Risk (Gentry Boys #2)(86)

As we got closer to the valley I started getting ridiculously pleased to see the familiar landmarks. In the distance loomed the shadow of Camelback Mountain and as we made our way into Tempe there was the cheerful face of Sun Devil Stadium.

“We should plan another trip soon,” I said. “There are a lot of places I’d like to see with you.”

“You name it,” Truly said, “and I’ll be at your side.”

She kept staring at me. She’d look over, act like she was about to say something, and then quickly look away.

“Spit it out, girl.”

Truly pursed her lips. “Saylor and the boys think you should try and do something with your singing.”

I knew where this was going. “I’ve heard that one before.”

“Not from me you haven’t. Don’t you scowl and roll your eyes, Mr. Gentry. I can see you quite clearly. You’ve got a gift, Creed.”

I turned into the entrance to my apartment complex. Truly put her hand on my arm.

“Just think about it,” she said softly. “Please.”

“I will,” I said, parking in front of my apartment. “Want to come inside and take a long nap with me?”

She smiled. “I should go home and make sure Steph remembered to feed my cat.”

“What do you want to do later?”

Truly raised an eyebrow. “Are you inviting me to do you?”

“Is that an option?”

“Always. More like a demand actually.”

I pulled her close and kissed her. “I want to take you out,” I said. “Dinner and a movie. Just like regular people.”

“Regular people,” she muttered. Then she clapped her hands and started laughing loudly. “We’re all regular and shit.”

I didn’t get why she found it so funny but I laughed along anyway because I was happy to have made her happy.

“Wear one of your dresses,” I told her. “I’ll pick you up at six.”

She checked her watch. “Six pm never seemed so f*cking far away.”

I shook my head with a smile, remembering when I’d said something like that to her. This girl had a knack for remembering every damn word out of my mouth. “I might drop by sooner.”

“You should,” she said, moving over to the driver’s side as I climbed out. “But don’t think you’re walking away without kissing me first. I’ve just made up that rule. Creedence, you are never allowed to walk away without kissing me.” Her dark eyes twinkled. “Or else you risk my wrath.”

“And I certainly wouldn’t want to risk that,” I said, moving in.

I reached through the window and put my hand on the back of her neck, my fingers tangling in her dark hair. I kissed her hard and deep. I always would.





EPILOGUE


Truly



“Fuck the salt shakers,” growled Cord with exasperation. His hand was on the door and he was on the verge of pushing us through it. “We’ve only got fifteen minutes now.”

“Salt is bad for your health anyway,” I reasoned and gave up, quickly delivering them to empty tables while Saylor ran to the back to grab our purses.

I shook my hair free of the ponytail, ignoring Julie’s glare as she and Griffin lurked behind the bar. She still considered it a personal affront that I’d taken some time off last month. All of her absurd glowering was supposed to remind me how she’d had to pick up my slack while I was gone.

Saylor returned and she was beaming. It was her last week of work at Cluck This. Cord had quite a few regular customers at the tattoo place and was making good money. Even though Saylor was still only in her first trimester he didn’t want his pregnant bride-to-be wearing herself out delivering fried chicken.

“I’m nervous,” she confided, squeezing my arm. “Are you nervous?”

“A little,” I admitted.

Ed actually came out of his office and waved at Cord before nodding to me. “So this is the big night?”

“It is,” I said as a thrill rolled through me.

My boss nodded and smiled. “Get out of there then, both of you. Good luck.”

Saylor was practically giddy as we exited and started walking down the street. Cord seemed amused by her constant excitement. I didn’t blame her for being excited; we’d been working on her wedding plans every spare minute. In two weeks we were all flying to Las Vegas to watch Saylor McCann become Saylor Gentry.

Cord hugged her and rested his hand lightly on her belly for a moment. She smiled up at him as they shared a special moment just being happy about what they had created. I stayed back a few paces, admiring the two of them. My friends, both of them, deserved every moment of happiness.

“Truly,” Saylor called, turning around. “Come on, walk faster. We can’t miss him!”

“We won’t,” I said confidently, although I did quicken my pace. “Believe me, the hounds of hell couldn’t keep me from this.”

The Hole was always packed. It was especially bad on Thursday nights when there was live music. I craned my neck to get a glimpse of the tiny soundstage beyond the bar. Brayden and Millie found us in the mob and we all waited together. I checked my watch. It was nearly ten thirty.

Cord had his hands on Saylor’s shoulders. They were both squinting through the milling crowd.