A COWBOYS REDEMPTION

𝐀 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐎𝐔𝐓

"Wait a minute, Milia, this fine ass cowboy is literally drooling over you, and you rejected him for that jackass?" Sienna asked, and I couldn't help but laugh at her question.

I chuckled softly, "Si, you know what would happen if Malakai ever found out I was seeing someone behind his back."

Sienna rolled her eyes dramatically, her frustration clear. "Fuck what he thinks, Milia. Truly, what do you think he's doing right now? The motherfucker hasn't been home in a week."

Her words hit me harder than I expected.

I sighed, letting them sink in. It was true—Malakai hadn't been home since he saw that note from Wyatt at the hospital.

A strange sense of relief washed over me every time I thought about it.

His absence meant no hitting, no degrading words, no feeling like I was worth nothing.

Sienna placed her hand gently on my leg, her touch grounding me. "Hey." I looked up to see her ocean-blue eyes sparkling with concern, her dimples deepening as she smiled. "You don't need him, I promise."

I smiled back at her before I nodded, slowly beginning to accept the truth in her words.

Sienna's face then lit up with excitement. "You know what? I have an idea." She stood up, holding her hands out to me with an eager grin.

"Uh oh," I said, already bracing for whatever wild plan she was about to suggest. I then placed my hands on top of hers and stood with her.

"We're going out tonight!" she declared.

I laughed, shaking my head. "Sienna, you know I can't go out."

She crossed her arms, staring at me dumbfounded. "Says who? Your bum-ass boyfriend who isn't even here right now?"

Her words made me wonder for a moment, making me realize how long it had been since I'd done anything for myself. I bit my lip, contemplating the idea of a night out, away from all the chaos.

"You know what? I need this. Let's do it."

Sienna squealed in excitement, tackling me back onto the sofa. "Yes, yes, yes!" she cheered, her enthusiasm contagious. "I'm totally dressing you in my unreleased collection!"

I laughed nervously, not realizing I'd just signed up to be her personal Barbie.

"Oh boy."

??°

"And we're done!" Sienna announced, stepping back to admire her work.

I walked over to the mirror, my heart racing as I caught sight of my reflection.

My eyes widened as I took in the revealing outfit and bold makeup.

It wasn't me—at least, not the me I was used to seeing.

I turned to Sienna, panic creeping into my voice.

"Sienna! Malakai will kill me if he sees me wearing this. "

She rolled her eyes, "Okay, Milia, listen to me." She stepped closer, placing her hands firmly on my shoulders. "Bitch, with me? You are single, okay?" She said, nodding her head with every word.

I couldn't help but laugh, realizing she was dead serious. The tension eased a little, replaced by the infectious energy that Sienna always carried with her.

"Now, are you ready to go?" she asked. "My driver is here to pick us up."

My eyes grew even wider. "Wait—you have drivers?"

Sienna smirked, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "I'm the CEO of a million-dollar clothing store, of course, I have drivers."

We both burst out laughing, and she nudged me gently, her excitement spilling over. "Let's go, bitch."

Sienna put on her shades and slung her arm around my shoulder, guiding me toward the door. I felt a mix of nerves and excitement as we stepped out together, ready to see what would happen tonight.

??°

"Bro, are you ready to go?" I heard Akhilles ask as he banged on the door rushing me. He always had that kinda energy, like he couldn't wait another second.

I splashed a little more cologne on my neck, making sure I smelled good enough to step out into the night. Finally, I swung the door open, and there he was, standing in the hallway grinnin' like a damn Cheshire cat. His gold grill was gleaming, and his nose ring was glistening in the light.

I raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but laugh. "Wow, the nose ring and grill combo is back?"

Akhilles licked his lips and rubbed his hands together, "Something pretty is coming home with me tonight, I promise."

I chuckled. "Oh shit! I see you."

He gave me a sideways glance, smirkin'. "What about you, bro? You getting something tonight?"

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Ehh."

Akhilles smacked his lips, almost looking disappointed. "Come on, man. You still stuck on that nurse? She can't be that bad now. She got you wrapped around her finger and she didn't even have to fuck you."

