?Messed Up As Me - Keith Urban
Jaxon
Still woundup from Callie’s date, I wake up early and head out to the big barn before she gets out of bed. There’s no telling what I’d do if I saw her this morning, sleep mussed and fucking perfect. I didn’t want to stick around and find out.
I join Wilder and Griffin near the remains of the old riding paddock with a stack of replacement fencing nearby.
“What’d I miss?”
“Just talking about plans for the sanctuary,” Griffin says. “Nelson’s got another one for us. Buckskin mare.”
“Do we have room for her right now? We won’t break ground on the new stables until next month.”
Griffin drags a hand down his face and sighs. “She’s in a bad way. If we don't take her... well... I don't wanna think about the alternative.”
Griffin might look like the toughest of us, but he has a softheart. He’d rescue every horse in a five-hundred-mile radius if he could—let them live out their days in his care. I have no doubt he’ll try once we get the sanctuary up and running.
I nod. “Alright. We'll find a way to make it work.”
The three of us head into the barn, and Wilder tosses me a rake. “Why don’t you make yourself useful?”
I catch it before it can smack me in the face.
“Stormy’s stall needs a good cleaning, and it’ll give you time to clear your head.”
“Who said my head needs clearing?”
“You wouldn’t be out here this early if it didn’t. When are you going to admit you’re in love with Callie?”
I head into Storm’s stall and start clearing out the used bedding. “I’m notin lovewith her.”
Wilder snorts. “Keep telling yourself that.”
I work in silence as my mind replays scenes from the night before—Callie wearing my hat, her body pressed up against mine, her hooded eyes and perfect parted lips. I should’ve kissed her. I should've laid all of my cards on the table right then and there, but I think a part of me is still reluctant to open up to the possibility of pain.
“Nah, man. I tried, but she wouldn’t even let me kiss her.” My spine stiffens as the familiar voice of Clint Loverboy Campbell drifts into the barn.
“You’re gonna snap that rake in half, brother,” Griff says, his voice tinged with amusement.
I toss it against the wall and crack my neck.
Wilder pins me with a hard stare. “Jax…” My name comes out as a gruff warning. “Don't do something stupid now.”
I stride past him out of the barn with single-minded focus.
“What’s his problem?” Griffin asks.
“Clint went out with Callie last night,” Wilder’s distant voice explains.
“Shit.” Griffin jogs to catchup with me.
Clint’s disgusting tirade grows louder as I approach. He’s standing outside the paddock with one foot propped on the gate, talking to Hank, who’s on the other side facing him. Hank’s eyes widen when he spots me, but Clint misses the subtle gesture of warning. “...nice tits and a decent ass.”
My nostrils flare as I fight to keep a tight hold on my anger. I've never hit a man from behind, and I'm not about to start.
“Should’ve seen how the boss reacted. He’s got it bad. Doubt she’d put out, though. Even for him.”
Hank mutters a curse under his breath.
