Page 117 of Burn the Wild

“Explains what?” I ask.

Dakota smirks. “Why he’s moping all over the ranch.”

I feel a tiny sliver of satisfaction I’ve managed to get under Ford Montgomery’s skin.

“I’ve never seen him so grumpy,” Dakota says.

Fallon shakes her head. “He’s always grumpy.”

“Do you like him?” Ruby looks hopeful.

Beef returns with the shots, crystal clear tequila and a deep honey-colored whiskey. The color reminds me of Ford’s eyes.

My cheeks heat. “I mean, we’re friends,” I say, trying to act like I don’t care. To kill the sting of the lie, I could take the shot. But I don’t need a stiff drink to deal with this.

Fallon scoffs. “Men and women can’t be friends.” She slugs down a shot, then drinks mine. “They’re either trying to kiss you or trying to kill you. Trust me, I know.”

Beside me, Dakota’s gone pale.

I bite my lip, look at Fallon. “I hope it’s okay, but Ford told me what happened to you last year. I’m sorry.”

Fallon lifts a hand like she’s waving away my apology. “Whole town knows. You might as well join the club.” Another shot.

Dakota eyes her sister, a worried expression on her face. “Are you sure you should be drinking with your medication?”

“No, I’m not sure, but YOLO, right?”

Dakota and Ruby share a wide-eyed look of concern.

“Fuck Danny or Aiden or whatever the hell his name was,” Fallon says, raising her empty shot glass. Dakota winces. “Rot in hell, asshole.”

“Yeah, fuck that guy,” Beef says, setting down fresh drinks and a water for me. With a flick of the wrist, he sails a fancy pink drink down to Ruby who promptly attaches it to her lips.

“Okay, so at this bar, we do this thing,” Ruby says when she comes up for air. Big blue eyes wide, she leans in. “We tell the truth, we don’t bullshit.”

“Honesty for honesty?” I ask.

“A-fucking-men,” Fallon enunciates.

“What happened between you and Ford?” Dakota asks. “And I only ask because for one perfectly pleasant month he wasn’t broody and bitching and I’d like to solve the mystery for my own sanity.”

“We’re on a break. Or something.” I laugh, then sigh. “I think he got scared. I hurt him when I wouldn’t open up.”

“People who are scared push,” Dakota remarks. “I know he’s been through a lot in the past.”

Damn it. It makes sense. Ford told me about his ex and her betrayal, and I probably just tore open the wound with my silence. That night, his gaze held a weight I hadn’t seen before. Like he was trying to get himself under control. Like he was worried. Like he cared too much and hated himself for it.

A ghost of a smile plays on Ruby’s lips. “Maybe he’s scared because of what you mean to him.”

I pick up my water. “We don’t mean anything.” The harsh statement goes straight to my heart. It feels like it’s boiling.

Fallon leans an elbow on the bar. “What about you? How’s your love life, Beef?”

Beef runs a hand down his scraggly beard. “I’ll let you know when she moves in.”

Ruby and Dakota hoot as Fallon pounds the bar top. “Now I have to know. A name.”

“Nope. Bad luck.” More shots appear in front of us. “This one is special. She’s got a mouth like a razor blade.” Goofy grin on his face, he moves down the bar.

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