I rolled my eyes, swatting my hand at him. "Man, leave it alone."

I stepped past him and walked into the front room, where I saw A'Zara, Akhilles' little sister sitting on the sofa, kicking back. I grinned when I saw her. "A'Zara? What the hell are you doing here?"

She looked up from her phone and flashed me a big ol' smile. "What's up, Buckie?" She hugged me tight, like she always did when we saw each other.

Akhilles walked in just then, spraying on some cologne onto his white tee. "She just got here while you were taking hours in the damn bathroom," he said, rolling his eyes at me.

A'Zara smiled wide, her braces catching the light. "Where are you two going dressed like that?" She looked us up and down like she was trying to figure us out.

Akhilles raised his hand, dismissive. "Mind the business that pays you."

A'Zara rolled her eyes before she flipped him off. I reached over and smacked her finger down, trying to keep things from getting too wild because when they argued? They argued for fucking hours.

Akhilles grabbed his keys off the counter before walking back over to A'Zara. "We bringin' some baddies home tonight. So you? You better be gone by the time we get back!"

A'Zara wrinkled her nose. "Yuck!"

We both headed for the door, and I turned to look back at A'Zara one last time. "Be careful, love you two knuckleheads."

We stopped for a second, lookin' at each other.

"Love you too." We said in unison.

??°

We rolled up to the bar, before Akhilles threw the truck in park. I stepped out and straightened my shirt, feeling as if this cast was throwing off my outfit. Akhilles then came around the front of the truck, looking like he was ready to get into some trouble.

"Fuck, I ain't been out in a while," he said, rubbing his hands together as he looked around, taking in our surroundings. "I feel like doing somethin' against the law tonight."

I couldn't help but laugh, finding the whole thing pretty damn ironic. "Ain't you a little too familiar with the law, my man?"

He grinned, flicking his shades up onto his head. "I am, ain't I?"

We walked inside, the music was loud I could feel it thumping in my chest. The place was packed, with a mess of girls on the dance floor, laughing and shaking their asses all over the dance floor. Akhilles laughed under his breath, eyes already scanin' the scene.

"Wyatt, you have no idea how much fun I'm about to have tonight," he said, with that cocky grin of his.

I snorted, shakin' my head. "I bet you are, man."

We made our way to the bar, the place packed so tight I almost had to squeeze past people to get to it.

I pulled some cash from my wallet and flipped my cap backward, getting ready to make myself a little comfortable for the night.

I leaned forward, looking at the bartender.

"Let me get a vodka with Sprite," I said, keeping it simple.

Akhilles leaned in next to me, eyeing the crowd like a hawk. "Wyatt, please tell me you ain't about to sit at this bar the whole time and drink while there's all these women around."

I chuckled, looking around. "Akhilles, look, brother. I ain't interested, okay?"

He raised an eyebrow, shaking his head. "All of this over that nurse, ain't it? Come on, man. She can't be that bad for you to be actin' like this!"

Before I could say anything, I heard some laughter coming from behind me. I glanced over my shoulder just in time to see two girls coming toward the bar, laughing and joking between themselves. They stopped in front of the bartender, shouting over the music.

"Give us each two shots of vodka, please!" one of them called, her voice high-pitched but strong.

I glanced at Akhilles, just to catch his reaction, but then my eyes locked on the other girl. She was smiling at the bartender, and for a second, everything around me faded out. There was no mistaking it. It was her.

Milia.

She was standing right there, her chocolate skin glowing under the bar's neon lights, her dimples showing as she flashed a smile that made the whole place feel warmer.

Her hair was styled in perfect coils, and those eyes—damn, those eyes.

They found mine, and for a second, the world felt like it stopped.

"No fucking way,"

??°

I wasn't expecting to see him. Hell, I wasn't even prepared for the way my heart skipped when I saw him. His hat was flipped backwards, that perfect Southern charm oozing out of him like it always did when I saw him.

