Homebound (Boundless Players, #2)

by Meredith Trapp

The same her I haven’t stopped thinking about since I left this town three years ago, with my heart all kinds of black and blue. I didn’t expect my chest to hurt this much coming back to Granite Falls, but I can’t stop googling heart attack symptoms, which isn’t all that surprising. I google everything now that I’m a dad.

She always had a boy following her around every summer I came back to Texas. I’d give almost anything to be one of those men lucky enough to be with her now. If she’s still breaking hearts, I’ll gladly hand her mine.

Whiskey. Weed. Women. They all got me in trouble, but that last one got me my daughter, so I’ll never regret that choice. But none of them worked. Because I’ve always been hers... but she’s never been mine.

You’re not a flower that needs to be watered with validation, you’re a cactus, darlin’, prickly enough to thrive in a desert of doubt.”

I’ve always preferred men with dark hair. They just do something for me. Blond guys are too… blond. Don’t ask me to explain it.

“I let you win because it always made you smile, and I would’ve done just about anything to see those dimples.”

Luna is one of the brightest parts of my life. There’s no other being on this planet I can whisper all my deepest darkest secrets to, and always get a slobbery, judgment-free kiss in return. Sometimes I look at my girl, and I get this urge to squeeze her until her ribs crack because I love her so much.

“You’re too good for me,” she mutters, more to herself. “No,” I counter. “I’m just good for you, and you’re good for me.”

“Why do you keep calling me honey? Wait,” she says, holding up a finger. “Let me guess, it’s because it’s the color of my eyes?” “No. That’s not why.” I loop my fingers through hers. “It’s because “Tupelo Honey” is the first song we ever two-stepped to. Now, would you make me the luckiest man in this bar and dance with me, honey?” And then she smiles, dimples and all. “Okay, summer boy. I’ll dance with you.”

“You can wear the pants as long as I get to take them off.”

“Us nice guys might always finish last, but that’s only ’cause we know our ladies get to finish first.”

“Take what you need from me,” I groan against her lips. “I’m yours, so take it all.”

“Where do you want me to come?” “Inside me.” “Fuck,” he moans.

“Every gentleman knows you never disrespect a lady unless she’s begging for it in the bedroom.”

DAKOTA’S PRICKLY PEAR MARGARITA Ingredients: 1 shot of tequila. I use LALO! 1 shot of fresh squeezed orange juice, or if you really want to be on the floor, add one shot of Cointreau (not Triple Sec) 1 shot of lime juice (I always do a little more because I like the extra tang) 1/2 shot of prickly pear syrup (Making it homemade is a NIGHTMARE! Buy an all-natural organic bottle online. The less preservatives, the better. If you like it sweeter, do a full shot) Add in a few slices of Trader Joe’s Hot & Sweet Jalapeños Tajín seasoning for the rim (I like to sprinkle some into the shaker to give it a little spicy kick) Top with Fever Tree light tonic water or club soda for less sweetness Directions: Step 1: Pour Tajín onto a small plate. Wet the rim of a margarita glass and dip rim into Tajín. Step 2: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice; pour tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, jalapeños, and prickly pear syrup over ice. Cover shaker and shake the drink. Strain into the prepared margarita glass and top with tonic water. Step 3: Find yourself a body of water and scarf that bad boy down!