Free Rough Ride by Keri Ford Page B

table to see Trent staring at him.
    “Still don’t want her?”
    “Mind your own business.”
    He shrugged. “All right. I was just looking at trying to get them home. So in that case, you drive my truck, I’ll take Gretchen in her car. See her cozy to bed. Jacob, you gonna get your plumber home?”
    Jacob nodded. “Somebody needs to.”
    Rebecca pushed away from the table. “Tonya is on our way. I’ll drive her car and then Grant can pick me up from there.”
    “Here are my keys, bro.” Trent slid his truck keys across the table.
    Lane only raised his brow.
    Like. Hell.
    He pushed away from the table and left his brother’s keys where they sat. As he drew near the girls, their laughter died, eyes glanced to him. He settled his hands on the back of the only empty chair at the small table. “We’ve figured out DD’s for you three.”
    Gretchen blinked her glassy eyes up at him. “Well that’s nice, but we still have a long night ahead of us.”
    He couldn’t stop the chuckle. “The three of you look pretty finished to me.”
    Gretchen yawned and stretched, forcing her tits out in the air. She blinked and her hazy eyes managed to meet his gaze. “I wish, but there’s a ton of sweeping, mopping and washing dishes left to do. We’ll be well and sober by the time all that’s finished.”
    Sweeping, mopping and washing dishes? By the looks of them, he’d be surprised if they could make it to the front door without tripping over their own feet.
    Jacob walked up then. “Come on, Plumber.”
    Their gazes moved from him to his brother. And they only stared and blinked.
    Lane shook his head. “They’re not done.”
    At that, the girls stood up and pushed in chairs. Tonya yawned now. “I wish, but no. It’s easier to clean tonight than in the morning after the stuck on stuff has all dried. You boys are welcome to stay and chat if you like. Play cards for all I care. Drink machines are open, but the kitchen is closed.”
    Flora laughed and walked toward the kitchen. “But you’ll have to endure our music.”
    Gretchen stacked cups and grabbed the pitcher. Her cheeks were still pinked, eyes still glossed over. He studied her for a moment, surprised she wasn’t as wasted as he thought. Then it struck him in his chest that none of them were near as drunk as he’d first thought. They were just that good of friends who could laugh hard and loud. Like him and his brothers used to be. The realization knotted hard in his gut knowing he wouldn’t be able to have those moments again.
    Gretchen started off. “Thanks for the DD offer. That was sweet.”
    The girls retreated, and Lane faced his brothers. “Who’s got a deck of cards?”
    Rebecca laughed and rubbed her stomach on the way out the door Grant held for her. “You three are pathetic, but good luck.”
    Trent stopped next to him and trapped him in a headlock. “By the looks of the two of you, we’re not going anywhere until they have this place cleaned up. I have cards in my truck.”
    Lane broke free and turned the open sign to close while Trent fetched cards. By the hours listed, the diner had closed over an hour ago.
    Gretchen returned through the swinging door of the kitchen with a big plastic box and started when her eyes met his. “Oh, y’all decided to stay?”
    “Trent is grabbing some cards. Boys night.”
    She laughed. “All right then. Your choice.”
    Just then, clapping, bubble-gum popping sounding music blared. His gaze fell on hers. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
    She shook her hips and moved to the closest table. “You don’t like hip-hop?”
    Tonya came out the door with a broom, the handle in microphone position while she sang and danced her way across the room.
    Gretchen smiled at him as she passed by and lifted dishes in the tub against her hip. “Not too late to run.”
    He shook his head. “Not going anywhere.”
    Trent walked back in and froze at the sight of Gretchen dancing around the tables, picking up dishes and