Page 119 of Burn the Wild

“I didn’t know what I wanted,” Ruby says. “Or even what I could have with my condition. And I found it here.”

A stab of hope rattles inside of me. I’m inspired by Dakota and Ruby. Both of them made something good out of shitty circumstances.

It’s like a whole world of possibilities expands in front of my eyes. What if I went to school? What if I started my own label? And then—What if I stayed here? What if Ford and I worked it out?

For the summer. There’s still so much time. It seems like a shame to waste it.

“We can change our life at any time,” Dakota says sagely. “Sometimes you just need a boost.”

“And more tequila,” Fallon says.

My boost was Ford. All summer he’s had my back. He’s been my rock.

“Ugh,” I groan. “I miss him.”

All eyes turn to me.

“Who?” Dakota asks.

“Don’t say it,” Fallon warns me. “Then you’re in it.”

I wince. “Ford.”

Ruby squeals.

I bury my face in my hands. “I disgust myself.”

“But the question is…” Ruby bounces in her chair like she’s my own personal shrink. “Why do you disgust yourself?”

“Because I’m hiding from him. Because I reacted on the defensive. Because I’ve never known what a normal life has looked like until I got here and met Ford. He’s showed me things no one ever has.”

At Fallon’s raised eyebrow, I laugh. “Not like that. Boring things like balancing a checkbook and opening my own bank account. But he’s also the best damn kisser.” I finger the goldhorseshoe necklace around my neck, my heart a wild thrum inside my chest. “And I’ve kissed a lot of guys. But…”

Ruby claps her hands together. “But?”

“But not like Ford,” I say softly. “He’s a man.”

“A cowboy,” Ruby whispers. She looks swoony.

“Yeah.” A hot flush creeps up my cheeks. I’ve already said more than I should have. Surprisingly, it feels nice. Honesty.

“Is it hot in here?” Ruby exhales. She fans her face. “Or is it just me?”

Fallon grins. “It’s because you’re a ho for a cowboy, Ruby, and that’s okay to admit.”

Dakota mainlines a shot. “One thing about grumpy cowboys with impeccable face cards—they’re gonna put you through the mattress.”

“Ugh,” Fallon says, slapping a hand to her face. “Why are you so domestic and gross?”

Ruby bites her lower lip. “Which reminds me…did anyone tell our cowboys where we are?”

“Do they care?” I ask.

Dakota laughs. “Blue-collar men gossip worse than any female in Hollywood. I guarantee you they’re sitting around right now talking and worrying and wondering where we are.” Her smile is wicked. “Trust me. It’s good to make them sweat every once in a while.”

“You’ll find the right time to talk to Ford,” Ruby says sympathetically.

“Or the wrong,” Fallon quips. She slugs down a shot and tries to stand but falls into her sister.

---