“Looking for me?" he asks.
“You're still helping me load up tonight, right?" She doesn't wait for an answer before her gaze shifts to me. "You should come. To the rodeo."
I blink. "Tonight?"
"Yeah." Something in her expression softens slightly. "Plus everyone's going to be there anyway."
"She's not going." Eli snaps.
The words drop like a stone.
I turn slowly. Eli's jaw is set, eyes fixed somewhere past my shoulder.
"Excuse me?" I keep my voice level.
"Long day. You've been working since morning." He still won't look at me. "You should rest."
"I'm fine."
"You don't know these people anymore." His voice is flat. "Things have changed."
Heat flares in my chest. "You don't get to decide where I go."
Silence drops hard between us.
Chace shifts his weight, trying not to grin. Addie watches us with open interest, head tilted like she's enjoying this.
Eli's jaw is so tight I'm surprised his teeth don't crack.
"I'd love to come," I say firmly, eyes never leaving Eli's face. "Thank you for the invite."
"Good," Addie says, warmth threading through her earlier suspicion. "Chace’ll swing by at eight to get you." She offers for him.
"Perfect." I smile at her, then turn that smile on Eli—bright and sharp. "See you there."
He doesn't respond. Just watches me with those dark eyes that used to know every thought in my head.
I turn and head for the house, boots striking dirt with more force than necessary.
Behind me, Chace's laughter carries. "This is gonna be fun!"
I don’t give Eli the satisfaction of looking back. I push through the back door and let it swing shut behind me.
The house greets me with familiar sounds—the low hum of the fridge, the creak of floorboards, the faint clatter of something on the stove.
Mae stands at the counter, sleeves rolled up, stirring a pot. She glances over when I come in.
"Going to the rodeo tonight," I say, grabbing a glass from the cabinet.
"With Eli and Chace?"
"Yeah."
Mae nods once. "Good. You should go."
I fill the glass with water, down half of it. Something in my chest loosens.
"Eli tried to tell me I couldn't," I add, unable to keep the edge out of my voice.
