Page 76 of Ace of Spades
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, don’t play dumb with me, Hailey Sorrels! You know I’ve been rooting for you two from the start.”
“How did you find out?” I ask, messing with the reins in my hand as I swallow the guilt of her finding out about me and her brother through other people.
“Well, Beau called Chance last night asking if he knew where you were since he stopped by your camper to apologize, and you weren’t there. And then he bumped into us this morning while Chance and I were driving down to the stables, saying that you were wearing boxers and Weston’s T-shirt. You two really need to be sneakier if you didn’t plan on getting caught, the ranch has eyes everywhere,” she winks.
“Kota, I’m so sorry, I know I should’ve told you, I just—”
“Why are you apologizing? Girl, I’ve known from the start. The spark between you two is hot enough to light a dang bonfire. And just for the record, I’m a hundred percent here for it. Just don’t be giving me any details about my brother, because yuck.”
“You’re really fine with it?”
“Fine with it? I’m beyond excited! I’ve always wanted a sister, but instead, I got stuck with Weston. And don’t get mewrong, I love him to death! But I love having you around. You’re like the sister I’ve never had, and you two are perfect for each other.”
I let my shoulders relax, swallowing a lungful of air.
“It’s not… like that with him. We’re just messing around, it’s not anything more,” I tell her.
“I don’t believe that one bit,” she argues. “You might be telling yourselves that, but I know my brother better than I know myself. The way he looks at you? You’re blind if you don’t realize how head over heels he is, I don’t even think he realizes it.”
My heart thumps wildly in my chest.
“It’s not like that,” I repeat, not sure if I’m trying to convince her or myself. “I’m sure you’re aware of this, but your brother has quite the reputation. I’m just a challenge for him, that’s all there is to it.”
“That’s so not true,” she states. “I mean, has he had his go around with a bunch of buckle bunnies? Sure, I’m not stupid. But I’ve known him my whole life, and I’ve never seen him the way he is with you.”
“I don’t know, Kota,” I sigh. “I’m just—I just don’t want to get my hopes up.”
Because everybody always leaves.
She seems to understand, her expression sympathetic.
“Just promise me that you won’t be so quick to dismiss it if something does happen between the two of you? You’re both so headstrong, but something’s gotta give at some point. I would hate for you guys to miss out on something amazing because you’re both too goddam stubborn to admit it.”
“I promise,” I chuckle, hoping that I don’t make a liar out of myself.
Kota talks my ear off as I wash off Casino, the sun officially retired for the night as we feed the horses and begin the walk back to the trailer.
We’re nearly to the trailer when something twists in my stomach, a gut feeling of sorts telling me that something is off. I scan our surroundings, the rows of trucks and trailers devoid of anybody in sight. The far parking is reserved for rodeo contestants, most of which are out at the bars celebrating by this point, explaining the lack of people. Something still doesn’t feel right, though.
Then I hear them.
Raucous laughter cuts through the silence, a group of three guys stumbling from between two of the trucks, my spine stiffening on instinct as we prepare to cross paths with them.
“Come to this side,” I tell Dakota, moving her over so that I’m between her and the group.
The guy in the center notices us first, letting out a low whistle as he makes a show of looking us up and down. His friends’ heads swivel towards us, and I keep my eyes straight ahead as my mind races to figure out if we could possibly take a different path, my fight or flight instincts kicking in as I try to decide whether or not running would be an overreaction. I grew up around animals, and I knew well enough that making ourselves known as prey would only encourage predators.
“Well, North Dakota sure seems to have some lovely ladies,” the one on the end slurs. “Either of you wanna see what it’s like to ride a real cowboy?”
“Not interested,” I tell them firmly.
“Oh, come on, not even going to say hi?”
We continue to ignore them, walking faster as we make our way past them and approach where the trailer is parked.
Dakota lets out a yelp beside me, the sound of a smack ringing in my ears.
