I pulled Bandit to a walk, face heating. “I was checking water levels.”
“You were checking ass levels. And frankly? Valid. The man is sculpted.” She smirked, adjusting her reins. “So? Have you banged him yet? I need to live vicariously through someone who isn’t sleeping with guys named Travis.”
“No! We work together. He lives in my house.”
“It’s not complicated. It’s biology. You haven’t gotten laid in a year. He’s pretty, he’s rich, and he’s currently playing cowboy in your backyard. Just ride him. It’ll clear your skin.”
“You’re crude.”
“I’m efficient.” She rolled her eyes. “Look, that’s the beauty. It’s temporary. Use him for his body and his high thread-count sheets, then send him back.”
“It’s not just that,” I admitted, words tumbling out. “He’s actually trying, Cass. He’s funny. He listens. And when he looks at me, it’s not like I’m ‘the help.’ It’s…”
“Intense?”
“Yeah.”
Cassie sobered, expression softening. “Okay. So you like him. Like him.”
“Maybe. It’s terrifying.”
“Yeah, feelings usually are. Disgusting things.” She nudged Thunder closer so our knees bumped. “But hey, if he hurts you? We bury the body. I’ve got a shovel in my truck and we know the terrain.”
I laughed, tension loosening. “Noted.”
We rode in silence—the kind you only got with people who knew your ugly parts and stayed anyway.
“You ready for Elise?” I asked after a while.
“Hell yes. I need some class to balance out the Travis incident.” Cassie grinned. “She still all… Denver?”
“Tech exec chic? Yeah. Coming to help spot me for regionals.”
“That’s huge. She’s the only person who rides better than you.”
“Don’t let Pops hear that.”
“Pops knows. Why do you think he’s making you clean like the Queen’s visiting? He’s terrified she’ll reorganize his spice rack.”
I snorted. “She definitely will. Alphabetical this time.”
We reached the creek, dismounting to let the horses drink. I sat on a log, watching water ripple over stones.
“You think I’m an idiot?” I asked quietly. “For the Beau thing?”
Cassie sat beside me, bumping my shoulder. “I think you’re lonely, and he’s hot, and surprisingly charming for a nepobaby. Go for it. What’s the worst? You get your heart broken? You’ll survive. You always do.” She shrugged. “But if you don’t… you’ll just wonder. And wondering’s worse than hurting.”
“Since when are you wise?”
“Since the hangover wore off. Clarity comes with ibuprofen.” She stood, brushing dirt from her shorts. “Now come on. I need a greasy burger before my shift or I’m committing a felony.”
I swung back onto Bandit, feeling lighter.
Maybe Cassie was right. Maybe I was overthinking.
Just ride him.
God, she was terrible.
