Page 37 of Untamed

“She didn’t come to Addie’s funeral, Wells.” I glance over at him, but I can’t read his face. He’s gone silent. “I know that I may have made her feel like she wasn’t welcome, and that’s on me. But she was friends with Addie. That should override any of our shit we had going on. She should’ve been here.”

“Talk to her about it.” His whole demeanor has changed.

“You know something I don’t?”

“Just…talk to her about it.” We pause because this is where he needs to leave me to go to his own house. He refuses to look at me, though. Something is up, and he won’t tell me. “Talk to her about everything, Hayes. You want it to work, you have to communicate.”

“Since when did you get so knowledgeable about women and relationships?”

“Always have been.” He smiles and pats me on the shoulder.

“You’re not tellin’ me something…but I’m gonna let it slide because clearly, it’s something I need to hear from her.”

Wells nods.

“So hear it from her. Talk to her.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’ll talk to her. Shit. Y’all are annoying, you know that?”

“What else is family for?”

He walks off toward his own little piece of property that Pops gave him, and I stand there for a second before walking off toward my own. It’s late, but I pull my phone out anyway. I know she’s sleeping, and I know I shouldn’t text her after I’ve been drinking.

But I do.

Me: Coming to the ranch tomorrow?

It only takes her a minute to reply.

River: Can’t. Working a lot. I’ll be back on Monday.

Me: Let’s talk then, yeah?

It takes her a bit longer this time, but finally, a response comes through when I’m back at my house.

River: Okay.

I’ll take it.

Okay, so, I can’t do it. I can’t wait until Monday, after she’s had her little date. That’s just not gonna work for me. So instead, I’m walking around town like a fucking madman hunting for his prey. I pop my head into every restaurant or bar they could be in until I walk past Rudy’s and see her pretty black hair.

I duck back out of sight and pace in a circle. This is insane. This is literally the most insane thing I could do. I am out here, basically stalking her, trying to find wherever the hell Sawyer decided to take her.

And I don’t mind Sawyer. He’s actually a really good worker, and he’s been a part of our ranch family for a long time. But that’s the reason I came out here. He’s good for her, and I don’t want her to decide he’s better for her than I am.

I sound fucking insane. But I can’t let her finish this date without knowing what I want and how I feel. My sanity won’t let me. Fuck, but my feet will. I start toward the door, and they stop me, turning my ass back around. Not only do I sound insane, but I look insane. People are walking around me like I’ve lost my goddamn mind.

Maybe I have. River seems to have that effect on me.

Okay, fuck it. I came all this way into town for a purpose. May as well get this shit over with. Rip it off like a Band-Aid.

“You got this,” I whisper to myself, trying to give myself a pep talk. It doesn’t really work, but here we go.

I walk past the large window with Rudy’s lettering on it and push past the old glass door. The smell of burgers and fries hits me, and the realization of what I’m doing hits full force. I’m walking into a crowded restaurant to tell my woman she’s mine. I’m about to interrupt a date between my best friend and a nice guy. Shit, I can’t do this.

But then Sawyer looks up and sees me. He shoots me a little smirk and then leans across the table to say something to River. I can audibly hear her say, “What?” and then her angry face whips in my direction.

Fuckfuckfuck.