Chapter 7
After successfully dominating in my division this weekend, I’m back at the stables to put Ranger in his stall for the evening. Dad and I stayed at the rodeo a little longer to watch the other events and indulge in their fried foods but then we ran into his new employee, Gage. Dad invited him to hang out with the rest of the evening, which ended up being awkward and annoying. It was nice to spend some extra time with him, especially since I’ll be traveling nonstop starting next weekend, and I’ll be going alone for those since Dad works and Mom stays home with Aunt Phoebe.
“Such a good boy,” I coo, sliding a brush across his back.
“Thank you.”
My heart drops to the floor at the familiar voice behind me. Of course he’d be here.
When I turn to face him, I’m greeted with his infamous smug grin and tilted cowboy hat.
“Oh, wait, were you not talkin’ to me?” He points to himself. “Damn. Thought you figured out my secret kink.”
“Why do you make it a habit to bother me every chance you get? Have I not been clear that I don’t like you or are you just a masochist who gets off on that? Do you need me to tattoo it on your forehead? Get a plane to write it in the sky, perhaps? Can you even read? Because I know you don’t listen…”
“All I’m hearin’ is how much effort you’re willin’ to put in to get my attention, Little Devil.” He rocks back on his boots like the cocky asshole he is. “But you can have it whenever you want if you say please.”
“Selective hearing…makes sense now.” I roll my eyes and then turn back to Ranger, who actually deserves my focus.
“After four years, you still won’t tell me what your problem with me is. Most people woulda by now, which is why I think you don’t have a valid reason not to like me.”
“I don’t have to tell you a damn thing.”
“But why not? Since the first day we met, you decided I was the bad guy, and I hadn’t even done anything.”
“My gut told me you were and it’s never wrong. And, well, look how insufferable you’ve been since then. Guess it was right.”
“Most women?—”
My blood boils as I whip around with the brush in my hand, eager to throw it at him. “I’m not most women! I will not bow at your feet or pass out at your mere presence.” As I raise my voice at him, my breath comes out in short pants. “No, this ain’t me playin’ hard to get. I have my reasons, but I do not have to share them with you.” My jaw clenches before I add, “And stop calling me that.”
He blinks blankly before slowly licking his lips as if he’s fighting back his amusement. “I was gonna say before you rudely interrupted me…most women would love the chance to tell a man why they hate them so much, which is why it’s so confusin’ to me that you don’t.”
Swallowing hard, I lower my hand and straighten my spine. “I’m not interested in any conversation with you, even ones that involve crucifying you, and being forced to speak to you in any regard is pure torture for me!”
Wincing at my harsh words, he steps back slightly as if my verbal assault affected him physically. If that’s the case, then good, I don’t feel bad about it. And I won’t apologize for speaking up about the boundaries he’s often crossed.
It’s bad enough Gage wouldn’t leave me alone about getting my phone number, I don’t need to come to my safe place and get hit on by another man who doesn’t take no for an answer.
“Okay. You’re right, and I apologize.” He tips his hat. “I will never bother you again, Ellie.”
He walks away, and I stare at his back, feeling only an ounce of guilt for being so harsh. I’ve told him off plenty of times over the years, but I’ve never mentioned that it was torture. It’s not a lie, though. Just seeing him amps up my heart rate, makes my palms sweat, and fuels the rage inside that I’ve kept to myself.
I could tell him. Reveal what connects us and where my hatred stems from, but not only would it risk my relationship with Noah if she knew, I’d have to hear his side of the story.
And I’m not interested in that.
Since my mother insists I have a life outside of racing, I made plans to meet Noah and Magnolia at The Lodge for lunch today. We’ve been on friendly terms since the day I started coming here, but we’ve never really hung out or talked outside of work. And although it’s not much, it’s a start. Socializing is outside my comfort zone, so starting with this seemed the least likely way to induce an anxiety attack.
When I walk in, a dozen guests and all five Hollis siblings greet me.
Crap. I was hoping he wouldn’t be here.
He doesn’t look up at me, though, when Noah calls my name, but his brothers do.
“Hey, haven’t seen you in here before,” Wilder says.
I shrug, not liking the attention on me. “Figured I’d come to see what all the fuss is about.”
“You came on a good day. It’s broccoli cheese soup day!” Waylon smirks.
Noah stands and comes around to hug me. “You can eat whatever you want. Soup and salad bar over there, hot food in the middle, and all the pastries you can eat at the end.”
“Sounds great, thanks.”
Once I’ve grabbed a plate, Magnolia meets me at the salad bar. “Just between you and me, the Italian dressin’ is the best you’ll ever have. But don’t tell the guys I told you or they’ll take all of it.”
I chuckle at this random piece of information. “Got it, thanks.”
When I walk back to the tables with my beef tips and side salad, I sit between Noah and Magnolia and thank them for saving me a seat. Ruby’s across from me, shoving a large forkful in her mouth.
“So are you excited about the Franklin Rodeo?” she asks, still chewing. “I wish I could get off to come watch ya…” She shifts her glare toward Noah.
“Don’t be lookin’ at me. Ayden makes your schedule, not me.”
