Chapter 35
thirty-five
Charlie
I sat on the floor of the barn at Dupree Ranch, snuggling one of Lula’s puppies. Bowen was next to me, holding another, petting her velvety ears. My cousin, who’d come over with his family to hug Ford and Cash goodbye, had made his way to my house, looking heartbroken and gutted—definitely needing some puppy therapy.
My smart watch vibrated. I smothered it with my palm and went back to stroking Boy B’s soft hair. Lula’s adopted babies would be gone when I got home from the tour. Peyton had already found all of them homes. Well, all but the girl whose face was a perfect black and white split. Addie had claimed (and named) Twila for her own.
“You are so cute,” I said in a baby voice, running a finger down the puppy’s spine. “Yes, you are. I’m going to miss you.” I held him right up to Bowen’s face. “Isn’t this the cutest little guy?”
He scowled. “He smells like butt.”
“You smell like butt,” I said, still in the baby voice. I cradled the pup to my chest. “Ignore him. He’s just cranky because he tried to play tonsil-hockey with his brother’s girlfriend and it didn’t go so well.”
“Didn’t go so well?” Bowen growled. “Check out my face, Charlie.”
I set the puppy in the crate. Then I sat back and looked at my cousin. His eye was stippled in varying shades of black and purple, reminiscent of a kindergartner’s ink blot painting—announcing to the world that Bowen had done a big no-no.
I shook my head and laughed. “What did you expect?”
His eyes went wide with irritation. “What did I expect? I’ll tell you what I didn’t expect. For her to kiss me.”
“But she did,” I said simply.
His head dropped to his hands but then he winced. “Ugh, it hurts.”
“Your eye or your heart?” I teased.
But he didn’t laugh. He looked a little betrayed. “Really? You think this is funny?”
“No. I was just trying to make you laugh.” I gave him a sad smile. “How long have you been crushing on Maggie?”
His brows puckered. “I haven’t.”
I rubbed his knee. “You can tell me the truth. It won’t leave this barn.” I crossed my heart.
He looked exhausted, with a dark circle under his good eye that came from little to no sleep. And his labored breathing told me he was hurting intensely.
“Fine,” he said. “In hindsight, maybe I let myself think about her too much.” His eyes held a pain that dug into my heart like a rusty screw. “But honestly, I didn’t even realize what I was feeling. Not until that kiss.”
That added up. The shock on his face had looked genuine. “Maggie doesn’t seem like the type to go around tearing families apart willy-nilly. She must really like you. Maybe…in a couple of years…when this dies down and she’s done with med school…”
He shook his head. “Griff would never be okay with that. And even if by some miracle he was, that’s not the story you want to tell your kids. That their mom used to be their uncle’s girlfriend and the two of you cheated.”
“I mean…” Dare I even bring this up? Yes, I dare. “Aunt Christy and your dad used to be a thing.”
Bowen shivered like it was disgusting. “Exactly my point. I do my best to never think about it. So thank you…for putting that image back in my head.” He rubbed his temple. “Besides, I don’t think anyone cheated there.”
My head swayed side to side like a pendulum. “Depends on who’s telling the story.”
He chuckled.
My smart watch vibrated, notifying me of yet another text.
Cash
Seriously, Charlie. You’re starting to stress me out. We’re leaving in twenty minutes. Are you really not coming?
Another came through.
Cash
Or at least coming to hug me goodbye?
Bowen snorted. “Put him out of his misery and tell him you’ll meet him on the bus.”
“Nah.” I snickered. “This is what he gets for going behind my back.”
“To pay off your debt,” Bowen said like I was insane. “You are something else, Chuck.”
“You’re one to talk.” I took the puppy from him and put it in the crate.
I offered Bowen my hand and pulled him to his feet.
Just then, the barn door slid open. I yanked him down, the two of us crouching behind the stall wall. I put a finger to my lips. Cash did not get to find me.
“Charlie? Are you in here?”
Ice jolted through my veins. “Lorne?” I bit out the name like a curse word and stood to peer over the rail.
Sure enough, Lorne was standing in the middle of the aisle, wearing a full-on juggler’s costume. Bright multicolored striped pants with suspenders to match, a white button-up shirt and a bright red bow tie. But the kicker were the shoes—the kind that curled up at the ends and flared open like a flower petal around the ankle, completing his ridiculous look.
“Charlie?” he said again, pale and slack. Even in the dim light of the barn, I could see that. Oh, wait. That was white face paint—smeared, like someone had yanked him from the show mid-act.
What the?
I walked out to talk to him, Bowen right behind me. But then I paused. Something’s not right , my brain warned. Lorne was the most spineless person I’d ever met. He wouldn’t come crawling back here unless he needed something.
No, not something. One thing. The only thing he’d ever needed from me.
Money.
“I can’t believe you were married to this tool.” Bowen huffed. “Dude has the most NPC energy I’ve ever seen.”
My eyes narrowed on my ex. I hated being connected to him, even in past tense. “What’re you doing here? If Holden finds out he’ll ki?—”
The words died in my throat as two guys stepped out of the shadows behind him, eyes dark and vindictive. My heart hammered like a war drum.
Because I recognized them.
I edged back, bringing Bowen with me. “We need to go,” I rasped, my voice a ghost of itself. My watch started vibrating again. I muted it with my palm.
“Charlie,” Bowen whispered. “What’s going on?”
I took another step but just then the door opened on the other end of the barn. I squeezed my eyes shut, knowing we were too late.
I felt sick to my very soul, realizing how stupid I’d been. Allowing my pride to get in the way. Letting Cash think I wasn’t going on tour with him, not thanking him for what he’d done, not spending the entire evening with him after the race, singing together on the deck, followed by at least an hour of kissing until my lips were sore before reluctantly heading home to bed.
“Well, well, well,” a deep, familiar voice sneered behind us. “She is alive. Looks like old Lorne dog wasn’t lying after all.”
I’m so sorry , Lorne mouthed.