Sebastian shakes his head. His eyes narrow. "At some point, Wyatt, you have to pivot. It looks like you still have a lot growing up to do if you think it's okay to put Willow's career on the line."
Guilt suffocates me. I reiterate, "I'm not asking Willow to sign me. So drop the subject." I toss Jagger adon't push melook.
He clenches his jaw, unhappy, but respects my wishes.
The rest of the morning moves along, with Cartwright banter and me trying to forget my problems.
It's pointless. All I can think about is my encounter with Willow last night, and my career turning to ash. I have to fix both problems, yet I'm as clueless as ever.
The meal bell rings, and Alexander's boys, Jacob and Wilder, shout, "Breakfast!"
I tug my collar up and hurry through the snow to the main house, close to the others. We stomp our snowy boots in the foyer, then head to the large dining room.
The Cartwrights' wooden table was custom-made and large enough for all the adults. The kids have another table since it's a holiday and all eight siblings are home.
More nostalgia hits me. The fireplace crackles with cherry wood. Excited voices fill the space. Delicious smells of bacon, eggs,pancakes, French toast, waffles, and other breakfast items make my stomach rumble. The same faces, plus Georgia and Phoebe, beam around the table.
I grab an empty chair next to Willow. "Morning. Did you sleep well?"
Her head swivels toward me. She pins me with a gaze like broken glass, and slides her chair back with a chilling calm. She rises, picks up her juice, and walks around the table, selecting a seat as far away from me as possible.
"Still holding a grudge?" Jagger asks loudly, giving her a look of disapproval.
The room falls silent, and all eyes turn to Willow.
She glares at her brother.
"Leave it," I warn him.
But Jagger won't let it be. He points out, "Your riders get into bar fights. It's not a big deal. No charges. No long-term consequences. No one got hurt. You can't hold it against Wyatt forever."
Red rage fills her cheeks. She bursts out, "For your information, it is a big deal. So stay out of my business, Jagger."
"It's against the Cartwright code to not forgive and forget. So tell me how long you're going to stay mad so we can discuss the important issue at hand," he demands.
"Jagger, stop," I order.
Willow's eyes turn to slits. "What issue would that be?"
Jagger's cocky grin teases the corners of his mouth. His tone is just as arrogant. "Signing Wyatt and figuring out what sponsors to go after."
Her jaw drops, anger ready to explode from her.
Tension burns through the air, crackling harsher than the fire.
My mouth turns dry while my dick betrays me. Willow's defiance always affected me, and time hasn't eliminated my reaction to it. A flashback erupts where she's jabbing me in the chest, I push her against the stall door, and we fuck in the barn, only to finish a few moments before almost getting caught by Jacob.
Mason cuts in, "I heard Tough Rider is looking for someone for their new bull ropes."
I snap out of my trip down memory lane, and open my mouth to object, but Paisley interjects.
"Roughneck Armorworks needs one too. Their new vest came in, and it's supposed to give the rider 65 percent more protection without inhibiting movement." She turns next to me and beams. "I'm on the marketing team that just signed them on as a new client. So I could help Willow get a meeting before anyone else does."
"I'm not signing Wyatt as a client," Willow insists with finality.
Another round of sharp tension fills the room.
Ruby clears her throat. "Can I ask why?"
