The Vincent Boys (The Vincent Boys #1)(16)

“I did it,” I squealed and twirled around to throw my arms around Beau’s neck. It wasn’t until his arms wrapped around me and I got a very yummy whiff of his soap smell that I realized this hadn’t been a wise move.

“Yes, you did,” he said, chuckling, then kissed the top of my head. I forced myself to drop my hands and step back away from him.

“Okay, now which one do I hit?” I asked, smiling up at him like my heart wasn’t racing in my chest from having him hold me.

He studied the table and nodded. “The blue one is in a good spot.”

Two games later I managed to get the hang of it. Watching Beau play pool proved to be extremely entertaining. I’d never realized a guy leaning over a pool table could be sexy, but after watching Beau I’d decided this was a very sexy game. Other than bending his tall, muscular body over a table and a small frown line appearing between his eyes when he was concentrating making me want to kiss it, he also made leaning a hip on the table while waiting on me to take a shot appear as if he were modeling for a magazine.

“I can’t decide if I like the Ash who needed my assistance or the Ash who has it under control better. One way I get to touch you and get away with it. But the other way I get to watch you lean over the table and I’ve got to tell you that it’s one really hot look for you.” I kept my gaze on the table instead of meeting his eyes. Hearing him call me hot made me want to grin like an idiot. I didn’t want him to get a chance to see my reaction to his words.

“It’s getting late. You ready to head out?” Beau asked.

I walked over to him and handed him the pool stick. “Probably should go,” I replied.

He nodded and took the sticks and put them away. I stared down at the only beer he’d drank for the night and I realized he was being careful for my sake.

“I see you eyeing the beer and wanting to check it’s still half full.”

Smiling, I shook my head. “I believe you.”

He reached for my hand and led me toward the exit.

“See ya, Mom,” he called as we passed his mother, who was carrying a tray full of beer-filled mugs.

Her gaze flicked from him to me. She smirked, reminding me of Beau.

“Alright, y’all be careful on the way home,” she replied.

I hadn’t expected that sort of reply from Honey Vincent. She didn’t appear to be the type of mother who told you to be careful, especially since she served her son beer.

Beau’s hand slipped around my waist and pulled me up against him again.

“You’re getting checked out by some drunk men. I’m just keeping them away,” he said quietly as we walked outside. Telling him I didn’t mind being pressed up against his side didn’t seem like a good idea so I kept my mouth shut.

Once we were buckled in, I studied the run-down bar where I’d just spent the last couple of hours. It wasn’t nearly as scary as I’d thought a bar would be. After we’d started playing pool, I’d forgotten all about everyone else in the place. Beau pulled his truck out onto the two lane road that led back into town. The lights from the parking lot faded in the distance as we drove further away from the bar and closer to my house. I wasn’t ready to go home yet. Tonight had been the most fun I’d ever had on a date. Even if it wasn’t a date really. I laughed when I was with Beau much more than I ever did any other time. I’d forgotten how much fun he was. Maybe that was why I always chose him to sneak off with as a kid. Sawyer was always there keeping us in line and I loved him. But Beau always led to excitement.

“Thanks for tonight. I really had fun.”

“I could tell. I liked watching you have fun. You’re incredible when you let that wall down around yourself.”

“Wall?” I asked, turning to face him.

He didn’t say anything at first. But I kept my eyes fixed on him, waiting.

“Your perfect wall. The one you keep up for the world to see. The one you use to hide the girl I know underneath. The girl who wants to laugh and have fun. Perfect isn’t fun, Ash.”

I let the bad girl out with Beau because I knew he wouldn’t shun her or reprimand her. He knew a part of me I didn’t show anyone else. Sure, Grana always encouraged me to make my own decisions and embrace the real me, but I still kept the truly bad side of me hidden, even from her. I wanted to argue with him and throw my wall up to block out his seeing inside but I couldn’t. I needed him to let me be me. No one other than Grana ever let me stretch and spread my wings. Beau had always been the only other person to accept me as I am.

I nodded and fixed my eyes back to the road in front of us.

“I can’t be that girl all the time. My parents, Sawyer, the people in this town—they all expect the good girl. I can’t let them see this side of me. But it feels so good to let her loose. If only a little while. So, thank you.”

I didn’t glance back to see his reaction but I didn’t need to. His hand reached for mine and he held it. No words were needed, because he understood.

Chapter 6

I woke up to find my mother sitting on the edge of my bed. Even though my vision was still blurry from sleep, it was hard to miss her bloodshot eyes and the dark circles underneath them.

“Mom,” I asked, wanting to reach for her and comfort her. The little girl inside me was terrified to see my mom so obviously upset.