Page 89 of One Reckless Moment

“Now that you’re going to be in the real game, you can look forward to this every weekend,” he said with a smirk.

“Look forward to what?”

“Keep winning like you are, and the girls will be all over you.”

I nodded in understanding and chuckled. “Not my thing, but you have fun.”

“Oh, right.” He tsked. “The wife.” He said the word as if it was dripping with poison.

I squared my shoulders as my hackles started to rise.

“Yeah, my wife.” It came out harder than it probably needed to.

He raised his hands in response to my harsh tone. “I didn’t mean anything by it, man. Just looking out for you. This lifestyle is hard on a relationship, but I guarantee you’ll never go to bed lonely.”

I was going to respond, but Cook’s girl grabbed his hand and dragged him to the dance floor. It was probably for the best because if he said anything bad about Paige, my fist would’ve connected to his jawline. I pushed the anger to the back of my mind and picked up the drinks. I found Paige, Buck, and Tweety engaged in a conversation that was making Paige laugh so hard she couldn’t breathe.

The sight eased my tension immediately.

I hadn’t made my mind up about the pro circuit yet, but I would choose Paige over any of it. I’d been happy working on the ranch for twelve years and no part of me felt like I needed to change that.

I approached the table, and the moment my eyes locked with Paige’s she lit up like a Christmas tree. I placed the drinks down before taking off my hat and placing it firmly on her head. I leaned into her space and crashed my mouth onto hers.

I didn’t want a single person to doubt that she was taken.

People standing around us started cheering as Paige smiled against my lips. I sank into the open seat next to her and rested my arm around the back of her chair.

There was no world in which I just gave up on my connection with Paige Brooks.

There was no going back to before.

Tweety stood and offered a hand to my girl. “Come on, Barbie Brooks, show me those moves.”

She glanced up at me and gave her a silent agreement. She didn’t need my permission to dance with anyone, but I also appreciated that it crossed her mind. I trusted Tweety—mostly. She smiled ear to ear before dropping a kiss to my cheek and taking Tweety’s hand. Tweety dragged her onto the dance floor and immediately started twirling her around.

“I’ve never seen you like this before,” Buck said, pulling my attention back to the table.

“Like what?”

“Not growly about a woman. Even a few weeks ago, if Tweety looked at her funny you would’ve decked him.” Buck laughed.

“No need to be jealous when you have the best girl. It’s called love, Buck. You should try it sometime.” I smiled at him before taking a sip of my drink.

“Yeah, this is fucking weird,” he mumbled before finishing his beer.

I gestured to his drink, offering to grab another round and he nodded. The space was getting more and more packed by the minute so I stood and pushed my way into the crowd.

40

TIME FOR GROWN UP DECISIONS

PAIGE

I was riding high as I headed to the bathroom. Tweety swung me around the dance floor for five songs—and I needed a breather, and a drink. I was about to open the door to the ladies’ room when the men’s room door swung open. I remembered Brian Cook from the first half of the summer when Cash denied having a thing for me.

Oh, how things have changed.

“Hey, Brooks,” he said with a slimy smile.