Kissin' Tell (Rough Riders #13)(93)

The staunch self-warning did no good.


An hour later, Georgia found herself looking for parking in Ziggy’s lot.


She paid the cover charge at the door. As she made her way through the crowd, she caught her first glimpse of a familiar face: her father’s. That was weird. He’d never been the type to hang out in bars, even before RJ died. Georgia inched forward to see who shared his booth and her eyes bugged out.


What the hell? Her parents were having supper together?


She watched them for several more minutes. Although they were talking, neither looked happy about the conversation. Maybe it was better she wasn’t there to mediate; heaven knew she hadn’t done a great job in the past.


Still, the whole thing left her unsettled. Today’s issues and events left her out of sorts and on edge.


Of course, that’s when she heard his laugh. Deep, rich and strong.


Georgia turned toward the sound and saw Tell in a circular booth, surrounded by women. Laughing with them. Drinking with them. Charming them. Lapping up every bit of female attention.


A jealous rage rose in her. She wanted to punch him in his handsome face for his part in her tension-filled day.


But she had no idea how to handle this. Standing here, secretly shooting eye daggers at his female tablemates, was pointless. Should she storm up and introduce herself as Tell’s…what? High school crush? Or go all hard-ass businesswoman and demand an explanation of why he’d blown off a professional engagement?


The longer she wallowed in indecision, the more she understood…she wouldn’t do jack shit. That reaction sent her spiraling back in time. When Deck had done or said something wrong and she’d kept her mouth shut rather than confronting him.


When the single guys who’d been circling her started moving closer with that hey baby come here often? gleam in their eyes, Georgia decided to go. But in trying to avoid the sharks eyeing her like chum, she’d snagged Tell’s attention.


Their eyes met. She expected him to look away quickly. Guiltily. But he kept focused on her. Part challenge, part some other f*cked-up male pride thing that she didn’t want to deal with.


Now she’d look even more pathetic if she fled.


Her fight or flight decision was postponed when a male voice said, “Georgia?”


Then she was face to face with Chase McKay. The man was built like a bulldozer. Eyes—the same mesmerizing blue as Tell’s—stared back at her. His wide smile was pure McKay too. She blurted, “You remember me?”


“Of course.” Chase didn’t shake her hand; he hugged her. Hugged her. “You look fantastic.”


“Ah. Thanks. So do you.”


He grinned at her like he had a big secret. “My cousin is a dumb-ass. Bein’ pigheaded is a rite of passage for us McKays, but this one is gonna be especially sweet to pay forward.”


Confused, Georgia just blinked at him.


“We won’t have much time, so we’ve gotta get maximum play outta this play.” He stepped to the side so they were both within Tell’s view. “I heard from Dalton that Tell got pissy when he thought you were hittin’ up our relatives for sponsorship money? Can you imagine how much it’ll eat at him, wondering if you’re tryin’ to sweet-talk me into makin’ an appearance at a rodeo for your PR firm?”


“Why do you want Tell to think that?”


“Because he needs to wake the f*ck up. And since what goes around comes around, I’m doin’ him a favor. So, darlin’, look like you’re pouring on the charm.”


Georgia slapped on a smile. “Even when I’m ticked off at him?”


“Because he’s surrounded by them bunnies?” Chase scoffed. “He ain’t hanging around them chicks to make you jealous. It’s got something to do with me, which is all kinds of f*cked up. Why are you so ticked off at him?”


“Because he left me holding the bag.” She told him about Tell backing out of the Pine Haven Rodeo.


“To be honest, I’m shocked. Two years ago, Tell wouldn’t let me compete in a PRCA event under another name. He’s always doing the right thing.”


“Not this time.”


“Let’s use it against him.” Chase mimed signing a document on his hand. “Wanna play a game?”


“What game?”


“Make Tell’s head explode.” Chase’s eyes twinkled. “Come on, it’ll be fun. We’ll just casually walk out the front door as if we’re deep in conversation.”


Georgia didn’t know what purpose this would serve. This wasn’t a sexual flirtation between her and Chase McKay. She’d followed his career and knew the bull rider was happily married.


They stopped in the middle of the parking lot.


“Won’t be long now,” Chase said.


“What am I supposed to say?”


“The bitchier you are, the more he’ll try to get you alone to sweet-talk his way outta the doghouse. But stay firm, Georgia, because he’s gotta learn how to do some serious groveling.”


“I will never understand men.”