Speaking of Maddie, she comes running toward us. “Callie, guess what?”
“What?” Callie says.
“The band invited Bree and me to go to Murphy’s after the party.”
As much as I don’t want my little sister hanging out with the band, maybe this means they decided not to go after Lamone. “The band? You mean the band consisting of our brother and our cousin?”
“And Dragon Locke.”
I scoff. “I swear to God, why are all the women infatuated with Dragon Locke?”
“Because he’s a dream,” Maddie says.
I roll my eyes, despite the fact that Dragon is pretty hot in that dark way of his. “If you say so.”
“Mads,” Callie says. “Dragon is way too old for you. But since Jess will be there, I don’t have to worry. He won’t let his bandmate near you.”
“Yeah? Well, you and Jess are both party poopers. I’m going to get something to eat.” Maddie flounces away with a pout and gets in line behind Angie and Sage.
“Come with me,” I say to Callie.
I drag her over toward the makeshift stage, where her brother, cousin, and Dragon are talking. Looks like the stage is set.
“Pike,” I say.
“Steel.”
Still our standard greeting. I wonder if it’ll change once I’m married to his sister.
“Where’s your dad?” I ask.
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen him.”
“He and Mom are here somewhere,” Callie says.
Jesse, standing on the stage, shades his eyes and looks around. “There they are, over by the pool.”
“Great.” I grab Callie’s hand.
“He didn’t notice my ring,” Callie says.
“Just as well. We need to talk to your mom and dad.”
“What about?”
“I’m going to ask for permission to marry you.”
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
CALLIE
“You can’t be serious.”
Donny turns and faces me. “I’m totally serious.”
“We don’t live in Victorian England.”
“Nope. We live in twenty-first century western Colorado.”