I busy myself by making breakfast again and thankfully, by the time Red comes back into the kitchen, I’m feeling semi-normal again.
We don’t speak while he gets to work on making the cowboy brew before we both sit at the small kitchen table to eat.
As hard as I try to act casual and unaffected, every time our eyes meet, something strange seems to flicker between us. It’s so weird and almost awkward and I hate it.
“Sorry for flashin’ you. Didn’t really think about it. Just saw you were hurt and acted. I apologize if I made you uncomfortable,”he says, breaking the silence between us. “That’s why you’re actin’ strange, right?”
He sounds so earnest my heart melts and the wariness in his eyes does me in.
I’m being ridiculous. Just becauseIcan’t stop thinking about his naked body and all that skin and muscles and—yeah—doesn’t mean he’s offended by it. Or if he is, he’s notactinglike he's bothered. He's more worried about me than the fact that he was naked in front of me.
I need to forget about all my confused feelings about the man and move on.
“Hey, it’s fine. What’s a bit of innocent flashin’ between friends.”
His brows jump wide before he bursts out laughing, shaking his head with it. “Well, now. Not sure what to say to that.”
“How ‘bout we say nothin’ and get ready to hit the road?” I suggest with a shrug.
“Only if you’re sure.”
“I’m good, Red. And so areyou, by the looks of things,” I tease, noting how his shoulders finally relax down from around his ears where they were.
He chuckles, a deep, melodious sound that warms my heart. Suddenly, all's right in the world again.Hisworld anyway, mine has been rocked on its foundations. But that’s a problem for future Mags. Right now, there’s a rodeo to get ready for.
“Alright then, darlin’. We’ll leave it at that. I’ll finish cleanin’ up while you get ready, yeah?”
“Sounds good to me,” I say, walking into the bedroom and grabbing my clothes before going to have a shower.
Just as I’m about to close the bathroom door, he calls out my name.
I turn back and watch as he looks me up and down, taking his time while doing it before stopping at my face. "I was just thinkin’. Fair's fair, Mags. Since you’ve now seen mine, I guess that means one day I’ll have to see yours. You know, just so we're even." My mouth drops open and I forget to breathe, my face going as hot as the diner oven. All he does is wink as a slow-growing grin takes over his handsome face.
So I do the only thing I can do, I rush into the bathroom, not missing his laughter as I close the door behind me.
Leaning my back against it, I try to work out what the hell just happened. Because either my brain is misfiring and I'm hearing things, or Red Grayson was just flirting with me.
First, I almost kissed him, then I saw him naked, and now he’sflirting?
I’m starting to wonder if there’s a reason why I’m seeing my best friend in a whole new light. Or more confusingly, if he’s feeling the same way as I am…
14
RED
I’m finding it harder than ever to act normal around Mags.
As much as I try to deny it to myself, I can't stop seeing her in ways I never expected to look at my best friend. It’s not helpful when you're trying to have a meeting with the rodeo owner in his camper and you can hear the contagious laugh of the woman in question as she socializes with the rodeo wives and partners right outside.
Rod clears his throat, grabbing my attention. Turning back to him, I find him smirking. “Anyone would think you were a bit distracted today, Red?”
I ignore him. I’ve known the man for decades, he used to be my boss, and now he’s a vital part of the Bull Stud’s business. He has the champion animals, we breed them. Supply and demand. He also knows what Mags is to me so he’s just tryin’ to stir the pot.
"So, how are you lookin' for stock? We've just castrated our first lot of calves, so they'll be ready for delivery in the next six months."
Rod leans back in his chair. “Good, good. That’ll work well. Can start training them for junior riders next season. A few years later, they’ll be ready for the big leagues.”
I nod, cradling the mug of crap coffee in front of me on the table. It’s drinkable, but nothing beats the cowboy brewwemake back at Bull.Or anything Mags can make at the Hog.“Sounds like a plan.”
