Page 43 of Cowboys Can't Kiss

Snorting, I run a hand down my face. “Yeah. He’s…awkward but not subtle. He very much would like to be more than friends.”

“I’m so confused, sweetheart. What’s the mistake then? Sounds like you made the friends only condition to keep your heart safe. Which isn’t wrong, but you’re fighting yourself on it. Why?”

A question I’ve rolled over far too many times in the past few weeks.

“The mistake is I like him. A lot. But I don’t know if I can handle his lifestyle. He’s away so much for rodeo. He wants to build a business. And what if heisjust like Chase?” Swallowing hard, I look at my aunt’s concerned face. “I’m afraid he’ll hurt me, and I can’t go through that again.”

Gabe had messaged me this week to update me on my testimony for Chase’s alibi. I can do it by a video conference at the local courthouse. But the whole thing is yet another stressor on my plate. I’m working on moving on, but until this thing with Chase is finished, it’s holding me back. More than I care to admit.

“But if you don’t take a risk, Riley, you’ll never know. Nor will you be happy.”

She reaches over to squeeze my hand and I squeeze back, grateful for her support as always.

“I know. It’s just…he makes me want to let him in. He really does. But then I don’t and he’s so understanding. I don’t want him to give up on me, but I’m also sort of wanting him to.”

My aunt laughs, but in a kind way as she pats my hand and sits back.

“Hearts lead us astray. But hearts also lead us home. I don’t have any advice for you except to not miss an opportunity because you’re afraid. Be brave, Riley.”

I really want to. But I can’t survive another broken heart. Jackson wouldn’t just break me, he’d shatter me forever.

Aunt Agnes sips her wine and studies her remaining scrabble tiles.

“If we end the game now, I win with dick.”

Sputtering around my wine, I laugh out loud.

“Everybody does, Auntie. Everybody does. Let me get my wallet.”

twelve

Jackson

Rubbing at my eyes, I roll over to grab my phone that’s rattling away on the nightstand. We got home at 3 A.M. and I instantly crashed. As much as I love the events we attend, this stretch is a killer, and I’m exhausted.

“Hello?”

“Jackson? I’m so sorry. Did I wake you?”

My body perks at the sound of Riley’s panic-laced voice.

“Riley? Yes, but it’s okay. Are you all right?”

“Not really. I…I need your help.”

In an instant, I’m sitting up and searching for clothes.

“What do you need, and when?”

“I hate asking you this, but since you helped me with the cake before, I’m hoping you could again?”

“Of course. When do you need me and where? I just need to get dressed and I can be there in a half hour.”

There’s a long pause on the line, but his ragged breaths are still there and I stand in my bedroom, acutely aware that something big has its hooks in Riley.

“Rye? Tell me what you need. I’ll be right there.”

“I need…could you, um. I’m going to text you a code for my condo. All the stuff to make the cake is there. There’s been…I needed to be at the courthouse five minutes ago. I’ll explain later, but I needed to make Carlos’ cake and…”

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