“Okay. But why couldn’t you drive yourself to Sheridan at three in the damn morning like a normal lunatic?”
I grin. “How else am I supposed to get quality time with my favorite cousin?”
Liam grunts, clearly unimpressed but also not denying it. “You’re lucky I like you.”
I take another sip of coffee. “You say that like it’s a surprise.”
He levels me with a look. You know, the kind only family can give. The kind that sees through the caffeine and charm and straight into the mess I’m trying to bury under logistics and rodeo interviews.
“You running from something?” he asks.
I pause for half a second too long.
Then smile. “Nope.”
He watches me for a beat, then nods slowly. Doesn’t believe me for a second. But he lets it go. For now.
“When you coming back?” Liam asks, too casual to be casual.
I cringe into my coffee. Damn it. I forgot Liam has a sixth sense for slicing straight through the bullshit. I should’ve asked Sam to take me. Except then I’d risk him calling Will to do it, since we’re both in town, and that was a door I wasn’t ready to open.
“Phern?”
I clear my throat. “I’m not sure.”
His head swivels toward me like I just admitted I was moving to Mars.
“What in the hell does that mean? How long is the event?”
I keep my eyes on my mug, swirling what’s left like it might save me. “The event’s just two days.”
He doesn’t blink.
“But…” I add, hedging, “I’m also planning on doing a little sightseeing.”
Liam snorts. “Right. Sightseeing.”
I don’t mention fact that I’ve packed more than just rodeo boots and a press badge. Because the truth is, I’m not running. I’m reaching. For something that feels like mine. For space. For air.
“Heard you went on a date with Trey,” Liam says after a beat, shifting gears.
“Two,” I correct, because even now I can’t help the smart-ass reflex.
“Well,” he says, sipping his coffee slow, “will there be a third?”
I shake my head. “I don’t think so. We’re just friends.”
He raises a brow. “You sure? He seems nice.”
“He is nice,” I say. “But he’s not it.”
Liam doesn’t ask who is.
He just nods once. “Well, at least you know what isn’t it.”
And somehow, that lands harder than anything else he’s said all morning.
Liam pulls up to the curb at the airport, truck idling as I sling my duffel over my shoulder. The morning’s still cool, but the nerves buzzing under my skin make me feel like I’m burning from the inside out.
