Page 21 of One Reckless Moment

I smirked at Paige, who had her feet propped up on the dash. She was leaning her head back against the headrest and gazing out the window.

Things between Paige and I had been…weird. Not necessarily bad, but ever since our almost-kiss on the dance floor, there has been a line drawn in the sand that neither of us were willing to cross.

Since then, Paige had been respectful and nice, which was scary as hell and overall not a good thing. I missed the sparkle she’d get in her eye when I teased her, or the way her bottom lip pouted when her jokes didn’t affect me.

So far, there hadn’t been a shortage of women who approached me at these events. The moment I stepped through the gates, they flocked to me like pigeons going after a stray piece of bread. I wasn’t interested in hooking up with buckle bunnies, but I was amused by the murderous look on Paige’s face when she saw one touch me.

I was bored of Nice Paige. I wanted my jealous little Pip to come out to play.

I reached over and tapped the skip button on the radio, prompting cutting off the song that was currently playing from Paige’s phone. Paige’s head snapped to me so quickly, I knew I had her. It was time to get her riled up.

“Uh, why did you do that?” she asked, pinning me with a glare.

“Are you going to play anything besides this bubble gum pop country?” I raised a brow at her.

“Oh, sorry, I forgot you’re the authority on good music.” She rolled her eyes.

“I simply can’t believe you forgot that,” I said, poking her knee. I wanted to touch her. I wanted to wrap my palm around her thigh as I drove down the highway, but I couldn’t. This would have to do.

She cracked the faintest smile, but quickly schooled her face to not give her away. “I won’t make that mistake again.”

“I kind of like the bubble gum pop country,” Tweety chimed in from the backseat—because of course he fucking did. “It makes me feel like I want to key a man’s car and then set his house on fire, while also being completely in love with him, despite being slightly mentally unstable with a secret but not-so-secret alcohol problem.”

I locked eyes with Paige who was rubbing her lips together to hold back her laughter. After a few seconds, the entire car burst into laughter as Tweety looked around confused.

“Am I wrong?” he asked, leaning back and crossing his arms.

“No, buddy. You’re not wrong.” Buck clapped his shoulder.

The worst part about being out here this summer was the gaps between events. We’d been in this rental for two and a half weeks and we still had about a week and a half left until we had a short trip home. While Paige was in Vegas for a week, the guys and I were going to drive home and then meet her in Northern Montana for the next five events we’d be attending for the remainder of the summer.

I was really looking forward to some time off. I wouldn’t see Axle and Reid since they’d be in Vegas, but Walker was staying behind to run the ranch and I couldn’t wait to annoy the shit out of him.

I was sitting on the front porch with a fresh beer when my phone buzzed in my pocket.

Reid named the chat “Cashin’ Out in Sin City”

Reid

Pack your bags!

I am literally living out of a suitcase right now.

Reid

Fuck I forgot. Well, pack your bags for Vegas.

Axle

Do we trust Cash in Vegas?

Owen Kelly

No pressure bro, just thought you might want to join.

The offer was tempting. I’d be lying if I wasn’t a little stressed about what Paige would do—who Paige would do—in Vegas…and if I went then I could keep an eye on her. She would be pissed, but I was more of an ask forgiveness, not permission type of guy.

I’ll have to talk to the guys here, but if they’re cool with driving to Ashton Creek alone then I’m in.