“No, you can’t. But you don’t have to do this alone.”
“You don’t understand, without her, Iamalone. It’s her and me—it always has been.”
“That’s not true. I haven’t lived here very long, and even I can see you have people who care about both of you who can help. Letmehelp, Jessie.”
“I can’t ask you—”
“You’re not asking. I’m offering. I enjoy spending time with her and working on projects around here. Honestly, it’s your house or Dot’s, so take your pick. It’s no hindrance to me, and I’m happy to do it.”
“Spell hindrance.”
He narrows his eyes.
I smile sweetly up at him. I should agree, I know I should. With the hours I work, I can’t always be here. Having Trey around until he leaves isn’t a bad thing. “Alright, alright. Thank you. For answering, for being here, all of it.”
“Of course.”
“Seriously, Trey, I mean it. You dropped everything, and you barely even know us. Thank you.”
He smirks. “Dot and I have become great friends. And as far as you and I are concerned, I’ve tried so hard to get to know youintimately.” He winks.
I can’t contain my laugh. I shove his shoulder as I walk past. “In your dreams.”
“Every night, Hawkins. Every night.”
Chapter 11
Trey
Chet practically jumps out of his skin when he walks into the bunkhouse to find me with my feet propped up on the table. It’s the middle of the afternoon when everyone is out working, so I highly doubt he was expecting someone to be here.
“What the fuck,” he gripes.
“Finally. I’ve been sitting in here forever.”
“I saw you pull in ten minutes ago.” Carson follows him in, making a beeline for the bottled water in the fridge. He tosses Chet one.
“Well, it felt like forever. What’s up? Anything a crippled bull rider can do?”
“What’s it like?” Chet asks.
“What’s what like?” I tilt my head.
“Being an independently wealthy bull rider with nothing to do at 3 p.m. on a Tuesday?”
Carson snorts.
“Horribly boring.” I return my feet to the floor and stand. “Where’s your welder?”
“You don’t work here, you know that, right?” Carson asks.
“Of course I do, but I’m bored. And recently, that hasn’t led to me making great decisions, so I’m looking for a project.”
“I did hear something about a naked floor,” Chet quips.
Carson looks at Chet. “Think it’s too late to call Knox and make him come back for this one?”
Chet purses his lips, considering.
