CHAPTER 31
Billie
Brad winked and sprinted toward his freedom and I realized I hadn’t thought through what came next. Gray’s voice was loud as he hammered on the door and I could hear Keaton and Owen behind him, just as angry. I’d wanted to hurt them but I hadn’t expected them to come running over.
“Open the goddamn door or I’ll break it down, Billie.” Gray sounded serious, which was a problem. I’d managed to really piss them off and I was going to have to deal with them.
Joanie stumbled out of her bedroom, hair wild and my clothes askew on her tall body. “What’s going on?”
I moved over to apologize and usher her back to bed just before the door splintered and flew open. I spun around, mouth open in shock, and watched the three of them storm the place like a bunch of wild animals. “What the hell?!”
Gray looked wild as he ran his eyes up and down my body. “Where is he?”
Joanie leaned into me. “Should we call someone?”
I glared up at Gray. “Maybe. It depends on how long it takes these jerks to get out.”
Owen rushed into my room as Keaton went through the living room and kitchen. “He’s gone. The coward snuck out the window.”
Gray grabbed the front of my shirt and tugged me forward. “We need to talk.”
Joanie grabbed the back of my shirt and hissed at him. “What’s your problem?”
I grabbed the bottom of my shirt to keep it down but with the way they were each tugging at it, it was a lost cause. I felt a breeze on my lady parts and then heard Keaton growl in a way I’d never heard.
“Where are your panties?”
I felt myself turn eighteen shades of red and yanked my shirt back down as soon as Joanie let me go. “Get out!”
Joanie let out a quiet snort. “Sorry about that.”
“Where are your panties, B?” Gray’s quiet voice sent a rush of heat to my core that made me blush even harder.
“This is a private matter, isn’t it?” Joanie shifted so she could look me in the eye and raised her brows. “Are you good here?”
“Of course, she is. We’d never do anything to her. If we get our hands on the little fucker who was just in here, though, he’s a dead man.” Owen crossed his arms over his chest and frowned at me. “You let him spank you?”
“Oh, my god!” I ripped free of the grip Gray still had on my shirt and stomped to the door that was hanging limply off its hinges. Turtle had already snuck out and was in the yard, running in circles as he happily chased his tail. The guys’ shouting didn’t bother him, apparently.
“I’m going back to bed. Just scream if you need me, Billie.” Joanie’s door closing sent a wave of awareness through me. I was alone with them.
Not wanting to wake Joanie up again, I continued out of the house and into the yard. I glanced up and saw the pretty woman was leaning against the balcony railing, watching. I looked away and ran my hands through my hair.
“Was it that Brad asshole again? You let him touch you?” Gray grabbed my arm and pulled me around to face him.
Having the confrontation in front of their new girlfriend, or whoever she was, made it all the more embarrassing. I pushed against his chest to make him let me go but he just held me tighter and closer. “What do you care? Why does it matter if I sleep with Brad, or Ty, or Jamison? Why did you just break down my door like a bunch of lunatics?”
Owen stepped closer. “Did Jamison try something with you?”
I growled. “No! No one has!”
“What we just saw looked like something, Billie.” Keaton had the nerve to look hurt.
“What I saw looked like something, too!” I shoved away from them and spun around to put some space between us. I was breathing hard and I’d said too much. I was showing too many cards but I could feel more verbal diarrhea coming up. “You’re all such fucking hypocrites! Why do you care if I sleep with Brad? You’re sleeping around. Why can’t I?”
Their silence filled me with anxiety and when I turned back around to face them, I inwardly cringed as I saw them each look back and forth at each other in confusion. Gray spoke up first. “What are you talking about?”
I glanced up at the woman on the balcony and crossed my arms under my chest. “Nothing. This is stupid.”
“Vera? You’re talking about Vera?” Owen sounded horrified. “That’s our sister, Billie. Jesus, that’s disgusting.”
I froze. “What?”
