“Anytime.” He turns and unties the horse, ready to return to work. But then he quips, “I agree about the ADHD meds.”
I burst out laughing so loud it startles the horse.
Stepping into the barn, I yell, “You told Carson about my naked floor?”
I see a blonde ponytail tucked into a Pendleton Round-Up ball cap bob out of a stall, followed by Kacey’s sorrel horse, Hooch, poking his head around the corner behind her.
Cody walks out of the tack room, shaking his head. “I don’t even want to know.”
I smile up at him. He’s a mountain of a man, mountain man beard included. “My house has been violated, and you don’t care?”
He’s used to my dramatics and scoffs.
“Oh, relax,” Kacey says. “They’re fixing it. And it will bewaybetter than the nasty green tile.” She makes a gagging sound.
“Oh, good, you’re talking about an actual floor.” Cody sighs as he extends an arm to give me a side hug. “Good to see you, girl. Besides your—how did you put it? Naked floor?—how are you?”
“Having a roommate has been more difficult than I originally thought. But I guess I can’t complain; I am getting a new floor for free.”
“Well, if you get sick of him, send him back. He fixed so much shit around here. It was nice.” Cody chuckles as he heads for the door. “Kacey, I’m going to check in at the feedyard. Call if you need me.”
“Okay, now that he’s gone . . .” Kacey starts after a moment. She shuts the stall door and scurries over, looking far too cheery. “Tell me all the details. You haven’t killed each other, so I’m assuming you’ve ripped each other’s clothes off.”
I gasp. “There has been no removal of clothes, thank you very much. Nor will there be. We’re not even friends. We are roommates and nothing more. We even haverules,” I say firmly.
Her brows pull together. “Damn it. I owe Knox twenty bucks. Wait—rules?”
“You bet on us having sex?” I shriek so loud Carson can probably hear from outside.
“No, we bet on how long before you two snapped living in that house together. The sexual tension between you is off the charts.”
I throw my head back. “Not this again.” She has been on one about Trey and me since we met. And sure, I’m attracted to him, and he’s like the nicest guy on the planet, but he and I willneverhappen. He can build window boxes and tile floors all day long, but he’s still a player. “We’ve gone over this. He’s a bull rider and a fuckboy. I don’t need to complicate my life even more by getting mixed up with a self-proclaimed ladies’ man. And everyone in town will think I’m with him for his money. I can almost hear the rumors now.”
“Okay, okay.” She raises her hands, relenting. “But hear me out: Fuck the town. Who cares what they think? I’m sure my ex had half the town talking about me. It doesn’t matter if you’re on top of the world or hitting rock bottom; people are always going to talk. I’m not telling you to sleep with Trey or date him, but youareroommates andcanbe friends. He’s a good person, Jessie.”
I move to a flipped-over feed tub and sit down on top of it. Feeling drained. “I know he is. He’s shown me that. It’s been strange, having a man around the house whocares.”
Kacey drags another empty tub over. When she sits, her dog Rein comes up to her for pets. “I didn’t think about that. You’ve never lived with . . . I just didn’t think. I’m sorry. Do you want me to look for a rental for him?”
“No, no, he can stay. It’s just an adjustment. And he’s . . . a lot.” I huff a single laugh. “He’s fixing things, helping Gran, and he cooks me breakfast when I get home from night shifts. I’m used to taking care of people, not being taken care of. Especially by a man.”
“I understand that. But other than the adjustment and kitchen floor”—she winces—“things haven’t been bad? He’s behaved?”
“Yes, Mother. He’s kept his hands to himself.” I side-eye her as I stand, heading for a saddle in the tack room. “Except for that one time he touched my underwear. But we have a rule for that now.”
“He touched your underwear? Were they on you?” She squeals.
I laugh maniacally, but I don’t answer.
Chapter 9
Trey
“Do. Not.Pick up that box of tile.”
I freeze at the sound of Knox’s voice.
Shit. Busted.
