Chapter EightUnexpected Confessions
What is Jo up to now? She claims that she regrets the way she treated me in her truck that night outside the honky-tonk.
Okay, great. She knows she screwed up. But I'm waiting for her to explain why she tossed me out like a bag of garbage.
Right now, she's just staring at me while biting her lip.
If she thinks pitiful puppy eyes will wear me down.
..Aw, hell, she's right about that. But she should be the one to apologize.
I fold my arms over my chest while still holding the lead rope. "Okay, what have you got to say, Miss Callahan?"
Jo shifts her weight from one boot to the other, her fingers fidgeting with the brim of her hat. For someone who can face down a passel of drunk cowboys without flinching, she sure looks nervous right now.
"I was scared," she finally admits, her voice barely above a whisper. "That night, what happened between us...it made me feel confused and off balance."
My heart does that annoying beat-skipping thing it always does when she's honest with me. "What exactly are you afraid of, Jo?"
"Feeling something again." The words tumble out like she's been holding them back for months.
"After my divorce, I swore off getting involved with anyone on the circuit.
Too complicated, too risky." She meets my gaze, and I sense unexpected vulnerability there.
"But then I met a tall, handsome cowboy who made me feel things I didn't want to feel.
So, I panicked and pushed you away. Hard. "
She searches my face for a reaction, but I'm not giving her the satisfaction. Not yet. She has some serious groveling to do first.
"Well, congratulations on the successful evasive maneuver," I quip. "Mission accomplished, Miss Callahan."
"Clay..." She steps closer. "I've regretted it every day since."
Thunder shifts restlessly beside me, sensing the tension. I stroke his neck absently, buying myself time to process what she told me. "That's a nice speech, Jo. Did you rehearse it on the drive over?"
She flinches, as if I've slapped her, but recovers quickly. "I deserved that."
"Yeah, you did." I sigh, some of the anger draining out of me as I see the genuine remorse in her eyes and on her face. "Look, I get it. We all have our reasons for keeping walls up. But that doesn't excuse you treating me the way you did."
She removes her hat, lowering her head, and runs her fingers through her auburn hair.
"I handled it all wrong. The truth is, that night scared the hell out of me because you made love to me like it meant something, like I meant something to you.
And that terrified me more than any angry stallion I've ever faced. "
Thunder nickers softly, and I realize I've been standing here longer than I intended. Other competitors are starting to filter into the stable area, and the last thing I need is more gossip about Jo and me.
"So, what do you want from me now?" I ask, genuinely curious. "Forgiveness? A do-over?"
"Not sure. Maybe I just want the chance to not screw it up this time."
I probe her expression, hunting for any sign she's playing me. But all I see is a woman who looks as confused and conflicted as I feel. "Jo, I---"
"Clay McKendrick, imagine seeing you again! Ready to get whupped again?"
Brock Sterling's voice cuts through our conversation like a rusty blade. He strides over with that trademark swagger, his sponsor patches gleaming in the stable lighting. Perfect timing, as always.
"Sterling," I acknowledge with a nod, stepping slightly in front of Jo.
"And the lovely Miss Callahan is here too." Brock tips his hat with exaggerated politeness. "Heard you two have been the talk of the circuit lately. Congratulations on your recent wins, Jo."
"Thanks," she replies, her professional mask sliding back into place so smoothly it's like watching an actress step into character. "You're looking well, Brock."
"Can't complain. Three straight wins will do that for a man.
" His smile is all teeth and no warmth as his gaze shifts between us.
"Speaking of wins, I heard the PRCA scouts are particularly interested in partnerships this season.
Marketing gold, they're calling it---the right cowboy and cowgirl duo for their new campaign. "
I grit my teeth, trying not to let Brock goad me into snarling at him. Naturally, he would know about that before the rest of us. His daddy's connections run deeper than oil wells in this business.
"Guess you and Maddie will be getting his-and-hers facelifts then, huh?" Jo's voice remains perfectly level, but I note the slight tension in her shoulders. "Gotta look good for the cameras, right, Brock?"
Brock rolls his eyes. "Oh please. My face is picture perfect."
I glance up at the sky briefly, shaking my head. "Uh-huh, Brock, whatever you say."
"Big money's on the line, McKendrick. Seven figures for the right pair.
" Brock's eyes glitter with a visible appetite for fame and glory that makes my lip curl.
"Course, they're looking for authenticity.
Real chemistry. Like the kind you and I could have, Jo.
