Page 9 of Chasing Liberty

“How generous of you, but I’m heading out soon.”

She took a step back, her smile dulling. “If you just so happen to change your mind, honey, you know where to find me.” She swung those hips like a well-oiled pendulum as she targeted a table of men who looked like a rowdy group that were all ready for a deep discount.

Wyler had been told the best way to get over a broken heart was through another woman’s curves, but that wasn’t his philosophy. He’d been a bit preoccupied with the spitfire who still haunted every waking minute of his days. Even after she’d dumped him in a public restroom a little over a month ago. The woman who’d blissfully taken him on a wild ride only to discard him like a rusty spur.

Some of his self-pity was exchanged for anger.

Hell, if she didn’t want him, fine by him. He’d received the deed for his share of Crescent Rose two weeks ago and he was already in the early stages of planting some roots there. The next day after Liberty kicked him out of the Manor, he bought himself a camper, set it up at Crescent Rose, and moved in. The second thing he did was had a sign made for his new homestead—Willow Wild—named after his ma Not everything needed to be named after a Rose.

He only had himself to blame for falling for a woman who’d made it clear that she married him for what was swinging between his legs and not what was beating in his chest. He knew the crew laughed behind his back. No one had the guts to say anything to his face because they respected him, but could he blame them? He’d walked right into that web of roses with eyes wide open. He shouldn’t have been surprised when he ran smack dab into some thorns.

Squeezing the bridge of his nose, he thought he should stop taking up space in the club. Maybe he’d stop at Mav’s despite that he’d heard Liberty was back in town and she and her sisters were usually at the bar on Friday nights for karaoke She’d left Sagebrush Pine on business right after Freedom’s birthday, which had been for the best. He’d been a hair’s width away from handing in his resignation because dodging her wasn’t his thing. Then Sam pulled him aside and stated in clear terms, “Son, we need you here at Sagebrush. We rely on you. You’ll always have a place here.”

Wyler had found himself looking up to Sam as the father Wyler had never had. Those words had convinced him to stay, at least for the time being. He didn’t want to leave his work family high-and-dry.

Liberty had made her decision and now he had to live with it. He shouldn’t have to give up the other things he loved for her. Even if he felt like he’d been kicked in the chest.

It didn’t take long before news spread that Wyler and Liberty had separated and were on their way to divorce. News traveled fast in a small town, especially bad news. Yesterday, he’d stopped over at the market and he couldn’t get from one row to the next without being stopped and asked if he was okay or being invited to dinner.

He appreciated everyone’s concern, but he was doing fine, if he didn’t count the fact that every thought of Liberty triggered his body into overdrive. He felt a deep chasm in the center of his chest.

He should be drooling over the seductive blonde on stage, like the rest of the crew, but something foreign had a hold on him that he couldn’t quite shake. He was a tough man, expected to have big balls and move forward. Harden his heart. Easier said than done.

When the dancer undid the strings to her sequined top and the material floated away, he didn’t feel one grain of interest. Not even a tingle below his belt buckle. While his buddies whistled and hooted, Wyler rubbed the ache in his forehead.

He shook his head at the realization that he was broken. He’d heard around the rodeo circuit a time or two of men finding themselves in love, but he’d never experienced the emotion himself. At thirty-three, he supposed getting bit by the bug was bound to happen at some point, but why did it have to happen with his wife—his soon to be ex-wife.

“What is wrong with you, Ranks?” Rigs Fletcher elbowed Wyler. “Got a hair stuck up your ass still? You’re supposed to unwind here.”

Wyler turned his gaze onto the grizzly looking man who’d once played for the NFL until a life-changing injury ended his rising career. The solid linebacker turned to ranching as plan b. He was strong and a big asset at Sagebrush Rose.

“I’m just not feeling it tonight.” He deposited his empty bottle next to the collection of bottles Rigs had accumulated.

“Hell, man. We get it. You’re still pining over Liberty,” Brooks, who joined in on the conversation during the break between dancers, said with a snort. “But dude, you only have yourself to blame. We’re simple folk, and the Rose sisters, well, they like the finer things in life. Not men with dirt under their nails and sweat between their ass cheeks.”

“And you’ve definitely got some nasty swamp ass,” Jinx said with a grin.

“Fuck off.” Brooks flipped off Jinx.

“Dipshits, stop making this about you. Our buddy needs a pep talk not a dating for dummies TED talk,” Rigs said with a frown. “Look, Wyler, as your friend I want you to be happy. The way I see it, you have one of two options. You go and throw yourself at Liberty’s mercy and beg for a second chance or you grow a freaking backbone and forget about her.”

“That’s your advice?” Jinx shook his head. “A man should never have to beg for something that’s already his.” He drained his bottle.

“This ain’t the Dr. Phil show, cocksuckers. Can you all just let me enjoy tits and ass? You’re going to give me heartburn with all this relationship bullshit.” Billy ogled the new dancer that shimmied her way over to give him an up close and personal view of her bare breasts. He laughed like he’d just won the lottery. “Best seat in the house.” He fist bumped the air.

Wyler didn’t want to talk about Liberty with the men, or anyone. He already knew he’d walked himself straight into the heartbreak. Usually, the men refrained from broaching the subject, but being away from the ranch, and some liquid courage, they tended to get a bit looser-lipped.

“How about another?” Jinx waved the server over. “If you can’t fix it, drown it.”

“Nah. I’m good.” Wyler was done.

The petite woman with jet-black hair and matching lipstick, squeezed in between Wyler and Rigs, offering them each a welcoming smile. “Want another, cowboy?” she said to Wyler.

“No, thanks. I’m on my way out.”

“I’ll take another, beautiful,” Jinx said and occupied the server’s attention. Nearing forty, he had a certain charm that a lot of the ladies liked.

Wyler leaned back into his chair and ran his palm down his whiskered jaw. He needed some sleep, a shave, and a dose of stark reality. Maybe the guys were right. In a very muddled sort of way. He had to grow a backbone and move forward. A woman like Liberty would never respect Wyler if he groveled. Hell, he wouldn’t be able to look at himself in the mirror if he did. It was high time he put up some walls around his heart.

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