Page 132 of Chasing the Wild
“So. Colton Wilder, eh?” Those blue eyes sparkle with mischief.
I groan, covering my face with my hands. “You must hate me.”
Kayce continues to grin when I peek at him through my fingers.
“Nah, Layla. I’m being one hundred percent honest with you when I say it’s cool. I’m all good. You’re one of those… whatdo they call people like you?” He cocks his head to one side, then snaps his fingers. “Old fucking soul people… that’s what you are… one of those old souls. Totally makes sense you should have someone who matches that for you.”
“Can I just say for the record, this is not how I expected today to go. At all.” I swear to god, this is about as far from what I ever thought a day working at the rodeo would bring my way.
A text comes through to Kayce’s phone, and he digs it out of his pocket.
“Everything good?” I ask, watching him read it quickly.
“Yeah, I gotta run. But fuck, it was awesome to see you.”
“Same for you, Kayce.”
He pulls me in for a hug and this time I wrap my arms around him in return. Not entirely sure what any of this means, but feeling somehow like it was meant to be that I ran into Kayce Wilder today of all days.
“So, you working out here now, or what?” He gestures his chin around the arena.
“Yes, and no. I graduate next week. After that, I get to start looking for proper big girl jobs.” I give him a mock salute and throw my shoulders back as he steps away.
Kayce’s smile beams wide. “That’s fucking epic. Congratulations.”
“Thanks, Kayce. Good luck with your ride.” My lips roll together. I so desperately want to stop him from leaving, to ask about his dad, to find out a little more about how Colt is doing. If he’s not been great since I left—and while my heart does a little flutter to think that maybe he’s been as tormented as I have been—it still feels too raw. It shouldn’t be up to Kayce to have to be some sort of awkward go-between messenger for the two of us.
“You should call him.” He turns on his heel, preparing to head off into the crowd once more, then raises his eyebrows while looking back over his shoulder, breaking into my thoughts.
That drags a laugh out of me, and I share a wry smile in return. “Like that’s even possible. Remember… you told me yourself. No cell service. Shitty Wi-Fi.” Rolling my eyes, I prop my hands on my hips.
“Cute. But you know what I mean.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Well, at least you know where the old man will be.” He gives me a crooked grin, and touches the brim of his hat before jogging away.
“It isn’t like that asshole is ever going to leave his mountain.”
Chapter 37
“God, you are smoking hot. Ten out of ten, would bang.”
Sage leans across the center console and wolf whistles at me as I slide out of the driver’s side.
“Can you not?” I tuck the hem of my dress under my ass to make sure I’m not flashing everyone at graduation my underwear. “I will leave you in the car with the windows cracked, I swear.”
“Just saying. Offer still stands. You… Me… if we’re thirty-eight and still single…”
I lift my eyes to the puffy clouds scattering the blue sky, rolling my wrist at her to hurry up and get out so I can lock the car. “We’re going to be late if you keep staring at my tits.”
“They’re truly magnificent.” Sage hops out, slams her door, and then looks wistfully down, readjusting hers while standing on the other side of the hood. She’s not exactly small in the breast department herself, but I’ve always had a lot more cushioning going on with mine. No matter our age, my girls have always been more ample. Much to Sage’s chagrin.
“Come on. Bring your tiny titties, and let’s go do this.”
Sage gasps and clutches her invisible pearls, tossing her high pony over one shoulder.
We crunch across the gravel of the parking area, framed by grandiose iron gates and archway of the stables hosting today’s ceremony. It’s one of thoseold moneyhorse breeding facilities and the grounds look like something straight out of a magazine. Immaculate hedgerows, lush hundred-year-old oak trees, fancy checkered patterns mown into the sprawling lawn.
