Page 34 of Fallen Cowboy
“Look, Markus,” I started but before I could get anything else out, his fist connected with my nose, making me double over as blood spurted out.
“You don’t get to talk, asshole.There is nothing you say that would make this right!”
“I know,” I growled out through the throbbing pain.I finally stood up slightly, only to double over again as his fist landed in my stomach, knocking the air out of me.
“I told you not to hurt them, and what did you fucking do? You made them both cry. They were a fucking packaged deal, and I told you not to get involved if you weren’t ready for this! So why didn’t you heed my advice? Were you only thinking with your dick again?”
“No!I was blindsided.”
“Lame ass answer, you dickhead! You aren’t some gift to women, you know? Out there on the road, those bitches don’t have feelings, they’re out only for fame and attention. Butreal women, the ones you want to get to know, they want it all. Not just some roll in the hay!
“I heard you both in the barn, I can’t even picture what you did to my sister. But I will not let you treat her like some two-bit whore. You will support her, that baby, and MaryBeth, I will make sure of it.”
“I want to!” I yelled back, but instead of easing the storm like I thought it would, his fist once more landed on my face, this time my jaw, and it had me on my back, looking up at the bright, blue, Texas sky.
“Bullshit are you changing your tune now.You won’t appease me with that crap.”
Before he could haul me up, I swung my leg out, knocking his ass right down next to me. Sure, he had every right to do what he was doing, but at this rate, he was likely to kill me, and then who would help his sister and her incredible kids?
“Fuck you, Troy,” he told me, wheezing hard.
I chuckled slightly, only to grab my side with a groan.
“I screwed up, Markus.I know that.I didn’t mean what I said.I really didn’t.You have to believe me.”
“You’re my best friend, but those are my girls.It’s really hard to believe you when I saw the tears running down their faces.”
I turned my head to look at him, trying to be as honest, open, and sincere as I could.
“I know. And I won’t hold what happened just now against you. I deserved that ass kicking, and let me tell you, your punch sure has gotten better. But I swear, all that shit I said was nothing but fear. It was my stupid knee jerk reaction. She put me on the spot, and I just didn’t process it like I should have.
“I’m not saying it was right, but it happened.I’m sorry for it, so damn sorry.”
“Are you going to make it up to her, Troy?”
“In the best way I can, Markus. That woman, when I saw her standing there, I saw my future with her. I want the whole thing, even if it means now. She’s the woman I love, the woman I would do anything for, and she will know that.”
“Shit, that means I have to deal with your sorry ass as a brother-in-law?”
I groaned as I chuckled at him, because even as little boys, we were always talking about how to be brothers.
“For the rest of time. So, now that you got that out of your system, want to help me plan the biggest sorry I can manage to win both Anelise’s and MaryBeth’s hearts, because I want those more than anything else."
Chapter 17
~ Anelise ~
Ifumbled with the horse's reins as I trotted down the path with her. The frustration within me was building and the horse could feel it. Not that I could blame poor Rainbow. This wasn't her fault, but horses could easily feel your emotions and often reciprocated what you were feeling.
"Let's go back," I told her, petting her neck. She snickered at me and then turned us around. I paused her for a second,judging the distance as I got the reins situated. "You know what Rainbow?" Her head tilted as if she was looking back at me. "Run home. Just go."
She turned her head back around, lifted her lips as if she was smiling, then took off down the path, causing me to laugh. She was a great horse with speed coursing through her veins, and I knew that every once in a while, she'd need this.
I rather her know that she could do that with me than with my daughter who had no idea about control.
We slowed as we neared the barn, and I jumped off to lead her into her stall.
"You looked good on her. Carefree."
