Royce groans. “Gross.”
Harleigh beams at his misery. “You’re just jealous.”
We roll onto the highway with the windows down, warm air whipping through the cab.
The Tetons glow gold in the distance.
It feels like one of those perfect summer nights people write songs about.
Harleigh leans forward in her seat. “Did anybody ask Axle if he wanted to come?”
Royce shakes his head. “I tried, but he disappeared after we finished tagging the new herd.”
“Did you call him?”
“Yep. Straight to voicemail.”
Harleigh narrows her eyes. “He probably had enough brother time today. So, he’s ignoring you.”
Cabe chuckles. “Probably.”
She reaches for her back pocket, then freezes. “Shit.”
“What?” Porter asks.
“My phone.” She pats her pockets. “It’s sitting on the kitchen island.” She twists around toward me. “Can I borrow your phone?”
“Sure.”
I pull it from my purse and hand it to her.
Harleigh taps at the screen. “You don’t have Axle in your Contacts.”
“Um, no, I guess not. I’ve never had a reason to call him,” I say.
“What’s his number?”
She taps away while Royce calls out Axle’s number.
“There, saved.”
Harleigh clicks to connect and places the call on speaker.
The line rings.
Once. Twice. Three times. Then voicemail.
Royce laughs. “Ha, not just me.”
Harleigh waits for the beep. Then says dramatically, “I see you’re screening all your calls tonight.”
Everyone chuckles.
“What are you doing? One of the rodeo school’s female staff members?”
My stomach immediately knots.
Harleigh continues before I can process why, “Anyway, this is your favorite cousin calling from Jovie’s phone to tell you we’re headed downtown to listen to Wildhaven Junction and wanted you to come.” She points at the phone as if he can see her. “So, get off of her and get yourself to the park. Love you. Bye.”
