Fragile Hearts (Poplar Falls #4) - Amber Kelly Page 0,31

about what your douche-bag man did,” Dallas says as soon as the door closes behind her.

“Did Momma tell you?”

“Yeah. She let the phone go to the answering machine a couple of times, and I asked what was going on.”

“I’m so angry,” I tell her.

“If you want my two cents, I say it’s better you know now than waste years of your life with him and then find out that he is a selfish prick. Trust me.”

“Honestly, I think I’m relieved. I was counting on the job, but I don’t think I ever saw Derrick and me going the distance. I believe he was more serious about us than I was. I’m more pissed that, now, if I do end up in Denver, he’ll be there.”

She laughs. “Look at it this way: you could always end up as his boss one day and fire his ass,” she says with a gleam in her eye.

“I think I just got myself a new goal.”

“That’s my girl. Don’t get mad. Get even.”

Brandt

I walk into Butch’s Tavern and search the crowd of faces, looking for Elle. I have no idea how I let her talk me into this, but she knew Mom was out of town, and I had no excuse as to why I couldn’t come out and socialize for a while tonight. Bars aren’t usually my thing, but the places here in Poplar Falls are a far cry from the glitzy dance clubs and late-night party scenes my associates used to drag me to in Portland. Here, the atmosphere is laid-back and more of a watering hole for friends to gather together after a hard day’s work, like they would at a backyard barbecue.

I spot Walker as he balances a couple of bottles, and I make my way to relieve him of the whiskey glass cradled in the crook of his arm.

“Doc, thanks. Glad you could join us. We’re in desperate need of testosterone. All my buddies have been falling off like flies lately. It’s just Payne and me left to wrangle a bunch of unruly women by ourselves,” Walker greets as he leads me to a large table nestled in the far corner of the space.

“Look who the cat dragged in,” Elle squeals as we arrive, and Walker starts distributing beverages.

“This must be yours,” I say as I place the glass in front of her.

“Yep, she’s my whiskey girl,” Walker confirms.

Sonia slides over close to Elle on the bench seat.

“Come on, Doc. We’ll make room.” She gestures for me to sit beside them.

I look around.

“Where’s your husband? I’m sorry. His name escapes me,” I ask her.

“Ricky. He is playing poker with some buddies tonight,” she says as she rolls her eyes.

I take the offered seat and flag down a waitress. I order a beer and a shot of tequila.

“Now, that’s my kind of order,” Walker says before raising his beer and taking a long pull.

“I thought you said Bellamy was coming tonight?” I ask Elle.

“She is. Foster is giving her a ride.”

Foster.

Elle gives me a curious look and then explains further, “We were going to stop and pick her up, but Walker talked to Foster earlier, and since he wanted to join us and he works out there at Stoney Ridge, it just made sense for him to bring her.”

I nod in agreement. “Of course.”

I clear my throat and look to the front of the room, where a couple of guys are setting up sound equipment.

“So, you know the band?” I ask Walker.

“Yeah, the drummer is a friend of mine. We used to play in a garage band together in middle school.”

“You play?” I ask.

“And he sings.” Elle beams. “If we’re lucky, we’ll be able to get him up there for a song or two tonight.”

He grins at her and winks.

Payne joins us, and Walker adds another table to ours and scoots up a few confiscated stools.

Forty-five minutes later, Bellamy breezes in with Foster on her heels.

She has on a beige maxi dress cinched at the waist by a wide braided leather belt with turquoise beads and brown cowgirl boots. Her hair is in a topknot with wisps escaping to frame her face.

Her face alights when she spots our table, and she grabs Foster’s hand and leads him over.

My eyes fall to their joined hands as they make it to us.

“Where have you two been?” Elle asks.

“It’s his fault. He was in the driveway, talking on the phone forever, while I waited in the truck,” Bellamy says as she rounds the table