“Those sponsors are going to fall all over you, River. You could be wearing a potato sack and you’d still get this deal. You’re the golden girl. The Valentine’s Day Princess.”
I grimace, the tension pulling my neck so bad I can barely see straight. “I hope. I hope…”
My voice drops off into a croak.
She knows what’s wrong. I’m still broken into pieces from the abrupt departure of her brother. The silence that’s followed.
But we haven’t talked about it since that day when Stone drove me to her ranch and the LSS team formed a protective lasso around me.
“I like that shirt a lot,” she says, aiming to distract me.
“Thanks. It cost more than new tires for a truck.”
She whistles. “Dayum. Really?”
“Yep.” I don’t tell her that Diesel paid for all the new clothes. Somehow that makes it even worse that I’m wearing them.
Christ,I can’t believe we had sex and he ghosted me because of my brother.
If I could have called either one of them, I’d have blistered their eardrums.
But alas. No way to reach either of them.
Or Caleb at least. He’s been in mission mode.
Diesel on the other hand… he’s unavailable. So they say.
Rae Lynn watches me in the mirror, and when she catches me dabbing at the corner of my eye, she sighs. “I’m sorry, honey.”
Nodding, I tug my shirt loose and tuck it in again. “Valentine’s Day sucks,” I mutter.
“I agree with you there. Can’t remember the last time I gota Valentine. Course that might be because I’m too independent for most of them.”
“Want to be my Galentine? I can take you to this mixer?”
She laughs. “No way in hell. I’m not a smoozer. Some asshole comes up and starts rambling, I’m likely to leave a boot impression in his shin.”
I finally give up and flop into the uncomfortable chair by the window. “I just want this over with.”
She points at the new phone Stone gave me, courtesy of LSS. Supposedly it’s secure.
“That things been lighting up.”
Dare I hope it’s Diesel?
No. Not even letting myself go there.
With a grumble, I drag myself out of the chair and pick up the oversized device. “Oh, it’s Caleb.”
Rae Lynn’s expression brightens. “Answer it!”
My palm is damp when I hit accept. I haven’t talked to him since the blowout a few days ago… since Diesel pulled a vanishing act after boning me. And he was right. I did think about the bastard’s big dick every time I sat down for days.
“Hey, River.” Caleb leans closer to the camera. “Wow, dressed to kill.”
“Dressed to get a sponsor.”
He offers a half smile, but the worry is there. “Who is your company?”
