10. Ash

CHAPTER 10

ASH

K ayla leans over the bar to hug the bartender, and I force myself to look around at the bar.

There's a large wall filled with photos, and I walk over to inspect them. I spot Jack in a lot of them, but only a few of Kayla. I pause at a photo of her on a woman's lap, presumably her mother. She was stunning, just like her daughter. My heart sinks. I remember Jack telling me about losing his mom. I don't know what I would've done without mine.

I continue to look through the wall of photos. It seems like a fun bunch of people.

"Pretty Boy!" Kayla's voice cuts through the crowd.

I whip my head around and give her a mischievous smile.

"They don't have the beer you want — you okay with local?"

I nod, and she turns back to the bartender, a woman who I realize is in a few photos with Kayla on the wall.

Kayla comes back with our drinks, despite my offer to get them for us. I get the feeling she enjoys making jokes about me and my lifestyle. I'm an easy target. I don't mind. There's something about her insults that feels like a challenge.

She sits across from me and takes a sip of her drink.

I lean over and look at her glass. "What are you drinking?"

Scrunching up her nose, she says, "Who knows. Izzy is always making me her latest concoction. All I know is it packs a punch."

She offers me a sip, and I put my hand on hers as I take the glass. Heat trails from my hand down my body. My breath hitches.

Keeping my eyes locked on hers, I take a sip. There's a palpable surge of energy between us. I smack my lips together. "Wow. It tastes like five different shots of alcohol."

Kayla laughs, and I feel warm all over.

"Izzy's been making drinks like that since we were younger. She has this fruity punch she makes that knocks expert drinkers on their butts."

I smile. "I know a few good drinkers, and I think this would kill them."

She throws her head back, laughing, and I can't help but laugh with her.

Then her face drops. "You must miss your team."

I shrug. "I do, but it's definitely been a nice challenge working on the ranch."

She giggles. " Working is a strong word for what you're doing, but sure."

I raise an eyebrow. "You know… it's not my first time on a ranch."

She gasps dramatically. "I don't believe you."

I chuckle. "My grandparents had a ranch. I used to go stay with them in the summer when my mom had to work."

She bites the inside of her mouth, and I can tell a smart-ass remark is coming. "You'd never be able to tell, with the way you muck out the stalls, drop the bales of hay, fall off horses…"

I cock an eyebrow. "Been keeping a close eye on me, have you?"

She leans forward, and I find myself leaning in. Our eyes lock. My eyes flicker to her lips and back to her sparkling eyes. My body feels like it's vibrating.

Suddenly someone places two drinks in between us, and we spring apart.

The tall blonde smiles at Kayla. "From the guys over there."

I follow her gaze, and it's a bunch of guys by the pool table. They all wave when Kayla looks over.

I smile at her. "Turns out I'm not the only one with a fan club."

She rolls her eyes. "In a small town, everyone knows everyone. It sounds cliché but it's true. I could tell you everything about everyone here." She turns to me. "Except you."

My body heats under her gaze.

She shakes her head as if shaking away a thought. "So, you obviously didn't actually help your grandparents."

I take a sip of my drink. "No. They had people for that."

A large crease forms in the middle of her forehead.

I laugh. "I'm kidding."

She shakes her head and smiles.

"My grandfather and my cousins handled the estate," I tell her. "I spent most of my time with my grandmother. She was my mom's mom, and after everything we'd been through, it was nice spending time with her."

Kayla nods, and I realize I probably shouldn't have brought up my mom, given what happened to hers.

I quickly change the subject. "So, Jack on a ranch growing up — he must've gotten into all sorts of trouble?"

She chuckles. "Oh, boy. Where do I start?"

She tells me about Jack throwing a party while their dad was out of town. He nearly got away with it until Kayla accidentally said something.

Apparently there wasn't a lot to do around here, so there were a lot of parties in the woods and hangouts by the waterfall.

I ask about cow-tipping, but apparently that's just a running joke between locals.

Her eyes sparkle as she talks about her hometown and all the mischief they got up to.

She takes another sip of her drink and sighs. "That's a small town for you."

I nod. "You paint a very vivid picture." I lean in, and she does too. "There's definitely a certain charm to this place. I can see why you stuck around."

Kayla stares into my eyes, and for a moment the rest of the world disappears.