Half Empty (First Wives, #2)(36)

“Thank you.”

Vicki turned and walked away, leaving them alone.

“That was . . .”

“Uncomfortable,” Wade finished.

“Yeah, a little bit.”

They both watched the woman walk away in silence.

Trina cocked her head to the side when she saw one of the men unloading straw bales check out Vicki’s ass.

“Don’t take this the wrong way . . . but did your mom have you when she was twelve?”

Her question cut the tension. Wade pulled her close. “She wasn’t quite that young.”

“I thought she was your ex at first.”

Wade shook his head as if her words stung. “Lord, no.”

Trina turned her gaze away from Vicki and up at him. “If the chill from Mom was that cold, what will it be from the ex?”

Wade looked over her shoulder, offered another smile. “I have a bodyguard standing by.”

Trina dropped her forehead on his chest. “Oh, great.”



Wade showed Trina the room he wanted her in, the one closest to his, and encouraged her to make herself at home. Their weekend date wouldn’t be intimate by any stretch, but he did want to find a couple of hours for just the two of them. But first he needed a word with his mother.

He admitted that he didn’t often bring women around his mother, but she’d never been cold in the past. Why Trina was different was something he was going to get to the bottom of before the party.

Vicki stood by an outdoor stage, a semipermanent structure Wade had sung on many times since he’d had the home rebuilt to his needs. He half expected to see Jordyn by his mother’s side but was told by Ike that she wouldn’t be arriving until the next morning for a sound check.

“Hey.” He placed a hand on his mother’s shoulder to grab her attention. “Can we talk for a minute?”

“Sure.” She pointed to the side of the stage and spoke to one of the stagehands that worked on Wade’s crew. “Be sure and secure those stairs. I don’t need anyone falling down.”

“I’m on it, Ms. Vicki.”

“Thanks, doll.” She turned to Wade and glanced behind him. “Where is your friend?”

No mistaking that snark. “Inside, unpacking.”

“Who is she?” The smile was gone.

Wade pulled her away from the stage and out of earshot.

“She’s a friend, and why are you being so cold?”

“I’m not—”

“Mama!”

Vicki clenched her jaw. “Jordyn’s band is playing tomorrow.”

“Yes, Ike told me. Why would you ask her to be here when you know we broke up?”

“Now that you’re home from the tour, I thought you’d be getting back together. She said you two were on hold, that when you returned—”

“It doesn’t matter what Jordyn told you. I wasn’t on a break, we were broken.”

“She’s such a sweet girl, honey. Exactly the kind of girl you need. She understands your business, your life here in Texas.”

Wade placed both hands on his mother’s arms. “Broken, Mama. I will spare you the details since you don’t need to know, but trust me, it was never going to work. Now, I appreciate the fact that you care enough to meddle, but stop. I can manage my own love life.”

“With Trina?”

“With whomever I choose. You didn’t pick my dates in high school, so please don’t try and pick them now.”

“What am I going to say to Jordyn?”

Wade narrowed his eyes. “Is that what this is about? You’re embarrassed?”

Vicki answered by keeping her mouth closed.

“Tell her what you have to, or don’t tell her at all and I will. Again. But please, keep the chill factor to a minimum with Trina.”

She rolled her eyes. “Fine. Fine!”

He kissed her cheek and walked away.





Chapter Fourteen

Trina thought Wade was taking her on a predinner walk, but apparently, he had other plans.

They found the lake, which was hidden by a stretch of trees at the far end of the manicured portion of his property. “It’s beautiful.” And quiet, which was nice, considering the buzz of noise up at the house.

He pointed out the cattle grazing on the hillside behind the lake.

“Because cattle,” she said with a laugh.

“When in Texas.” He laughed with her.

He walked them up to an old log cabin. “This has been here since before the previous owners.”

“Really?”

“Yup. I had it cleaned up and the roof repaired, but kept it original. No running water, no electricity.”

He opened the door, and inside, someone had set a table for two.

“What are you up to?” she teased.

“Tomorrow I have to share you, but tonight I thought this would be better.”

Relief, knowing she wouldn’t have to sit across from Vicki, had her smiling. “First date worthy.”

“I do have a few tricks up my sleeve.”

He moved inside and reached for the bottle of wine on the table. He’d already pulled the cork. “You liked red, if I remember right.”

“And you like beer.”