Page 19 of Bull Rush

“Not good enough for her.” Bo laughs as he shakes his head. “Brother, you got some fuckin’ nerve sayin’ that.”

“I might not be good enough, but you know a grave couldn’t hold me down from keeping her safe. So tell me what’s going on.”

“Just little things.” He leans back in his seat, glancing around the room to make sure no one’s in earshot. “One day I caught him up in the loft of the pole barn poking around. Another time, he was out in one of the fields with a metal detector. Claimed he fucking lost a watch out there riding, but I never saw him wear one. Then Cade’s on his way back one night from Springs, and he sees him arguing with a woman in the parking lot of a motel off 50.”

“Did he see Cade?”

“No. Cade didn’t get out of the car and was just hitting the drive-thru there.”

“I mean, weird, but all of that could have an explanation.”

“You have a lot of late-night arguments with women in motel parking lots while your girlfriend waits at home that turn out innocent?” Bo’s sarcasm leaks through his words.

“No, but he could have hit her bumper pulling out, or she could be family that we don’t know about. I’m just saying there are explanations that aren’t sinister.” I don’t really believe them, but I’m trying to explore all the possibilities first. Hazel really did seem to have her shit together these days, and despite the fact I have my reasons to hate him—I can’t deny that they looked like a picture-perfect couple at dinner.

“Occam’s razor, brother. If it looks like it… in my experience, it usually is.”

“Fair enough. I’m not trying to defend the prick. I’d just as well see him gone.”

“Would you?” Bo levels me with a hard look. “What’s your plan anyway?”

“Staying out of trouble until this divorce goes through and I figure out what I’m doing next. Just trying to keep my parole officers happy.” It’s not a total lie. I do want them off my back, and I need to figure out what’s next now that the Chaos isn’t exactly banging down my door to get me back.

“I don’t buy that for one fucking minute.” Bo looks at me like I’m a fucking idiot for even attempting to bullshit him.

“Yeah, well, you always were cheap as fuck then, weren’t you?” I dodge the accusation.

He ignores my attempt at humor and leans back in, lowering his voice. “You break her heart again, I’ll break every bone in your body. I don’t give a fuck what you two get up to. You need to let her settle old scores or get some closure—you’re both adults. But don’t you dare fucking make her cry again, you hear me?”

“Understood,” I grit out the word.

“I’m glad.” He finishes his beer, and his phone buzzes. Something about the message distracts him, and he stands suddenly.

“I should get back. We’ll talk more about everything, but itwas good catching up with you.” He drops a few bills on the table and stands to leave.

“Later.”

He nods as he heads out, disappearing out the back door and leaving me to make small talk with the server while she runs our bill.

I wouldn’t exactly call us friends again, but at least I’m off the worst of his shit list. Now I’ve just gotta worry about what the fuck Curtis has been up to.

EIGHT

Hazel

“So, the husband is back…”Bristol, one of my best friends and the owner of the local antique shop, sips her drink.

“Yes, how is that going?” Dakota sits back against the booth.

We’re gathered at Dakota’s bar. It’s the only place in town with decent vibes. Cowboy’s down the street mostly plays to the tourists, and Morton’s up the street is just where a lot of the locals go to watch ball and talk politics. Seven Sins, Dakota’s place, has the best drinks and a dance floor that’s nearly as busy as the bar—especially on weekend nights like tonight.

“I just have to survive a few months while he works through his parole.” I’ve already given them the basics of the arrangement Ramsey and I have agreed to tell friends and family about in the group chat. Leaving out the part about the million and the notion that I might sleep with him seemed like a mistake in retrospect though. I could really use their advice,and none of us are in the habit of keeping secrets from each other.

“I think we should torture him while we can. Revenge for everything he put you through.” Dakota’s lips form into a devious smirk as she plays with the cherry in her glass.

“I think she should use it as an extended bachelorette-party hall pass. He was an asshole, but he’s as hot as he ever was.” Bristol’s the practical one.

“Given that she’s still married, wouldn’t it be a second honeymoon?” Marlowe muses, smiling a little when Dakota nudges her with her elbow in appreciation.

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