Page 54 of Rough Ride with the Grumpy Cowboy
21
AVA
“Did you know about any of this?”
Lou’s eyes open wide in alarm as she shakes her hands in front of her. “No, your mother rarely ever let me in on her dealings about you. Only when I took over did I get a glimpse into your life, but I never knew about this.”
I thought I was going to have to fire Lou as well if she knew this, but the distraught look on her face lets me know that she’s innocent.
If I didn’t have enough reasons to hate my mother before, I sure do now. I can’t believe she would go as far as to turn Zane and me against each other. What did she gain from that exceptsegregating me from people who cared about me? Or maybe that was her intention all along—to cut me off from the Morgans so she could manipulate me better. I hate to admit it, but it worked. At least I had Ella, who was stubborn enough to not give up on me.
Now that I know all this, Zane’s behavior and his hatred toward me makes more sense. I would have behaved the same way if I was told that the person who caused my accident hated me.
But things have come to light, and I can breathe easier and allow myself to experience better feelings other than fear and anxiety around him.
“I am so sorry about this, Ava. If I’d known, I’d have told you.”
“I know, and it’s okay. At least now I know and won’t spend the rest of my life thinking Zane hates me. Coming here has its cons, but I really like this pro.”
“Speaking of... how are things going with Zane?”
“Good—very good, actually,” I reply, taking a sip of my milkshake.
He had one of the maids make it for me. He knows I prefer fluids to solid food, so he’s making me take a lot of protein shakes to supplement my diet. They’re not my cup of tea and he knows this, so he’s rewarding me with a strawberry milkshake—my favorite.
“Look at you blushing. You’ve had feelings for him your whole life, so it’s good that you’re finally getting to express them.”
Her words hit me, and I realize something. “I haven’t expressed anything.”
“You haven’t?”
“No, we’ve talked about everything in the past except our feelings for each other. Is it worth it though? My time here ends in a month,” I reason.
“Even more reason to do it. If you don’t, you will always wonder, ‘what if?’”
“You think so?”
“I know so, so go for it,” she encourages.
“I just might,” I nod as I consider that this will be the second time I’m confessing my feelings for Zane.
I hear Lou sigh, and I look up to find her looking lost and confused. “What now?”
“I’m just thinking of how hectic it’ll be if things work out between you—all the moving, flying. We might even have to shift to Texas,” she laments.
I chuckle, wondering why she’s overthinking things. “Slow your roll, Lou. I haven’t even told him yet—he might even reject me.”
She scoffs. “As if! The man ran all over Wrangler Creek looking for you when you went missing. If that doesn’t show how he’s head over heels in love with you, then you need to get your eyes checked.”
“Okay, okay, okay, I get it. I will talk to him and let you know the outcome so you can start preparing yourself.”
“Please do.”
“Now, where is that music you owe me?” she demands, getting back to boss mode.
“Go easy on me. I’ll send it to you by the end of the day. I already have a couple of songs done and more in the works.”
“Now that’s what I want to hear. Please take care of yourself—remember to eat and sleep well. I need you back here in tip-top shape. Your next tour is going to be amazing; I can feel it,” she cheers.
