Page 34 of Fall With Me (Sugarland Creek)

He walks away, and I stare at his back, feeling only an ounce of guilt for being so harsh. I’ve told him off plenty of times over the years, but I’ve never mentioned that it wastorture. It’s not a lie, though. Just seeing him amps up my heart rate, makes my palms sweat, and fuels the rage inside that I’ve kept to myself.

Icouldtell him. Reveal what connects us and where my hatred stems from, but not only would it risk my relationship with Noah if she knew, I’d have to hear his side of the story.

And I’m not interested in that.

Since my mother insists I have a life outside of racing, I made plans to meet Noah and Magnolia at The Lodge for lunch today. We’ve been on friendly terms since the day I started coming here, but we’ve never really hung out or talked outsideof work. And although it’s not much, it’s a start. Socializing is outside my comfort zone, so starting with this seemed the least likely way to induce an anxiety attack.

When I walk in, a dozen guests and all five Hollis siblings greet me.

Crap. I was hoping he wouldn’t be here.

He doesn’t look up at me, though, when Noah calls my name, but his brothers do.

“Hey, haven’t seen you in here before,” Wilder says.

I shrug, not liking the attention on me. “Figured I’d come to see what all the fuss is about.”

“You came on a good day. It’s broccoli cheese soup day!” Waylon smirks.

Noah stands and comes around to hug me. “You can eat whatever you want. Soup and salad bar over there, hot food in the middle, and all the pastries you can eat at the end.”

“Sounds great, thanks.”

Once I’ve grabbed a plate, Magnolia meets me at the salad bar. “Just between you and me, the Italian dressin’ is the best you’ll ever have. But don’t tell the guys I told you or they’ll take all of it.”

I chuckle at this random piece of information. “Got it, thanks.”

When I walk back to the tables with my beef tips and side salad, I sit between Noah and Magnolia and thank them for saving me a seat. Ruby’s across from me, shoving a large forkful in her mouth.

“So are you excited about the Franklin Rodeo?” she asks, still chewing. “I wish I could get off to come watch ya…” She shifts her glare toward Noah.

“Don’t be lookin’ at me. Ayden makes your schedule, not me.”

“You could put a good word in for me so I could go for once. I’d love to watch Ellie smoke everyone.”

Smiling at the nice comment, I take my first bite and am pleasantly surprised at how good it is.

Reluctantly, my gaze finds Landen, whose head is aimed down and only looking up when someone talks to him. I listen to his brothers chat while Noah, Magnolia, and Ruby discuss the upcoming local fair. That’s my next race before I head to Franklin for a three-day rodeo event and then will drive west for a few weeks to compete in more.

“Fine, I’ll see what I can do,” Noah concedes. “But no promises.”

“I’ll take her shift,” Landen speaks up, his eyes finding mine before moving to Noah’s.

The entire Hollis family always goes to the Franklin Rodeo, so one of them staying behind would be a big deal.

“Yes!” Ruby cheers at the same time Noah says, “Nice try. You ain’t gettin’ out of volunteering at the Cantina lounge again.”

“No, wait. I can do it. Servin’ beer to hot cowboys? Count me in.” Ruby smirks with a head nod.

“Have you ever bartended before?” Noah asks.

Ruby’s shoulders fall. “Well, no. Does that matter, though?”

Noah gives her a sympathetic frown, nodding. “The ranch is a sponsor, so they expect the people we send to know what they’re doing.”

I hold back my amusement because I’ve heard the story of how Noah and Fisher met there three years ago—during the barrel racing event, no less—and she invited him to meet her there that night. Pretty sure they hooked up and when she figured out he was her ex-boyfriend’s dad the next morning, she left and ghosted him. It wasn’t until he arrived at the rancha week later as the new farrier that they both realized their connections to each other.

Ruby sighs. “How hard can it be?”

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