Free Learning the Ropes by T. J. Kline

scowled at his partner. “I didn’t mean us. Are you going to hold his over my head all night because I thought we talked about this already?”
    “Yeah, well, it doesn’t really change the fact that we’re barely holding on to the top ten by our fingernails now, does it?”
    Alicia was surprised by David’s anger. He’d kept it under control when she was at the trailer but something had suddenly unleashed it and she wondered if this wasn’t a sign she should beg off going tonight. David didn’t seem like he was any mood to go out, regardless of Chris’s assurance of a good time.
    Chris shot him a warning look. “Cool it,” he muttered through clenched teeth.
    David threw his hands into the air. “That’s right. I forgot. Everything has to be your way, doesn’t it, Chris?” David pushed past him and headed to the trailer, leaving Alicia staring after him wondering what just happened.
    She chewed at her lower lip. Alicia felt bad refusing but she just didn’t want to deal with Delilah and her flunkies tonight. She just didn’t have the patience for them tonight. Just the thought made her sick to her stomach. “I don’t think I can deal with the crowds at Maverick’s.”
    “Then let’s go to the Ole Corner and play pool. It’ll be nearly empty.”
    The Ole Corner was a favorite with locals who just wanted a quiet place to hang out, away from the fake cowboys and even more fake groupies. It had smaller dance floors and wasn’t nearly as fancy as the bars where most of the out-of-town cowboys frequented. It also wasn’t filled with the women trying to pick them up. Delilah was sure to be prowling for her next victim tonight and that meant looking for someone in the money. Alicia arched a brow at Chris.
    “Come on, Ali,” Chris prodded. “You know you don’t have anything better to do. You’re not going to ride either of those horses tonight. Besides, I promise, we’ll have a good time. So good we’ll all forget about today.”
    Damn him and those puppy dog eyes. Damn him for knowing exactly what she wanted to hear. It was as good a place as any to have a pity party and at least she’d have good company.
    “Fine,” she said, sighing. “But you’re buying me dinner.”
    C HRIS GAVE A low whistle as Ali stepped onto the porch, glad he waited in the truck while David met her at the door instead of where someone would witness his reaction to her. She looked absolutely gorgeous. There was just something sexy about a girl who knew how to keep it simple and she’d certainly done that. Pairing her jeans with a short, flowing shirt held up by thin straps, she showed just a hint of her flat stomach behind her belt buckle. She’d never been one to wear much makeup but the little she did wear always seemed to accent her best features: her eyes and full lips. Chris felt the heat churning in his veins and settle below his belt. God, how he wanted to kiss those lips right now.
    Down boy, she’s not your girl.
    He knew he was an idiot. Chris shook his head and forced himself to tear his gaze from Ali and focused on his hands, gripping the steering wheel of the truck. She was David’s now; he’d stupidly made sure of that. They even looked like a couple, walking to the truck, hand in hand. Besides, he reminded himself he had absolutely no interest in relationships. Right?
    Hell, he thought rubbing on hand against his temple, he had no interest past finding some sweet woman to dance with tonight at the Ole Corner.
    Chris dared to glance up at Ali as David approached the truck and opened her door. Who are you kidding?
    Jealousy gnawed at his gut, eating away at the lie that protected him for years. The realization hit him between the eyes. Suddenly, the thought of holding Ali, of kissing those lips every morning, of being able to bury himself into her made him want to rethink his priorities. David opened the door, interrupting Chris’s ridiculous thoughts, and Ali slid inside, buckling herself into the seat