Page 29 of Untamed

Brandon grunts, his jaw tightening as he pushes off the pillar and erases the space between us. His stare is intense as he gets in my face, his teeth clenched when he bites out. “If you were just checking your horse, why did it take you so long?”

Anger ignites inside me, and before I can even think, I uncross my arms, bracing my palms on his chest, as I prepare to push him out of my space. “I think you’ve forgotten your place. You’re not my fucking father, brother or keeper, Brandon.” I snap; my tone is harsh. “I don’t owe you an explanation. If I want to sit in the barn all night watching my own damn horse, I will.” With one last dirty look in his direction, I step around him, desperate to get away from the uneasy feeling he’s evoked in me.

But his next words stop me in my tracks.

“I see the way you look at him, you know.” His voice is calm, measured, but I don’t miss the threat in his tone.

I stop breathing, my mind racing. Whatexactlyhas he seen?

Slowly, I turn to look at him over my shoulder. “Excuse me?”

Brandon’s face screws up with disgust, and he shakes his head, exhaling a sardonic breath. “I see the way you look at Colter.” His tone drips with something dark when he says Colter’s name and a chill skates up my spine. “You wouldn’t wantyour pops to get the wrong idea and fire his ass, would you?” he asks it as a question but it’s anything but. “The asshole would have nothing if that happened. No one in this county would give him a chance. And even Lincoln had his reservations, but he still gave him a job out of the goodness of his heart. I’d hate to see Colter lose his place here over a… misunderstanding.” His words are meant to sound sweet, but I hear the underlying vindictive meaning in them. He sounds concerned but it’s the type of concern that comes with a catch. Brandon doesn’t fool me. I’ve never seen this side of him before. This cold, cruel and vindictive side. He’s intentionally being threatening. I don’t like it. The implications he’s made about Colter have anxiety bursting inside me. And if what he’s saying is true, I’ve been putting Colter at more risk than I previously thought.

I spin on my heels, turning my whole body to face him. Straightening my shoulders, I prepare myself as if I’m getting ready for battle. And in a way I am. I will not let my recklessness affect Colter. “I’m only going to say this once Brandon, so listen carefully.” My eyes narrow, and I keep my face void of any emotion, so he realizes the seriousness of what I’m saying. “Colter has nothing to do with this. But I’m pretty sure neither my father nor my brother will take kindly to you threatening me.” His face falls, mouth opening to speak but I hold a hand up, stopping him. “I don’t know what you think is happening between us, but I can assure you it’s all in your head. Yes, we kissed when you visited me in Georgia, but that was a mistake and won’t happen again.” I suck in much-needed air before continuing with what I should have said a long time ago. “We’ve been friends for a long time, and I was hoping we could continue that way. But it seems you’ve got other ideas. And if that’s the case, I’m sorry you feel that way. But I’m hoping you’ll change your mind. That we can forget all about this and move forward asfriends.” I enunciate the word, so it leaves no room forconfusion. “If not, then I don’t know what else I can say. We’ll just have to do our best to avoid each other and be civil when our paths cross.”

Brandon stands statue still. He stares at me, searching my face as if he is trying to figure me out. Minutes pass between us and I wonder if he is going to respond. Just when I think he’s going to walk away without a word, he finally speaks. “I wasn’t threatening you Mila, just making an observation. Be…” he trails off, inhaling a harsh breath. “Be careful, okay? I don’t like the asshole, but he has more to lose than you.”

He looks defeated, his shoulders sagging as he pushes his hands into his jeans pockets. Guilt hits me heavily, sinking like a boulder in my gut. I shift uncomfortably on my feet, as the weight of his words settle around us. I knew all along I had no business getting involved with Colter, but I sought him out anyway. And with every intention of something happening between us. I might look innocent, but clearly I’m as manipulative as Brandon is being. I might’ve convinced him with my little show, that nothing is going on. But that doesn’t change the truth.

And it fucking stings.

“Colter has nothing to lose because he’s done nothing wrong,” I state, my voice stern despite the emotions rushing through me.