I swear, those green eyes of his could make anyone forget what they were doing. I felt a little flutter in my stomach, like I was back in high school, seeing a cute guy for the first time. Ridiculous, but real.

I looked at him for a moment, unable to look away, the butterflies in my stomach growing by the second.

He was standing there, leaning against the bar, and for a second, I thought the room had gotten smaller.

The way his jawline cut against the light and that easy smile he had—yeah, that smile was so pretty.

I quickly glanced down, feeling a little embarrassed.

"It's time for shots!" Sienna called, practically bouncing in excitement. But when she turned around to see the shock on my face, her smile dropped.

"Why do you look like you just saw a ghost?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at me.

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my cool. I moved a little closer to her, not wanting to make a scene. "Don't make it obvious, but remember that cowboy I told you about?"

Sienna's eyes flicked from me to the bar, a grin spreading across her face. "Wait, no... is that him?" she whispered, and I nodded, my chest tight.

Sienna didn't even try to hide her excitement. She whipped her head around to get a full look at him, then spun back to me, her jaw practically on the floor. "Woah, he is sexier than you described him. Bitch, you didn't tell me he had a friend!"

I laughed nervously. "Hell, I didn't know he had a friend!"

I could tell Sienna was already plotting, her smile growing wider.

Sienna's smile grew before she downed a shot. "I don't know about you, but I'm gonna go say hi to that beautiful chocolate man over there."

I felt my heart race a little. "Sienna, no!"

But she wasn't listening. She was already making her way over to them, and despite myself, I followed. I didn't know what else to do. Sienna, the bold one, walked right up to Wyatt's friend. "Hi there, handsome," she said, her voice smooth, confident.

Wyatt's friend looked over at her, and when he smiled, I saw his pearly whites up top and gold grills shining on the bottom. Damn. That guy was pretty. I almost forgot to breathe as I watched him take Sienna's hand and kiss it, then look her in the eye and say, "Hello, beautiful."

Sienna raised an eyebrow, clearly pleased. "Let's dance," she said.

He nodded, and the two of them started walking toward the dance floor. Before Sienna disappeared into the crowd, she looked back at me and mouthed, "He is so fucking hot!" I laughed under my breath, shaking my head at her not having a filter.

I stood there alone for a moment, feeling ridiculous, when I felt his eyes on me again. Wyatt. Those damn green eyes locked onto mine like they were pulling me in. Without thinking, I took a step toward him. The closer I got, the more my nerves kicked in.

He was no longer wearing the sling, just the cast on his arm now. I watched him, wondering if maybe I was making a huge mistake. I opened my mouth to say something—anything—but all that came out was a breath.

"Hi," I finally managed to say.

Wyatt's smile spread across his face, wider than before. "Hey there," he said, taking a sip of his drink.

I laughed softly, trying to keep my cool. "So, it's funny seeing you here," I replied

He tilted his head, "I guess we just can't get rid of each other, can we?"

And just like that, I felt the butterflies again. I laughed, shaking my head a little. "I guess not."

The room went silent after we shared a laugh. I started fidgeting with my fingers, my nervous habit when I didn't know what else to do. Wyatt noticed, his gaze softening.

"Can I buy you a drink?" he asked, his voice smooth, almost too perfect.

"Sure."

??°

Hours had passed, and I was feeling buzzed, the liquor settling in my veins. Wyatt and I were sitting at the bar, as we laughed together. I couldn't remember the last time I felt this free.

"I can't believe you rode the most dangerous bull and ended up in the hospital," I said, shaking my head in disbelief.

Wyatt leaned back in his chair, his grin lighting up his face. "Yeah, I mean, it was all for a good cause. I beat the record and walked away with thousands to my name," he drawled, his southern accent making his words sound smoother, almost comforting.

I laughed, unable to comprehend how he could be so casual about something so dangerous. "You're crazy."

He chuckled, tipping his hat back slightly. "I've heard that one before."

We shared another laugh, the sound echoing into the night before the conversation turned into a comfortable silence. I bit my lip, thinking about how I never thanked him for the flowers. Guilt gnawed at me, and I knew I had to say something.

