I spray on some deodorant, leave my hair damp and dripping around my shoulders before walking into my bedroom.What I want is to change into a pair of boxers and my favorite Henley, and hang out with my pet steer.Instead, I spray on a little cologne, rummage through the closet, and find a clean pair of Wranglers, and a fresh shirt.The fresh part might be a bit of a stretch, since this one kind of smells like my closet, but a wrinkled, musty shirt is the least of my problems tonight.I’m already late, and if I don’t leave soon, I’ll never hear the end of it from my little sister.
I run my fingers through my hair, put on my hat, and step out my front door, almost tripping on the highland bull sitting on my porch.He shoves his oversized gym ball toward me with a gentle nudge of his nose.
“Sorry, Ham.I can’t play tonight.”I scratch his giant head.“Aunt Lemon’s making me go on a date.”
Hamburger moos.He’s been with me every night since his mother rejected him as a calf.I took him in, hand raised him, spoiled and well-fed.He was supposed to go to slaughter two years ago, and I never thought I’d own a fucking pet steer, but there was just something about his big eyes and those long lashes that did me in.Now he lives in the south pasture with me, and he makes the nights a little less lonely.
“I know, buddy.”I rub his dewlap and narrowly avoid kisses, because that would mean another shower, and I don’t have time for that.“We’ll play tomorrow.”
He bellows his protests and rolls his ball across my porch, barreling after it in a bull-sized tantrum.I’ll make it up to him later by sharing my snacks, but for now, I head to my truck and climb in.His big, brown eyes judge me as I peel out of the drive.
Twenty minutes off the property and Lemonade’s call flashes up on my phone.I sigh and decide to answer it in case—by some miracle—she’s cancelling on behalf of my date.“What?”
“What?What?”Her shrill voice just about deafens me in the cab of my truck.“Is that really any way to answer your phone?”
“Well, lil’ sis.When it’s you calling to pester me, I’m going with yes.”
“Where are you?It doesn’t sound like you’re at the restaurant.”
I take a deep breath before answering, so I don’t snap at my pregnant, hormonal, and overbearing sister.“I’m on my way.”
“Where on your way?Are you just leaving the ranch, because you know you’ll be late, right?”
I roll my eyes.I love my sister, and I’m happy she’s finally home on the ranch where she belongs, but she needs a goddamn hobby.“Why is this so important to you?”
“I like this girl.There’s just three people in all of Red River Canyon that I actually like, and one of them is Mama.”
“Is the other me?”
“What?No.Don’t be dumb, West.She’s sweet and she’s a nanny, or maybe an au pair.I forget the difference.Oh, and she loves books.She said something about also being a BookToker.I’m not sure what that is, beyond someone who reads a lot and talks all about books, but she’s hot, West.And I like her.”
“If she’s so hot, why don’t you date her?”
My sister doesn’t miss a beat as she says, “I already asked Colt.He said he doesn’t share.”
I shudder at the mental image that brings up.Bad enough I have to know my best friend impregnated my sister, I don’t want to know what the hell else they get up to behind closed doors.“Please stop talking right now.And if you really like her so much, why the hell are you setting her up with me?”
“Aww, are you fragile about your grumpy ass not being liked?”Lemon adopts a patronizing tone as she busts my balls some more.
“No.I don’t care if I’m well liked ...and I ain’t lookin’ to make Miss Congeniality at the Miss Denim and Diamonds Pageant.I’m not you, Miss Big City Artist.”
She gasps in mock horror, “You take that back.You know I would never be Miss Congeniality.I’d be crowned Motherfucking Queen.”
I chuckle and turn onto the main road.“Where’d you meet her, anyway?”
“At the bookstore.That’s something you two have in common.”
“Uh-huh.’Cause I have so much time to read.”
“Oh, please.Wyatt told me all about your obsession with Romantasy.You’re not fooling anyone, West.”
“I’m gonna kill Wyatt.I told him to take that shit to his grave.Besides, they were Wade’s books anyway.”Up ahead, a blue vehicle that looks like it’s only big enough for Lego people glimmers against the dusty afternoon sun.“Lemonade, I gotta go.”
“Please tell me you’re there already?”
“Nope, but soon.”
My sister groans.“West, my Life 360 app says you’ve barely even left the ranch.”
