Chapter 21
Three Days Later
Rae Lynn leans against the hotel room wall, fidgeting with her wide silver bracelet. “Girl, you’re gonna wear that mirror out.”
Ugh. I jam my pink shirt one more time into the new jeans Dee Dee picked for me, tugging on the fabric trying to get it to hang like the ads show. “It’s not right.”
She laughs, shaking her head. “Are you always this uptight at these things?”
“No.” I huff, “Usually I’m staying in my horse trailer, so there’s no full-length mirror.”
Somehow in the past few days, Rae Lynn has wormed her way into my life. Not pushy, just solid and present. But really it feels like we’ve known each other forever. She’s a no BS girl. Runs a tight ship at the ranch, and gives the LSS guards hell every chance she gets.
With her jewelry clanging, the tiny dynamo saunters over to the bed where she perches on the edge.
“Those sponsors are going to fall all over you, River. You could be wearing a potato sack and you’d still get this deal. You’re the golden girl. The Valentine’s Day Princess.”
I grimace, the tension pulling my neck so bad I can barely see straight. “I hope. I hope…”
My voice drops off into a croak.
She knows what’s wrong. I’m still broken into pieces from the abrupt departure of her brother. The silence that’s followed.
But we haven’t talked about it since that day when Stone drove me to her ranch and the LSS team formed a protective lasso around me.
“I like that shirt a lot,” she says, aiming to distract me.
“Thanks. It cost more than new tires for a truck.”
She whistles. “Dayum. Really?”
“Yep.” I don’t tell her that Diesel paid for all the new clothes. Somehow that makes it even worse that I’m wearing them.
Christ, I can’t believe we had sex and he ghosted me because of my brother.
If I could have called either one of them, I’d have blistered their eardrums.
But alas. No way to reach either of them.
Or Caleb at least. He’s been in mission mode.
Diesel on the other hand… he’s unavailable. So they say.
Rae Lynn watches me in the mirror, and when she catches me dabbing at the corner of my eye, she sighs. “I’m sorry, honey.”
Nodding, I tug my shirt loose and tuck it in again. “Valentine’s Day sucks,” I mutter.
“I agree with you there. Can’t remember the last time I got a Valentine. Course that might be because I’m too independent for most of them.”
“Want to be my Galentine? I can take you to this mixer?”
She laughs. “No way in hell. I’m not a smoozer. Some asshole comes up and starts rambling, I’m likely to leave a boot impression in his shin.”
I finally give up and flop into the uncomfortable chair by the window. “I just want this over with.”
She points at the new phone Stone gave me, courtesy of LSS. Supposedly it’s secure.
“That things been lighting up.”
Dare I hope it’s Diesel?
No. Not even letting myself go there.
With a grumble, I drag myself out of the chair and pick up the oversized device. “Oh, it’s Caleb.”
Rae Lynn’s expression brightens. “Answer it!”
My palm is damp when I hit accept. I haven’t talked to him since the blowout a few days ago… since Diesel pulled a vanishing act after boning me. And he was right. I did think about the bastard’s big dick every time I sat down for days.
“Hey, River.” Caleb leans closer to the camera. “Wow, dressed to kill.”
“Dressed to get a sponsor.”
He offers a half smile, but the worry is there. “Who is your company?”
“I’m Rae Lynn,” Diesel’s sister replies, sticking her face in front of mine. “I hear good things about you. Like you’re an official badass.”
Wait. What kind of smile is that on my brother’s face? Is he shy?!
“You would have heard wrong, then,” he replies, but he’s still grinning. And my god, are his ears turning pink. “You’re Diesel’s sister, I know who you are.”
“Uh oh.” Her brows go up. “What did he tell you about me?”
“Well, let’s see. You jerked down the tree with your truck because your ex-boyfriend carved another girl’s initials in the bark.”
I’m so fascinated by this conversation, I almost forget I’m mad at Caleb.
“I admit, that was a bit hot-headed, I was seventeen.” Rae Lynn says as she shrugs, looking adorable as hell in her black western shirt. “Don’t worry, I planted a few trees to make up for that one.”
He laughs. Actually chuckles. Never in my years of talking to Caleb while he’s been on deployment has he laughed. Not once.
They chat for another minute, then Rae Lynn tosses him a wink. “Stay badass, there, hotshot. Catch you around.”
She bounces toward the hotel room door. “Hit me up after the shindig. We’ll get a Galentine’s beer together.”
I give her a thumbs up, because I might as well drown my misery. She’ll be entertaining at the least. Maybe I’ll get to watch her blowing annoying men off.
Caleb’s somber again when I get back on the call. We look at each other for a minute. He’s probably no more sure of what to say than I am.
Finally my cork pops from the pressure. “Have you talked to Diesel?”
“No, but Gray has.”
Caleb’s never lied to me. Not even to protect my feelings, but he’s not going to say anything he doesn’t want to share.
So, he changes the subject. “I called to wish you luck this weekend. Are you ready?”
“Shasta is.” I fidget with the collar of my shirt. “I’ll do my best, but you know I’m not in a good place.”
A tense silence follows. “I love you, River. Stay close to Stone tonight, promise me.”
“He’s right outside the door, not much hope of escaping him.”
“Look,” he says solemnly, dark blue eyes burning into me. “We’ll talk after this weekend when I can get time to call again. I’m sorry. I know this hasn’t been easy.”
The latch turns on my door. It’s Stone, I’m sure because it’s time to go and he has a key. “Gotta roll, don’t stop being a badass, Caleb.”
He shakes his head. “Right. Just doing my job. Talk to you after the event.”
When he disconnects, I sigh, dropping my head.
“Hey.”
I whip around. It’s not Stone.