He continues as if I didn’t speak. “But I also don’t believe in letting a woman I brought somewhere leave with another man.”
I flex my hands and curl them into fists. “Well, you sure as fuck aren’t leaving with her tonight. So you’re going to have to put that belief on ice.” Even in the dimly lit parking lot, I can see the muscle ticking in his jaw. “If you’re looking to stake a claim on a woman, I suggest you pick one who’s available.”
He smirks. “The only reason you had a shot at her is because I didn’t stake a claim.”
“Then you missed your shot. The next time we’re in town, I’ll buy you a beer to thank you. Right now, I’d like to get my wife home before she pukes in my rental car.” I say the word wife with undeniable emphasis and satisfaction.
“Seems to me a man with a wife like that should learn how to keep a hold on her a little better.”
The words aren’t that far off from what Boone said when he ripped me a new asshole several hours ago in Nashville.
“You better not keep doing shit that sends her running, or you’re gonna fuckin’ lose her for good,” was Boone’s redneck wisdom.
He made his point when he eyed the shotgun hanging above the front door, and when he delivered his final warning. “That girl is one of the good ones. Don’t make her cry, or I’ll be forced to step in and take action. I consider her family.”
My explanations placated him enough for him to tell me exactly where she went. Back to the small town she came from is about the last place I would have thought to look, so I owe Thrasher. But I don’t owe this asshole anything.
Logan narrows his eyes on me. “This conversation ain’t done.” He jerks his head toward the car door. “But it can wait.”
I look at the car as well, and see Holly passed out against the window. Shit.
“You know how to get to her gran’s place?” he asks, clearly deducing the problem I’m facing as soon as I do.
It’s with annoyance I admit that I don’t have a clue. He’s in the middle of giving me directions when Holly rouses and knocks on the window.
Fuck. I recognize that look. I unlock the door and pull it open just in time for Holly to lean her head out and puke on the gravel. I step around the door and gather her hair into a messy ponytail behind her head. A car door opens and shuts nearby, but I’m not paying attention to anything but Holly.
Logan reappears, crouching just out of range of the vomit as he holds a bottle of water to her lips.
Given the caveman tendencies that spring to life every time I’m around Holly, I should be pissed to see another man helping take care of her, but I’m not. I’m grateful because taking care of her is the only thing that matters right now, not the pissing contest I was engaging in. It’s amazing how simple things become when priorities are highlighted so brilliantly.
When she’s finished drinking and puking and drinking again, I smooth Holly’s hair away from her face and tuck it behind her shoulder. She sits back in the seat of the Cadillac and looks from me to Logan.
“I’m confused. And drunk.” Her gaze swings back to me. “How the hell are you here? Why?”
“I think that conversation is best saved for when you’ll actually remember what I say.”
“Good. I don’t know what to say yet . . .” Her words trail off as her eyes slide shut.
Fuck.
I snap my attention to Logan. “What the fuck did you do to her? I’ve never seen her like this.”
“She was trying to forget about you.”
His words are like a jab to my gut. I exhale sharply, physically feeling the effects of the verbal sucker punch.
“Well, that isn’t fucking happening because I’m not going anywhere.”
“Your choice, man, but if a woman asks me for space, I tend to give it to her if the alternative is pushing her away by refusing to give her what she needs.”
“What is it with rednecks and their fucking need to dispense backwoods wisdom today?”
“I’d resent that if you hadn’t just acknowledged that they’re wise words.”
I didn’t mean to imply that, but this Logan guy is apparently smarter than he looks.
Holly slumps sideways, on the verge of falling out of the seat, and we both reach out a hand to steady her. He snatches his back when I shoot him a sharp look. Carefully, I sit Holly upright in the seat and close the door. Once she’s situated, I turn to him.
That thought about my inner caveman calming down? Total bullshit. I need to make something clear to him before I drive out of here. And considering Holly needs to be in bed five minutes ago, I’ll make it clear without wasting any time.
“You see that ring on her finger? That means she’s not fair game, unless that’s the kind of guy you are.”
Logan’s head jerks back, and his eyes narrow. “I ain’t lookin’ to poach. I respect that you took vows, but I also know that you don’t have a good track record of keeping ’em.”