Wilde Riders (Old Town Country Romance) (11 page)

I give Cooper a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for sharing that with me. I know it wasn’t easy but it explains a lot.
Now I know why you’re so possessive of me around him, and also why you kind of rub our relationship in his face.”

“I don’t mean to,” Cooper admits.

“It’s okay,” I assure him.

He places his hand on my
cheek and gives me a small smile. “I’m glad you’re here. With me.” Implied in his statement is:
And not with him
.

Before I have a chance to respond, Cooper says, “We’d better get ready.”

***

I’m squished between Jake and Cooper in the front seat of
the old Dodge Pickup truck. Cooper seems much calmer and more self-assured than he did earlier. No doubt thanks to the fantastic sex.

Jake is another story entirely. He’s driving on
the winding country roads like it’s the Indy 500 and he’s actually talking to himself.

At least, I hope he’s talking to himself because I’m not really sure what he’s saying. It sounds like he’s mumbling something about trucks ruining the road because of
the Tawnee Mountain construction.

Cooper and I are holding hands, our fingers entwined
, and I’m seated about as close to him as I can be without being in his lap. Although part of me thinks he wouldn’t mind at all if I actually was in his lap.

I’m looking forward to seeing the Wilde Riders perform but I am especially looking forward to seeing Cooper on stage. He’s dressed in tight-fitting jeans and a light blue button-down shirt. I notice he’s wearing cowboy boots that look like they’ve been around for a while. They’re well-worn but they also look co
mfortable.

“Why are you ginning?” Cooper whispers.

“I didn’t realize I was,” I reply, and it’s the truth. “I guess I was just wondering if you’re going to wear a cowboy hat when you’re onstage later.”

“No,” he replies. “It’s too hot for a hat. None of the guys wear one.”

I give him a fake pout. “I thought I was going to get the full country music experience, hat and all.”

“Plenty of country performers don’t wear cowboy hats.”

“And how would I know that? I don’t have any experience with country music at all.”

“We’re going to change that tonight,” he teases, as he gives me a kiss on the cheek.

“You two love birds are going to make me sick,” Jake barks from the driver’s side.

Love
. That word kind of sends me into a bit of a tailspin. I know it’s just an expression, but there’s no way what’s going on between me and Cooper is love. We’ve only known each other for a few days and it’s ridiculous to think anyone can fall in love that quickly, isn’t it?

But I feel like I’ve known Cooper a lot longer. It’s almost like we’re two pieces of a puzzle that just fit together. If I was a spiritual person, I’d say it feels like were destined to be together. But I’m not a spiritual person.

I know this is just a weekend fling. An extended one-night stand, if you will. I can’t deny that I’m starting to have feelings for Cooper but it’s not love. It can’t be. It’s not an option at this point in my life. Not when I’m so focused on my career.

“Worry about the road,” Cooper yells. “Not about us.”

All three of us are quiet for a while. I have to admit that rural New Jersey is a lot more scenic than I gave it credit for. In many ways, it’s nearly idyllic and almost picture perfect with just the right ratio of rolling hills to sunflower-filled meadows.     

Jake finally breaks the silence. “What do you think about starting the first set with that new song by Dan Patrick Fulton?”

“Summer?” Copper asks.

“Yeah, I think it’s the perfect song for a cool August night.”

“Okay,” he agrees. Then he squeezes my hand. “I think Riley will love it.”

When I glance at
him, he’s finally giving me the big, genuine smile I’ve been waiting for all day.

***

I take a seat at one of the tables closest to the stage area. As soon as Tucker spots me, he gives me a wave and pours a drink. He hurries over to the table with it and places the Jack and Coke in front of me.

I give him a warm smile. “Thanks, Tucker.”

He nods. “Glad to see you made it. Feeling better?”

“Much.”

Tucker looks better tonight than I’ve ever seen him. Not that I’ve seen him all that much. He’s dressed in nicer black jeans and a white button-down shirt rather than an old T-shirt and worn jeans. His hair looks freshly washed and it’s pulled back into a ponytail. For once, he doesn’t look scary. He looks more his age and he’s actually kind of attractive. 

I take a small sip of the drink. He was a little heavy handed with the alcohol. Apparently that’s a trait that runs in the family. It burns a little as it goes down my throat and I cough just a bit.

“Too strong?” Concern overtakes Tucker’s face.

“It’s fine. I’ll just have to remember to drink it slowly.”

“As long as you’re okay. I warned Coop about taking you to the Farm and Horse Show. Of course, he doesn’t listen to me. What do I know? I’m just his little brother.”

“Cooper seems to have a mind of his own,” I reply.

“Another term for it is pig-headed.”

“Or that,” I joke.

“I’ve never had a sister but I think you’d make a really good one.”

Before I have a chance to reply, Tucker takes off back to the bar.

I watch as Jake and Cooper get instruments and gear set up onstage. After a few minutes Hunter hurries into the bar. He looks flustered. His cheeks are red and there are beads of sweat dotting his forehead. It’s like he’s been running to get to the bar on time.

The place is
nearly deserted. Just a few early birds at the bar and one couple eating burgers and fries at a table in the front of the place. I image in a few hours, when the band starts to play, the place will be packed.

At least I hope it will be.

I notice Harley enter from the back room. Today she’s wearing even tighter jeans, which I wasn’t sure was possible, with a pink corset top and pink cowboy boots. I don’t know how she manages to look both cute and sexy at the same time but she pulls it off flawlessly.