Imagine the possibilities, babe. Two champions, both at the top of our games and sexy as hell. "
The way he says it, like I'm not standing right here, makes my blood simmer. But before I can say anything, Jo steps forward, her chin lifting in that defiant way that always makes me want to kiss her until she melts in my arms.
Jo hooks her thumbs in the waistband of her jeans. "Funny thing about chemistry, Brock. It isn't something you can manufacture in a boardroom."
Sterling's smile falters for half a second before he recovers. "Maybe you're right about chemistry, but it helps when both parties are actually winners. Consistent winners." His gaze flicks to me dismissively. "Some of us can't afford to hitch our wagons to shooting stars that might burn out."
That does it. I hand Thunder's lead rope to Jo without a word and stomp toward Sterling, coming near enough that I can see the uncertainty in his cold blue eyes. "Know what's funny? Last I checked, I was ranked fourth in the standings. That's hardly burning out."
"Fourth place is first loser, McKendrick." Sterling's voice carries just loud enough for the other competitors filtering into the stable to hear. "But hey, I'm sure your little ranch appreciates the participation trophies."
The mention of my ranch hits exactly where he intended, and my hands clench into fists. Jo's sharp intake of breath reminds me where we are, who's watching, and what's at stake.
"Easy, cowboy," Jo whispers under her breath, her hand grazing my arm. The contact grounds me, pulling me back from doing something stupid that would give Sterling exactly what he wants.
Brock smirks. "Jo, you're a smart girl. You know which side your bread's buttered on. Ain't that right, Jo-Jo? Me, I've got all the butter any girl could hope for."
"Then you find one of those girls. I'm taken."
Brock's brows hike up, and he seems genuinely baffled. "That's bullshit. Everybody knows you prefer horses over cowboys."
Not sure what he's implying, but it makes me want to march over there and punch him in the jaw hard enough to break it. Though I'd love to see Sterling with his jaw wired shut, eating through a straw, I won't give him the satisfaction.
I stick to that promise until he opens his mouth again.
Sterling grins and winks at Jo, cupping his groin with one hand. "Come on, sweet thing. Let a real man show you how it's done."
I fist my hands, seething like I've done before. "Brock, you slimy son of a bitch---"
Jo slings an arm around my waist, tugging me close. "Like I told you, Sterling, I'm taken. Clay and I have been seeing each other quietly for months. In fact, we're engaged."
What in tarnation is she talking about? Engaged?
That's news to me, but I won't let on to Brock that I'm confused.
All I can do is play along and hope she'll explain later.
So, I sling my arm around her shoulders as I smile down at Jo while I inform Sterling, "That's right.
We've kept it on the down-low until we were ready to announce the engagement.
Now seems like as good a time as any. Jo's my sweet little dumpling. "
Jo jabs me in the side, and I realize I might've laid it on a bit thick with the "sweet little dumpling" comment. But Brock's expression is worth the pain. His perfect smile freezes, then cracks at the edges.
"Engaged," he repeats flatly. "You expect me to believe that?"
Jo's diamond sharp smile doesn't waver. "Believe what you want, Sterling. We weren't planning to make it public until after Nationals, but"---She gazes up at me with an expression so tender it almost convinces me---"some things are worth celebrating early."
Thunder snorts and paws the ground, as if even he can sense the bullshit in the air. I stroke his neck to calm him while maintaining my poker face.
"Where's the ring?" Sterling challenges, his gaze narrowing as he glances at Jo's naked left hand.
"It's getting resized," she explains smoothly, wiggling her ring finger. "Clay's got these big ole hands, and he overestimated my size when he picked it out. Isn't that right, honey?"
The endearment rolls off her tongue like she's been saying it for years, and I find myself nodding along with her story. "Guilty as charged. Figured it was better to go too big than too small."
Sterling's jaw ticks, his composure finally beginning to crack. "How convenient."
"Isn't it?" Jo threads her fingers with mine. "We should probably get going, babe. Thunder needs settling in, and I promised I'd help you practice your new technique."
My new technique? I don't have a clue what she's talking about. Fortunately, I don't need to spout more lies to Brock. He shakes his head, clearly baffled, then strides away.
I bow my head, hissing words out under my breath. "Now we're engaged? You're insane, Jo."
"Maybe. But there is an upside to my lie." She raises onto her tiptoes to whisper into my ear, "Now everyone will be talking about us and not Brock Sterling."
I grin. "Jolene Callahan, you are a genius."