Texas Pride by Gerry Bartlett

Author:Gerry Bartlett
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2017-05-04T13:29:51+00:00

Chapter 11

“All right, Albert, what did you find out about Rupert Billingsley?” Billy forked up eggs cooked perfectly and realized the restaurant did deserve more publicity. Two other diners were across the room, out of earshot, so he was confident they couldn’t be overheard above the noise from the nearby casino. Early morning gamblers were hard at it already.

“Give me a minute, okay?” Albert held onto his coffee cup like it was the only thing keeping him together. He’d obviously enjoyed the casino himself for quite a while the night before. “I guess it was a mistake to give you a phone. Don’t you ever sleep in?”

“It’s eight o’clock. Late, as far as I’m concerned.” Billy grinned.

Albert leaned back in his chair and it creaked under his weight. “Where’s your lady this morning?”

“Still sleeping. We had a rough day yesterday. She needed the rest.” Billy took a bite. He’d slipped out of bed only hours after falling asleep beside her. Of course, she’d stirred and tried to get him to come back to bed. He couldn’t do it, his restless nature making it impossible. So he’d worked his phone, caught up on e-mails, and finally sent a text to Albert to meet him here so he could get breakfast.

“Come on, man. What did you find out?” He didn’t need to think about Shannon, still warm in their bed, or he’d blow off this meeting and head back to the cabin.

“I found out I’m a piss-poor gambler. I’m giving it up.” He waved over the waitress and held out his cup. “At least Simon won last night. But that’s probably a bad thing.” He smiled at the waitress. “The lumberjack special. Thanks.” He waited until she had cleared the door into the kitchen. “I liked Shannon.” Albert smiled. “Seems like a nice lady.”

“Yeah. But we have a history.” Billy’s gut tightened and he set down his toast. Was he nuts for involving himself with Shannon again? Last night he’d finally let those memories come rushing in. God, but she’d twisted him up inside when she’d tossed him away all those years ago. Boring. Dull. Uncouth. Those were the kindest words she’d tossed at him when she’d finally gotten sick of his trying to get her to quit her drinking games and leave a party.

Back then he’d been afraid that the novelty of having a serious boyfriend would wear off for her but, when it had, he’d still been blindsided. Stupid. That was the one word she’d screamed that had fit him to a tee. He’d been an idiot for thinking a woman like Shannon Calhoun, from her world of high living and big money, could ever see herself permanently with a man like Billy Pagan. Nope. He’d been a diversion. He’d lasted just a few months before one of the pretty boys with deep pockets had taken his place. A guy who fit in with her people.

He should have seen it coming. Even Dylan had warned him. But he hadn’t listened, too dazzled by her beauty and the way she could make everything else in his life seem drab.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.