“Fuck. I think so. Jesus, maybe I haven’t been present.”

“You just got Evie back. You guys are opening the restaurant and shooting a documentary. It’s all right for you guys to take this time just for the two of you.”

“And now you have Amanda? She okay after last night?”

“She’s great! Just left.”

“She’s a good girl, man. Evie loves her. Majesty loves her too! That’s a damn miracle.”

“Yeah, she’s what’s up.”

“You go change and shower, ’cause you look like you just rolled back over here.”

“Yeah. Let me go to do so.”

“I’ll call Senior.”

“Sounds good.”

Sam headed out to get cleaned up, still thinking of what he could do to help his brother. Maybe he could invite him up to LA just to get a break from Charming. Or maybe they could go to Vegas or something. Just to get him out of town. Whatever it was, it was clear Jesse needed something. Sam just wasn’t sure what.

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Amanda rolled onto her back, trying not to giggle. She’d only meant to text Sam, but when he replied asking if he could say good night over the phone she couldn’t think of a reason why not. As soon as the word TEX lit up her phone screen, she knew it wasn’t going to be a quick call. She’d only been away from Big Rock Ranch for eight hours or so, but the thought of talking to Sam again made her giddy. As soon as she heard his voice, the soft, smooth “Hey, Cha-Cha” rolling off his tongue made her whole body tingle. Dru had a packed week and Amanda needed all her sleep so she could keep up with Dru’s schedule and her attitude.

She double-checked the clock and did the math on how long she had. Twenty more minutes. Twenty more minutes before she had to brush her teeth and wash her face and get ready for bed. A tiny voice in the back of her head screamed, FUCK THAT. You kinda have a boyfriend now. You stay up all night and tell this boy how much you like seeing him naked. She wouldn’t, but man, was the thought tempting.

“I don’t believe you,” Amanda said, trying to catch her breath. She’d never been the giggling type. Until now.

“Why would I lie? Damn Cha-Cha. I thought I was among friends. You telling me I can’t confess my darkest secrets to you anymore?”

“No! Of course you can. Teeexxx,” she laughed. “Listen. When it comes to Banker Down I don’t play around. I just can’t believe you spent all afternoon reading Banker fic. I have to stay away from it. I’ll go down a rabbit hole and a week later I’ll wake up screaming about how Jens and Calloum should have gotten together way sooner.”