Nathaniel rolls his eyes and nods at Austin to continue. “As I was saying,” Austin sputters. “I look forward to not only partnering with you, Nathaniel, but having the honor of being your son-in-law someday.”
Please don’t say anything, Stet. Please. I beg of you.
“And, princess.” Austin pivots toward me, one hand reaching to caress the side of my face. I really hope he can’t feel my trembling. Not out of fear, but from horror and sadness. I might as well place Stetson on a cross and crucify him with the level of torture this must be. “I’m going to make you the queen of my castle. Make love to you every night. And ensure you never go without. I vow to give you the world. That’s a promise.” And without warning, he brings his lips to mine.
Cheers turn Austin’s declaration into an anthem of praise, but I block it out. The only thing that triggers my sense of sound is the slamming of the door to the house, rattling the outside walls, and echoing against the thin barriers of my heart.
I have no time to be repulsed by the kiss. Or to search the eyes of Nathaniel in worry that he might be catching on to this thing between Stetson and me. At this point, all I know is that we’re just days in and I’m ready to wave the white flag.
This isn’t me. I’m not a person who hurts someone I care about. And I care about Stetson more than I ever realized. Avoiding him is as simple as finding a cure for cancer. It’s impossible. This is his ranch for Christ’s sake.
If only I had known we’d be coming here, I’d have found another way to help my mom. Maybe if I tell him the truth, he’ll understand?
“I…uh…I’ll be right back.” I shrug out of Austin’s jacket and move.
“Cove. Where are you going?” Nathaniel calls out, but I’m already halfway to the door Stetson stormed through. I need to find him. It’s time I be honest with him and hope he doesn’t hate me for it.
I run through the house, heels clacking against the wooden paneling as I call for him in anguish. “Stetson!” I’m not sure what I’m doing, but I know he deserves answers. That’s if he doesn’t already despise me enough to no longer care why I’m really here.
I search the halls of his home, finding them all empty. My mind is racing and my heart pounds. I have two options: go back to dinner or search outside for him.
Only the latter feels right.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I’m out the front door, careful not to let anyone hear me as I run down the steps and across the graveled driveway in search of Stetson. I’ve only seen portions of the ranch, so I’m not exactly sure where I’m headed, but I hope it’s in his direction.
“Stetson!” I shout in a whisper, searching through the oak trees and pastures behind the house. It’s tranquil out here. The cows appear to be snoozing in the night as I walk carefully beside a herd of them sleeping.
I’m seriously regretting wearing heels right now. The dirt beneath me causes my heels to sink, but like the bitch on a mission I am, I persevere. I’m accustomed to thesandy beaches of Miami. My college years were filled with beach parties in five-inch wedges.
So, in this case, a little dirt won’t hurt.
“Don’t you dare leave me out here for some animal to come eat me!” I screech, my head on a swivel with paranoia.
“Cove?” a deep voice echoes softly from behind me.
I turn to find Stetson seated on a hanging bench swing with his elbows on his knees, the same torment from earlier consuming his thoughts. I breathe a sigh of relief and make my way over to him. Although, I know this is just the beginning of an uproar.
“I’ve been looking for you.”
“I can’t be around you right now, Cove. I just can’t.” He shakes his head, and it feels like he’s trying to shake me. I wouldn’t blame him.
“I know. I’m sorry. I never meant for Austin to?—”
“Don’t you dare say his fucking name around me right now,” he snaps. “Not when it’s just us.”
I’ve only ever known Stetson to be composed. Calm. He’s never fazed by anything—especially to this extent.
“Okay. Okay,” I rush out. “I’m sorry…I’m sorry,” I exhale.
He shakes his head. “Just tell me why. And I don’t mean some bullshit answer, Cove. I want the real reason. Tell me why you’re here with him and not me. Because I’ve been trying to wrap my head around it since you got here. Trying to figure out what it is that he can give you that I can’t. None of it makes sense. Not when I know what we had.”
Had.I mask my own hurt at his words, knowing it’s nothing compared to how he feels.
I take a step forward, putting myself in front of him, but keep a respectable distance. His head lifts, and I almostcrumble at the sight of his once-bright blue eyes now tinged with red, hurt evident behind them.
“Nothing is what it seems.”
“No shit, Cove. You think I don’t know that? I’ve known it from the second I met eyes with you the night you arrived. Your relationship with Nate. City boy. The fact that you’ve been a shell of the woman I’ve come to know. This isn’t you,” he spits, and it’s not in fury. I feel the pain in his words. His passion.
