Truly Mine by Amy Roe Read Free Book Online Page A

male pissing match. It’s hot, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like being in the middle of it. But Katie’s attempt to cockblock me is a waste of her time and energy because I plan to take advantage of this situation.
    After giving Katie a look, letting her know I’m not pleased with her comment, I stand from my barstool and approach Truly from behind. Placing my hands on her hips, I twist her around so that she’s facing me.
    “You are absolutely one hundred percent right, Tru. How about we get out of here?” I know she’s doing this for Katie’s benefit only, but I’m dead serious.
    Oddly, I’m reading her like a book tonight. The intense look she gives me is her asking me to confirm that I understand her actions are for show only. I raise my eyebrows, taunting her. She’s not getting off that easily. She might be playing games, but I’m not.
    Finally, she wraps her arms around my neck and lays her head on my shoulder, looking toward Cory and Katie.
    “All yours, baby.”
    Oh, yeah, I do like the sound of that.
    “Bye, Cory.” She reaches out and pulls Cory into our embrace.
    “Man, the more things change, the more they stay the same. You lucky bastard.” After a quick rib shot in my side, he plants a kiss on Truly’s cheek and then turns right back to his beer. “Girl, it’d better not be so damn long before I hear from you again.”
    Katie, on the other hand, is not so pleased. She turns the opposite way, not paying any attention to us.
    Sliding my hands around to Truly’s back, I pull her off the barstool and lower her to her feet. Knowing that I only have seconds of this little game left, I take her hand in mine and weave our fingers together. Then, I pull her to my side and lead her out of the bar.
    She turns between us and yells over her shoulder to Cory as we leave, “It won’t be. I promise. Take care of those girls of yours.”
    I can’t help but lean in and kiss her forehead since it is right in front of me now. Her hair smells so fucking good.
    As I fully expect, the moment our feet hit the sidewalk, she pulls away from me and walks quickly toward her car.
    “I apologize. That was incredibly juvenile.” She continues walking until she reaches her driver’s door.
    I stay on the sidewalk, trying not to look as desperate as I feel. I’d like to grab her, throw her in my truck, and take her home with me. “What was that all about, Truly? What were you trying to prove in there?”
    Turning to face me, she walks to the front of her car and stops. “I don’t know, Tyler.” She looks amused. “I really don’t know. It was ridiculous. The minute I passed the city limit sign, I lost my damn mind.” She turns and walks back to get into her car. “I hope I didn’t mess anything up for you in there.”
    Opening her car door, she stares into my eyes. There’s something about the way she’s looking at me, like she wants me to beg.
    As she lowers herself into the seat, I rush to her. Just before her car door closes, I grab hold of the handle. I kneel down so that I’m eye level with her.
    Taking her hand in both of mine, I tell her the honest-to-God truth, “She’s the local barfly. I can assure you, I’m not interested in her. Don’t leave like this, please. I don’t give a damn about that woman. If you’re here to prove something, then stay. Visit with me now since we both know you’re not coming back here again.”
    She presses a button, and her car hums to life.
    “Truly, stay.”
    She lays her head back on the seat, looking up at the ceiling of her car.
    “You have nothing to prove—to me or anyone else,” I remind her.
    Turning her head toward me, she takes a deep breath. “It isn’t you or that woman or Cory or any damn person in this town that I want to prove something to. It’s me. I guess I was proving to myself that I could get you to choose me—just once. Even if it is twenty years later and I’m too damn old to really give a shit. Stupid, I know.”
    I