Chapter Twenty
Mikayla
Two Hours Earlier
I stretch my arms above my head as I wake, blinking the sleep from my eyes. I reach over beside me, but the bedsheets are cold.
I wince as I sit up, my body sore from the night before, my inner thighs hurt, muscles I’m not used to feeling, aching.
With the sheet around my chest, I look around the room, but there’s no sign of Caine. The house is quiet.
I feel myself frowning. I’m not sure how to feel about this. Should I be worried? Should I be insulted? Does he regret what happened? If he felt compelled to leave his own house first thing in the morning to avoid me… my stomach flips at the thought.
I shake my head. But that doesn’t make sense either. It’s not like we were drunk and lost control. No, we just lost control.
My eyes close as visions from the night before play like a film in my mind. My skin begins to tingle, and my chest tightens when I recall the feel of his lips on my body, the touch of his hands on my skin, and the intensity of his eyes.
The unmistakable sound of my phone vibrating gets my attention. I reach over and see it’s my mother calling. I ignore the call but notice several texts from her.
Stranger? I look at the messages again, and my stomach does an odd flip. Did Caine answer my phone?
Shit! I should have just blocked her. And why is she telling me about Cody? I thought her fucking him was her doing me a favor?
Making my way to my room, I dress in black camo leggings and a sports bra. I may as well go explore the ranch today. I didn’t do anything yesterday other than cook and clean.
I realize my mom’s demands are now ingrained in me because I actually cleaned the entire house. It’s not lost on me how weird that is, but I felt compelled. I walk back into Caine’s room and make the bed, of course I do.
I brush my teeth and pee before walking back to my room. I grab a hoodie and yank on my socks before I grab my shoes and walk to the front door. I plop them on the ground, then I walk to the kitchen for a quick drink of water when I see a piece of paper on the counter.
I smile and laugh at his note. Ha! Well, that explains it. I guess she knows I’m not dead; I think to myself as I toss the note in the recycle bin. I quickly down a glass of water, grab my phone, earphones and head out the door.
It’s officially fall. I smile as I look around. This isn’t the climate I expect when I think of Texas. I turn to the left, where I see a path. It’s surrounded by trees. This is definitely nothing like the Seattle area. But it’s not hot out either.
I open my phone map app and check my location so I don’t get lost.
Okay, so I’m not actually in Crystal Falls.
I’m apparently in Bristol, Texas. I laugh ‘cause I totally understand why Caine said we were in Crystal Falls. I do the same thing when people ask where I’m from.
I tell people I’m from Seattle, but I grew up on Mercer Island. No one has heard of Mercer Island.
As I walk the trail, I notice how lush the property is, and the air feels warm but crisp. I zip up my hoodie and stop short when I see Patrick.
“Now I know why Caine is always so pissy,” Patrick utters with a scowl.
He’s talking to an attractive man who appears to be around the same age as me. He’s cute, tall, with blonde hair and green eyes. But swaying on his feet.
I don’t approach, realizing I’m pretty sure the guy is drunk off his ass. And it’s like nine in the morning!
“Who’re you?” the guy says, leering at me like I’m his lunch.
I’m not even exaggerating; he licks his lips.
“What the fuck?” Patrick asks the guy before turning his head.
I can’t help it—I smile big at the grin Patrick gifts me.
“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” Patrick says.
What happens next has me clutching my stomach, almost knocking me on my ass.
Patrick pushes the drunk guy, who falls right on his ass.
“What the fuck, Pat?” the loser groans from the ground. “Aren’t you married?”
The best part of the entire thing is that the douchebag doesn’t even try to get up. He just lies there like a loser.
Without a second thought, I run to Patrick and give him a big hug.
“So, you’re the reason Caine took his first day off,” Patrick says, lifting me off my feet.
“I don’t think so,” I say with a shrug. “He isn’t home.”
I find I’m frowning. I could call him, but I’m kind of pissed he left me after our night together with what may as well be a Dear John letter.
I could call him if I need him. What does that even mean?
I shake off my melancholy and force a smile at Patrick. I may be feeling a bit insecure. I know that!
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“I was training the Bronc riders, but this asshole had to ruin everything when he arrived drunk,” Patrick yells, turning to the guy still on the ground.
Did he fall asleep? I cringe and frown down at the guy.
“Show me around?” I ask.
“It would be my pleasure. But I know Caine has plans for you today, so wipe that shit from your mind. He’s rusty at this stuff, but trust me, he’s got plans,” Patrick says, placing an arm around my shoulders.
I follow him down a long path until we get to what looks like a fenced-in mud pit.
“Watch,” Patrick says, nudging me in my side.
I stand out of the rider’s view, watching a young man hop onto the fence before climbing over and sitting on a horse inside a small enclosure that has a door to a bigger pen.
Patrick smiles down at me. “That there is an arena. Jerod is riding Tranquil,” he says, pointing at the guy sitting on the horse.
“She’s a feisty gal. When that chute opens, he’s gonna come out, and she’s gonna do her best to buck him off her back.
Jerod is gonna do his damnedest to stay on Tranquil for eight seconds.
He’s got to hold on with one hand, keeping his spurs connected to her shoulders when he exits. Watch,” he says when the gate opens.
My heart about stops as I watch the young man lean back as the door opens and the horse jumps and kicks trying to throw him off. He manages to hold on to the horse even with one hand. I hug myself when he falls to the ground.
“Well, that’s why we practice,” Patrick says with a smile.
I’m horrified. The man is trying to roll away from the horse! What if he gets trampled?
“Wait, is that what Caine does?” I ask with incredulity.
I can feel how wide my eyes are; I’m shaking.
“Not anymore, but he used to, was one of the best too,” Patrick says.
Patrick points his head toward the barn, and I follow him inside.
I stand beside him as he shows me pictures of a young Caine, his arm slung over a woman who I’m assuming is his mom and his father, who looks just like him now!
It’s kind of crazy! He’s grinning in many of the pictures, showing his first-place or second-place prize in each photograph.
“You win thousands of dollars?” I say when one of the frames shows an article about Caine’s winnings.
“He was the best,” Patrick says.
His eyes dart to me and he frowns but doesn’t elaborate. I can only speculate about what may have impacted Caine.
“Janine?” I ask. I stand with my hands resting on my hips.
Patrick’s mouth hangs open. “He told you about her, and you’re worried he hasn’t planned a day for you?” Patrick scoffs, shaking his head. “You’re dumber than you look.”
“Hey,” I yell, taking offense.
“You’re lucky you’re hot since you’re that dumb.”
“Are you done?” I ask, crossing my arms. “I’m sure a shovel would get you there faster than your mouth,” I retort with obvious irritation.
Patrick just grins. “You know that I’m known for my stupid mouth,” he says with a chuckle. “Come on.” He waves me over as he walks out of the barn.
I follow because what else am I supposed to do?
I watch as Patrick walks over to a horse. He throws a saddle on its back and tightens it, then waves me over again.
“What are you doing?” I ask with trepidation.
I eye the horse with skepticism. I have never been on a horse, and I have never wanted to. Is it going to try to throw me off? All I can picture in my head is that poor guy who ended up in the dirt not twenty minutes ago. Is this horse going to do that to me?
“Not me, you.”
I start to laugh. He’s joking, right? I’m not riding a horse! But before I know what’s happening, Patrick walks up behind me, grabs my waist, and hoists me up.
I can’t believe he has the strength to lift me over his head and up onto the horse!
“What the hell, Patrick!” I yell as I grip the reins for dear life.
Patrick just laughs at me.
“What are you doing to my girl?” I hear from behind me.
His girl… I can’t help it. I shiver at the deep baritone of his voice.