Chapter 5
LILY
Colt Callahan is trying to sabotage me, and he’s not doing it quietly and definitely not cleverly.
He’s doing it like a grumpy toddler in a grown man’s body—arms crossed, attitude loud, still favoring that damn knee, and his responses are limited to grunts and glares.
I shouldn’t be surprised. I’ve been here a week already, and all I’ve gotten are one-syllable answers and side-eyes.
We’re in the conference room, which is really just a folding table and some metal chairs. Oh, and pen and paper, can’t forget the prehistoric writing tools.
Levi’s here along with two sponsors. Will, their dad, stands to the side of me, and Colt has moved his chair a good three feet back from the table as if he’s trying to create a noticeable distance.
“So,” I say brightly, pulling up the sponsorship plan on my iPad, “we’re focusing on visibility, community branding, digital engagement—”
“Pass,” Colt mutters.
I give a bright white-toothpaste-commercial smile. I know his type and have learned quite a bit about him this past week. He’s trying hard to get me to quit, but I won’t be pushed out of this place. So my plan today is to give whatever he dishes out, right back.
“Great feedback,” I say. “Truly insightful. You should write a book.”
Levi snorts, and one of the sponsors coughs to hide a laugh. I won't be overly disrespectful, but I’m going to let them all know, every man in this room, that I’m damn good at my job and I won’t be pushed around.
“We don’t need fancy marketing,” he adds. “We need bulls, dirt, and beer.”
“Congratulations,” I reply sweetly. “You’ve described every rodeo since 1924.”
Levi chokes on his drink. His dad pinches the bridge of his nose.
Colt finally looks at me. “You always this mouthy?”
“Only with men who enjoy it more than they admit.”
“Whoa,” Levi whispers.
One of the sponsors shifts uncomfortably. “Uh—so what exactly are you proposing?”
“Story,” I answer. “Not noise, not big billboard ads. No gimmicks or jokes. We want to reaffirm that this place was built on legacy and runs on family and heart. Fans that come here know they're buying into a lifetime of riding, not just an event for the night. I’ve got a big rodeo I’m planning, with high-end names and lots of giveaways.
Something like this will keep them coming back.
They want to invest in something meaningful. ”
Colt scoffs. “Meaningful doesn’t pay bills.”
“Neither does being miserable,” I fire back. “Yet here you are, fully employed.”
Levi loses it as his dad mutters, “Jesus, Lily.” I almost feel bad about it, but I won’t give in.
Colt leans forward. “You think you can walk in here and fix everything with a smile and an iPad?”
I lean forward, too. “You think glaring at people is a business model?”
“Worked so far.”
“Barely,” I say. “Your sponsors are aging out faster than your paperwork system.”
“That’s not your concern.”
“It is when I’m trying to stop this place from financially face-planting!”
Silence falls in the room, and one sponsor whistles. “She’s spicy.”
“I warned you,” Levi says proudly.
“You’re not changing this rodeo,” Colt snaps.
“No,” I reply calmly. “I’m keeping it alive. There’s a difference.”
“You don’t know anything about us.”
“I know systems,” I shoot back. “And this one’s running on duct tape, nostalgia, and your piss-poor attitude.”
“That’s called tradition.”
“That’s called denial.”
The room falls silent once more, and Colt’s eyes are dark. He’s angry and looks dangerous. I may have gone too far this time.
“You enjoy pushing me,” he says.
“Only because you push back,” I answer. “Consider it foreplay.”
Levi makes a choking noise.
His dad groans. “Lily—”
“What?” I say innocently. “He started it.”
Colt’s mouth twitches, just barely, as he says, “Oh, the good ol’ he started it. Very mature.”
“I had to drop to your level so you’d understand,” I snap back.
One sponsor clears his throat. “So…I like her.”
“Same,” Levi says, and Colt’s arm shoots out so fast that if I blinked, I would have missed it.
“Ow! What the fuck you do that for?” Levi cries while rubbing his bicep until he blinks twice and bursts out laughing. “Oh, I get it.”
I clear my throat. “Can we focus and move forward here, please?”
Everyone looks at Colt.
He exhales hard. “Fine. Do what you want.”
“That’s not support,” I say.
“That’s tolerance.”
“No,” I reply. “Support would stand next to me.”
I don’t know where it comes from, I don’t know why I say it except to say I’m not blind. I’ve been watching Colt. I like his fire, even though it's directed at me. It shows passion and confidence. But I need him on board with my plan if this is going to work.
He holds my stare, and I swear you can hear a pin drop. He stands slowly, and I take him in. Broad shoulders, strong chest, forearms I could hang on to.
“You talk a lot for someone who’s new here.”
I tilt my head. “You brood a lot for someone with a loving family business.”
He steps closer, and I inhale his manly scent. Like fresh wood pine and dirt, “You’re going to get hurt,” he says quietly.
I step closer, too. “Maybe,” I reply. “But I’ve been hung up on scarier men than you, cowboy.”
Levi breaks the silence by clapping and rubbing his hands together. “Wow. Sexual tension at a business meeting. Love that for us.”
Colt snaps, “Get out.”
“Gladly,” Levi says, grabbing his hat. “Sponsors, Dad, this concludes today’s episode of Cowboy vs Sunshine.”
Everyone begins to file out, chuckling and talking amongst themselves. Will pauses a moment longer, probably debating whether leaving us alone is a good idea.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Callahan, I won’t kick him when he’s down.”
His eyes crinkle with laughter, and he smacks Colt on the arm as he follows everyone else out.
We’re still standing close together when he asks, “You always fight like this?”
“Only when I care,” I say.
“Don’t,” he warns.
I smile. “Sorry, it’s in the sunshine handbook. I have to care about all things rodeo.” I grab my iPad and walk past him, but feel his attention follow me like heat on my back. It’s not anger anymore. It feels a bit more…feral.