13. Dane
Arriving at The Thirsty Cow almost thirty minutes early, I chew at my thumbnail while I sit in my truck.
A public meetup is good. If I’m in public, I can’t muscle Warren against a wall and kiss him, which I’m dangerously close to doing, along with so much more than that.
Since having dinner with his family, I’ve been in a free fall of emotions. The slashed tires, Darla, and this increasing want for Warren that I’m failing at ignoring have all collided in a great big mess of feelings.
I want it all. The partnership with Warren in the ring is just the tip of the iceberg. We’re amazing together. I know that already, and I know we’ll only get better. I also know that I can’t keep Warren at arm’s length the next time we go away together.
Which is a bit of a problem because I’m not sure I fit in his world outside competing together. The Burkes’ home is warm and welcoming. His family is achingly perfect, and I wish more than anything for that again.
I love my sister and always will, but it’s hard with no one to lean on, and I’m tired. So fucking tired of fighting on my own.
The passenger side door of my truck opens, and the man from the casino slides in.
“Get the fuck out of here,” I growl, and he laughs.
“You don’t get to tell me what to do, Dane.” He looks around the interior of my truck like he has the right to be here. “Heard you’re competing in another event soon. With someone from the Burke family.”
“That’s none of your business.”
His lips twist in a snarl. “That’s where you’re wrong, Dane. You still owe me money. Or have you forgotten?”
I swallow the bile rising in my throat. “You said I was even when I gave you the horse.”
“No, not even. It was a gesture on your part to keep us off your back, and it took a lot of guts, Dane. I admired that about you. But you’re a long way from even.”
“That horse was worth at least 50 grand!” I shout, and when I finally face him, my teeth clenched tight, I remember his name. Henry. It’s why I trusted him, because it sounded so grandfatherly. So trustworthy.
“Too bad we got nowhere near that at auction. I thought about letting it slide. You’ve been through a lot, but…” He shrugs a shoulder. “I’m not really that nice of a guy.”
“What do you want?” I rasp. Desperately trying to hold it together. This part of my life was supposed to be gone.
“40K. That’s what you owe.”
The protest dies on my tongue. My debt was never that large, and it was my stupidity to even fall into his world and borrow money from someone hanging around a casino.
Preying on people like me. The desperate ones who will listen to anything and believe anything because it’s the only light they see.
You follow it, and it’s too late when you realize it’s a mistake.
“Even if I win that much this season, it won’t be all at once.”
He shrugs again. “Just give me everything when you win it. I’m not picky.” He snaps his fingers. “Oh, but interest could go up.”
“I can’t give you everything. I have to pay for Darla.”
His lips twist in a cruel laugh. “You’re such a bleeding heart.
Let her be a ward. Sign over her care and keep the money yourself.
It’s not like she has any use now, anyway.
Isn’t she so brain damaged she pisses her pants?
” He laughs, and my fist connects with the dash.
Fury rages white hot, along with a bolt of pain through my arm.
“Don’t you fucking dare talk about her that way!”
He opens the door and slides one leg out. “I expect five thousand after the next rodeo. Cash. I’ll find you.”
The door closes, and he disappears into the parking lot.
My hand is swollen and throbbing, and I only wish I could say the same about Henry’s face.
My guts are in a knot, and my heart is hanging on by a thread.
I should have known by the way things were going that it was too good to be true.
I couldn’t possibly catch a break after all these years.
When I glance at the entrance of The Thirsty Cow, I notice Warren entering, and after a few more moments to settle myself, I head inside. Maybe I can convince him to stay on the road for an extended period to hit new rodeos. More big money rodeos.
When I enter the cozy shop, my stomach growls, reminding me I’ve barely eaten anything today. Warren stands near a sofa with a low table and steps out of a hug from a man. As I approach, he notices me and… smiles.
Holy shit, he’s never smiled at me like that since I’ve known him.
“Dane, hi. I want you to meet my Uncle Diamond. Well, honorary uncle. He and his husband own this place.”
I offer my hand to the stunning older man. His blue eyes sparkle as he openly appraises me before shaking my hand. “I may be happily married and off the market, but I have a weakness for cowboys.” He winks at Warren, who rolls his eyes. “He’s a Mr. Handsome. Definitely.”
“Uh…thank you?” I think that’s a compliment.
“Just sit, Dane,” Warren says.
Diamond chuckles as Warren’s cheeks dust with colour.
“Rhett cooked today.” Diamond supplies, and Warren’s smile, the one I thought couldn’t get any brighter…does. “Really? What do you have today?”
“Fresh tomato sauce and gnocchi. My dad approves. I’ll bring you both some.”
Diamond leaves us in a flourish, his cowboy boots clicking across the floor.
“Your uncle is…”
“He’s extra.” Warren smiles fondly. “He’s amazing.
So is Rhett. You’ll probably meet him at the school.
He was a bronc rider until he hurt his back, gosh…
at least five years ago. Maybe longer. It was bad, and the doc warned him he could lose some mobility with another injury.
He didn’t even go for a second opinion. Diamond already owned this place, and Rhett used to cook with his grandfather.
So he walked away while he still could. If he’s not planting gardens at their farm, he’s here helping. ”
Warren stops talking suddenly and reaches for my swollen knuckles. “Dane, what the fuck did you do to your hand?”
Pulling back, I flex my fingers to show him it’s fine, even though it hurts. “Oh, I was dumb and reached for a weight, but lost my balance and sort of hit the wall instead.”
Warren studies me closely before releasing a breath.
“Sorry. I told myself before coming in here that we need to tell the truth. We both want the same thing in the ring, and trust is critical. So I believe you.”
I should feel gross that he took my lie so easily, but I’m relieved I don’t need to explain the hand any more than that.
