I put a finger over his lips to silence him, then lean forward and replace my finger with a kiss.
We barely touch when Brett’s door is yanked open at the same time mine is.
“What the…” Sadie is at Brett’s side, and Izzy is on mine.
“God, you two, get a room!” Izzy scolds. “We’ve spent half the morning trying to not get my dad and brother arrested kicking these asswipe reporters off the property.”
“Yeah, it’s been pretty crazy around here.” Sadie winces. “Sorry you have to go through this, guys. Brett, I don’t think we’ve officially met? I’m Sadie, Bailey’s bestie and Zane’s fiance.”
Brett shakes her hand and tips his hat. “Pleased to meet you.”
“Likewise. You guys better duck for cover fast before someone sees you,” Sadie says as we hop out of the truck. “Though, don’t worry, bookings are up fifty percent since yesterday, so Mom and Dad don’t mind one little bit about that part.”
Brett laughs. “Happy to give back where I can.”
“They’re hound dogs,” Izzy confirms. “I had someone ring this morning, pretending to be a long-lost uncle. Can you believe that? They wanted your room number. I told them to go take a hike.”
“Thanks,” Brett says. “I’m sorry to be so much trouble.”
She waves it off. “It’s the most exciting thing to happen since Dolly was on the slopes.”
Brett eyes me mischievously. “I’m sure she was the talk of the town.”
“Wait?” I frown. “Have you met Dolly?”
He rubs his chin, snickering. “I’m a country singer, what do you think?”
My eyes widen. I hadn’t thought to ask him that when George first mentioned it last night. It also seems like Iz is still miffed about George being into older women, even though she’s trying to hide it.
“He’s just showing off now,” Sadie laughs.
“Uh, oh.” I point over to JB, who’s hanging by the stables, glancing around nervously like someone is gonna jump out at her any second.
When we approach, she shoves her phone at me, smiling sweetly at Brett. “Take a look at this!”
We all gather around the cell and I can’t believe what I’m seeing. That sneaky bastard!
“Country’s favorite cowboy loved up with a mystery woman in the heart of a Wyoming small town,” Izzy reads the heading aloud. “Fans were left speechless when news broke that Rock Altman has been found safe and well in Alpine Falls; Wyoming’s picturesque ski resort town, where rumors were confirmed he has a new lady love.” She pauses as I don’t even dare blink. “The mystery woman is believed to be a farmhand on a local ranch?—”
“Stable manager!” I correct tersely. “If they’re gonna print shit about me, they could at least get it right.”
“Shhh!” Sadie and JB say at the same time.
“We’re trying to concentrate,” Izzy adds.
“And it’s believed Rock has been staying with the woman since his arrival in town two weeks ago.”
“It’s one week,” I amend. “God, they’re not very good fact checkers.”
As she scrolls down, we all gasp at the same time. There’s a picture of me and Brett, and it looks like we’re going in for a kiss. Both our eyes are closed and we’re pouting in the most unflattering way, well,I am.Brett, of course, looks perfect.
“Holy shit,” JB says.
Izzy giggles.
Sadie shakes her head, annoyed. “Wow, they really do go all out for a story, don’t they?”
“Oh, you’ve no idea,” Brett says. “Which is why it’s probably best if I think about goin’ home.”
