her menu and is glaring at me. “It’s making me uncomfortable.”
“Sorry,” I mumble. The waitress appears, sets our coffees down, and takes our order before she slips back into the kitchen. Turning my attention back to Faith, I run a hand over my beard before asking, “What happened last night?”
She raises a brow. “You were an idiot and did shots with some fans, that’s what happened.”
“I’m not an?—”
