Page 130 of Boots, Bucket Lists & Bad Ideas
I need to pull myself the fuck together.
Hours pass before I get to the campsite. The rich, smoky scent of a barbecue fills the air.
Everyone is participating in supper, setting picnic tables, grilling meat, and making side dishes.
I think I’ve calmed down, then I spot her off to the side talking to Bronx, and just like that, my so-called civility is out the bloody door.
I walk up fast, heat rolling through me, hands balled into fists.
“Really?” I bite out.
Bronx takes a step back. “Whoa, cowboy, you’re gonna spook the herd if you keep stompin’ like that.”
I glare at him, a silent,get the fuck out of here.
He crosses his thick arms over his chest like he’s challenging me. “No need to charge in here, guns blazing. This is a barbecue, not a bar brawl.”
Jade touches his arm. “It’s fine.”
What the hell is Jade doing, touching his arm?
Bronx drops his defensive arms. “If your jaw clenches any harder, it’s gonna crack.”
He walks away.
“How are you feeling?” Her question is simple, but something about it throws me.
No sharpness.
No bait.
Just her, standing here, calm and unbothered.
“You told everyone about my ditch dive, the fire ants, and my pants around my ankles.”
I brace myself for the flicker in her eyes, the charge behind them, and the claws she’s always ready to sink into me. It’s the only language we have.
It doesn’t come.
She looks at me, but it’s calm and clear-eyed.
“I didn’t tell everyone.” Her voice is low and steady. “It’s not exactly a campfire story.”
I’m thrown off by how measured she sounds, like there’s no fight in her.
“I told Levi,” she continues. “I was worried. You were alone, and the whole fire ants ordeal was a lot.”
My mouth opens.
Nothing comes out.
“You don’t want people to know? Take that up with your brother. Not me.” She sets the handful of plastic cutlery on the table. “I hope you’re feeling better.” She strolls away with a casualness I’m not accustomed to.
No storming off.
No staying to win.
No pushback. No circling me like. Just, done.
