Chapter 49
BLAKE
For the last week, I’ve barely seen daylight. Apparently, grief and oil paint make excellent roommates.
Every morning, I disappear into my studio, and every evening, one of the guys has to practically drag me away from my paints.
Somewhere between canvas number eight and canvas number twelve, my heart finally unclenched.
So tonight I think I’m done hiding.
The construction crew has already gone home. I’m no expert, but it looks as if they’re almost done. A few more days, and things can go back to normal around here.
Inside Santiago’s house, everyone has settled into their nightly rhythm.
Bear is with Shadow as usual. Walker occupies the couch, paperwork spread out across his lap and the coffee table.
Levi leans back in a recliner, reading a veterinary journal that he swears is interesting.
Santiago stands in the kitchen making hot chocolate because, apparently, coffee isn’t an acceptable beverage after eight o’clock.
I stroll inside and sit down on the arm of the couch. “Any plans tonight?” I ask.
“Paperwork,” Walker answers, lifting one of the stacks.
Levi keeps his eyes on the article. “Reading.”
Santiago enters the living room, a steaming mug in hand. “Got something in mind?”
“What do we say to a friendly game of poker?” I glance around, gauging reactions.
Walker drops the paper he was reading and gives me a look. “Baby Girl, you don’t have a poker face.”
I sit up straight. “Says who?”
“We’d all be able to read you like an open book with big, bold text,” Levi answers, his nose still in the journal.
I doubt that.
“Can we at least give it a try?”
Santiago gives a look like he thinks I’m up to something. He sits down in the other chair and sips his hot cocoa. “What’re we betting with?”
“Money?” I suggest.
Santiago shakes his head. “Been there, done that.”
I shrug a shoulder. “Kisses?”
Levi quirks a brow. “Walk doesn’t go this way.”
I raise my brows. “Sexual favors.”
“Again.” Levi gestures to himself, reiterating his previous statement.
“We could make it interesting,” I smirk.
Santiago narrows his eyes. “Interesting how?”
“Bull poker.” I cross my arms like it’s the best idea in the world.
Walker’s response is immediate. “Hell no.”
“No hay forma que te acerques a un toro.” There’s no way I’m ever letting you near a bull.
Levi finally drops what he’s reading. “When pigs fly, Butterfly.”
Walker frowns. “How do you even know what bull poker is?”
Sitting forward, I enunciate each word. “I grew up here.” I roll my eyes. “Do I need to tattoo it on my face?”
Levi sits up, kicking the footrest down. “Don’t tell me you’ve played before.”
“Maybe.” My eyes dart to the floor, and I twist my hands in my lap.
“What!” Walker jumps to his feet like he’s going to find who I played bull poker with and punch them in the face.
Santiago’s jaw drops.
“Blake Jennings,” Levi says my name in a disciplinary voice.
“Oh, come on,” I beg. “Please.” I press my palms together in a silent plea.
“Hell no.” Walker imitates how I enunciated earlier. “Do I need to tattoo it on my face?”
I’ve been a recluse for a week. I’m not keen on having a quiet night. I don’t need to party like a college kid, but I need out. And since they’re not going to allow me to go somewhere by myself…
I cross my arms. “I’ll do it whether you play me or not.”
“Over our dead fucking bodies,” Santiago claims for all of them.
I squint. “I don’t like that visual.”
Levi tilts his head toward me. “Then don’t play bull poker.”
My brows knit together as I think of a way to bribe them. “How about this: winner gets to take me to bed.”
“Always down for that. Don’t need to play bull poker to get me into bed, mi Cielo.”
“Alone,” I add.
That gets Santiago and Levi’s attention.
Santiago rests his chin on his fist. “Tell me more.”
Walker’s tone turns threatening. “Don’t egg her on.”
“I’ll do anything the winner wants.” I smile coyly.
Levi’s brows shoot up. “Anything?”
“Anything,” I confirm. “Let your fantasy go wild.”
Santiago sports a lopsided grin. “It can get pretty wild.”
“Then take me for a wild ride,” I challenge.
Santiago rises to his feet and rubs his hands together. “Okay, I’m in.”
“Me too.” Levi stands as well.
Walker glares at them. “You two are no better than a desperate teenager.”
Santiago scoffs. “You say that like it’ll make me change my mind.”
“Fuck.” Walker drags his hand down his face. “I’m coming.” He points an accusatory finger at each of us. “Only to make sure none of you get hurt.”
“We won’t. I’m a pro,” I beam.
Walker squints at me. “That doesn’t make me feel any better.”
Levi gets a folding table and four chairs from Santiago’s garage. Santiago gets Javier to help him get the bull into the chute.
A few of the wranglers hear the words “bull poker” and want to join. Walker snaps at all of them in a rage. Not because of the danger, but because of the prize.
Todd and Sam watch, resting their arms against the top of the corral fence. Javier waits for our cue to open the latch of the squeeze chute.
