Page 31 of My Cowboy Temptation

Chapter 10

Back at the cabin,I pace the floor, trying to hold off the tears that have been threatening to fall since Brody drove away from me, and my head feels like it’s spiraling into a dark void.

I can’t do this. I can’t suffer through what might be the hardest, most painful moment of my life alone like this. I need my friend. And even though Everly has no idea of what I’ve been up to, I’m ready to share with her what’s happened and let her say all the uplifting, comforting, kind words that she inevitably will as I cry on her shoulder.

It’s not quite eight, so she still should be up at the house before heading to work.

Wiping away the tears, I walk up to the house, praying that my dad’s already left so I won’t have to make up a reason for my tears. As I reach the back door, I can see movement in the kitchen, so I know someone is home.

I open the door, ready to turn to my best friend, only to find her…

Grinding her hand against my dad’s crotch? And is that his hands up her skirt as they press their mouths against each other like fucking lovesick teenagers?

What. The. Fuck.

I must have made a sound as they turn to stare at me, and my dad pulls his hand from the front of my best friend’s panties.

“Callie. Honey,” he says.

“You two…you two are screwing each other? Are you kidding me?” While I’ve been battling with Brody to even touch me, to look at me as something other than my dad’s little girl, my own dad has been fucking my best friend, and neither of them told me.

“This can’t be happening.” I turn to my friend. “Everly. My dad? You’re actually sleeping with my dad? And you didn’t think to talk about it with me?”

“Callie,” my dad says again, but I hold my hand in front of me to stop him from approaching.

“No. Don’t even talk to me right now. This is crazy. The two of you?” I ask and laugh even though joy is the last thing I feel when my entire world imploded just a few minutes before because the guy I loved wouldn’t risk telling my dad about us.

Brody chose my dad over me. Just like my best friend.

“My dad is fucking my best friend. My best friend is fucking my dad,” I repeat, trying to process it all.

“Callie, this is about a lot more than just-just sex. I’m in love with Everly, honey.”

And that’s the final cut to an all-around painful morning. My dad is in love. He’s here, willing to fight for whatever it is he has going on with my best friend while Brody…

Did not.

I need to get out of here, especially as Everly takes a step toward me to try and explain again.

“Whatever. I-I just can’t with this. Not right now,” I say and race out the back door, trying to push away the image of what I saw and the way they were looking at each other, both ready to accept what they are and seek my acceptance too.

I can’t do this. I can’t face them right now, and I head back to the cabin where I can be assured I’ll be alone.

Alone.

Something I should get used to feeling.

* * *

The rain pattersagainst the windows the next evening as the sky remains dark and fierce, fitting my mood as I work on my latest painting and try to forget about the fact that everybody I thought I could rely on and trust has betrayed and abandoned me in the past twenty-four hours.

I haven’t spoken to Brody, my dad, or Everly since yesterday morning, and if I can help it, I won’t have to before I leave for London on Monday.

Which is why when someone pounds on the door, I try to ignore it.

Only the pounding persists, and I finally stop my painting to throw the door open. “I’m not in the mood to talk yet,” I tell my dad, who is standing outside the door.

“Is Everly here with you?” he asks sharply.

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