“I’ll decide and I decided that I want to.” With a shake of her head, she jumps out the truck.
“Okay, well thanks. I guess I will talk to you tomorrow.”
I walk back to the driver side and get in. My eyes find her again as she stops at the door and turns to wave to me and I feel a rush of nostalgia. All those times I dropped her off at her doorstep.
I pull out and start my drive to my house, replaying every last minute I’ve had with her. We’re getting somewhere, and we might be moving slower than molasses but at least it’s something. My thoughts of the past get interrupted by a vibrating sound from the passenger seat.
Willow's phone is halfway wedged where the bottom of the seat meets the top. I pull it out and see the new bane of my existence ringing. Should send his ass to voicemail, but I'm working on being her friend, which means I have to answer.
“Hello, this is Weston. Willow accidentally left her phone. I was just turning back to take it to her.” I pull over and flip a U at the spot where the road gets a little wider. We used to pull off here to walk to the river just through the trees.
“Sounds like her. I have no clue how she manages businesses just fine but can’t seem to keep track of her own things.” He sighs deeply, as if her accidentally leaving her phone in my truck is a major inconvenience to him.
So, it’s official. I fucking hate this guy.
“Well, she’s doing a great job at the ranch. We’re all very appreciative to have her help.” I try not to insinuate it’s just me who’s happy to have her here, because I don’t want to cause problems for her.
“Let’s just hope she’s better at remembering the things she needs for you than she is herself.” He laughs a little this time and it sounds like nails on a chalkboard.
He so freely brings her down. No fucking wonder she seems like a shell of herself, I bet this assbag has put her down so much she’s lost her spark. My anger courses through me so hotly that I have to squeeze my steering wheel to keep myself from chucking this phone out the window.
I don’t know who the fuck this guy thinks he is, but over my dead body will he speak about her like this. Is this what she has been going through while she’s been gone? The thought makes me sick to my stomach.
“Yeah, to be honest with you, city slicker, I don’t think I like the way you’re talking about her. She’s amazing at what she does. Even better, she’s a good person all around. You might want to pull your head out of your ass before she wises up and realizes she’s too good for you, not the other way around.”
“Excuse me?”
“Did I stutter? Respect your damn fiancée and quit trying to shit talk her under the table. That’s pathetic. If you can’t treat her right, I know a guy who can.”
“Is this some backwoods way of trying to insult me?” he asks incredulously. As if no one has dared to ever put him in his place before. Well, today’s the day, mother fucker.
“No, if I was insulting you, you’d know it. This is a man's way of calling out another man for being a bitch. Step up and have your woman's back. Unlike you, I have things to do besides talk shit about your fiancée, so I’ll be sure to let her know you called.”
I hang up the phone before he has a chance to answer. It’s a good thing I have a minute to clear my head because right now, I want to ask what the hell she sees in that guy. But that will only lead me to being the overbearing ex-boyfriend, and that won’t get me anywhere.
I pull in front of her cabin, a faint glow comes from the window. Jumping out of the truck, I head to her front door and knock, holding the phone out in front of me.
She swings the door open and looks at me, and then down at my hand. “Oh, thank God. I was wondering where the hell I left that thing. I was hoping it wasn’t on the curb at my grandpa's house.”
“Nope, it must have fallen out of your pocket. Josh called. He seems…” I can’t quite find a word to describe him. He oozes little dick energy and arrogance.
“Please tell me you were nice to him.” She snatches the phone from my hands.
“I was very nice. I told him you would call him back and that you’re doing an amazing job.” This is the loosest version of the truth known to man, but I don’t want her worrying.
“Oh, well, thanks,” she says, a faint blush coating her beautiful face, and I make a mental note to compliment her more. It’s clear she’s not getting any praise from her fiancé and I'll be damned if she doesn’t feel appreciated for everything she’s doing to help me on the ranch.
“You really are doing great. I’m going to head back, but just holler if you need me.”
“Okay, thanks, Weston.” She holds the phone up.
“No problem.” I put my hands in my jeans to stop myself from reaching out to her. It feels too natural, regardless of the time that’s passed. It’s taking all my willpower not to pull her into my arms, breathe in her scent, and hold her like she’s mine.
The good news is now I know my competition, and he can’t hold a candle to the way I know how to love her. She’s going to learn that she deserves to be loved the way I treat her every day. It comes as easy as breathing for me. This dumbass doesn’t know what he’s started. I’m a man on a mission and I’m gunning to get my girl back.
Chapter 8
Willow