I can’t believe what an idiot I’ve been.

Brandon nods, exhaling a weary breath. Again, he closes the distance between us, and I stiffen. He sighs, shaking his head before clamping a hand down on my shoulder. “I know you probably don’t see it that way, Mila, but I’m just looking out for you. I care about you, more than you realize. I don’t want you to see you get hurt.” He pauses, one side of his mouth curving up into a lopsided grin. One that’s familiar. He looks like the Brandon I’ve always known. “Yes, I hoped for more between usafter that kiss, but I hear you loud and clear. I wanna be friends. If you’ll have me?” he adds, quietly.

All the tension of the last couple of minutes rushes out of my body. Wrapping my arms around his waist, I lean into him for a hug. Brandon isn’t a bad guy. I’ve known him my whole life and he’s practically family. There’s so much history and memories between us. It would be a shame for us to lose that. Somewhere along the line, Brandon started to see things differently, and I didn’t help that by kissing him. I’m as much to blame for the tension in our friendship. Despite not being into him, I let the kiss happen. Let him believe we could be more. It was an oversight on my part, but it won’t happen again. I’m just happy we’ve finally cleared the air—even if it started out more hostile than I would’ve preferred.

“Of course,” I whisper against his chest.

Brandon kisses my hair. “Good. Because you mean a lot to me Mila. I don’t want to lose you.”

Sighing, I lean into him, soaking up the comfort and familiarity of Brandon’s arms around me. The embrace is not romantic in any way, it’s more familial than anything, and something I think we both need to put an end to something that didn’t even begin.

And even as I lean into him, and our embrace, I can’t help the niggling in the back of my mind. It’s a warning of sorts. One that tells me things aren’t going to be as simple as this, even if I want them to be. Still, I choose to ignore it, replying with a firm and steady voice. “Never.”

And for the first time in forever, I let myself believe that everything’s going to be okay. That we are two people that care for each other in no more than a familial way.

But he holds me tighter, like he never wants to let me go…

I know it’s a lie.

Chapter Twenty-Two

COLTER

The sun dips toward the horizon, while the lights on the arena shine so bright they almost blind you. The air is thick with the familiar scents of the rodeo, animals, leather, dirt, sweat and adrenaline. Being here, it hits me like a ton of bricks. I fucking miss it. I can imagine how I would feel if I lost a limb. It’s in my blood. A part of me.

And yet, it was ripped away from me.

With a toothpick rolling between my teeth, my narrowed gaze locks on Garrett, as he mounts the saddled bronc waiting in the chute. Two flank men take up either side of the wild animal, tightening the flank strap enough to irritate the horse and encouraging optimal bucking. They want it hard and fast to give the crowd and the rider a decent show.

The chute creaks as the gateman checks the latches, and the excitement around the arena mounts. We’re moments away from the chute opening and my pulse quickens with every second that passes. This is the first time I’ve seen Garrett in action. And though it’s only a local rodeo, I see the steely determination in his eyes. When the guys invited me to come along, I figured it would be a chance to get away from the ranch, from Mila. But of course, the little ball of sunshine just had to behere. There she is, seated in the bleachers, alongside her brother, Brandon and Nova, like they own the place. I try to ignore them, but damn, when her perfect smile lights up the place, and her soft laugh floats over me… well fuck, I feel it in every part of my body. I grit my teeth, irritation igniting. Why, out of all the women on this earth, does it have to be her that triggers such a visceral reaction in me?

I don’t miss the way Mila keeps glancing at me. The heat of her stare burns a hole wherever her gaze touches me. And Brandon? The way he keeps eyeing me with disdain, isn’t subtle. I haven’t so much as glanced in his direction, and despite keeping my distance, apparently my presence alone is enough to provoke him.

Once again, I choose to keep myself to myself, only Leroy keeping me company. Since our little chat the other night, Leroy and I have come to a mutual understanding. I wouldn’t call it friendship exactly, but he is one of the only people I seem to tolerate at Oakridge.

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