“What is your problem?” I catch up with her as she storms over the threshold.
“My problem?” Her breath hitches.
So does mine. That was the wrong way to put that. “Yeah. What is going on with you?”
“With me? You’re the one collecting kisses like they’re guitar picks.” She stares up at me with hurt in her gaze. “You’re the one not making it obvious to your ex that you’re with someone else now.”
“It’s not like that. You know it isn’t.” I tug at my hair as she stomps toward the bedroom.
“I’m not sure about anything anymore.” She starts to close the door.
“I’m here with you. Just because I haven’t told anyone yet doesn’t mean it’s not real.” I push the door open and hold it in place. “It’s you and me, candy head. Always has been. Always will be. You know me. Trust me.”
“I do.”
“Then what is the problem?”
“I’m...” Her cheeks hollow. “I’m...” She looks like she might vomit.
“Kels.” I need to touch her.
“I’m not sure you want this. Us. I’m not sure you didn’t refrain from telling Ro about us because you’re not ready for this. I’m not sure that you aren’t enjoying having the pop princess chasing after you.”
“That’s not—”
My phone rings. We both glance at the screen.
“You better answer that,” Kelsey says as she marches deeper into the room.
It’s as if Sonatina has bugged me. “Damn it, what does she want?”
“You.” Kelsey shoves a pillow into my chest. “You need to figure it out. You’re either in a relationship or you’re not. You’re either my boyfriend or—”
Ultimatums are bullshit uttered by insecure people. Kelsey has never been one of those people. “Or what?”
“You’re not.” She closes the door in my face, and the lock clicks.
Leaning my forehead against the panelling, I aim for calming breaths. “This is ridiculous, Kelsey.”
Fuck.
33
Summer
“Twins, huh? I did not see that coming.” Owen sidles up to me as I watch Burke on the mechanical bull. He stares at my belly with awestruck eyes. “Guess it makes sense. Your Hollywood being a twin and all.”
“Triplet,” I say, still watching Burke.
The numbers on the digital timer run up toward the town record as he seesaws on the back of the bull. A record he set himself during training for the real thing a few years back. And he won’t let any of us forget it.
Almost flat on his back he waves his hat in the air over his head as he moves in sync with the erratic bucking. His gaze flicks to Kia, because of course this is all about showing off to Rogue’s gorgeous assistant.
And it looks like she’s into it. I catch her checking him out as she talks to the wait staff and then the bartenders.
“Triplet then. Are you sure you’re not—”
“I’m fat. Not carrying three babies.” I tug my coat more tightly around my waist, though it’s warm enough to go without it in the barn, before it clicks that I’m appeasing Owen. Screw that. It’s my body, not his. He can be grumpy about it. He’s been hell bent on being a grouch since we arrived anyway. I let the material fall open.