“You could put a good word in for me so I could go for once. I’d love to watch Ellie smoke everyone.”
Smiling at the nice comment, I take my first bite and am pleasantly surprised at how good it is.
Reluctantly, my gaze finds Landen, whose head is aimed down and only looking up when someone talks to him. I listen to his brothers chat while Noah, Magnolia, and Ruby discuss the upcoming local fair. That’s my next race before I head to Franklin for a three-day rodeo event and then will drive west for a few weeks to compete in more.
“Fine, I’ll see what I can do,” Noah concedes. “But no promises.”
“I’ll take her shift,” Landen speaks up, his eyes finding mine before moving to Noah’s.
The entire Hollis family always goes to the Franklin Rodeo, so one of them staying behind would be a big deal.
“Yes!” Ruby cheers at the same time Noah says, “Nice try. You ain’t gettin’ out of volunteering at the Cantina lounge again.”
“No, wait. I can do it. Servin’ beer to hot cowboys? Count me in.” Ruby smirks with a head nod.
“Have you ever bartended before?” Noah asks.
Ruby’s shoulders fall. “Well, no. Does that matter, though?”
Noah gives her a sympathetic frown, nodding. “The ranch is a sponsor, so they expect the people we send to know what they’re doing.”
I hold back my amusement because I’ve heard the story of how Noah and Fisher met there three years ago—during the barrel racing event, no less—and she invited him to meet her there that night. Pretty sure they hooked up and when she figured out he was her ex-boyfriend’s dad the next morning, she left and ghosted him. It wasn’t until he arrived at the ranch a week later as the new farrier that they both realized their connections to each other.
Ruby sighs. “How hard can it be?”
“Why do you think we’re always tryna get out of it?” Waylon snickers.
Ruby stretches her arm out, gesturing toward him. “See? I bet I’m a better bartender than him!”
Their back and forth causes me to laugh mid-chew, but when I swallow, a piece of meat gets stuck in my throat. I try clearing it and even take a sip of water, but it doesn’t budge. I try not to panic as I stretch my neck and massage my esophagus. It moves slightly but not enough to go down.
“Are you okay?” Noah asks beside me.
Unable to speak, I shake my head and clutch my throat. I gag as the air is restricted from my lungs, and when I try to cough, nothing happens.
“Holy shit, she’s choking!” Noah smacks my back as commotion swirls around me.
Landen’s chair falls to the floor as he stands. Then he rushes around the table, pulls me to my feet, and wraps his arms around my waist.
I barely have time to process him giving me the Heimlich maneuver before the piece of meat flies out of my mouth, and I can finally suck in a deep breath.
“Oh my gosh, Ellie!” Magnolia stands next to me, rubbing a hand down my arm that’s covered in goose bumps. To which I won’t admit are from Landen touching me. “That was close.”
When he steadies me, he pats my shoulder like he’s testing my reaction to him touching me. “You good?”
“I think so.” I nod, unable to look at him while my pounding heart struggles to slow down.
“You saved her life, Landen.” Noah gushes, stepping closer to wrap her arm around me. “You’re not allowed to die on me. You have the NFR to win!”
That causes me to release a soft laugh. “I’ll try my best not to.”
After the lunch that nearly ended my life, I went back to Ranger’s stall to continue with our day. I didn’t get the chance to speak to Landen privately afterward, so when he walks into the stables before I leave for the day, I call out his name and run up to him.
“I just wanted to say, um…what you did at lunch for me…was a nice thing.”
Real smooth, Ellie.
He tilts his head like an amused Golden Retriever, shoves his hands in his front pockets, and then fucking smirks.
“I’m startin’ to think you dunno how to say the words thank you. Because I think that’s what you’re tryin’ to say in between those ramblings.”
I huff out a breath, hating that he’s right. Not about being able to say those words but not wanting to say them to him.
Instead of stepping into his trap of getting me to admit that, I square my shoulders and simply say, “Thank you.”
His brows pinch together. “For what?”
He’s going to make me say it. Asshole.
Sighing, I cross my arms and fight the urge to roll my eyes at his childish act. “For not lettin’ me choke to death.”
“Ahh, yes, that.” His lips tilt up, showing off his boyish grin. “I mean, technically speakin’, I couldn’t just watch and do nothin’. It’s against my oath.”
My eyes narrow in confusion. “You have an oath?”
Besides the one to make my life a living hell.
“I’m a certified lifeguard and volunteer fireman. I’ve done all the EMS trainin’. I’ve vowed to help anyone in need at any time.”
That’d explain why he was brave enough to run into his family’s barn when it was engulfed into flames three summers ago. He even pulled out one of the guys who set it on fire in the first place.
“You battle water and fire, huh?”
“A double threat.” He winks.
“So that’s the only reason you helped me? Your…oath?”
He shrugs. “Figured a death at the retreat would be bad for business, too.”
“Funny,” I deadpan. We have a momentary stare-off before I add, “Just so we’re clear, I still don’t like you.”
“Good.” He stands firm. “I’ve decided I don’t like you, either, Little Devil.” Then one corner of his lips curls up slowly and deviously before he adds, “Fits you even better now.”