Page 32 of The Cowboy Who Stayed

“What?” he presses snappishly. He takes a couple steps back toward my office. “I’d answer your texts right away?”

…yes.

“You know what I mean.”

“Do I?”

We fall silent as we catch onto the cheerful whistling that grows closer. It’s coming from around the corner until Miss Bee strolls past clutching a bucket of cleaning supplies and fresh towels. The ranch cook and cleaning lady gives us both a small smile.

I return hers with one that feels stiff on my face. Anything to play off the tense exchange me and Rhett are in the middle of; anything to not rouse further suspicion.

We’re on pause until Miss Bee disappears on her way back toward the main house.

“We had an agreement,” I blurt out once the coast is clear. “Part of that agreement was communication. So that we’re on the same page. You going radio silent without any explanation isn’t⁠—”

“Oh, I get it,” he interrupts, huffing out a laugh. He flashes one of his handsome smiles, only there’s a cocky element that reminds me of the night I met him. “Me not responding right away isn’t convenient for your schedule. Is that right?”

“You say that as if we didn’t agree that we’d⁠—”

“Here’s the thing, Vivica,” he goes on. “I don’t always have to operate on your timetable. I’ve got my own life going on too.”

“I never said you didn’t.”

“You sure act like it. The only time you reach out is when you want me to come over. When you want me to fuck yo⁠—”

“Shhhh!” I hiss immediately. I cast a paranoid glance left and right to make sure we’re alone. “No wonder people are starting to talk! Remember that stipulation about being discreet?”

“You called me over.”

“Yes, but⁠—”

“You don’t get to decide everything,” he says. “We’ve had a good time together. We can both agree on that. But honestly? I’m getting real tired of the whiplash.”

I open my mouth to once again remind him that those were the terms we both agreed to, but he steps toward me and I go quiet at the coldness I find in his gaze.

“I agreed to have some fun with you. That’s what I signed up for. But I didn’t agree to be your boy toy, Vivica. I’m not something you pull off a shelf when you’re bored and put back when you’re done. If that’s what you’re looking for, then maybe you need to find yourself a new one.”

Even if I wanted to keep the argument going, my mind goes blank. I come up with no rebuttal as I stare wide-eyed at his face and realize it isn’t a coldness I see.

…it’s hurt. It’s a man who’s lashing out after being rejected.

“I’m… I’m…” I stammer, unsure what to say.

“Don’t worry about it,” he says, then backs up. “We had an expiration date, and it’s better we end it than pretend otherwise.”

He rounds back toward the path he was on and then walks away.

Rhett Dawson just told me off.

The worst part is, as I watch him go, I’m not entirely convinced he’s wrong.

Aunt Paula picks up on the fifth ring, which means she’s either between episodes of whatever true-crime show she’s binging or she’s packing for her upcoming cruise vacation.

“Hey, baby,” she says. “How’s my favorite niece?”

“Your only niece.”

“Still means something considering your brother’s not my favorite and he’s my only nephew.”