Page 6 of Untamed

“Who told you?” Poppy whips around to look him over with a really impressive stink eye.

“I’m takin’ that to my grave, peachy Poppy.”

Taking the pick out of his mouth, he plays with it between his fingers instead. I don’t know if it’s just a Hayes thing or if I just really like hands, but as his strong fingers play with that little piece of plastic, they make the muscles in his forearms jump, and I find myself staring far too blatantly.

Poppy groans and rolls her eyes. “We’re having a girls’ day, and no one wants you here.”

“That’s hurtful.” His hand clutches his chest over his heart. “Especially when all I did was come in here to tell you that Rhett is taking the afternoon off.”

“He’s what now?”

Oh no. Her resolve is failing.

“Taking the afternoon off. Said something about alone time without the kids? Or something?” Hayes shrugs, but I know this is all part of some master plan to get our chaperone out of the barn.

“Clever,” I tell him.

“I won’t go if you don’t want me to.” She’s lowered her voice, speaking just to me. And while I wish I could keep her here, I’m not going to be the lame reason my new friend doesn’t get laid. “Actually, no. I’m not going. You Black boys can quit with the scheming.”

“Poppy, it’s fine.” I smile at her and nudge her thigh with my boot. “Go to your man.”

She looks back and forth between us. I nudge her again.

“Go. I’ve been dealing with this one since I was a kid.” I nod my head in Hayes’ direction, chancing a look at him. But he’s just standing there, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and a very up-to-no-good looking smirk on his face. “I’ll handle him.”

“I sure hope you will.”

“Don’t be gross,” Poppy chides him as she gets up off the floor. “Be respectful, or I’ll come back in here and kick your ass. Roger?”

Her finger is pressed into his chest, but he doesn’t move. Just looks down at her with that same little grin.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I mean it, Hayes. I’m not above siccing Rhett on your ass.”

We both watch her leave, her pace picking up the farther away from us she gets. That girl is head over heels for Rhett, and I don’t blame her for wanting to take advantage of what little alone time they have.

“Think Betty would let me sit here with you?”

I lean my head back on the wall behind me and slowly look him over. It doesn’t matter if I say no; he’s going to plop his cute little butt down on the floor next to me. There’s no getting out of it. I have to be here for Betty, so I gesture to the ground across from me.

Betty’s ears go back as she scoots closer to the newcomer, her pink nose sniffing him out.

“Hey, old girl.” His hand slowly moves toward her, his palm up so she can sniff it. She must be used to him hanging around because instead of cozying up to me, she lies down next to him, her head just barely touching his leg.

“Should’ve known you’d get it out of someone. Next time, I’ll be sure to tell Poppy to keep it to herself.”

“Truce, River?” He shoves his guitar pick in his pocket and crosses his legs at the ankles. He looks the picture of relaxed, but I know this has to be just as uncomfortable for him as it is for me. No one likes to be around their ex-best friend. It’s awkward as hell, and when you both left on angry terms…

Yeah, just not fun.

“Depends for how long.”

“Riv.” He laughs, but it’s void of all humor. “I don’t wanna keep fightin’ with you. You’re back in town, and the love I had for you is still there. So can we just call a truce and move on?”

“Hayes, I’ll call a truce, and I’ll be civil, but I’m not your best friend anymore. The things you said to me…”

“I know.” He has the good sense to look ashamed. “Can we maybe talk about it?”

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