Our sizes rub.
She stiffens.
I tense.
We’re too close.
But neither of us backs off.
Not even an inch.
And everyone in this damn room knows that underneath our calm, we’re seconds from ripping into each other.
“Alright, folks.” The mayor reads from his notes. “With the rodeo fast approaching, we gotta make sure everything’s locked down tight. This rodeo sponsorship is a big deal not just for theevent, but also for our reputation. It’s a reflection on the whole town. We want to show up sharp, professional, and proud.”
My family is all of the above. We don’t need a meeting to check off all the little boxes the town’s put in place. We’ve been sponsoring rodeos for as long as I can remember, and we know exactly what we’re doing.
Unfortunately for me, my family has always agreed to run this particular sponsorship by the town to keep them appeased.
It’s absurd if you ask me.
What’s even more infuriating is that the town decides which business gets this sponsorship. Then they had the nerve to pair two feuding families together.
And here we are.
But not feuding anymore. My brother’s marriage to Jade’s sister made sure of that. The reminder pisses me off as raw as it did the day they announced it.
Fucking Levi.
“First off.” The mayor leans forward, fingers steepled in front of him. “A quick confirmation that the signs are printed, transportation is arranged, and camping spots are booked. Give me a quick rundown.”
“The signs were finalized and printed last month.” Jade jumps straight into answers, as if she’s been rehearsing them all day and doesn’t plan to leave room for me.
I bet she’s got it all written on her trusty clipboard.
I clear my throat, nice and slow. Unlike her, I’m not in a hurry, and I like the way their eyes settle on me, waitin’.
Not true. I loathe attention.
But I like the way she doesn’t like my getting it.
“I noticed a few of the logos were off-center.” My words stretch out unhurried. “I had those last-minute adjustments made, and the corrected signs are finalized and ready for display.”
Jade’s eyes scorch through my layers—flannel, T-shirt, flesh—like she’s trying to burn me without a flame.
Good. And I’m just getting started.
“Thanks for clearing that up, Hart.” The mayor’s gaze slides back to his agenda, and he adjusts his glasses.
The tapping of Jade’s pen on the clipboard starts again. I wonder if she realizes that every time she gets nervous, that pen pays.
Every meeting we’ve had ended with that pen doing a speedy dance on her clipboard. Mind you, all those meetings were done on the phone, but I recognize the sound.
“How about the transportation?” The mayor rubs his rugged, yet tidy, short white beard, eyes narrowed on the agenda. “Have both RVs been checked by a mechanic? And are the routes mapped?”
“Yes, sir. We had Benny give both vehicles a once-over last week; brakes, engine, and tires are all good to go.” Jade’s voice is a little sharper this time, her words more carefully calculated.
Feels like we’re back in school, all fighting for the top spot. But let’s be real, she’s the one who got the A’s. I was busy with football and the prospect of playing in college and once that dream was shattered I card even less about top grades.
