I let out a long sigh. “Mom, it’s fine. I would have had to stop for a bit, but I would have made it home. It’s not that big of a deal.”
Shaking her head, she returns to the kitchen, where I hear cabinets opening and closing along with the clatter of dishes. I curl up on the corner of the couch and busy myself with my phone as I say a silent prayer that my mom is just heating the sauce and cooking the pasta like she said. The sooner I can get back to my place, the sooner I’ll be able to finally breathe.
When I look up from my phone, I find Hayden’s eyes on me. His subtle smile helps me relax, but I look away, hiding a smile of my own. This is the whole reason I can’t wait to get out of this town. Avoiding each other is impossible, and I find myselfentirely too aware of his presence when he’s around. I always have been. But now I know what he feels like. What he tastes like. And the way my name sounds on his lips when he comes.
“You okay, honey?” My dad’s voice interrupts my thoughts and causes heat to rise to my cheeks.
“Yeah, why?” I ask, only meeting his gaze for a moment.
“You just seem quiet, that’s all.”
I steal a glance at Hayden, and he might as well be shouting, “I told you so!” I briefly narrow my eyes at him before forcing myself to look at my dad.
“It was a long drive; I’m just tired. I’m ready to eat and then get to bed.”
My dad sets his glass down and looks at his watch before looking back at me. “Oh, I’m sorry. Your mother shouldn’t be much longer with the food. Didn’t you sleep well last night? I’ve gotten some of my best sleep at Silver Fox Ranch.”
Swallowing hard, I of course manage to choke. I cough, swallow, and pat my chest, trying to recover as quickly as possible. “Yeah, but you know how it is sleeping in a strange bed.”
Dad grunts in acknowledgement before getting to his feet. “I’ll check on your mother.”
As soon as he’s out of the room, I look over to find Hayden watching me with a smirk that has no business being so hot. Giving my head a shake, I try to give him a dirty look, but my lips curve into a smile despite my best efforts.
“You’re an asshole,” I hiss.
Hayden laughs and raises his palms. “What the hell didIdo? I’m just sitting here minding my business.”
“You know. So, stop.”
I feel his smile—everywhere. And I can’t look away. By the time I notice my mother standing in the doorway, she’s already looking from me to Hayden with her brow raised. Once again, my face heats, and all I can do is hope the room is too dark for her to see the color rising to my cheeks. There is no way I’m going to survive this meal.
“Everything is ready if you two are.”
“Perfect,” I say as I stand up. “I’m starving. Can’t wait to eat, then get to bed.”
My mother gives one last look between us before walking out of the room with a concerning smile on her face. She knows something is up. I’m sure of it. And now IknowI’m not going to survive this dinner.
Chapter 15
Hayden
It was stupid to think I wouldn’t be affected by being here. It’s opening night of the Cole County Rodeo, and I’m not competing. It was one thing to end the season on the sidelines, but starting a new one in the same position feels a lot like an omen. And a bad one. I take several slow breaths as I watch from my place along the fence.
“Hey, cowboy.”
I turn, stepping back in surprise when I lock eyes with Miranda. I haven’t seen her since that awkward as hell meal we shared after returning from picking up the mares. Her full lips are curved into an inviting smile, and it takes me a moment before my brain registers that she spoke to me.
“Hey, Miranda.” I give her a small smile.
“Doing okay?”
I focus my attention on the arena before answering. The screens light up as the announcer begins his opening ceremony presentation. There’s no stopping my wince when I seephotos of myself during the montage from last season. Especially knowing there’s a good chance those are some of the last images of me on the back of a bucking bronco. It’s not like I need to compete to make a living; I own a cattle ranch, which allows me to live comfortably. But being a bronc rider is what I know. It’s what I love. It’s who I am.
“Yeah, I’m good,” I somehow manage to answer even though I feel like I’ve swallowed sand.
Miranda remains quiet beside me, but I feel her gaze. When I finally turn to face her, she doesn’t look away. Instead, she studies my face with eyes that just might be looking right through me. It’s unsettling.
When she still doesn’t speak, I break the silence between us. “You’re staring at me.”
