Page 32 of Untamed

“Fine,” I groan. “Can you at least give me a hint? Is she excited? What’s she wearing? Where is he takin’ her?”

“I’m. Not. Telling. You.”

“You harassing her for secrets?” I look up at River’s voice to find her staring at us while playing with Betty. “Because she’s a vault.”

“A vault,” Poppy agrees.

“I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about, Larson.” I try to shrug nonchalantly and grab the full buckets for Poppy. Why am I calling her by her last name? I never do that. Fuck, I feel awkward. “I was just makin’ conversation.”

“Sure you were.” Betty notices me and slowly walks over to receive her cautious pets from me before going back with River.

“What would I even be asking her about?”

“Okay, I’ll be back!” Poppy calls out and waves. “Give you two some privacy.”

“We don’t need privacy!” River calls after her, but it’s too late. She’s off.

“What would I have been asking her about, River?”

She turns back toward me and smiles.

“My date,” she says, smiling down at our feet. She won’t look at me.

“Hadn’t heard. Who with?”

This is killing me inside.

“Sawyer.” She looks up at me with those big blue eyes and cheeks tinged pink with embarrassment. “He asked me on Saturday after he brought me back. Figured it couldn’t hurt. I need to get out more anyway.”

“Kiss me and then run off with another man on the same day. Ouch. Talk about a blow to my pride, darlin’.”

“Hayes.” She laughs. “We’ve gone over this. We’re friends.”

She gives me a little shove in the center of my chest, right where this hurts the most. I grab her hand and give her a tug. The laughter disappears from her face when I won’t let her get away.

“What-if I don’t want to be just friends with you, River?” What the fuck has come over me? Why am I doing this right now? I plead insanity. River makes me fucking insane.

Her eyes start to water.

“I’d say that’s a cruel fucking joke to be playing.” She pulls her arm from my grip. “And that you should remember how long it took us to get back to each other this time because I don’t think we’d make it back again.”

“I’m sorry.” I take a step back, wishing I could have a do-over. I want to rewind the last ten minutes and unsay everything that just came out of my stupid mouth. “I’m sorry, River. You’re right. It’s been a long day, and while that’s no excuse, I’m just fucking tired.”

“It’s fine.” She clears her throat, clearly trying not to cry. But now it’s just awkward, and I hate myself for making her feel like shit. She was excited before I got here.

“It’s not. I’m gonna go.”

“You don’t have to go, Hayes.”

“No, I know.” I try to smile. “I’m fine. Like I said, tired.”

“Will I see you tomorrow? I was going to teach Betty some new tricks.” She reaches out and tries to touch my forearm, but I step back again. If she touches me right now, I’ll lose what little restraint I have. “Could use your help.”

“Um, maybe. Yeah, I’m not sure when I’ll be able to make it back here. Busy week.” Lies. Lies, lies, lies. I try to laugh a bit and smile. I don’t want her to think I’m avoiding her, even though that’s exactly what I’m doing.

Because I don’t think I’m ready to see her be excited about another guy.

“Oh, okay.” She’s disappointed. Fuck. “That’s fine. I understand. I’ll see you around, then.”

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