"Um... Wyatt?" I whispered, my voice hesitant.

"Hmm?" He turned to look at me, his warm eyes meeting mine.

"I just wanted to say thank you," I said, feeling my cheeks flush slightly.

He tilted his head, a curious smile on his lips. "For what?"

"For, you know... the flowers," I murmured, looking down at my hands. "They were a very sweet gesture. It's just that I—"

"You have a boyfriend." He cut me off gently.

I nodded, the weight of that reality pressing down on me. "Yeah, I do."

Wyatt's smile faded, and he scoffed, shaking his head slowly. "Why are you with someone who treats you like that?"

His question caught me off guard, my heart racing as I processed his words. I felt exposed, like he had peeled back a layer I wasn't ready to show.

"Excuse me?"

"You don't deserve that, Milia," he said softly, his eyes filled with genuine concern.

Embarrassment and anger swirled inside me, and I felt the heat rise to my cheeks. "I'm sorry, but you don't know me, Wyatt," I snapped, my voice a little sharper than I intended.

"I don't have to know you to see you're in an abusive relationship," he said, his voice raising slightly with frustration.

I glanced around, seeing a few people nearby heard him. My stomach twisted in knots. I closed my eyes, willing myself to stay calm before I stood up abruptly. "This was a mistake."

Wyatt stood too, his expression filled with regret. "Milia, wait. I'm sorry, I—"

"Milia!" I heard someone yell my name.

I turned my head quickly, seeing Sienna rushing toward me, her face pale and her eyes wide with panic. "Sienna, what's wrong?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, worry creeping into my voice.

"Malakai is here," she said, breathless.

My heart dropped to the floor, the air seeming to vanish from my lungs. I turned to Wyatt, my mind racing.

"He's with that Kara girl," she added, her voice dripping with disgust.

I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces, disbelief washing over me. "W-what?" I stammered, struggling to comprehend the betrayal. Malakai, out in public, with another girl—how could this be happening?

I looked up and saw him. Malakai was walking right in front of me, his head turned, holding hands with a brown-skinned girl with a long, silky lace front. My breath hitched in my throat.

"Milia, don't—" Sienna started, I ignored her and stormed toward Malakai, shoving him back with all the strength I could muster. "Seriously, Malakai? After six fucking years, this is what you're doing?" My voice cracked with the weight of my emotions, loud enough to turn heads in the bar.

Malakai's eyes widened like he'd seen a ghost. "Milia, what the hell are you doing here?" he snapped, as if I were the one in the wrong.

"Really? That's the first thing you ask after getting caught red-handed?" I shot back, my voice trembling with anger.

His gaze darted around, noticing the growing attention from the crowd. Then, the girl—Kara—stepped in, her tone condescending. "Listen, girlie," she said, reaching out to touch me.

I slapped her hand away, my rage boiling over. "Don't fucking touch me!"

Kara's expression darkened as she shoved me back. "Don't put your fucking hands on me, bitch!"

"Who you calling a bitch?" I shouted, stepping forward, ready to beat this bitch's ass. But before I could swing, everything slowed down. I saw Malakai's fist cock back, and then his knuckles connected with my lip, sending me stumbling backward.

"What the f—" I heard Sienna yell, but didn't finish, cut off by a blur of motion.

Wyatt flew across the bar, landing a solid punch on Malakai that knocked him to the ground. I watched, dazed, as Wyatt hovered over Malakai, punching him over and over. Blood splattered from Malakai's face, and with one final kick to his head, Wyatt knocked him out cold.

I stood there, stunned, blood dripping from my lip. I barely felt the pain in my face, but I felt the pain from the humiliation and heartbreak. Sienna wrapped her arm around me, her voice gentle, "Let's get out of here."

I stumbled back, my legs shaky. I glanced at Wyatt one more time, seeing the anger in his eyes as he stood over Malakai's unconscious body. Without another word, I turned and left the bar, feeling embarrassed and more broken than I'd ever been.