Page 15 of Don't Trust the Cowboy

“I was about to say the same thing to you, but then I know you. What are you tackling at this time of night, brother?”

“Ah, just running an errand.”

“What the hell’s open after midnight in this town? Or did you go to Dallas?”

“Naw, I was just up grabbing a tea.” I lie.

“A tea?” He growls, unconvinced. “At this hour? Bullshit! What are you up to, Billy. I know you better than that.”

“Look, just let it go. It’s none of your fucking business.”

“Okay, I’ll guess. You tell me when I’m getting warmer.”

I sigh and start driving home. I find myself glancing at the rearview mirror, even though I know that Piper is long gone, and I don’t know where she went. Damn Cassidy for interrupting me. Sometimes he can be such a nosey asshole. And I know that he’s not going to let it go, so I might as well tell him and get it over with. “Fine. I was following Piper.”

“Piper? As in the chick that you were supposed to interview? What the hell are you doing that for?”

“Well, you know as well as I do that she’s living in her car. And she left just a while ago, so I thought I’d follow her and make sure that she’s okay.”

“Wai...wai...wai....wait!” He says, stopping me. “Sheleft? What the hell was she doing at your place, man?”

“She came over because I didn’t call her. Wanted to make sure that she still had a chance.”

“Dude, doesn’t that make her sound like a fucking freak? Who does that? It’s creepy and wrong and why the hell did you let that slide? That’s so unlike you, mister critical of everybody, including his own damn family and anyone that has anything to do with them.”

“Relax! I’m not an idiot! I went with my gut like always, man!”

“And your gut told you to invite her in, have her stay all night, and follow her home?”

I’m annoyed. “She doesn’t have a home, man, and that’s precisely the point. I didn’t want her just going off somewhere and getting mugged or murdered or something.”

His voice is taunting, like he knows what the answer to his question is already. “Why the fuck do you care so much, Billy.” He comments. “Since when do you care so much about a lady, huh? What, did you mess around with her?” He chuckles.

“No! You’re sick!”

“Oh, then it’s even worse. You actually care about her. For once you don’t just want to take her up against the barn and then send her packing.”

“Fuck you.” I sneer. “Since when did I ever do that, anyway? Oh, never mind. It’s not like that, you asshole.”

“Alright, then what is it? And how come she was at your place for so long, hm?”

“Because she’s about to be my employee and she’s never even seen a live horse before. I took her riding, and then she and I started working through the piles of shit on my table. That’s all. She’s got a strong work ethic and like me; she doesn’t mind burning the midnight oil.”

“Okay. But that doesn’t explain why you’re following her. What if someone sees you?”

“It’s after midnight. There’s nobody on the roads.”

“And she hasn’t figured out yet that she’s being followed?”

“No. But that’s because I stopped following her when you called me, douche bag.”

“Like it or not, I did you a favor, Billy. Think about it. Anyone sees you following a young girl around, they’ll talk, and it won’t be pretty.”

“Fine.” I say, irritated.

“Is your head back on straight, brother? Are you headed home now, or do I have to come out there and get you?”

“Quit treating me like a child, dickwad.”

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