5. That’s Not My Name
THAT’S NOT MY NAME
CASH
Walker dumped two huge light blue suitcases at my feet as I was hauling bags into the covered truck bed.
“The girl doesn’t pack light, does she?” I mumbled as I picked up the first suitcase and tossed it into the truck bed with a little too much force.
“Did you expect anything different?” Walker chuckled. “One of these is probably only boots.”
“This is going to be a long fucking summer.” I wiped sweat off my forehead with the back of my forearm. It was mid-April, but the summer heat was starting to creep into the morning air.
“Look, I know you and Paige don’t always see eye to eye, but I expect you to look out for her while on the road.” Walker’s face was emotionless, but I knew what he was really saying—keep her away from cowboys, and keep my dirty paws off her.
“You know I always do.”
He tipped his chin as I loaded the second suitcase more gently this time. I closed the tailgate just as Mr. Brooks and Paige approached us on the driveway.
“Ready to go?” Mr. Brooks asked as Paige pulled open the passenger door and threw her backpack inside. She looked so adorably mad.
“Yes, sir. About six hours in the car today and we’ll stay overnight near Billings, and then another three tomorrow. Events start Thursday so we’ll have a day to relax before the chaos begins.”
He clapped me on the shoulder and nodded. “You’re going to do great, kid.”
I nodded back, swallowing the emotions that were quickly boiling to the surface. “I’m going to try.”
Paige hugged her parents and siblings one by one before they headed inside. I got behind the wheel and started the engine just as Buck and Tweety, the two ranch hands who would be joining us, rounded the house.
I didn’t need anyone to come with me, but Mr. Brooks thought it would be good exposure for them. He also thought it would be best to not travel alone all summer.
In hindsight, at least now Paige and I would have a buffer.
Witnesses to any murders.
Precautionary, of course.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t little blondie Brooks,” Buck cooed, checking out Paige from head to toe.
Paige giggled and wrapped him a big hug.
“You joining us on the road, P?” Tweety asked as he looped an arm around her shoulders.
The two peered down at her with star-studded eyes and a bit of drool.
I should have guessed that Paige was on a first name basis with these guys, but something about them acting like they were close-knit friends made my skin buzz with an angry energy.
Paige was likeable, and when she smiled at you it was soul melting.
Of course they fucking loved her, it was impossible not to.
“Yep. You’re stuck with me.” She winked at him.
“I think there are worse places to be stuck.” Tweety flashed her a sly grin.
“Get in the fucking truck,” I barked, already over their antics.
The two men startled and glanced over at me scowling. Tweety dropped his arm quickly and started loading their bags into the truck bed. Paige climbed into the passenger seat and closed the door. She glanced over at me and smiled sweetly, but I could see right through her.
“Aw, Cash, don’t be jealous.”
“Behave yourself, Pip,” I scolded.
Her smile fell. “Don’t call me that.”
“It’s your name, darlin’.”
“Oh, okay, Jesse.”
I pinned her with a glare. On this ranch—in this life—I was Cash. No one called me Jesse, and I left him behind a long time ago.
“Don’t call me that,” I mimicked her words.
“It’s your name, darlin’,” she mocked back in a deep voice.
I rolled my eyes, ignoring the little pang in my chest that told me I got a little thrill at the way my name sounded coming out of her mouth.
Six absolutely torturous hours later, we pulled up to a motel outside of Billings, Montana. At first, the ride was smooth. Paige put her earbuds in and we drove in beautiful silence. The temporary calm made me just naive enough to think that maybe this trip wouldn’t be so bad.
That was until Buck decided he was bored and started flirting with Paige in front of me.
He leaned forward so he could rest one elbow on the center console and plucked one earbud out of her ear.
She giggled and tried getting it back before he reached up to tickle her side.
I groaned and barked at them both to behave and be still.
I felt like a father on a road, outnumbered by toddlers.
That went on for five fucking hours.
I pushed out of the motel lobby and approached the truck where Paige, Buck, and Tweety were standing. I was tired, cold, and ready to be locked inside my own room with complete silence. Eight straight hours with no little blonde temptations staring at me with deep blue eyes.
“Buck and Tweety, you’re together in 105.” I handed them the keys. “Paige, you’re 104. I’m 103.”
“What’s the plan for tonight?” Paige asked with a smile, looking over at the boys and ignoring my presence completely.
“The plan is for you to go to bed,” I deadpanned, dropping the key into her open palm.
She scoffed. “It’s literally only eight o’clock, and tomorrow we aren’t in a rush. Come on. Let’s go get some drinks.”
“No.”
“Please?” Paige whined.
“No.”
“Don’t be lame. It’ll be fun.”
“I said no, Paige,” I snapped. “This is serious. It isn’t just one long party all summer. I didn’t want to bring you here, and I sure as fuck am not here to babysit you. So go the fuck to bed, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
Paige’s face paled, her eyes going glassy.
I immediately regretted snapping at her. “Paige—”
“Good night, Cash.” she cut me off, spinning on her heel and stalking off to her room.
Tweety let out a low whistle, shaking his head. “That wasn’t necessary, dude.” He grabbed the handles of Paige’s suitcases and followed her.
I already felt like an asshole; I didn’t need him to confirm it. I was still processing the fact that I was going to be plagued with watching Paige in brutally forced proximity all summer long and it was manifesting in my attitude.
Buck appeared beside me and clapped me on the shoulder. “You need to get this thing with her worked out, or this is going to be a long summer.”
I shook off his hand. “What thing?”
He barked out a laugh. “You joking?”
I shook my head.
Buck released a long breath and slung his duffel over his shoulder before facing me.
“Look, Boss, you can deny it, but you have a thing for little miss P. You can ignore it all you want, but it’s true. All I’m saying is that if you want to fuck her, none of us will tell. What happens this summer stays between us.”
I stilled. There was no reality in which I could fuck Paige Brooks, and I didn’t need everyone around us thinking I did. That rumor would end my life and reputation. I worked hard to hide my feelings for the girl, and Buck pointing it out on day one was not what I needed.
Without another word, he left me standing in front of the truck alone. I dropped my shoulders and tipped my head to the dark sky. Trailing after him, my mind drifted into overdrive.
I could deny what Buck said was true, but I’d be a liar. I’d had a thing for Paige Brooks since we were kids, but I couldn’t risk acting on it. I couldn’t betray the men who put their trust in me. I couldn’t play with her heart—which is what everyone expected of me when it came to women.
One thing I knew for sure was that I needed to make this up to her. She didn’t choose to come on this trip. She was forced into it by her dad and she didn’t deserve my wrath.
I also simply hated the fact that I was the asshole who made her upset. If I saw that girl shed one single tear, I’d burn the world to the ground.