Page 65 of Under Kid’s Protection

Maybe tomorrow would be better.

39

Carrie

Leaning over her bathroom sink, Carrie used lip stain to finish her look. Stepping back, she adjusted the straw cowboy hat on her head. It wasn’t a Stetson and sure as hell wasn’t quality, but it was super cute. It went with her black tube top, tiny jean shorts that barely covered her ass, and the cowboy boots she’d gotten from the thrift store two weeks ago.

This was a proper going out outfit. Grinning, she winked at herself before swiping her phone off the toilet tank and exiting her bathroom. Last night, after a bottle of wine, she and Kelsey had made plans to go line dancing.

Carrie was officially on the prowl. If Kid wanted to accuse her of whoring around, she might as well live up to the reputation. Her ego could really use the boost of getting a few free drinks. As she strolled through her tiny living room, she swiveled her hips and hummed a honky-tonk beat. She couldn’t remember when she and Kelsey had last gone dancing. They were long overdue.

As she pulled her wallet and keys from her purse, her phone vibrated. Turning her attention to her cell, she furrowed her brows at the sight of Kelsey’s face. She tapped the green button to answer.

Her friend was probably running late. Kelsey had a tendency to overthink something—her hair, her makeup, her wardrobe. The woman was rarely on time for anything.

“What’s up?” Carrie answered.

“You haven’t heard?” Kelsey asked.

A chill went up Carrie’s spine. No pleasant conversation started like that. “No?”

“Apparently the DJ got deported.”

“What?”

Kelsey’s words came quickly. “I was talking to Jessie and Alejandro to see if they wanted to join us tonight, cause you know Miguel, the DJ, is Alejandro’s cousin.”

Carrie nodded trying to follow. “Sure. Sure.”

“Well, apparently, shit went down, and Miguel got deported.”

“To where?”

“El Salvador maybe, but line dancing is canceled.”

“Is he okay?”

“I think so, but I’m on my way. Alejandro said it happened like a week ago. The venue just didn’t take him off the calendar. We can go there if you want, but I have no idea what it’s going to be like.”

Carrie peered down at her outfit. “I kind of want to dance. I’m dressed for it.”

“There’s another place we can do that,” Kelsey responded hesitantly. “But I’m not sure about popping in there.”

“I don’t care where we go. I just want to boot scoot and boogie.”

“Even if it’s the Knucklehead?”

“Why not?” Carrie challenged.

She had no reason to avoid Kid. She wasn’t the woman she used to be. He had his assumptions. Let him. He wasn’t any better. Not that she had any confirmation of that, but she knew bikers. They weren’t the type to keep it in their pants, so she doubted he’d been faithful while staying at her place.

“We’re adults,” Carrie asserted. “Being in the same room as each other should be fine. I’ll be okay. I’m going to the Halloween thing, so he better get used to my presence.”

Carrie was done letting a man dictate her life. She was better than that.

“I like this side of you,” Kelsey chuckled.

“Me too.”