Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 113812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
“I don’t but figured if you had a lot of shit going on, you’d tell me.”
“Anna and I settled today.”
He drops his feet and leans forward. “You serious?”
“Yep. It’s signed.”
It’s the first real grin I’ve gotten from him. “I’m happy for you, man.”
“Me, too.” My phone screen lights up with another appointment added to my schedule. I push it to the side to ignore it. “You’re right. I haven’t been in the mood to go out much.”
“Ever since you got back. Any correlation?”
Does appearing indifferent make me look guilty? I take the chance, not moving anything on my face but my mouth. “No,” I lie. Pris has changed my perspective on a few things and had me reevaluating, figuring out how to be happy again. Today was a big step in the right direction. But I also find myself thinking about the woman more than I should, considering we’ve not been in touch once since I left. Why is that?
Is it me?
Or is this what she wants?
We’re both to blame, but I’ve been wondering if I’m the only one who has struggled to reach out. What would I say?
Making you come was a highlight of my year? Kissing you made me regret waiting so long to do it? Being with you . . . well, you’re difficult in some ways, but so am I, so does that make us perfect together? Or a ticking time bomb?
Only one way to find out . . .
“No,” I reply, lying through my teeth again. “Just been preoccupied.”
He stands and bumps his hand against the desktop twice. “Okay. The Yankees are in town. I can get tickets for Saturday. You in?” He grins and points at me. “C’mon, Tag. Tell me you’re in.”
My mind might have been preoccupied with Pris, but I miss hanging out with my best friend. “I’m in.”
“Good. I’ll text the time.” We slap our hands together before he heads for the door. “Wait until I tell you about this little honey I hooked up with from the gym.” His hands fly from each other like an explosive went off. “Whew, pure fire.”
As soon as he walks out, I grab the phone. “Kendra, can you book a flight back to Austin for a week from Saturday?”
“Sure can. Going to visit your folks again?”
“Yeah, that and catch up with some friends.”
I hear the clacking of keys on her end. “Going solo, or should I book for Beckett as well?”
“Solo this time.”
CHAPTER 19
Tagger
I get out of the car and scan the area of Rollingwood Ranch. Although I’m not seeing any action, I know everyone who works here stays busy.
And who am I kidding? I’m not here to see anyone but one little firecracker I haven’t stopped thinking about since I last saw her. Five weeks is too long to not kiss Pris.
Mr. Greene comes from the barn, and a noticeable limp on his right side seems to have gotten worse. “Hey there,” I say, walking toward him.
“Hey there, Tagger. Back for another shift?”
“Tempting,” I joke, stopping just shy of the utility task vehicle he drives around the property.
He thumbs over his shoulder. “The cattle were moved already, but I’m sure Christine can put you to work.” He looks westward. “She’s down with Julie.”
Her name is said so casually, as if she’s still here, that I’m not sure how to react. “I can wait.”
“She might like to see a familiar face. She’s usually stuck with me.” He moves closer to the UTV and holds the back rack for support. “You know the high cliff due west of the equipment barn?”
“Sure.” The property is big, thousands of acres. As much as Baylor and I explored when we were younger, there are parts I’ve never been to, but I’m familiar with the high cliff over the raging part of the river below. “I remember being stupid enough to stand on the edge a few times.”
His expression falls, but he says, “Griff and Bay used to scare the heavens out of Julie by getting too close to the edge.” Baylor and I need to talk. I think it’s time he gets back home. “She’s just south of the ledge.” He glances at the barn and then back. “You can take a horse or utility truck.”
The UTV will be faster but also louder. If Pris is visiting her mom, I don’t want to ruin it with noise pollution. “I’ll saddle Nightfall.”
We part ways, but he calls to my back, “Staying for dinner?”
“If I’m welcome.”
“You’re always welcome, Tagger.”
He says that now. If he knew what I did to his daughter in the cab of a truck, I have a feeling he’d be singing a different tune. It’s just one of many things I need to discuss with her.
It feels good to be riding again. Realizing what I’ve been missing makes me wonder how I can get back more often.