I head down the hallway toward my bedroom, ignoring the snarky comment Jenny tosses my way. She can think whatever she wants, it doesn't matter.
Yeah, sure, she's technically right. Like hell I'm going to tell her that, though.
We’re not just friends, but it's not like there's anythingseriousbetween me and Katie. I like spending time with her and being around her, but that doesn't have to mean anything. I've liked plenty of the people I've slept with in the past. It just means we have good chemistry.
People make friends with benefits all the time.
Just because we're sleeping together and going out sometimes doesn't mean that I need to strap in and give up my freedom. We haven't talked about any sort of relationship, so I'm pretty sure that's not what she's looking for.
Besides, I'm not going to be in town forthatmuch longer. I'm enjoying my freedom for now, but once I get back from this trip, I'll get serious about finding a new job.
It doesn't have to be a big deal. I'm not going to make it a big deal.
I'm just living life.
I'll deal with whatever I need to deal with as it comes.
KATIE
Drowning myself in work is what I'm good at.
Thank fucking God for that, because I've needed it. I thought I was actually getting to a point in life where I’d have… well, alife, but it looks like I was mistaken.
Wayne dropped off the face of the earth after I invited him over.
He went from texting me constantly and following me around the ranch like a puppy to being inexplicablygone. He hasn't called me back, and I haven’t seen him since that night. The promise to take me out riding for a cute picnic date slipped right down the drain, along with my hopes for anything serious between Wayne and me.
I feel ridiculous for even considering it.
He'sWayne fucking Riggs, playboy extraordinaire, one of my high school bullies, for Christ’s sake. What was I even thinking?
I should have known all of it was a game to him. He’s treated his whole life like a game. Why would he treat me any differently? I have no clue where the asshole is or what he's up to, and I refuse to care.
He could have fallen into a volcano, for all I care. I’ve got plenty to keep me busy.
I’ve got the heifers and the new calves and all of the horses to handle here. It’s vaccine season, too, so I’m running around like a chicken without a head trying to keep up with everything. Today in particular has been rough, mostly because I've been nauseous since I woke up. I’m doing my best to focus on the endless list of things I need to do, but it just won't leave me be.
It’s barely past lunch when it finally gets the best of me.
I walk out of the barn, intending to get some fresh air and clear my head a bit. The smell of hay and manure and sweat-soaked leather is usually comforting to me, but today it turns my stomach. I lean back against the worn wood of the barn and press my hand to my stomach. Maybe I caught a bug or something. Maybe I'm just overworking myself.
I bend down to place my hands on my knees and breathe deeply, closing my eyes against the harsh midday sun. I was expecting to calm down and get myself under control, but the longer I stay like this, the stronger the nausea grows.
Oh, fuck, am I actually going to throw up?
The thought barely crosses my mind before acid sears straight up my throat. I wince at the bitter taste, shaking as I heave up bile and the single bite of a bagel I had managed to force down this morning.
It doesn't taste any better the second time around.
Mary rounds the corner just as I straighten up and wipe the back of my hand across my mouth in disgust.
“Oh, honey,” she coos, her brows scrunched together in concern as she rushes over. “Are you alright? What do you need? Let’s get you inside for a bit.”
I chuckle at the immediate motherly concern that seems to overcome her, but I don’t argue as she wraps an arm around my shoulders and leads me toward the house. I’m still shaky, andthe vile taste of vomit coats my teeth. Sitting down sounds like a good idea right now.
“I’m okay, promise,” I say. “I haven’t eaten much today, and the heat probably isn’t helping. I’m sure if I can sit in the air conditioning for a bit and have some water, I’ll be just fine.”
Mary clicks her tongue scoldingly and shakes her head as she guides me up the path that leads to the house.
