Chapter 34
“Next stop, stardom.” I down my second shot of the night before pacing toward the fire pit. “How’s it feel to have not one but two offers on the table for a record deal?” I ask Sawyer as I ignite the stack of wood for our bonfire.
“Good, I think?” His tone isn’t filled with confusion, more so wonder in the possibilities that two offers bring.
“It’s kind of crazy how quickly this all happened.
Telluride Records is obviously my first choice, but it’s nice to know I performed well enough to warrant interest from another company too.
” He grins, confident in himself, and it’s cool to know I had a play in it.
Having two options, undoubtedly, has to melt worry about him and Daisy from his shoulders, but starting out today, I didn’t think I’d be finding worry in my own relationship.
Kaylee and I barely spoke at the show, and here I was, thinking this would be the day we tell our friends about us. Now I’m not so sure.
Everything seemed fine, better than fine even. But Kaylee is right back to, at the very least, pretending she hates me and I’m not even sure what the fuck I did to deserve it. One minute we were fucking around, and the next she’s shoving me out the door.
What was it about Slayton’s buckle?
It all started after I found the damn thing. The attitude. The walls going back up. After that, everything went from perfect to shit faster than I can blink.
Maybe the last name isn’t a coincidence? Or maybe the coincidence freaked her out? I mean it would be pretty weird to pick something up and then find out its connection not only to me, but also to her.
People have the same name all over the damn place, but having something like that fall in your path could be haunting. I just don’t know how that’d be my fault.
She’s a mystery. One I bet I’ll never solve, but that doesn’t mean I ain’t gonna try.
Daisy’s car bumps down the driveway, pulling us from our conversation, and me from my thoughts.
Sawyers’ smile doubles as Daisy exits the car, and even with worry lingering in the air, I, too, smile a bit deeper at the sight of Kaylee.
He grabs the girls each a beer as they walk up, while I take a long drag on mine.
The sneer Kaylee wears tells me that she’s still in whatever mood she was in earlier.
And not only do I need to figure out why, but also how to repair it.
Shots.
Ma would cringe if I told her that was my plan.
I can hear her say, ‘drinking isn’t the way to solve anything,’ and she’s right.
It’s not. But I’ll admit my judgement was off the moment I took my second shot and I’m not trying to get Kaylee drunk, just hoping she lets loose a little.
Her stop is whatever she’s protecting herself from.
I can see that plain as day, I just can’t currently see why she has her shield up.
If it’s me, I’m fucked, but if it’s not, there’s a chance we can sort it out.
“Honorary shots for everyone,” I yell, setting my plan in motion.
I lay out eight glasses on the deck bar.
Turning my attention back toward the girls, I say, “While in Tennessee, am I right?” I let out a nervous chuckle, hoping everyone came to celebrate all the good that came from today.
“Two each. One for our super star, and another for Miss Daisy gettin’ to sign him. ”
My words mesh together a bit. Funny how quick the alcohol sets in. Lightweight.
“To tolerate you? Might need to make them doubles.” Kaylee’s words hold a bite to them, and if I didn’t know her, I’d be hurt. But I can see it in her eyes. She’s just used to the show she’s always putting on. Sawyer and Daisy both look at me for a reaction and Kaylee shoots me a wink.
I beam ear to ear. Alright, her issue isn’t a me thing, and that’s all I really give a shit about.
Everyone takes their shots, Sawyer and Daisy both equally choking theirs down.
“Doubles it is, Angel.” I lift the bottle to pour everyone another round, but Sawyer stops me from filling one for him, and Daisy follows.
Turning toward Kaylee, I question if she too wants to bow out. “Angel?”
“It’s not Angel, dumbshit,” She shoots me another fluffy insult.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” I chuckle.
The alcohol heats my chest and I spill a little while filling up her glass. She downs it quickly then turns away from the counter, to which I gladly set the bottle down. I’m definitely cut off for now.
“Sheesh, Sawyer, this place is amazing. I can’t imagine you don’t get this question all the time, but where are the cattle?” Like anyone with eyes, the first words to cross her lips nearly matched my own.
I spend my time tracing her body with my stare and barely hear his answer.
As always, her outfit leaves little to the imagination, she wears a t-shirt that bares her belly button ring and shorts that just barely hide her amazing ass.
Good God, what I wouldn’t do to take her back to the bunkhouse right now if I could.
“In the meantime, we’ve got some horses in the barn,” Sawyer says.
A mischievous grin crosses her luscious lips and I can already tell she’s feeling the spirits in her chest too. “Ah, yes, can’t have a dipshit cowboy without his trusty steed,” she jests, but this time her warm laugh follows. “Well, let’s see them. It’s been a while since I’ve pet a horse.”
I march between Sawyer and Daisy, making sure my body makes contact with Kaylee’s as I pass by. If I can’t be all over her, a single touch will have to do.
As always, Wrangler finds interest in whoever’s entered the barn first. He swings his head over his gate and releases a happy neigh, to which he receives pats right away from Sawyer.
“This is my horse, Wrangler, and right next door is the love of his life.” He motions towards the next stall.
I hear his words but I’m so focused on Kaylee’s tiny shorts—and my buzz—I can barely find the nerve to pay attention.
Forcing my gaze away from her before I do something like reach over and kiss her, I focus on Jelly Bean in the back of her stall. “No one here loves anyone more than I love Angel.” The words tumble from my lips before I even realize what I’m actually saying.
Kaylee nearly chokes on the beer poised to her lips, her appalled stare meeting mine.
Oh shit, so maybe all those shots weren’t such a great idea.
She composes herself, her glare softening a bit into uncertainty. I don’t think I love her, that would be a stretch after only a few dates, but this is definitely not the way I’d tell her if I did.
The issue from earlier wasn’t me. I’m sure of that now. If it were, she wouldn’t be looking at me like this. But I still don’t particularly like the look in her eyes. Usually filled with fire and fury, right now they remind me more of a deer in headlights.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
A breath escapes from her chest that would make any man hold his own.
Here it comes. She’s gonna fuck me up for that comment, for sure.
“Listen dumbshit, that’s flattering and all, but that is definitely the alcohol talking, and I’d say it’s time for someone to cut you off.” She’s crass in her delivery, and if I want to fix this, I better back-peddle, and fast.
Good ol’ Jelly Bean peeks out of her stall, and I know the only way out of this is through. I may not know if I love Kaylee, but I do know I love Angelica more than anyone loves anything.
“Well, now, Angel, I can see how you’d be confused—though I sensed a bit of hope in that outburst of yours—but there’s two Angels in my life, and the one I’m talkin’ about just so happens to be my horse.
” Kaylee’s jaw drops open, and I don’t know if she thinks it was funny or if I royally pissed her off.
The world feels a bit off-kilter now that the shots have fully set in, and it could be the buzz, but, I swear, I see her hide a laugh, to which I reply, “Jealous, much?”
Her fist meets my chest, but it doesn’t hurt, it’s playful. “I’m not your Angel.”
My lips swerve up into a grin. I know she likes our tit for tat. “Then where’s the mix-up?”
Daisy lets out a laugh that pulls my attention away from Kaylee, she’s worried I went too hard. Not only is it written all over Daisy’s face, but her hand slaps over her mouth the moment my eyes meet hers.
Everyone’s shots hit, maybe not as much, but each of us burst into laughter. And sure enough, my plan worked. At least for now.