“We’re gonna win, Burke. Did you bring your schedule?”
“Of course.” He huffs. “It’s why I invited you here. We need to make a plan, and quickly. Most of the deadlines will be soon.”
Right. Deadlines for entry fees. My face must give that thought away because he continues. “Don’t forget, the school covers the fees for our team’s events. You don’t need to come up with loads of cash right away.”
Diamond chooses that moment to show up with a mountain of food.
“Listen, Dane, I know we’ve only just met, but I like to feed the cowboys, and you’re no exception.
I’ve known Warren since before he had all those muscles and was a grumpy teenager obsessed with his rabbits.
” Warren groans, and a genuine smile forms on my lips with the image of Warren and fluffy bunnies.
“This is my welcome and good luck for the season, and I’m sure Rhett will say hello before he leaves. Enjoy.”
Diamond leaves us each with heaping bowls of gnocchi and sauce, garlic bread, and iced tea. It’s awkward eating with a low table and bending forward, so I slide to the floor and lean against the couch as I eat.
“Make yourself at home, Walker.” There’s a smile to Warren’s voice, and he joins me on the floor. “This place isn’t like any other.”
“Not if I’m sitting on the floor to eat.” I moan around the food. “This is fucking delicious, Burke. You grew up with this?”
“Not until I was 15. That’s when Hunter and Gabe adopted me. Diamond and Rhett had just met then, and I spent some time hanging out here. Diamond let me work since I wasn’t in school.” Warren tears a piece of garlic bread off and sneaks a glance my way. “High school, Walker. I didn’t go.”
Warren speaks like he would to a friend. He’s offering me this information like he’s not ashamed of it, and I have to respect that. If only I could spill my secrets as easily as he does.
“Why are you telling me this?” Surely he doesn’t want me to know everything about his past.
Warren puts his fork down with a sigh and shifts to focus directly on me. I like it and hate it.
“Because if we’re partners, I can’t have you…
teasing me anymore. I put up with it before because I…
I didn’t want to make a scene. Since we need to be in sync and trust each other, that has to stop.
I won’t let you be mean to me like that and maybe if you know why it hurts you might be more careful with your words. ”
Warren juts his chin out, and I notice the tremor in his hand as he turns back to keep eating. We eat in silence for several minutes while I mull over his words.
“I know I’ve been a dick to you, but…” Inhaling, I set my fork aside and take a moment to choose the words.
I know what I want to say, but I’m not as brave as Warren.
Not even close. “I…” Jesus, my mouth is dry as cotton, and I can’t look at those chocolate-brown eyes, or I might want to kiss him here instead of forcing out the words.
“I’m sorry.” My voice trails to a whisper, and rather than relief over voicing the words, I feel naked and raw. I apologized once already, and he accepted it. Now I’m offering it again, and Warren simply accepts the words I didn’t honour the first time.
“Thank you,” he whispers, and I dare to sneak a glance his way.
Big mistake.
His lips twitch with a small smile, and his hair flops over his forehead in such a way that he looks just like the fresh 20-year-old he was when we first met. When I first beat him.
“So…” He clears his throat and moves to sit back on the couch, so I follow along. “I was thinking it might be easier to do this at the school. I have a whiteboard, and it might help to just sign up and pay immediately. I’ll just expense it.”
“Yeah, sure.” I gesture to our empty bowls and pull out my wallet. “Do you want me to settle the bill, and I’ll meet you there?”
Warren stands and pushes my money back to me. “You don’t have to pay. Diamond meant it when he said he’d feed you.”
“Oh. Um…tell him thank you for me?”
Warren tips his chin with a smile. “Tell him yourself.”
Diamond arrives with an infectious smile, along with another older man who offers me his hand in greeting.
“You must be Dane. Pleasure to meet you. I’m Rhett. Is Warren treating you well?”
Squeezing his hand, I almost laugh at the question. “Nice to meet you. And yes, he is. Thank you so much for the lunch. It was delicious.”
“You’re welcome. Stop by anytime. If you’re roping with Warren, you’re part of the family, and we feed you. Simple as that.”
“Oh, I can’t—”
“Don’t protest, darling.” Diamond cuts in. “Your money isn’t good here. Tell him Warren.”
Warren laughs. “I tried, but he’s stubborn.”
“Oh, so you’re a matched set. Good to know.” Diamond laughs as he scoops up the dishes, and Rhett lingers a little longer, chatting about rodeo and our schedule.
“Listen, Burke, I have a stop to make, and I’ll meet you at the school in an hour, if that’s okay?”
“Oh yeah. See you soon.”
He smiles at me like we’re suddenly best friends, and Rhett nods as I practically run out of the place.
It’s not until I’ve driven to a country road and pulled into the field that I finally let it all out and scream where nobody can hear me.
I can’t let another person I care about get hurt.
Especially Warren.
But he’s making it harder to keep him away every time he does something nice for me. Every time he smiles and those brown eyes flash with something less like hate and more like want, it drags me into his orbit.
But I need the money, and no other options come close to the money we could make as a team. Unbuckling, I slide out of the truck and inhale several long breaths of fresh country air. Leaning against the front of my truck, I stare into the cloudless blue sky.
I’m falling for my rodeo partner, and it’s the worst thing to happen to me.
I wish I could talk to Darla about all of this. She’d say something profound that would make me feel better. At least she would have before I broke her.
The lump in my throat is hard to swallow when I think of that night. It was us against the world until it was just me racing to save my sister’s life. My entire family crumbled because I took my sister on a horseback ride with a horse she was still getting to know.
One dumb choice started the domino effect that got me here.
I lost everything, and I can’t drag Warren into it.
Wiping at my eyes, I huff out a breath and slide back behind the wheel.
It’s time to dig myself out of this mess one last time.