I watch as she talks to two other young girl
s who have joined her at the bar. They’re both wearing similar outfits to the one Harley is wearing, only their corset tops are black and paired with black cowboy boots. They’re both attractive but they don’t fill their tops out nearly as well as Harley does and they don’t quite have her sex appeal and charm.

The longer I sit and watch Harley, the more I realize I’m a little jealous of her. She really embodies everything I’m not. I’m a sensible banker who’s more comfortable in a knee length bus
iness suit. She’s young, wild and free. Even at twenty-five, the last thing I feel is young. And I’ve never considered myself wild or free. I guess the closest thing I’ve ever done that might be considered wild is spending the weekend in New Jersey having hot sex with a guy I just met.

Even though Cooper and I haven’t know
n each other that long, I feel like we’ve made a connection and that scares me. I’m not here to connect with anyone. I’m here for a good time. But I’m starting to feel like there’s more than that going on.

The two girls take places behind the bar and I assume they’re there to fill in for the guys while they’re performing on stage.

When Harley finally spots me she makes a beeline over to my table.

“Coop hasn’t managed to scare you away yet?” She stands over me with her arms crossed and I admit she’s a little intimida
ting. You’d think I’d be used to tough, self-assured females. Wall Street is filled with them. Even my best friend, Patti, is one of them.

“Not yet,” I reply as nicely as possible.

By the icy glare she’s giving me, it’s obvious that Harley still hasn’t warmed up to me.

“He’s intense,” Harley comments as she glances over at him. “The opposite of Jake.”

I nod in agreement.

“When it starts to get crowded,” she continues. “You’ll want to stand closer to the stage or you won’t be able to see anything. And finish your drink before then or you’ll be wearing it.”

“Thanks for the advice.”

Just as I think she’s going to leave, Harley turns back to me and says, “You look nice.”

My jaw drops because I can’t believe she’s given me a compliment.

Then she actually cracks a smile. “Don’t get used to it. I rarely give compliments. And never to other girls.” That I believe. But why is she giving me one? Is it possible that she’s starting to like me?

“If you need anything, the twins are working the bar tonight. Mazzy and Suzie.”

Before I have a chance to reply, Harley turns on her boot heels and heads back over to the bar.

Twins. I’m not sure why I didn’t notice it before. They’re both the same height and have similar builds. I guess what threw me was that one has spiky, short blonde hair and the other has long, dark hair. Makes me wonder which is the dye job? Or maybe it’s both?

When I look back over at the stage, I notice that Hunter and Tucker have joined their brothers and it looks like the guys are warming up.

Hunter is seated behind a large drum set. The drums are so large it makes him appear much slighter than he actually is.

I notice
more folks starting to fill up some of the tables. The place isn’t that large and I wonder if it’ll soon be filled to capacity. I don’t like crowds, which is sort of ironic because I live in New York City, arguably one of the most densely populated cities on the planet. But in New York, it’s so easy to blend in and even feel alone on the crowded city streets. I don’t think anything like that would be possible here. This is clearly a neighborhood bar where people gather on a weekly basis and everyone knows not just your name but all of your business. This isn’t a place where one can remain anonymous for very long.

My theory is validated almost immediately when a young guy approaches my table.

“I haven’t seen you here before,” he says. “New in town?”

He’s tall and thin with dark curly hair and frameless glasses. From the neck up, he isn’t that much different than a guy I might meet at a bar in lower Manhattan
, but from the neck down, this guy’s wearing what I’m beginning to think is a uniform for guys in rural New Jersey: jeans, a white button-down shirt and well-worn cowboy boots.

“You could say that,” I reply. I know my response is vague but I’m not interested in this guy at all. I’m here with Cooper and I definitely don’t want to lead this guy on in any way.

“Mind if I sit down?” he asks, clearly not taking the hint.

“I’m here with someone,” I say more directly.

The guy glances around the bar as if he’s trying to figure out who I’m with.

When I point to the stage, the guy’s eyebrows shoot up nearly into his hairline.

“You don’t look like someone who’d be with Jake,” he says as he gives me the once-over.

“I’m not,” I state. I really wish
he would leave me alone.

When I glance at the stage, I can see Cooper is looking over at us. He leans over and says something to Jake, which I can’t catch this far away. I can tell by the way his face turns to stone that he’s not happy with the guy who is hitting on me.

“You’re with Coop?” The way the guy says it makes it sound like being with Cooper is like being with a serial killer or mass murderer.

I’m really starting to
dislike him.

Unfortunately, he continues. “Coop and I went to high school together. He’s a serious dude. The other kids, even some of the teachers, called him intense. Even when we were kids, he was so goal-oriented and driven. It was kind of scary. How’d you end up with him?”

I want to tell the guy it’s none of his business but before I can formulate a polite response, Cooper is by my side with his hand on my shoulder.

“What’s going on, Steve?” Cooper says to
him, but it’s not friendly or really even a question.

“Heard you were back with the band. Had to come see it for myself.”

“News travels fast,” Cooper is now glaring Steve.

“You know how it is in Old Town.”

“Why don’t you grab a seat over there?” Cooper motions to an empty table on the other side of the bar. “First drink is on the house.”

Steve glances between me and Cooper. Then he says, “Yeah, sure, whatever. Thanks.”

After he takes off Cooper places a kiss on my cheek.

I look up at him. “You know you can’t be jealous every time a guy talks to me.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Who said I was jealous?”

“Then why are you standing here next to me instead of o
nstage with your brothers?”

“I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

“And you wanted to let Steve know I’m with you. Well, I had already told him.”

“Come with me,” Cooper says as he grabs my arm and pulls me up from my chair. “And bring your drink.”