Page 38 of Caught By A Cowboy

“You know, whatever it is you can tell me. Even if it’s bad.”

I stop what I’m doing and look up then seeing how serious she is, I back away.

“Fine, but you better put this on or I’ll get all distracted again.” Opening the top drawer of my dresser I drag out a tee and toss it at her. She smiles like she’s won some kinda prize as she puts it on, and then shimmies her ass out of that skirt.

“What d’ya wanna know?” I ask as she settles herself under the covers and gets herself comfortable.

“Everything,” she tells me simply. It’s sad to think that I could never tell hereverything.There’s no way she could continue to love me if I did.

“The Gendrys founded this town?—”

“I got all that from Eleanor, they disappeared for a century and then came back.” She skips me past all the boring shit so she can get to the good stuff.

“So, back when I was younger I used to compete. I was junior champ at roping, then I got into steer wrestling but we were too young for the bulls.” I swallow thickly.

“We?” Her brow creases curiously.

“Me and Matty. They may not have lived in town no more, but everyone knew who the Gendry’s were. Matty was my strongest competitor, always the one I was looking to beat.”Maddison must sense how uncomfortable I am because she takes my hand and encourages me to continue.

“We were always winding each other up, trying to get in each other’s heads before a competition, and this one day when we were backstage, Matty saw that Big Trigger had been put out in the exercise stall.”

“Big Trigger?”

“He was the biggest, and most aggressive one they had, even world champs would shy away from gettin' on that crazy fucker. But Matty laid out the challenge, and I never back down from one of those.”

“You got on Big Trigger?” Her mouth gapes open, and I can’t resist trailing my finger around the rim of it.

“Lasted three whole seconds,” I smile to myself sadly, “but I remember the rush during those three seconds. I’d never felt more afraid, yet so alive. I swear after he threw me I scurried like a mouse.” I feel my heart beat faster when I remember how heavy his breath sounded. “‘Course, Mattyhadto match me.” I wanna close my eyes so I don’t have to see her reaction to what’s about to come out, but I know that if I do I’ll see that vision that still haunts me to this day.

“Big Trigger was already pissed. He tossed Matty five feet in the air then he trampled him. I tried to call him away. I screamed for help but by the time anyone came, it was too late.” I feel a cold sweat on my skin as my mind takes me back.

“Shit, that's rough.” Maddison has such a pitiful look on her face, I can’t stand it.

“Yeah, well, it was a long time ago and them Gendrys sure hold a grudge.” I slide my hand over my face and stand back up. I really don’t wanna make a big deal outta this.

“Wait, they blamed you? Jace, you were just a kid.” She shakes her head in confusion.

“The Gendrys lost a son, and those men I fought tonight lost a brother. Grief is a hard emotion to handle and it’s much easier when you can blame, and hate, someone for the fact you have to suffer it.” I head straight to the bathroom and lock the door behind me, gripping the basin and staring at my reflection. Right now, lying in my bed is my perfect future. Why the fuck does my past insist on coming back to try and screw it for me? The Gendrys shouldn’t have come here tonight but it seems them, and their stupid fuckin’ road, is the least of my problems. Maddison wasn’t wrong when she said something was troubling Sawyer. Sawyer got spooked because tonight wasn’t the first time he’d encountered Riley Hale. The last time he saw her she was leaving his hotel room, they’d met in a bar after she’d just finished working a job as an undercover agent. I can’t see why an FBI agent would take a demotion and come to a small town like this one, which suggests to me that she’s workin’ a job, right now. We need to find out what that woman’s here to un-fuckin’-cover because when it comes to secrets, this town is riddled with ‘em.

“Jace, are you okay in there?” Maddison sounds concerned as she taps on the door.

“I’m fine, darlin’,” I call back, feeling the heat creep up my neck when I think of all the lives I’ve ended, and all the things I’ve done. I’ve got no doubt that Riley being here is a warning that justice is coming for me and I can’t let it catch up, not now that I’ve got Maddison and our baby to protect.

MADDISON

“Here, darlin’, let me get ‘em for ya.” Grayson reaches up to the cupboard and pulls down the stack of bowls.

“Thank you, Grayson.” I smile gratefully, even if I am a little shocked by his chivalry. Carefully, I take the huge pan of soup I’ve made for lunch from the stove and he quickly takes that from me too.

“Got it.” He focuses on not burning his hands as he places it in the center of the table.

“I’m liking this one, Mads,” Kyle pipes up as he scoops the bowl with his bread. It’s not homemade but it is oven-baked which is an improvement.

“Anyone for more coffee?” I call out, dreading going near the machine, it’s one of my instant triggers but I’m learning to deal with it. I’ve got the throwing up down to just twice a day now, usually by lunchtime I’m starting to feel human again but then comes the fatigue.

“If you boys want coffee, you can get it yourselves,” Grayson barks at them and then smiles at me.

I look at Jace in confusion and when he tries his best to hide his smile, I wonder what I’m missing.

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