Forever After All - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,29
don’t want to. “Who says I’m backing down?”
“Gah! Why are men so damn confusing?”
“Everything all right with you and Colby?”
“Yes! This is about you. You want her. Hell, it wouldn’t surprise me if you were half in love with her, and I’m offering my help. I want you to get the girl, and you’re being stubborn.”
“I don’t need your help, little sister.”
“Well, you’re getting it anyway. I’m team Rip and McKenna all the way.”
Me too, little sister. Me too. “Have fun tonight. If you two need a ride, you call me.” I leave no room for argument in my tone.
“Sure thing, big brother,” she says, way too cheerily. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Was there a reason you called?”
“Nope. I’m good. Can’t a girl just call her brother?”
“Laramie.” I sigh.
“Gotta go. Bye, Rip!” The line goes dead.
I toss my phone on my desk. Resting my elbows on the dark mahogany wood, I bury my face in my hands. I’ve never wanted someone or anything, for that matter, as much as I want McKenna. My sister is right. I never back down from what I want, and this isn’t me backing down. No, this is me planning for the long game. The end game. This is me wanting her for more than just a small moment in time, and I want her forever.
You can’t rush forever.
I’m pacing the living room, wearing a path into the hardwood floors, when my cell phone rings. It’s Corbin. “Hello,” I answer, continuing to pace.
“What are you getting into tonight?”
“Nothing much.” Just driving myself crazy wanting to go into town, to the Silver Star specifically. Just to see her. Have I ever been this taken by a woman? No. No one has ever gotten to me like McKenna has.
“Colby and I are going to grab some food and a couple of beers. You in?”
“Where you going?”
“Silver Star. I guess Laramie and McKenna are going to be there. He wants to be close in case they need a ride home.”
I stop pacing, and from my reflection, in the window, the scowl is gone, replaced with a smile. “I’m in.”
Corbin’s laughter is loud and boisterous as it flows through the line. “I figured as much. Meet us there?”
“When?”
“Thirty minutes?”
I don’t need to look at the clock to know that it’s seven. “I’ll be there.” I end the call. The girls will have had time to order and probably be started on dinner by the time we get there. I should probably feel guilty or like I’m spying on her, but I don’t. I’m just going to be there in case she needs me. They can have their girl time. I’m just backup. If she doesn’t need me, at least I’ll get to see her. Lay my eyes on her. That’s more than I can say for the past five years. I need to soak up as much time with her as I can. How else am I going to get her to fall in love with me?
Twenty minutes later, I’m pulling into the parking lot of the Silver Star Saloon. I don’t see Corbin or Colby’s trucks, but I spot my sister's car right away. I scan the lot looking for McKenna’s and don’t see it. They must have ridden together. I debate on going in alone, but that would be way too obvious. Instead, I turn off the truck and tap my fingers against the steering wheel as I wait for the guys to show up.
When Colby’s truck pulls up, I grab my keys and my phone and meet him in front of our trucks. “Where’s Corbin?”
“He’s on his way. Let’s grab a table.”
I nod and follow him inside. As soon as the door closes behind me, my eyes are scanning, looking for her. I spot them at a high-top table. They both have plates of food and a beer in front of them. Something my sister says makes McKenna laugh. She throws her head back, and I swear the sound finds its way to my cock. That’s nothing new when it comes to McKenna, but this time, the sound is stopped by my heart and squeezed it as well.
She takes my breath away.
Luckily for me, Colby is just as gone for my sister. I don’t even have to suggest that we stop by their table and say hello. His feet carry him like a man on a mission. “Hey, you.”
Laramie lifts her chin for a kiss. I’m envious as I turn to McKenna and her bright smile.
“Hi.”