Rough Edge (Tannen Boys 2)

I had that once with the farm. Ran it and myself to the ground, but she’s thriving with it. That much is obvious from today.

Todd gets out from behind the wheel, feet spread wide and hands crossed over his chest, a stance I know well. He’s pissed. He frowns as he says something I can’t hear, and Erica shakes her head. Todd kicks the tire of his fancy car, saying something again. Erica shrugs and shakes her head. I can see the no on her lips as I approach with her Coke.

“Here you go, Erica.”

Todd’s brows jump together. “Who’s Erica?”

She elbows me in the gut, not hard, but I wince anyway. “Me. You don’t get to call me that,” she tells the kid.

“Whatever, Rix. You sure you can’t do it? Just a little more.” He’s needling her, though I haven’t the foggiest idea what about.

“Nah, I’ll do a little research to confirm. But I think you’re maxed.” She takes my hand this time, pulling me away. “’Bye, Todd.”

The kid looks even more pissed as we walk away.

“What’s that about?” I ask, curious and not the least bit jealous. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. And really, the kid wasn’t even looking at Erica that way. Dumbass doesn’t see what’s right in front of him, but I do.

“Nothing. Just car shit.” I hear the ‘drop it.’ “I think I’m good. You ready to head to the other side of the mountain?”

I nod. “Yeah, take me home, Lil Bit. Maybe if you’re lucky, I’ll feed you dinner too. Fair warning, though. All I can make are pancakes, so I hope you want them again.” She laughs, shoving at my chest.

I think she’s feeling me up again, so I flex a little for her. She grabs my nipple again, twisting and laughing. “Come on, Cowboy.”

At the same time, she’s nearly brought me to my knees. “Shit . . . stop. You want me to do that to you? And I don’t mean in sexy way.” The threat holds no heat since I’m rubbing my chest soothingly.

“Go ahead,” she dares, pushing her tits up at me. I know she doesn’t have a bra on because I watched her get dressed earlier. But when she does that, I don’t want to give her a purple nurple. I want to cup and suck those nipples until she begs me to give her more.

And with that evil thought, I promise her, “Later.”

Chapter 11

Erica

The drive out to the ranch is never-ending, but scenic, at least. I’ll admit to staying in my little corner most of the time, rarely even venturing to the mountain, much less the other side. But we drive through Great Falls and Brody points out things of interest . . . the corner where he had his first fight—he was nine, he says, and of course it was about a girl. The feed store, ‘Buy supplies for the critters there, other than hay, of course,’ like I would know that, and his favorite restaurant, a honkytonk named Hank’s that has meatloaf to kill for.

“Meatloaf? Worth a life? I doubt that,” I say skeptically. “Meatloaf is pretty much the fuck-it-all of dinners. Oops, not enough meat? Throw some breadcrumbs in it. Taste like shit? Cover it in ketchup. I’m not buying it.”

“You’ll see. It’ll change your life,” he says with a smile. An actual one, with light in his dark eyes and his white teeth showing between those full, kissable lips.

Not too long ago, I’d thought he simply never smiled. There’d always been something behind it, a little bit of mischief or challenge, something at least. But now, he looks happy. Pretty sure I did that with my pussy. Okay, maybe my personality a tiny bit too. The thought is exciting. Somehow, so is eating dinner at some future date with him, even if it’s meatloaf.

We leave the small town that honestly looks quite picturesque with its rural, comfy vibe. I can imagine tourists who come to the resort taking a quaint getaway day trip to Great Falls when they need a break from skiing. But for the locals, it’s home, with a cute downtown Brody says is where they have festivals, playgrounds teeming with kids, and an old-style movie theater with only two screens. It’s different from Morristown on the other side of the mountain for sure, which is mostly commercial in contrast. We have a downtown and locals, and it’s home to me, but it feels more businesslike all the time. Not the same welcoming warmth Great Falls has.

I should’ve come over here more often. Not just the occasional farmer’s market trips with Emily.

Maybe I will come over more often with Brody here, I think. I meant it when I said I don’t have time for anything serious, but a little part of me isn’t ready to drop him off and drive away. Not today, at least, when the garage is closed and the day is mine to do with as I please.