Gin Fling (Bootleg Springs, #5)(24)

I hadn’t felt that urge in a long, long time.

I remembered the plan and schooled my features into a disgusted sneer.

“I’m glad you came,” I said.

She lowered her sunglasses and glared at me. “I am, too. Thanks for asking me.”

“They’re all looking at us,” I said quietly, doing my best to look defensive.

“Of course they’re looking at us. Their plan is about to blow up in their faces. Mass casualties. Oh, the humanity,” Shelby said, jutting her chin out.

“Should we fight now?” I asked her, suddenly a little anxious to get the fight scene out of the way so we could kick back and possibly even enjoy the day together.

“Let’s give it another half hour. We need to time it just right,” she reminded me.

“Fine. If that’s the way you want it,” I said, raising my voice.

“If I had my way, I’d be enjoying this day without someone being a giant turd!” she snapped.

I had to turn away and bite the hell out of my lip to keep from laughing. “Giant turd?” I whispered.

“Shut up. I spent a lot of time working with kids. The swearing vocabulary went to my brother.”

“Heeeeeey, guys,” Leah Mae said, easing between us. “So, Shelby, I love your shirt. Let’s go show it to Nicolette way, way over there. She loves funny shirts.”

Devlin wandered up when they left. “I’ve been ordered to keep you under control. You’re making my girlfriend nervous.”

I snuck a peek at Scarlett who was watching us like a hawk.

“What a shame.”

“I assume there’s a spectacle coming?”

“Twenty-eight minutes and counting.”

He nodded. “You coming to the Cockspurs game next week?”

I played nice for the next half an hour. Making small talk and taking a turn at the grill. Between the partygoers, there were hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken breasts, and even a few grilled pizzas. It was a beautiful early summer day with a soft breeze and cloudless blue sky mirrored on the lake.

The music was upbeat and country. I’d never listened to country music before moving here. Now, I was half considering buying a pickup truck to haul my boot camp and training gear. There was something contagious about this town, these people.

The whine of a boat motor carried over the Chase Rice song. Hell, I could even identify the artists now. I needed an urban vacation somewhere before I was completely absorbed into country culture. Sheriff Harlan Tucker and his wife, Nadine, approached in a small fishing boat. Cassidy waved to her parents and guided them in.

“Are those pepperoni rolls?” Devlin asked, scenting the air.

While the sheriff eased the boat alongside, Nadine handed over the container of what indeed was fresh, hot pepperoni rolls. Devlin, his love for the West Virginia specialty wider and deeper than the lake, nearly shoved Gibson overboard in his quest to get the first one.

I spotted Shelby, and she nodded. It was showtime.

We met halfway.

“You are the worst human being I’ve ever met,” she shouted.

“Right back at you, sweetheart,” I countered. “At least I’m not an opportunistic bottom-feeder.”

“Opportunistic?” Her gasp could have filled a sail. “You are irrational, unreasonable, and downright misogynistic. You hate women!”

“No, I just hate you,” I roared.





13





Jonah





“Well, go screw yourself then!” She shoved me as hard as she could. Which moved me not an inch. I realized it was the first time she’d initiated any physical contact between us. Every time I’d touched her before, it had been to catch her or stop her from falling.

“Is there a problem here?” All three hundred pounds of George Thompson was headed in my direction. I’d seen the man flip a tractor tire like it was a child’s toy. I didn’t want to give him a shot at me.

Gibson stepped in George’s path. Not so much to stop him but more to slow him down a bit.

“The problem is that my roommate is a nightmare, and I can’t live like this anymore,” Shelby screeched.

“The real problem is I’ve been saddled with a vulture circling around trying to tear off pieces of the carcass of my father!”

“Okay, now, that’s enough airing of the grievances,” Sheriff Tucker said, ambling into the fray.

The music cut off, and every single Bootlegger gave us their full attention. I heard beers popping open everywhere.

My brothers were trying to ease their way in between us. Scarlett was climbing over deck railings to get closer.

Shelby stepped in closer so we were toe-to-toe.

“You know what? I’d like to press charges, Sheriff Tucker. I’ve been verbally assaulted and emotionally attacked.”

“Well, now, Shelby, I can understand why you’re feelin’ what you’re feelin’,” the sheriff said, trying his best to placate.

“Screw this,” I bellowed. “You want the house to yourself? Well, you can have the whole damn town, too. I’m leaving.”

“Jonah Bodine, you’re not going anywhere!” Scarlett howled.

“Listen, man, we can work this out,” Bowie said, laying a hand on my shoulder. I shrugged him off.