Page 29 of Wrangled

“Color me intrigued.” I pulled my phone from my pocket and noted the time. “I’d better get back to the house. Maybe youshouldtry to grab another hour’s sleep—you have work to do.”

“Yes, sir.”

I got to my feet, and he followed suit. When I reached the front door, he stopped me. “Hey, Robert… You know where I am, right? For anything.” I rolled my eyes, and he smiled. “Look, the offer’s there whether you take me up on it or not.”

I did something I hadn’t done in years—I gave him a hug. “You’re all right, kid.” Then I opened the door and made my way back to my own bed.

I couldtryto sleep, right?

Chapter Seven

Sunday, June 12

Toby

A hand grabbed my shoulder and gave me a rough shake. “Come on, Princess. Rise and shine.”

I opened one eye. Zeeb stood by my bunk, a cup in one hand.

I blinked. “It’s still dark.”

“Not for long. Up and at ’em. Breakfast is in ten, and the line’s already forming for the shower.” He walked away.

I got out of bed, shivering, then grabbed my bag of toiletries and headed for the bathroom. The room was already full. Both showers were in use, and Butch, Paul, and Declan stood in front of the sinks, busy washing, shaving, brushing teeth… There was no sign of Garrett or Walt, so I figured they were the ones in the shower.

What struck me was the lack of conversation. I stood for a minute, observing the scene.

Zeeb glanced toward me. “Wanna take a picture?” he asked, scraping a razor over his scalp.

I had to smile. “You’re not morning people, are you?”

Butch turned to glare at me. “If you are, we arenotgonna get along. I ain’t worth shit before my third cup of coffee.”

From behind the farthest shower curtain I caught Walt’s voice. “Where’s my razor? I left it in here.”

“Wanna borrow mine?” Zeeb inquired.

“No, I donot. I know where it’s been. And can I just say…Ew?”

Zeeb cackled. “Dude, I’m shaving my head, not my balls. And even if I were, what do you want a razor for in the shower, exactly?”

The others cackled too.

Walt stuck a hand out from behind the curtain. “Give it here.”

I opened my toiletries bag, grabbed a fresh disposable razor, and slapped it into Walt’s hand. “Here. Brand-new.”

“Aw, thanks. I’ll give it you back after.”

I laughed. “No, you can keep it. I’ve got more.” The rest of the guys laughed with me.

The other curtain drew back, and Garrett got out, a towel wrapped around him. “The water’s not all that hot, is it?”

“You want a hot shower, you need to be first in line,” Butch told him. “Most of the guys were showering while you were still dreaming.”

I dove into the shower enclosure. I didn’t think I could face a cold shower.

After what seemed like the fastest clean-up ever, I walked into the front room, dressed in my designer jeans and a plain blue shirt. The aroma made my stomach growl. The table was laden with eggs, bacon, ham steaks, pancakes, syrup, sausage, biscuits, gravy…

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