Page 54 of From the Ashes
I grab Phoenix by the back of his t-shirt and start walking toward the barn.
“Sorry,Letty,we’ve got work to do. Feel free to slide into his DMs though with all the other girls.”
“Walker,” Phoenix hisses as he tries to shake me off of him. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
Is he actually mad that I’m saving him from this mistake? The thought pisses me off even more than I already am, and I release his shirt. “Fine. I didn’t think buckle bunnies were your thing anymore, but I guess I was wrong. While you’re signing up for her OnlyFans, I’ll be over here loading your horses.”
“It sounds like you need toholdyour horses,” Letty fires with attitude. She and her braided pigtails can fuck all the way off.
“Cute. How long you been sitting on that one?” My voice is dripping with sarcasm this girl doesn’t deserve. Rationally, I know I’m being an asshole. On the way over here, it felt like I was on top of the world. Three whole months to convince Phoenix we’re worth giving a shot. I hadn’t even gotten to the other end of Cloud 9 before this girl comes in, reminding me thateveryonewants Phoenix. And he could want them too.
“About as long as I plan to film myself sitting on Phoenix’s face once you let go of his leash.” I almost laugh. Ballsy to capitalize on the OnlyFans comment with two guys she’s just met, but I bite it back.
I’d hate for her to think I like her.
Between us, Phoenix blows out a breath. “Will you two knock it off? You sound like exes.”
Letty giggles innocently and then narrows her eyes at me. “Never met him before, but he sure does seem to have it out for me.”
Phoenix’s eyes narrow next and slam into mine.
If what I felt for Phoenix was just lust, I’d let this chick have her fun so long as I got mine too. If all I was after wasanotherroll in the hay, I’d have kept my mouth shut.
I never planned to reenter Phoenix’s life. I never planned to get injured, lose my coach,come outto my coach, or end up as Phoenix’s roommate, either. But now that I have, I’ll be damned if I let some buckle chaser ruin my dreams just so she can brag to her friends about bangingthePhoenix Harding.
However, seeing as making an absolute fool of myself isn’t helping my case any, I grumble, “Do whatever you want. I’m going to start getting the horses ready.”
I try like hell not to watch Phoenix as I put the bridle on the bored bronc in the stall, but it’s a lost cause. My eyes drift to him anyway and I grit my teeth when he bends down and hands Letty the saddle she sat in the dirt before giving her a side hug, a selfie, and sending her on her way.
I’m so unreasonably angry that when Phoenix joins me in the stall, I don’t even look at him. Nor do I say anything other thanyes, no,orsurethe rest of the day.
After a decent night’s sleep,although I still have to take the narcotics togetto sleep—which I hate—I wake up feeling terrible about yesterday. I’m not usually so jealous or possessive, but something in Letty’s flirty tone and unabashed desire for a booty call had my blood boiling, even though that’s not the first time I’ve watched someone come on to Phoenix, and it sure as hell won’t be the last.
I can’t reenter his life and start making demands likenever interact with anyone who flirts with you.
I also need to be a man and face Alexis and Colton.
I grab my phone to fire off a message to Alexis about settingup a time and place to meet, but then I realize it’s only five a.m. and I don’t want to wake her.
The house is quiet as I slip into my athletic pants. Not ideal for farm work, but I still can’t manage the button on my Wranglers, so boots and Reebok joggers it is. I thread my injured wrist through my t-shirt first and easily pull it over my head. It’s supposed to be ninety-four today, but I make sure I always have a shirt on around Phoenix.
I’m not ready forthatconversation yet because I doubt he’s going to be thrilled when more of my secrets come to light.
The house is quiet as I move about and Phoenix’s bedroom door is closed, telling me he’s still asleep. I don’t quite have my apology for yesterday worked out, so I tiptoe downstairs, avoiding the creaking stair, grab my coffee, and get my ass in the barn to start the chores.
A little while later, I hear Phoenix’s truck leave, but he doesn’t say goodbye. It’s strange how I both breathe easier and feel disappointment, knowing he’ll be gone until tomorrow.
I finish my work around one. It takes me three times as long as it should and when I come in, I’m exhausted, I smell, and my fucking hand and wrist are swollen and throbbing.Honestly, those last two sensations are only appreciated in my cock.
I fight the urge to snoop through Phoenix’s stuff. I want to be a good house guest, and just because he’s letting me stay here doesn’t mean his life is any of my business, but twenty minutes after my shower, I find myself wandering into his room.
I don’t open any drawers or search the cabinets in his bathroom. No, I’m much creepier than that. I open his closet and inhale his scent as it permeates the air in here. It’s far more potent than the sheets I’m sleeping on, and I just want a minute to be surrounded by his things as if they’ll make me closer tothe man, himself. I bring his shirts to my face and hold them there.
I never knew it was possible to be jealous of clothes, but here I am. Jealous of a cotton t-shirt because it gets to brush against his smooth, tanned skin all day.Okay, so maybe I have a teeny problem with jealousy, but it’s new…and only for Phoenix.
After creeping myself out, I head back downstairs, grab a glass of lemonade and text Alexis while enjoying the A/C.
Walker:
