Page 12 of Perfect Cowboy

Except the ending was more nightmare than fairytale.

“Football isn’t my thing. You’ve got me confused with Bobby, darlin’,” I drawl. “You should know better since you’ve seen me naked. Can’t you tell us apart?”

Her face flushes and I wonder if she’s still haunted by the same memories as me. She’s the one who caused the destruction between us, so probably not.

“I can,” she snaps, “And I clearly picked the wrong twin.”

“I most definitely picked the wrong girl. Luckily, my taste has improved and my standards have risen since leaving you behind.”

None of that is actually true, but hating her is easier than the alternative. It’s been said that nothing hurts worse than losing your first love, and I can attest to the truth of that statement. The pain is enough to make me behave out of character.

And I hate her so much that I’m not even sorry about it.

When you’re young and naïve, you don’t hold anything back in relationships. It’s a no holds barred love in a way that you’ll never experience again. You can’t imagine anything will ever rip you apart, so you don’t protect yourself.

And then it happens.

The betrayal you never saw coming. The pain that is just as physical as it is emotional. The jaded heart that learns to build walls so you never get cut down at the knees again.

“You’re such an asshole,” Ashley hisses.

I chuckle, not even remotely sorry for lashing out at her. “Never claimed to be otherwise. You should just stay in a hotel and ride out the storm from in town. A city girl has no business in the bush.”

She must be staying in a hotel now, so I can’t understand why she’d make the drive to her dad’s cabin right before the worst predicted storm we’ve had in years.

Unless whatever brought her back to Montana is causing her to keep running. Maybe it’s money, maybe it’s an ex, or maybe it’s some kind of personal tragedy.

But no matter what it is, it’s not my problem.

It hasn’t been my job to protect Ashley for years, and I’m not looking to audition for round two.

“I don’t need you, Gavin. And you should mind your own goddamn business.”

I tip my hat to her. “Sure thing. But don’t come crying to me when you’re stranded in the middle of nowhere with no clue how to survive.”

I’ve wasted enough time on this girl. I need to find Cameron and focus on keeping the ranch and all the people I love safe and secure.

Ashley isn’t on that list.

“You’re the last person I’d ever call,” she shouts at my retreating back.

“Good because I’m the last person who is ever going to save you.”

Chapter 4

Ashley

Myfundsaredangerouslylow, which is the sole reason I’m not riding out the storm at the cheap hotel where I’m currently staying. I need to leave for the cabin tomorrow to have any hope of my credit card going through for essential purchases until I land some freelance work.

I have no idea what condition the cabin is in, but it can’t bethatbad. Surely, it’s at least temporarily livable. I don’t need five-star accommodations, I just need a roof over my head while I decide on next steps.

To save money, I haven’t eaten all day and now my rumbling stomach can’t be ignored. There’s no kitchenette in the hotel room and all my groceries for the cabin are stored in coolers, so I have no choice but to go out for the cheapest dinner possible.

There are only two restaurants in town, Moose Saloon and the Speakeasy. When I scanned the menus online, the Moose had extremely budget-friendly options, so it’s exactly where I’m headed.

When I walk through the doors, I’m immediately overwhelmed by how loud and rowdy the place is. It’s been a long time since I’ve been inside a sports bar, and the Moose is full of ranchers shouting at the gigantic flat-screen televisions.

“Can I be seated somewhere private?” I ask the hostess.

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