Riley laughs. “You’d have to be to get on the back of one of those animals.”
We pull into the parking lot, and a small smile touches my lips when we walk inside.
“Looks like Diesel’s already here,” Riley mutters as we walk toward the bar. He’s chatting with people, but Riley interrupts him. “Uh…anyway.” He clears his throat. “This is Gavin. He’ll be working with Jackson training horses.”
Kenzie’s eyes go wide, and recognition flashes behind them. I wonder if she remembers me from the bar that night, but she doesn’t say a word. Neither do I. My heart races, and I wonder if Maize is here too.
I meet Rowan, and when I turn my head, I see Maize sitting there as pretty as ever. I have so many damn questions I can barely contain myself.
“This is my other cousin, Maize. She’s the cook at the B&B.”
I smirk, realizing I was eating her food this morning. “Ooh, the one who makes the amazing pancakes.”
Maize slightly turns to shake my hand, and that’s when she sees me. She blinks hard, as if she expects me to disappear. I wish she’d say something, and I open my mouth, but Rowan interrupts me, thankfully. There are too many people around to ask her what the hell happened that night.
“So, Gavin, where’re you from?” Rowan asks, moving the conversation away from Maize, who’s acting awkward as hell.
“Houston. But I’ve traveled a lot in the past twelve years or so. I’ve been all over the state.”
“Gavin’s a retired bull rider,” Riley explains. “Trains riders now on the side.”
“Oh my God,” Kenzie gushes in the same tone she did the night I first met her. “That is so cool. I would love to see you ride.”
I’m well aware of her personality and how she acts, and I smile at her. She has to remember me.
Taking a seat at the bar, I order a drink as Rowan walks up to Diesel. She’s obviously Alex’s daughter, and I don’t doubt for a second he wouldn’t kick Diesel’s ass if he hurt her. Noticing the way they look at each other, though, I can tell it’s the real deal. While I’m sipping my beer, Maize gets up and walks away, then Rowan follows her.
Diesel brings up my bull riding days, and I get lost in conversation. When I turn to order another drink, I realize Maize never returned. It makes me think that bailing on people might just be her thing.
Chapter Three
MAIZE
“Hey, what’s goin’ on?” Rowan asks, coming into the bathroom where I’m hiding. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“That guy…” I inhale sharply, hardly believing it.
“Gavin? What about him?”
“That’s Gavin.”
She blinks. “Right, I just said that.”
“No, I mean, yes. That’s the Gavin I slept with a few weeks ago,” I reiterate.
“Wait…” She narrows her eyes. “The guy you bailed on the next morning?”
“Yes!”
Rowan quickly covers her mouth as if she’s trying to hold back laughter. “Oh my God, Maze!”
“Shut up!” I smack her arm. “This is humiliating!”
“This is freaking awesome.” She chuckles. “Did he recognize you?”
I sigh, rubbing my temples as a headache surfaces. “I don’t know. I recognized him right away. That’s why I quickly turned away.”
“Well, go out there and say hi!” She pushes me toward the door, but I dig my heels into the floor.
“Hell. No!” I frantically shake my head.
“Weren’t you just tellin’ your daddy you were almost twenty-five years old and old enough to move out?” She cocks her hip and places a hand on it. “This isn’t very mature.” She snickers.
I roll my eyes and shrug because I don’t care. I’m not going back out there. “I didn’t realize how much older than me he was. He looks older, right?” I ask nervously.
She nods, agreeing. “He definitely does. Probably ten years older?”
“Oh my God.” I drop my face into my hands. “I’m leaving through the back.”
“I don’t think so,” she states firmly.
“Fine, then I’m staying in here.”
“The bathroom?” She cocks a brow.
“Rowan, please! Help me,” I plead.
“Alright, fine. I’ll make sure the coast is clear.” She pats my shoulder.
Slowly, she opens the door and peeks around.
“Okay, you’re good,” Rowan says. She faces me and waves me out. I immediately rush toward the employee exit.
“Thank you!” I whisper-shout, feeling relief as soon as I step outside.
I hope Gavin doesn’t notice I ditched...again. I’m sure I’m a sight to see, scrambling out like I just robbed a bank. By the time I climb into my truck and head home, my palms are sweaty, and my heart is racing. Gavin working for Uncle Jackson means I’ll eventually have to see him again. The dread nearly consumes me, and I’m pissed I got myself into this predicament in the first place. One-night stands aren’t my thing, but I was convinced I’d never see him again because I thought he was only passing through town.
Cowboys are typically a hard no, and I should’ve stuck by that rule.
When I was eighteen, I dated a ranch hand named Timothy. It was love at first sight, or so I thought. My family was aware of our relationship and warned against getting involved because he wouldn’t be staying long term. I foolishly thought I was enough for him to stay, but I was so damn wrong. When it ended between us, I realized how I’d been bamboozled by love. My heart was broken beyond repair, and I swore never to make that mistake again. I’ve avoided any men who’ve shown interest in me and worked on the ranch. Yet I find myself in this predicament. I just hope like hell he keeps our secret to himself and leaves me alone.
When I get home, Mom and Dad are watching TV on the couch. Before I’m bombarded with conversation, I wave, then rush to my room and dramatically fall onto my bed. The only thing that pulls me away from my humiliation is my phone vibrating. When I pick it up, I see a message from Rowan and hope she was able to come up with a good excuse.
Rowan: Totally random question for no reason, but when was your last period?
Maize: Uh…I don’t know? Why?
Rowan: Well, any chance you could be pregnant?
What the fuck kinda question is that? Probably because all the blood drained from my face, and I rushed to the bathroom like I was gonna vomit the moment I realized Gavin was here.
Maize: WHAT? No!
Just the thought of being pregnant throws me into a panic. How the hell would I explain that to my family?
Rowan: Are you sure? Like 100%?
I think back to the incredible night we had together, but the small details remain a blur. We were greedy for one another, and he worshipped my body like I was a goddess. Gavin’s the type of man you run away with for a summer, not the kind you settle down with. The bull riding culture creates fuck boys, and I bet he was one.