The Wild Ones (The Wild Ones #1)(24)
Author: M. Leighton

Daddy has been keeping me super busy, so that helped me stay put. I have no doubt he’s doing it on purpose, too. But he’s gone now. Left earlier this evening. Now, there’s no one to keep tabs on me. Or on the stable.

I turn away from the mirror when I hear the knock at my door. As I suspect, it’s Jenna. She’s wearing short shorts and a huge grin.

“Have I told you how freakin’ awesome you are? Because if not, I should totally be flogged.”

I put a finger to my chin in thought. “Might have to go with the flogging, as I don’t seem to remember hearing you go on and on about my awesomeness.”

“Well, it’ll have to wait. I might be doing some flogging of my own tonight. What what!”

“Just gonna jump right in there, huh?”

“If the temperature’s right, I just might.”

I roll my eyes heavenward.

“Don’t roll those eyes at me. I’m just doing what you’re too afraid to do.”

“And what’s that?”

“Go out there and get what I want.”

“Yeah, but only since Trevor was already heading in the let’s-see-other-people direction.”

“Cam, let me tell you something. I think I would’ve done it anyway. This guy…I don’t know. He does something to me. For days now I’ve been like ‘Trevor who?’”

“Suuuuure.”

“I’m serious. There’s something different about him. About the way he makes me feel.”

“And you know this after meeting him once for a few minutes?”

“Don’t be a hater. I know it sounds crazy, but can’t you just go with it? God, you’re such a Debbie Downer.”

“I’m sorry, Jen. I don’t mean to be. I’m just…”

“I know. I know exactly what you are. You’re nuts about Trick and you’re being a stubborn jackass. And now you’re making yourself miserable. Is that about it?”

I look at Jenna, standing in the center of my room in her Daisy Dukes with her hand on her hip and a smug look on her face, and I’ve never loved her more. She just doesn’t pull any punches.

“You know what? You’re right. But my situation is a bit more complicated than yours. At least give me that.”

“Daddy issues are not exclusive to you, Cami.”

“It’s not just about him. Well, not like you’re thinking. Trick really needs this job. I mean he needs it. What if I mess that up for him?”

“He’s a big boy. Maybe he thinks you’re worth the risk. If he doesn’t, then he’s not worth the risk.”

“Maybe I’m not.”

“Of course you are! Look at you.” Jenna walks over to me and puts her hands on my shoulders to turn me around toward the mirror. She stands behind me, a good bit taller than me. “You’re gorgeous. You’re smart. You’re sweet. You’re funny. You’ve got legs that go for miles and an ass I’d kill for. Any man in his right mind would risk death for you!”

“And I’m sure you’re not the least bit biased. Or jacked up on caffeine.”

“One Red Bull hardly counts as ‘jacked up’,” she says giving me a “look.”

“I guess we’d better get going then before it wears off.”

She smiles brightly. “That’s more like it.”

I return her smile and let Jenna drag me out of my bedroom and down the stairs. As soon as we step outside onto the patio, my stomach clenches.

“Don’t be nervous,” Jenna whispers, patting my hand like a little old lady.

“I’m not nervous. I’m just…”

“I know. You’re nervous.”

I laugh. There’s just no talking to Jenna.

When we get closer to the stable, I can hear music drifting out from the open bay doors. When we round the corner and step into the light, Trick and Rusty are sitting in two folding chairs pulled just outside the office door. Rusty is playing air guitar on his leg with a beer in one hand. Trick is looking on, laughing, pounding out a beat on invisible drums.

“Just in time to see the band,” Jenna quips, bringing both guys to a comical mid-air halt. “Don’t stop on our account. I’ve always wanted to kiss a rock star.”

Ohmigod! She’s coy and brazen at the same time! How does she do that?

Rusty grins from ear to ear. “Then, baby, you’re about to have the night of your life.”

Jenna giggles attractively and I glance at Trick. He’s not watching them. He’s watching me. I feel my cheeks get hot and his lips quirk at the edges. He turns his head and looks at me from the corner of his narrowed eyes, as if he’s debating whether or not I blush on purpose. I shrug, assuring him it’s beyond my control. He shakes his head and a slow grin spreads across his face. Without taking his eyes off mine, he raises his beer to his lips and takes a long drink. I can’t help but watch his mouth, where his lips are pursed against the bottle. And then the action of his throat as he swallows.

I’m pretty sure my knees have turned to butter.

Trick stands. “Here, take my seat. I’m sure there are a couple more chairs around here somewhere.”

Jenna slides quickly into Trick’s empty seat and smiles her brightest smile up at me. “Cam, you know this place inside and out. Why don’t you help him find some? I’ll wait here with Rusty.”

She turns her smile on Rusty and he is appropriately dazzled. There’s a look in his eye, though, that makes me think he’s not going to be the docile prey Jenna is used to. She might just have her hands full with him.

I smother a grin with the back of my hand. Serves her right! Every man-eater meets her match eventually.

“Come on,” Trick says, tipping his head toward the dark night outside. “I think there might be a couple in the storage shed.”

I nod at him and turn to Jenna. “We’ll be right back.”

“Take your time,” she says, widening her eyes meaningfully.

I smile at her then smile at Rusty, who looks like the cat who ate the canary. I wonder if Trick really didn’t tell him Jenna and I were coming. He seems genuinely surprised. Thrilled, but surprised.

I follow Trick out and around the corner, leaving the rectangle of light from the open stable door behind us. It gets darker and darker as we cross the yard to the shed that sits behind the round pen.

The moon is huge and bright overhead, illuminating the tiny white flowers that sprinkle the lush grass at my feet. I pause to pick one, twirling it in my fidgety fingers. A lightly sweet, floral scent drifts up to my nose. I inhale deeply, letting the aroma sooth my jangling nerves.