Page 24 of Spilling the Tea

She lifted a haughty chin. “Aren’t you? I hear you rarely comeoff your ranch. And when you do, it’s to visit your folks or to come here. To the very place we met. Why is that?”

He could tell her he came here to get laid but figured that wasn’t her business. “You think the reason I come here has something to do with you? To relive memories? Seriously?”

She shrugged. “There are some who think you’re pining for me.”

“They’re thinking wrong.”

“Are they? I understand you haven’t been seriously involved with another woman since I left. I’m back now. I admit I made a mistake in walking away and leaving town the way I did, and I apologize for hurting you. Regardless of whether you accept my apology, there’s something you can’t deny. I’ve always been in your blood, and you’ve been in mine. That’s the reason my marriage didn’t last.”

Chance stared at her. Did she honestly think he believed any of her bullshit? As he continued to hold her gaze, he hoped she could feel all the intense dislike he was emitting. “There might have been a time when you were in my blood, Ravena, but not anymore. I’ve had several transfusions since then. I don’t have any feelings for you whatsoever. None. What I do feel is disgust with myself for ever getting involved with you.”

He could feel her anger. She didn’t want to believe his words. Damn. Did she think she could return to Houston, and they would pick up where they’d left off? After what she’d said? After what she had done? Hell would freeze over first.

“You don’t mean that. You still love me, Chancy. I can prove it.”

Rage boiled inside him, rising to the top, almost reaching an explosive level. “The name is Chance, and I meant everything I said. I think you’re pretty damn pathetic if you think I could still love you, so please don’t waste your time trying to prove anything. You can’t.”

Standing, he threw enough bills on the table to pay for hisbeer and a tip for Barbie before turning, grabbing his Stetson off the rack, and walking out.

Chance had barely driven five miles when his cell phone rang. He answered it remotely on his steering wheel, not knowing who it was. “What?” he snapped, still steaming over his encounter with Ravena.

“Are you okay?”

He released a deep breath. Clayton, one of his older cousins, had always been protective of his younger Madaris cousins. Chance always appreciated it while growing up. Now, as an adult, not so much.

He didn’t have to wonder how Clayton knew. Vance’s Tavern was Clayton’s old hangout in his womanizing days, and he and the owner were good friends. “I’m fine.”

“You sure?”

“I’m positive, Clayton.”

There was a pause. “It was bound to happen—you and Ravena running into each other. I hope you were prepared for it.”

“There was nothing to prepare myself for. Would you believe she honestly thinks she can return after all this time, say a few apologetic words, and become a part of my life again?”

“Can she?”

Chance frowned. It bothered him that some members of his family thought she could. “Hell to the double digits, no.”

“Honestly, I didn’t think so, but thought I’d check. Enough about Ravena Boyle. What about that woman I heard showed up at your ranch this week?”

It sure didn’t take long for that news to get around. “What of it?”

“How do you feel about it?” Clayton asked.

Chance was glad the question hadn’t been, “How do you feel abouther?” Clayton would be surprised by his answer. “I feel she has a right to want to know about her family, and I’m glad she’ll talk to Mama Laverne tomorrow.”

“You’re not concerned she has ulterior motives? Like thinking she has a right to your ranch?”

Chance rolled his eyes. It shouldn’t surprise him that Clayton would think that way. It was the attorney in him to do so. “No, Clayton, I’m not concerned. I know you mean well by asking, but please let me handle my business.”

There was a pause and then. “Alright. But if you need us for anything, we’re here.”

Chance knew he meant the entire Madaris family. “I know that. I’ve always known that thanks to you, Justin, and Dex,” he said, mentioning Clayton’s two older brothers. The three—more than ten years older—had always been there for their younger cousins. “And I appreciate it. Thanks.”

“No thanks needed. That’s how we roll.”

After the call ended, Chance exited the interstate for the hotel. He had planned to rumble between the sheets with a woman. One thing was for certain, he wouldn’t be getting laid tonight. For some reason, some part of him was glad he wouldn’t be.

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