4. Stetson
STETSON
Labor Day weekend is heavy on labor when you live on a ranch. My abs clench and burn by the end of afternoon chores with cattle and horses.
“Hayes!” Mack, our heavy-duty mechanic, calls me by my last name. “Glad to have you back, man.”
“Nothing like a hard day’s work to keep me sane!” I’ve had more than enough steam to blow off. The way last night went down with Layla wasn’t how I intended to reconnect with her.
The dark hollowed look she sent me when I pleaded ripped my gut to pieces. Pretty sure she hates me more now than when I left. Being the possible cause of that plummets my gut through the bottom of my boot.
“Figured your hand would be out of commission the way Clint was running his mouth at the coffee shop this morning.” He chuckles.
“Oh, yeah?” I’d gladly do it again if need be.
“Son of a bitch didn’t get the pity he intended.” He wipes his brow with the back of his gloved hand. “Even my girl chewed him out in front of everyone.”
“Fucker deserved it too.” My eyebrows raise, giving a knowing look. “I’m gonna wash up for the day.” With that, I hop on the four-wheeler and head toward my childhood home. My house on the property is already framed. I’m excited to move in soon.
A cold beer calls my name before I head to the bathroom for a cool shower. Before I do either, my phone dings.
Parker: Had to help my dad last night. I missed the Fair’s excitement!
My long-time best friend has been with me through it all.
Even coming out on the road for some events over the years.
But he’s the reason I end up in the news a lot of the time.
We always made some type of scene––good, chaotic nights.
Until he fell hard for my little sister and hasn’t had any desire to party or look at another woman.
I’m happy for them but spare me the details.
Me: Had to make a headline without you for once.
Parker: Just remember you’re back for good, so ease up.
Me: I’ll punch any man who lays a hand on a woman without consent.
Parker: Drinks at Neon Saloon tonight?
I’m beat, but it’s line dancing night, and Karli says she and Layla have been obsessed.
Me: Give me 2 hours?
I could use a nap and a steak before heading out.
Parker: You bet.
Neon Saloon hasn’t changed a bit. The large dance floor is full of cowboy boots stomping about, and there’s no shortage of neon signs. Parker and I sit at the end of the bar, talking over the music.
“You think Clint will show up tonight?” Parker raises his beer to me.
“Don’t care, as long as he doesn’t harass anyone.” The whiskey warms my throat, but the memory of him degrading Layla boils my blood. The fact that something drove my sweet girl to throw a punch had me wanting to deck him repeatedly. I’ll be damned to let anyone make her feel unsafe.
“Hey, Stetson.” My muscles flinch as a hand meets my shoulder.
“Misty.” She’s always been a stage-five clinger to anyone who gives her a moment of attention.
“I’d be glad to welcome you back to town tonight.” Her hand slides between my shoulder blades, sending a chill down my spine.
“No.” I remove her hand, avoiding her eyes. Sleeping around during my time in rodeo wasn’t my thing, and it’s not starting now.
With a scoff, she trots off. “They're here.” Parker nods, his eyes flicking past me as he grins.
Following his gaze, Layla and Karli head over.
“There’s my girl.” Parker smiles wide, waving like a goofball.
“Hey, bro.” My sister greets me first before stepping between Parker's legs, kissing him.
Anddd my attention shifts to my right.
Layla leans on the counter, cleavage on full display for the bartender, wearing a red dress that hugs her curves.
Her dark curls and bangs frame her smoky eyes, making it impossible for me to look anywhere else. That and her citrus perfume awakens my cock.
“Hey, Rodney.” She smiles, completely ignoring my existence. “The usual, please.”
“Coming up, dear.” He grabs a glass.
Her body shifts my way, glossy lips tugging into a smirk. I guess I’m not completely chopped liver. She’s all woman and everything I’ve dreamed about, but we have a past to discuss.
“About last night.” Layla’s voice lassos me closer, and I’m hanging on to every word. “That battle wasn't yours.”
“I was just––”
A soft finger rests on my lips, cutting me off. My body lights up at this assertive side of her.
“I’m not finished.” Yes ma’am. “Thank you for punching my ex.”
Rodney sets her drink in front of her, and she smiles.
“Ex?” My head spins as she sips her drink, completely unbothered. What the actual fuck have I missed?
