Whitley stood and reached for Courtney’s arm. “No, I don’t think that’s a very good idea. ”
Courtney and I both looked at her. “Why not?” we asked at the same time.
Whitley peered between both of us. “Um…Courtney, really, you don’t want to meet his friends. ”
The way she’d said his sounded like she was disgusted with me.
“Oh yeah, I do, Whit. ” Courtney turned back toward me and smiled as she held out her hand. “Show me the way, cowboy. ”
We started to walk toward the back. I turned around and winked at Whitley. She had her hands on her hips, and she looked so goddamn cute, being all pissed-off.
I turned back, and leaning down, I told Courtney, “Keep your panties on tight. These boys are nothing but a bunch of horny men, and one is fresh on leave from the Marines. ”
Her smile practically lit up the room. “Sweetheart, it’s been so long since I got laid. I don’t care how horny they are. They just better have functioning dicks. ”
I laughed as I shook my head. I like this girl—feisty and tells it like it is.
More women needed to be like her. I looked back to see Richard walking with Whitley. My smile faded, and I quickly turned back ahead. As we walked up closer to the table, I saw Reed and then Kevin. My heart started pounding, and it felt like my knees were about to give out.
“Layton, are you all right? Did you get dizzy or something?” Courtney asked.
I tried to give her a smile as I shook my head. “Nah, I think it’s from not eating today. ”
“Holy motherfucking shit! It’s Layton Morris. And the bastard brought us a friend. ” Kevin stood and made a beeline right toward Courtney.
Courtney smiled as she held out her hand, and Kevin kissed the back of it.
“Who is this beautiful creature?” Kevin looked Courtney up and down.
I turned around and reached for Whitley’s hand. I was surprised when she took it, and she let me lead her to the front of me. The look that Richard had given me wasn’t lost on me.
“My God, there are two beautiful creatures. Layton, what did I do to deserve this?” Kevin asked when he saw Whitley.
I smiled as I took in Kevin. He was as fit as ever. He was the same height and build as me. He’d always been known as the black stallion with the local girls. All the girls would go crazy for him. I didn’t think I’d ever seen him with just one girl.
I introduced Whitley and Courtney to Kevin and explained to them that he was home on leave from the Marine Corps.
After talking for a few minutes, Reed finally noticed Whitley and Courtney. I knew it was going to be a long night when I saw his face light up as he looked them both up and down. I’d never in my life wanted to punch my best friend in the face before, but the way he was looking at them caused me to ball up my fists. He got up and walked over toward us.
Whitley was standing so close to me that I could smell her perfume.
Jesus, her scent is driving me fucking nuts.
“So, are you the city girl Layton here rescued today?” Reed asked with a smile and a wink as he extended his hand.
Whitley shook Reed’s hand. “The one and only. ” She gave a wink of her own.
I glanced over and noticed Courtney eyeing Reed up and down.
Reed could pretty much look at any girl, and she’d be his. Almost every girl at every bar we had gone to would tell him he looked exactly like Colin Farrell.
Reed started laughing. “Don’t worry, Jack will take care of your car. He’s the best. Welcome to Llano. What in the world made you want to move here?” he shouted over the music.
Whitley’s smile faded for a quick second before she flashed that beautiful smile at him. “New town, new life. ”
Reed smiled and shook his head. “Folks normally say they want to leave Llano to start a new life. ”
Whitley winked. “To each his own. ”