Gray pointed at the woman. “Vera Hellstone, our little sister. We were going to introduce you two tomorrow.”
I clung for any foothold to stay on my high horse, but there was nothing. I was falling right on my ass. “Your sister.”
“Yeah, our sister. Is that why you did this? You tried to—”
“I didn’t.” I rushed the words out and rubbed my face, remembering too late I had mascara on. “It wasn’t real.”
“He had his hands all over you, B. That sure as fuck looked real.” Keaton put his hands on his hips and frowned down at me. “He spanked you.”
I cringed. “Yeah, but I told him not to.”
“What?”
Hearing the danger in Owen’s voice, I rushed on. “No, not like that. I…Nothing happened. We were just…playing. Not playing in a sexual way, though. Playing in a…friendly way?”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Gray looked like he was ready to strangle me.
I took a deep breath and looked away. I was mortified and there was no getting around how stupid I looked. Worse, I looked jealous and petty. “I thought she was a date.”
“That still doesn’t explain why that dickhead had his hands all over you, Billie.” Stepping closer, Keaton reached out and touched my hair. “It doesn’t explain you getting dressed up for him.”
I stared at my bare feet and wondered if I’d ever get over the embarrassment or if I’d have to leave. “I wanted to show that I could sleep around, too. I thought she was a date and I didn’t like it. I thought I could sleep with Brad and prove some point to myself. And to you. I couldn’t, though. Brad realized what I was doing right away and just pretended. He was just helping me in my stupid attempt to get back at you guys. We didn’t do anything.”
“He had his hands all over you, B. He kissed you.” Gray stepped closer and cupped my face in his big hands. “You didn’t have any panties on.”
I searched his face, hoping I’d see something that made my chest ache a little less. “Why were you watching? Why do you care?”
Time stood still and I realized I was asking them to want me again. I was trying to lead them into telling me that they cared. I needed to hear it. All Gray had to do was tell me he was watching because he cared and I would’ve done a swan dive into his arms. Because after everything, I was vulnerable and I just wanted to feel like I mattered.
Gray’s face pinched and he looked away. “You’re in an emotional state, Billie. It wouldn’t be right if we let you do something like that.”
His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I actually took a step backward and shifted my hands over my stomach. I stood there, unable to remember how to take a breath and stared at him with tears quickly flooding my eyes. All he’d had to do was give me some sign they cared about me. Instead, he made it seem like I was an emotional wreck who’d fallen under their responsibility with the ranch, along with the cows, the barns, and the equipment.
Keaton gripped Gray’s shoulder. “Gray…”
Turtle barked and broke me from my shock. I quickly wiped my eyes and turned away from them. Forcing a smile, I shifted around them so I could escape. “Glad we settled that.”
“Bumble B…” Owen moved like he was going to reach for me but froze when I flinched away from him.
My stomach churned as I glanced back at them. I couldn’t stay. Somehow, I’d gotten my feelings involved and I couldn’t stay and watch them continue to live their lives like nothing had happened. “Could you have someone fix the door? I don’t know how long Joanie will be staying here and I don’t want her feeling unsafe.”
Gray let out a bone deep sigh. “I’ll fix the door.”
I nodded and continued backing away. “I’m going to quit.”
“What? Billie, what are you—”
I cut Keaton off. “I mean I’m giving you my two weeks’ notice. Sorry if that was confusing. I know you probably have weird feelings towards Brad, but he mentioned he’s done farrier work before, so maybe look at taking him on. For now, the cows are all taken care of, but you’ll need someone soon.”
“Billie, come on. Stop it.” Gray growled and moved towards me like he was going to grab me.
I held up my hands to stop him and wiped at another stray tear that escaped. “Please don’t.”
He ran his hands through his hair and swore. “Billie, just stop for a second.”
“I don’t even know what I was holding onto here. This isn’t my family’s ranch anymore. I don’t belong here.” I shook my head and backed farther away. “Don’t worry, though. I’ve learned my lesson. I’m not the sleeping around type.”