Yes. I did. But I chose to ignore it. I’m not his to possess.
Knox rode great, and Kacey was so cute getting a video and cheering him on.
Chancey Williams is playing a concert after the rodeo, and of course, Knox and Trey had connections to get us all arena floor passes for it. Knox and Kacey made it a whole two songs before they ditched us and headed for the camper. I can’t say I blame them—alone time is hard to come by for them during the summer.
Trey has been mindful of our no-PDA rule the entire concert. It’s frustrating. I know, I know. I made the damn rule, but he hates rules. He could break it—it wouldn’t be the first time. Besides, swing dancing is hardly PDA.
I watch Trey and Emily chat, before long, he’s leading her to the packed dirt where couples swing dance. Halfway through the song, Lainey grabs me by the elbow, dragging me toward the bathroom.
“Come on, killer. You look like you’re about to knock her teeth out. He told you they’re just friends.”
“Exactly. He and I are friends. What if they’re the same kind of friends?” We dodge two drunk girls in cut-off shorts and white boots leaving the bathroom as we enter it. “You know what? I don’t even care.”
Lainey laughs. “Sure, you don’t. For saying he’s not your boyfriend, you sure do get fighting mad when other women go near him.”
“I’m not mad. She’s a tramp. A successful, perky, beautiful tramp,” I say, checking my makeup in the mirror. I told Kacey and Lainey about Emily earlier tonight. Kacey had met her before and confirmed their friendship, saying if they’ve ever slept together, she doesn’t know about it.
“Why don’t you just date him? You both clearly want that,” Lainey probes.
“We can’t date. You don’t understand.”
“Okay, then explain. I’ve got all night.”
I blow out a breath. “The short of it is he’s a player, he isn’t the settling down type, and I already have enough going on in my life. I just . . . I like him, but it will never work. It’s better we never try and no one gets hurt.”
Lainey looks at me like a puzzle she’s working out, and it makes my skin feel tight. She knows I’m keeping somethingfrom her, but I can’t tell herallthe reasons Trey and I will never happen.
“That doesn’t mean I like watching him dance with someone else.” I’m being unreasonable. I can’t sort my feelings out; I feel stuck. There isn’t anything I can do to change the situation—all I can do is protect us both and let him go when he leaves.
“Well, I think the best way to keep her away from him would be to dance with him yourself.” She winks at me.
“You know what, that’s not a bad idea.” I down the rest of my drink, turn on my heel.
“Wait, I still have to pee.” She hurries into a stall.
“Ugh, hurry up.”
“Is Carson upset about something? He’s hardly spoken all night.” Her muffled voice comes from the stall.
“I haven’t really noticed. He isn’t a big talker and doesn’t like leaving the ranch much.”
She washes her hands. “Yeah, I guess.”
We find Carson standing at the back of the crowd. Now that I look at him, he does look extra grumpy today. I scan the makeshift dance floor and sure enough, they’re still dancing together.
“Ah, shit,” Carson sighs next to me.
“What?” Lainey furrows her brow.
“I know that look. Nothing good ever comes from that look.”
Fuck it.
I leave Lainey with Carson as I stride across the floor, causing couples to stumble and dance around me.
“Hey,” I say.
Trey and Emily’s heads snap in my direction.
