I hiccup. “Both.”
Chief snorts. “Sounds like at this point you would also love the dirt, the ants, and the trees, too.”
I laugh. “Ants are fascinating!”
I push away from Travis, stumbling. He steadies me.
“Better grab her some water,” he tells Chief.
Grinning, I rush up the stairs and launch into Chief’s lap, and he nearly topples backward. “Holy hell,” he mutters. “You’re going to kill me someday.”
“Come on, Dad,” I tease. “Loosen up.”
“Mischief, give him a little kick!” Bill bellows from the yard.
Laughter rings out.
Chief shakes his head, but he’s smiling.
“I’m your favorite girl, right?” I wiggle free and stand, swaying.
“Right,” he grins.
“Ever?”
“Maybe not ever,” he chuckles.
I flip him the bird as Travis comes back and hands me a bottle of water. “Drink up, kid, or this will hurt tomorrow.”
I lean in, mock-sweet: “Do you think I’m pretty?”
Travis rolls his eyes; Chief laughs. “Pretty? Right now, you’re as pretty as a drunk sea lion.”
I burst into giggles. “Sea lions are chunky!”
He smirks. “Bit of chunk does wicked things to most men.”
I pretend to glare. “What did you dare say to me, Travis Phoenix?”
“You know you’ve got the best fuckin’ body I ever did see, kid.”
After that, the night is a blur. I pass out at some point, and wake up in my bed, curled up with Travis and a pounding headache. I toss and turn until the harsh morning light hits my face and I’m alone. The bed is still warm next to me, and I can hear voices out front. It takes me a moment to remember that today is the annual charity car wash. I groan and roll to my side, my mouth dry. I don’t know if I’ve got it in me to dress in a bikini and flag cars down, but I remember it’s for a good cause, so I force myself out of bed.
It takes me more than an hour to get myself out there, mostly because I am trying not to vomit. I shower, drink water, coffee, and then shoot back two Tylenol before getting into my bikini and tying my hair up. Hopefully, I look half decent. Reagan is meeting me this morning, because this is her favorite event of the year. I walk outside and into the main area, where theguys are getting everything ready. The good thing is, the town supports this, because they know it goes to kids in need.
I step into the main area, and every rider halts. Chief buries his face in his hands. Travis raises his brows, a slow grin spreading across his face.
“What the fuck is that you’re wearing?” Chief growls.
“A bikini,” I say, shaking my head in confusion.
“Hell no,” he barks. “Hell fucking no.”
Before I can argue, Reagan is running through the lot towards me, her bikini even smaller than mine. “Yay! This is the best day of the year.”
She reaches me and throws her arms around my neck, before pulling back and nodding with appreciation. “Yes, girl, yes.”
“No,” Chief snaps again. “Not happening.”