Broken(36)

“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” Too ashamed to even look her in the eye, he turned on his heel and got the hell out of the barn. Fixing the tractor was long forgotten.











Chapter Seven

“You know how much I hate crowds when I don’t have to be around them, Kyla. I can’t believe you talked me into coming here tonight.” Jocelyn released a resigned sigh as she parked the car at the side of one of the biggest bars in the county.

“I’m not exactly fond of them either, but I thought it might be good for you to get out of the house. Besides, you said this place had some of the best ribs in Texas. I, for one, am looking forward to finding out if it’s true and partaking in a full rack of the greasiest, messiest and juiciest ribs this place has to offer. It will be nice to pig out and not worry about calories for once. Mmm.” Kyla moaned as if she were experiencing pure bliss.

Jocelyn eyed Kyla’s slender frame. She was thin enough to still be sought out for runway work but with enough curves to do swimsuit modeling. She had a shape most women starved themselves to achieve. “As if you need to worry about watching your weight. You can eat anything you want without gaining a pound.”

“Maybe so, but when you’re monitored for every single thing you do, it’s easier to do what you’re told rather than argue. Anyway, I’m thirty-one. I only have a few more years before my metabolism slows down to a snail’s pace because you know I’m allergic to exercise. I’m going to enjoy these freaky genes the good Lord blessed me with while I’m still able.”

It had been a long time since Jocelyn had been to the Drunken Lizard. The last time had been with Cade. She really didn’t want to remember the good times because then she would dwell on the “what might have beens”. As tempted as she had been to tell Kyla she didn’t want to come, Jocelyn realized it was just as important for Kyla to get out as well. Considering what her friend had been through not so long ago, a little fun in her life wouldn’t hurt. Besides, they’d choose a table away from the crowd, have a few beers and laugh at the drunks making jackasses of themselves on the mechanical bull.

The second they walked into the joint, Jocelyn knew she shouldn’t have come. The bar was more crowded and rowdier than she remembered it being, and then it occurred to her that Sundays used to be Live Band night which usually drew a bigger audience.

Kyla placed her hand on Jocelyn’s shoulder. “If you don’t want to go in there, we can get take out at that Italian place we passed and eat back at the ranch.”

Jocelyn shook her head. She’d taken a huge step in her recovery by coming back to this part of the world. The only way she’d overcome her fears would be to face them head on and if that meant being around a crowd of people then so be it. As a designer, she had to mingle at parties all the time and attend shows with large audiences, but they were business and somehow she managed to deal with it. This, though, was more personal. “Thanks, Kyla, I’ll be okay. I should think you’d be more wary about coming here. Someone is bound to recognize you.”

Kyla waved her hand dismissively. “When I’m not in full war paint or sporting big hair, hardly anyone notices me. Besides, I’m dressed to blend in.”

Jocelyn’s gaze raked up and down Kyla’s nearly six foot frame encased in a pair of jeans so tight it was a wonder she could breathe. The yellow off-the-shoulder midriff top showed off the model’s flat stomach and a wealth of mahogany skin to perfection. Her outfit was finished off with a pair of black cowboy boots and some silver hoop earrings. Even with a minimal amount of makeup, Kyla looked like a million bucks and Jocelyn was sure her friend would get her fair share of attention tonight.