Love Again (Cowboys & Angels 4)

We walked in silence toward Lilly’s place. My mind raced. Should I call Jonathon? Ask him not to go to Vegas? How unfair would that be, especially after I had told him I wasn’t interested in a relationship.

“What’s on your mind, sis?”

My head snapped up to Cord.

“What?’”

Cord drew his brows in. “You’re preoccupied. Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” I answered, making sure my voice sounded even. “I’ve got a lot on my mind with the dance studio.”

“I can understand. It takes a lot to start a business. I remember what it was like when I opened the bar. You sure it isn’t anything else?”

We stopped walking and stared at one another. For a brief moment I wanted to tell him about Jonathon. Come clean about all of it, but I stopped myself.

“I’m positive. Stop worrying, little brother, okay?”

His dimpled smile made me grin. “Okay, then let’s get some food before I have to get back to the bar. I need to make sure everything is in order before I leave tonight.”

I wrapped my arm up in Cord’s. “Who are you leaving in charge?”

“Trevor.”

“I don’t think you have to worry. Trevor knows how to run that bar better than you.”

Cord chuckled. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

“I’m surprised Trevor isn’t going with y’all.”

“Well, it’s last minute. We only decided to go earlier today. I hope Jonathon can get on the plane. I tried calling him earlier, but he must have had his phone on silent.”

The bell on the front door of Lilly’s rang as we walked in. A quick glance around showed that Cord and I practically had the place to ourselves. In the back corner, a group of teenagers sat in a booth, laughing loudly.

“Oh, to be young again,” I mumbled while Cord laughed.

“Ain’t that the truth.”

After we sat down, Lucy made her way over to us.

“How’s it going, y’all?” she asked, setting two waters in front of us.

“It’s going good. How are things?” Cord asked as he winked at the young woman and her cheeks pinked. Cord seemed oblivious to her reaction, leaving me to wonder if my brothers had any clue about their gifts with women.

With a shrug, Lucy answered, “It’s been slow today.”

“Where’s your mother?” I asked.

“She took the day off and headed into San Antonio. Said she needed a spa day.”

With a smile, I replied, “Good for her!”

“What can I get ya?”

Cord grabbed the small menu on the table that listed the specials. After looking it over he said, “Club sandwich for me, with a Coke.”

After jotting down Cord’s order, Lucy glanced my way. “I’ll have the same thing.”

“Perfect! I’ll get the sodas right out.”

When she walked off, Cord stared me down as I took a drink of water. I wasn’t prepared for what came out of his mouth next.

“So, when are you going to tell me who you were getting it on with when old lady Hopkins walked into your dance studio?” I choked on the water and Cord laughed. “Afraid the guy will get his ass beat?”

Ugh. When will everyone forget that Mrs. Hopkins walked into the studio when Jonathon and I were getting it on?

“Wh-why is it so important for everyone to know my business?”

Cord shrugged. “I don’t know. Just trying to figure out who it is. Brother’s duty.”

“Why? So y’all can harass him?”

He flashed me an evil grin. “Maybe.”

Lucy walked over and set our sodas on the table before heading back toward the kitchen. The interruption allowed me to compose my response to my nosey brother.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. It was only a one-time thing.”

Leaning forward, he said, “As long as it wasn’t Jonathon. Then I’d really have to kick some ass.”

When he sat back in his seat, he laughed again. I prayed that my face didn’t tell all of my dirty little secrets.

What in the hell? Did he know it was Jonathon? Was he kidding around or being serious?

Shit! Shit! Shit!

Cord’s phone went off, and he pulled it from his pocket. He smiled and looked back up at me. “Speak of the devil. Looks like Jonathon got the plane ticket for Vegas.”

I forced a smile. “Y’all don’t get into trouble, Cord. You’ve got too much to lose if you do something stupid.”

He scoffed. “Please, I’m not twenty-one, Waylynn. We’re going to have a bit of fun, that’s all. And if I happen to meet a girl who wants to hook up, then all the better.”

Rolling my eyes, I said, “Seriously, y’all are going to hook up with random women?”

“No. We’re going to gamble, and if we’re really lucky, we’ll hook up with a random woman…or three.”

I snarled. “Pig.”

“Says the girl who was caught doing the nasty by a poor old woman.”

“That was different. It wasn’t a random guy.”

Cord’s brows lifted. “Ahh, you’ve given me a clue.”

I smiled. “You’d love to know, wouldn’t you?” I asked, keeping my voice calm and clear.