Sawyer is always welcome. I’m in! Gotta confirm—is the cowboy you’re after named Ryder Rivers? Just so I can fulfill my wingwoman duties to the best of my ability…
I could pretend his rejection didn’t happen.
But then I think about Mollie’s warmth and Wheeler’s generosity and Sally and Ava showing up for me in the middle of the day even though they definitely didn’t have to.
And it’s not like they won’t find out eventually about Ryder and me. Really, I have much more to gain than lose here. Just because I got burned putting myself out there with Ryder doesn’t mean the same will happen with these women.
I could use their advice. And their help.
BILLIE
(Not so) funny story…I told Ryder I had feelings for him the other night, but he said he wanted to be just friends
SALLY Rivers
Aw, honey, I’m so sorry!
WHEELER Rankin
That truly and deeply sucks. But kudos to you for being honest. That takes guts.
MOLLIE Rivers
Proud of you. But TBH…that doesn’t make sense to me. I’m not sure Ryder was telling the truth. The way that man looks at you…
BILLIE
Who knows? I get why he turned me down, though. He and my brother are so close, and it’d get messy
AVA Bartlett
Not if you played it right. How could the guy NOT be obsessed with you? I am
BILLIE
Y’all are making me blush. Thank you for making me feel better
Whatever the case, I gotta move on. This bull rider I know is going to be in town, so I’m setting my sights on him I think?
MOLLIE Rivers
Sounds like a plan
WHEELER Rankin
10–4
AVA Bartlett
Wear your new boots. We’ll take care of the rest.
My phone hasn’t stopped pinging. Dad’s chair creaks as he spins it around to face me. “Sounds like something’s happening. What kinda trouble you gettin’ up to now?”
See? Always causing trouble.But didn’t Ryder say I should keep doing that? Do more of it, even?
Part of me still thinks I should scrap the whole idea. Iamstirring the pot by hanging out with Xander again. But if I can’t have the guy I want…well, what the hell am I supposed to do? Sit at home and wait for Ryder to change his mind? I have to dosomething, or I’m going to die of sexual frustration.
“You know me,” I deadpan. “Can’t help myself. It’s nothing, I’m just getting together with some girls at the Rattler tonight.”
