Page 9 of Talk About… Rivalry

She let out a sigh and shrugged. “I wish I could say that it was the worst part of the night. The contract was worse. And the waiter was really cool about it. I paid for my food and the desserts so I could take them home, which means they skippedon their bill. The restaurant banned them after I gave them their names so they could try to hunt them down. It would serve the dicks right if the police got involved.”

“Fuck those assholes,” Avery said. “There’s a mature way to handle situations like that, you don’t just skip out on a date and be a dick.”

“Then they had the audacity after making me listen to them rant and rave about themselves, to say that I was not that attractive and was simply a placeholder anyway to appease her. I handed her that contract, and honestly, if she signs it then they probably deserve each other.”

“There’s no way that a contract with punishments is legally binding,” Avery scoffed.

“Girl, I don’t know, I’m not a lawyer, but I hope they live the life they deserve.”

“Just give me their address and I’ll make sure they do,” I promised, a wicked smile spreading across my face.

Sidney laughed and held up her now-empty glass.

“How about you just give me a refill, big guy? That’s all I need.”

Avery and I shared a look, one that said she was very much in agreement with me beating their asses, but I did as she asked. I made sure her second one was a bit weaker. Something I knew damn well she wouldn’t miss.

When I handed it over, Sidney took a drink then narrowed her eyes.

“I’ve had one drink, Maverick Whitaker, you do not get to cut me off yet.”

I didn’t answer her, simply crossed my arms and stared her down. She knew damn well that I could be more stubborn than she was.

With a huff Sidney drained her drink and turned herself around, giving me her back for a moment.

“Oh my god, I have to pee again,” Avery complained before climbing down her chair and waddling off to the bathroom.

Though, I would never tell her she was waddling out loud. My poor sister was carrying three babies—that deserved nothing but praise.

“You know,” I said, leaning closer to Sidney, hoping that I could convey with my eyes just how much I meant what I was about to say. “If you ever need me, I’m here for you. That pack was full of idiots. You’re beautiful and incredible, Sidney. They never deserved you anyway.”

Her lips parted and I watched as her tongue darted out, wetting them. Her eyes started to close for a second before she took a breath and then her sarcastic mask was right back in place.

“If only the rest of the world thought the same, Maverick.”

God, I wished she could see that I didn’t give a single fuck what the rest of the world said… this omega wasmine.

Sidney

The black horse huffed at me from across the training yard. Her inky eyes seemed to bore into me, telling me that I was wasting my time and energy here.

Good luck, girl, I’m as stubborn as you are.

This horse and I had spent days like this. Her inching closer each day while I threw in treats, but never quite giving in.

Honestly, it gave me time off from tossing bales of hay into the truck and mucking out stalls. Dad had ranch hands for that kind of work anyway, he just liked to keep me humble, I guess.

“You’ll have to give in eventually,” I called out, laughing as she snorted at me as if to tell me the opposite.

There was something about this horse that was growing on me. Maybe I could simply relate as a strong, stubborn woman. Not to mention her sass was unmatched.

Setting aside my sketchbook I stood up and moved toward the fence, holding a hand out with an apple in it. After a few days most horses wouldn’t be ready but I just quirked an eyebrow ather in challenge, wondering if fighting fire with fire would work here.

Dammit, just when I said I wasn’t going to give into these horses anymore and wanted far from this ranch, here was a horse ready to draw me right back in.

The horse lowered her head as if she was studying me, her steps stiff as she moved a little closer. I kept my body relaxed, but still as she continued to inch her way to me. My arm started to ache but I kept my muscles locked tight and eyes locked on her, watching her watch me, both of us a little uneasy.

I was so close to giving up when she took a bigger step. Now she was close enough I could feel the warmth of her exhalation on my skin. My heart picked up speed, pounding in my chest as I forced the calm mask to stay in place.

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