I sit with my back to the bull. On my left, Levi bounces his knee, chewing on his lip. On the other side of the table, Santiago shakes his head with wide eyes. On my right, Walker sits with crossed arms and a tight, grim mouth.
The night has settled over Falling Sky like a heavy quilt. The sea of stars stretches endlessly overhead. Silver light from the moon spills across the round pen.
My breath drifts in white clouds every time I laugh. The cold nips at my skin, but I’ve readjusted to the Wyoming winter. It’s familiar now rather than miserable.
“I haven’t done this since my twenties,” Levi admits.
“Me too,” Santiago adds with a humorless laugh.
“I can’t believe you talked them into this.” Walker huffs.
“You’re sitting here too,” I point out, then hold up the bottle of gin I swiped from Santiago’s liquor cabinet. “Liquid courage, anyone?”
Levi lets out a nervous breath. “What the hell. Yeah, pass it over.”
“We seem to be accumulating an audience.” Walker nods to the fence.
We all turn and find that Jack and Brandon have joined the other two.
Levi passes the bottle to Santiago. “The guys want to see their fearless leader in action.”
“I’m not feeling very fearless right now.” Santiago takes a large gulp, handing the bottle to Walker.
“Need me to hold your hand?” I tease.
Walker glares, passing the bottle to me without taking a sip. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”
“I told you.” I hold the bottle up like I’m giving a toast. “I’m a pro.” The gin goes down my throat with a burn.
“Fuck, this is crazy, mi Cielo.”
“We’re here for a fun time, not a long time, boys,” I shout, adrenaline rushing through my veins.
The wranglers hoop and holler at my cheer.
“I’d prefer my fun time to last longer than forty-five years,” Levi mutters.
Walker cracks a small smile. “You’re a wild one, Blake Jennings.”
“Damn straight.” I nod.
Santiago leans across the table. “Don’t judge me if I run.”
“Never,” I assure him with a wink.
“If we run, you have to run too,” Walker demands.
“No promises.” I shoot him a mischievous smirk.
Walker narrows his eyes. “This is for your safety.”
I taunt him with a quick raise of my brows.
“Cowboys ready?” Javier shouts.
“Excuse me!” I wave my hand in the air.
“And cowgirl,” Javier amends.
“Let him rip,” I shout.
The clink of metal meets my ears as the bull bellows angrily. That’s my cue to remain as still as possible.
“Shit,” Levi curses before the bull makes it into the round pen. “Blake, run with me.”
“I’m comfortable right where I am.”
“Dammit!” Levi shouts and takes off for the fence.
The bull enters the pen and lets out a ferocious roar.
“Oh, fuck no.” Santiago is the next to leave.
The bull charges the perimeter of the fence, forcing the ranch hands to back away.
I wink in Walker’s direction. “It’s you and me.”
Walker looks like he’s holding his breath.
The bull’s stomps get closer.
Walker’s eyes move between me and the bull and back.
My pulse roars louder than the bull.
Walker gives me one last look, pleading.
“No,” I mouth.
Walker jumps to his feet and runs faster than I thought possible. The bull charges for Walker, and my heart pounds in my chest.
The bull runs right through the table, sending it flying over my head.
I hold myself perfectly still.
Walker gets himself over the fence just as the bull comes up behind him, barely missing Walker and hitting the fence instead.
The wranglers cheer boisterously as the bull runs the fence again. I hear a creak of metal, hooves pounding against the compact dirt, then a click.
Daring to turn, I find that the bull exited through the gate, and Javier closed it behind him.
I can’t believe I just did that.
The elation of victory has me rising to my feet, throwing my fists in the air, and joining the others in cheering.
“The queen reigns supreme!” Javier shouts.
I stand on my chair, face my guys, and take a bow. I’m not sure if they want to strangle me or kiss me.
The line between love and hate is thin, right?
Hopping down, I join them on the other side of the fence. Javier ropes the wranglers into helping him get the bull put away.
“Since I’m the clear winner,” I start, “I choose me and my trusty B-O-B.” I don’t wait for their reply and march toward the house.
Levi hollers after me. “B-O-B?”
I stop for a moment and wink at them over my shoulder. “Battery-operated boyfriend.”
Walker’s chest puffs up in annoyance. Levi’s jaw drops. Santiago looks all the more intrigued.
I widen my stride and quicken my pace.
“Blake.” Walker’s voice holds a note of warning.
I wave my hand in the air. “Enjoy the couch!”
“Blake!”
I break into a run as their footsteps thunder behind me.
I’m in the house and up the stairs before everyone else. As I reach Santiago’s door, I spin on my heel and catch a glimpse of the guys reaching the top of the stairs.
“Don’t you dare, Blake!” Walker bellows.
I smirk, slam the door, and turn the lock.
Three thuds bang on the other side of the door, and I laugh.