“Society magazine,” Elise added, her voice tight. “One had the audacity to imply that Winnie was benefiting financially from Beau staying at the ranch. I shut that shit down, but—”
“Those assholes” The words came out harder than I meant. My knuckles had gone white around my mug. “Winnie, I’m still so sorry. I should’ve warned you—”
“Beau I told you. You couldn’t have known,” she said quietly, but she still wouldn’t look at me. “It’s just… it got in my head, okay? The idea that people think I’m using you. That your world sees me as some opportunistic ranch girl who—”
“Who deserves to be there just as much as anyone else,” Cassie finished fiercely. She poured four shots of tequila. “Fuck those people. Fuck their opinions. And fuck anyone who makes you doubt yourself. Drink.”
We did. The tequila burned, but it helped.
By the second round, the tension had started to ease. The band kicked off, and Cassie dragged Elise to the dance floor. Pops stayed at his booth, content with his whiskey.
I leaned closer to Winnie. “Dance with me?”
She hesitated, then nodded.
I led her out to the floor, my hand settling on her lower back. We moved together easily—she was a natural, and I’d gotten better over the past month. The music helped drown out the weight of the day.
“You okay?” I asked, searching her face.
“Getting there,” she admitted. “Today just… rattled me.”
“I know.” I pulled her closer. “But we’ll figure it out. Together. You don’t have to carry this alone.”
For the first time all day, she leaned into me. Let herself relax in my arms. And I felt that tight knot in my chest start to loosen.
That’s when the door banged open.
A guy walked in—tall, broad-shouldered, the kind of sun-browned that came from real ranch work. I recognized him from trivia night.
Tyler.
His eyes scanned the room, then lit up when they landed on Winnie. He crossed the floor with purpose, a grin spreading across his face.
“Win! Didn’t know you’d be here tonight!”
Before I could react, he was wrapping her in a hug—casual but lingering, his hand on her back in a way that made my jaw clench.
“Tyler! Hey.” Winnie stepped back, but she was smiling. Warm. Familiar. “What are you doing here? Thought you were up in Tulsa?”
“Got back yesterday. Figured I’d stop by.” His eyes traveled over her with obvious appreciation. “You look great. Regionals training agrees with you.”
Something dark and possessive coiled in my chest. I knew who this was—Cassie had mentioned him at trivia. Local boy. Winnie’s ex. The one who “couldn’t commit.”
“Thanks. Yeah, Bandit’s been amazing—”
“I bet. You were always the best rider in the county.” He glanced at me briefly—barely an acknowledgment—then back at her. “Dance? For old times’ sake?”
The song shifted to something slower. Before Winnie could answer, Tyler was already pulling her into it, his hand settling on her waist with a familiarity that made my blood boil.
Winnie glanced back at me, something uncertain in her eyes.
I hung back at the edge of the dance floor, my beer forgotten.
Cassie materialized beside me. “Easy, cowboy. That’s just Tyler being Tyler.”
“What the hell does that mean?” My voice came out tight.
“Local boy. Winnie dated him for a bit. They ended it because he couldn’t commit and she got tired of waiting. He’s harmless—just likes to flirt and think he’s got charm for days.”