“That means we dated, then broke up,” she says with a smart-ass tone. Is this bait? Revenge of sorts by sleeping with the enemy?
“We grew up with him.” My jaw tightens as my molars clamp down. “You know he’s bad news.”
“I knew he wasn’t skipping town and thought I could change him.” Her reply is simply stated, burning through my chest. Downing her glass, she stands, her toned legs on display drawing my eyes over them. They should be wrapped around my neck. “This conversation is over.”
I smile tightly, forcing myself to respect her choice.
My whiskey flows down my throat until the glass empties. I need another. To my left, my sister is sucking Parker’s face...Have they come up for air?
“We’re in public.” Annoyance builds in my stomach. “Can you two not?”
Parker slides his hands out of her back pockets, breaking their kiss.
“Actually, no.” Karli turns. “I’ve never been happier, and he treats me like a princess.”
I realize I’m nodding in agreement.
“I’ll try not to be gropey in front of you, but at the same time, hiding my love for this man isn’t happening.”
I applaud her for taking a stand.
“Fine,” I mutter, turning my attention to Layla who’s lost in thought. Her heavy eyes meet mine. She’s thinking about how we‘d sneak around.
“Ayyyy!” A group of buddies crowds us, putting space between Layla and me. “We’ve missed hanging with you, Hayes!” They welcome me back, starting with another whiskey for me.
Looking to my right, Layla’s traveled to the dance floor with my sister. Carrying on small talk with the guys, I’m not sure how much time has passed when I notice Layla beelining toward the door. She can’t be leaving already.
“I’ll be back,” I tell them before following her out of the saloon. “Layla,” I call out across the parking lot.
She looks over her shoulder, waves, and continues walking. Yeah, hell no. A few large paces, and I’m next to her.
“Where are you going?”
Thankfully, she stops.
“Home. I have a busy day tomorrow, and I’m not in the right headspace to be around you.”
That’s when I hear it. Like a siren programmed within me. The pitch in her voice. She’s holding it together like the morning after we slept together.
“Please let me explain myself,” I beg, not caring how desperate I sound.
“Look, Stetson, I knew what I was getting into with you. You were the hottest guy in town.” She takes a step closer. “I get it.”
“Get what?”
“You took my virginity like a generic souvenir before leaving.” Her hands rest on her hips, but they may as well have slapped me.
“Fuck, Layla.” I scrub my face as my chest tightens. “That’s not…”
All this time, she’s assumed I devalued her. That it didn’t mean anything to me that she gave me her first time.
“I don’t regret having sex with you. It just sucks how you let it all play out, knowing there was a deadline.
” With a shake of her head, she takes a few steps backwards, but my feet forget how to move.
“But at that point in our lives, our careers kept us apart.” She shrugs. “I moved on like you did.”
“Yeah.” Instability cuts through my tone. “With Clint.” I don’t know how long they were together, but the thought of him has my hand balling into a fist. “What a prize.”
“You and I weren’t dating, Stetson. You left town.” Stopping by her house felt too intrusive considering my sister had never been invited over. “Don’t judge me on how I coped with losing you, and all the shit that went down with my father after.”
I wasn’t home for her dad’s funeral after he drunkenly crashed into a tree, and her mother all unveiled the skeletons in the closet during her funeral speech. My parents still hold guilt for not knowing they were sending Layla home to an abusive alcoholic all those years.
“Let’s go someplace quieter.” It takes every ounce of strength not to reach for her hand.
“Goodnight, Stetson.” Once again, I watch her walk off the hurt I caused.
I wasn’t sure what would happen returning home. Clearly, us slow dancing, finding a quiet place to talk, and kissing it out was a pipe dream.
No longer in the mood to do anything, I wander back inside, heading for the bar. I’ve every intention of doing something nice by closing out Layla's tab and mine.
“Hey, Rodney. Add Layla’s tab to mine, please.” I pull out my card.
“She’s paid up.” He pauses, wiping the bar top with a chuckle. “Layla covered your drinks, too, saying it was a thank you for last night.”
Oh, she’s good. Knows right where to hit without laying a finger on me.
“Stetson!” a buddy calls out. “Parker got us all a round of shots to start with.”
Well, one more drink with old friends won’t hurt.