Page 16 of Unravel Me

“You ready?” She pulls me along, as fast as one can run in cowgirl boots, to the front door. Keeping my eyes forward, I try not to notice all the eyes on us. I was used to people looking at me, not because of who I am, but because of whose arm I was hanging from. The Tippins family demanded a lot of attention wherever they went in this city, even statewide. I was used to people watching me, waiting for me to screw up, so they could swoop in and marry Jackson Tippins—or his fortune.

But here, I think Penny and I were getting looks for completely different reasons.

“I feel ridiculous,” I leaned over to whisper to her as we showed our IDs to the doorman.

“Of course, you do…because you’re finally not living in someone else's shadow.”

Way to cut to the core. Damn, Penny.

The lights grow dimmer as we walk in, and the whole view comes into play. There’s a rather expansive and impressive bar, the liquor wall nearly two stories high. A large wooden dance floor sits in the middle of the barn-like structure, and a mechanical bull in the back corner amasses a rambunctious crowd.

Not my scene, but here I was.

“If I'm going to make it through tonight, I need a drink stat.” It’s me who grabs my friend’s arm this time, and we beeline to the bar.

We wiggle our way through the patrons who are completely unaware they are blocking the bar. In particular, a group of guys who tower over Pen and I, all with drinks in hand, talk loudly. If they were to back up even an inch, we’d be crushed.

“I’ve never seen so many fine asses in jeans before. Why the hell didn’t I come here sooner?” Penny whispers in my ear, licking her lips, and my eyes go wide. She isn’t wrong, though.

“Excuse me, I need to get through, please.” I tap on the shoulder of the guy directly in front of me. He doesn’t budge. So, I lean closer, slamming my palm on his upper arm, noticing how soft his faded green shirt is. People behind us are closing in, making the space tight.

“Excuse me!” I yell, slapping his shoulder hard this time. He casually peers over his shoulders at me, turning slowly, and as I get a whiff of musky cedar cologne, my gaze meets his. Icy blue eyes I would’ve recognized anywhere.

Chapter eleven

Rhett

Ican hardly believe my luck but I keep my composure, a slight grin on my face, even as my heart pounds against my ribcage. Rooftop girl. She stands out here, truly breathtaking. I notice a few guys around us eyeing her up. But her eyes are locked on mine, her lips hang open like she’s just seen a ghost.

The song that was playing fades out, starting a new country song I’ve been hearing everywhere. A group of people on the other side of the bar cheer—like I said, this place gets rowdy. Not a place that normally draws the city crowd.

“Audrey, right?” I lean in closer, drawn to the gold flecks in her eyes as they catch the light, sparkling up at me. Every nerve in my body is electrified, and I can’t remember the last time I felt a pull like this.

A blonde woman next to her wedges in closer, nearly between us, her eyes flitting back and forth from Audrey and me.

“Hi, I’m Penny and this is my friend Audrey. My single friend Audrey.” She holds out her hand, and I stifle a laugh, shaking it. Audrey’s face turns even whiter.

“Nice to meet you, Penny,” I reply, trying to ease the tension.

“Penny, this is Rhett.” Audrey smiles tightly at her friend.

“Uhm...nice to meet you?” Penny muses, gazing at me with narrowed eyes. More people pile in behind them, and I stand up straight, not about to let the girls get shoved around. I haven’t had any altercations for five years now. But something about the way she is looking at me makes me feel like I have no control.

“I met Rhett last weekend, uh...on…” Audrey struggles to finish the sentence, and just like last Saturday night, I feel the familiar urge to step in and rescue her.

“We met on the rooftop. Audrey let me crash her party of one.” I wink, teasing her, and Penny looks even more confused. I guess she didn’t mention us. Not that I mentioned her either. She only lived in my head all week.

“I didn’t share my champagne with you, so it was hardly a party.” She rolls her eyes, her long eyelashes batting flirtatiously. Even if she doesn’t mean to.

“Well darlin’, maybe I can change that. Where’s your drink?” I ask her and she makes a show of her empty palms.

Good, something I can easily fix.

“Well, we were trying to get a drink, but a group of large, rowdy men were blocking our way.” Penny raises her brows, flirting her way into the conversation. Blondes aren’t really my thing, but I always like sassy brunettes.

“How dare they. Let me make it right.” I swivel in my spot in front of the crowded bar, bring my fingers to my lips and whistle loudly over the music. A bartender catches my eye, blushing and leaning towards me, cupping an ear in my direction.

I turn to look at the girls, who are watching me eagerly.