Chapter Eleven
River
Linux snorts beneath me and tosses his head like he’s just as fed up as I am, which, honestly, is fair. We’ve been riding hard for the last hour, tearing through open fields and winding trails while I stew over my dad’s surprise visit.
Who does he think he is, marching in here and trying to run my life like I’m some helpless kid who doesn’t know her own mind? The man’s got a nerve the size of Texas, and I swear, if I think about it any longer, I might just ride Linux straight into the horizon and never look back.
I could leave. Just saddle up and hit the road. But I know I won’t. No matter how badly I want to.
There are a lot of things in my life that have been a constant, and my dad is one of them.
He’s the one person I’ve always been able to count on, and his opinion means the world to me.
He’s never steered me wrong. He’s been friends with Colby for years, so when he tells me the man isn’t right for me, there’s a part of me that thinks maybe he’s right.
But there’s another part that wants to scream and yell and fight until he understands. Until he accepts the fact that I’m an adult, and I can make my own decisions, and if I choose Colby, there’s not a damn thing he can do about it.
The truth is, my dad isn’t the only problem.
Sure, his attitude sucks, but the real issue is Colby.
What is his angle? The man made me breakfast. And not just cereal or Pop Tarts.
He went full-on cook, and when I saw him standing in the kitchen wearing nothing but a pair of sweats and holding a bowl of scrambled eggs, my ovaries nearly exploded.
It was the most wholesome thing I’ve ever seen, and if my dad hadn’t been there, I would have tackled him and had my way with him right there on the kitchen floor.
Instead, he and Dad had it out, and I retreated to my room.
I didn’t come out until after Richard was gone, and when I did, Colby was preparing our plates like nothing happened. Like it was a totally normal day. And I didn’t want to ruin the moment, so I went with it.
But the longer we went on pretending like everything was fine, the harder it was. There was an elephant in the room, and the weight of it was suffocating. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. So, I excused myself, got dressed, and went for a ride.
Linux and I are a team. A dynamic duo. We have this connection, and sometimes, it’s the only thing that keeps me sane. When the rest of the world feels like it’s closing in, Linux and I just keep riding.
But today, my trusty steed isn’t cutting it. My thoughts are all over the place, and as hard as I try, I can’t stop thinking about my dad. His reaction stung. A lot. And it has me second-guessing everything.
It’s not that I don’t want to be with Colby. God, I’ve wanted him since the first time I laid eyes on him, and I thought that once we slept together, it would be out of my system. That this obsession would end, and things would go back to normal.
But it didn’t.
If anything, I want him more. And I’m afraid of what that means.
Because if there’s one thing my mom taught me, it’s that men are untrustworthy. They say what they think you want to hear, and they lie through their teeth. They manipulate and coerce. They cheat and steal.
What the hell makes me think Colby will be any different?
But then I remember the look in his eyes. The way his hands felt on my body. The way he kissed me like no one had ever kissed me before. Like he couldn’t get enough.
Like I was all he needed.
Linux slows to a trot as we close in on the barn, and the other ranch hands are milling about the yard.
“Come on, boy. Let’s get you cooled off and settled.”
I dismount and lead him into the stable, but just before we get inside, the sound of crunching gravel draws my attention. Looking over my shoulder, I see a truck rolling up the dirt drive. A truck that looks a hell of a lot like the one I used to see parked in my driveway.
The brakes squeak as it pulls to a stop, and when the door opens, I watch in horror as Christian steps out. He walks around the hood and leans against the bumper, watching me as I lead Linux toward the barn.
“Nice ride,” he calls out, and all of Colby’s men turn to look at him.
I don’t answer. I can’t. My throat is so tight it’s like a hand is wrapped around it, choking the air from my lungs.
“Hey, I’m talking to you. Or is your hearing as bad as your manners?”
“River, are you okay?” Lewis calls out.
“Stay out of it,” Christian says. “This is between me and River.”
“Yeah, well, the lady doesn’t seem interested, and if she’s not, we don’t want you here. So why don’t you get back in your fancy-ass truck and go back where you came from.”
“Fuck you,” Christian snaps.
Lewis pulls his gloves off his hands and shouts over his shoulder, “Get the boss.”
“No!” I call out, trying to keep the situation from escalating. “Lewis, please, just let me handle this. Go on and get back to work.”
He turns to face me and tilts his head. “River, I don’t know what’s going on here, but if this man is a problem, you’d better tell us now.”
Christian lets out a dry laugh. “What, are you the girl’s bodyguard? She can’t speak for herself?”
“Shut your mouth, asshole,” I snap.
“Now, you know I don’t like to hear that kind of language coming out of your pretty little mouth, River. It doesn’t suit you.”
Linux whinnies, and his hooves beat against the ground. “Whoa, boy. Easy.” I stroke his neck and try to soothe him, but it’s not working. He’s getting more agitated by the second, so I decide to lead him into the barn.
“Don’t run off, River,” Christian calls after me. “We’re just getting started.”
Ignoring him, I head into the barn and secure him in his stall. “Relax, boy,” I murmur, running my fingers through his mane. “I’ll be right back.”
By the time I make it back outside, Colby is storming toward the scene, looking furious. He marches right up to Christian, stopping a few feet away from him, and points a finger at him.
“You have exactly thirty seconds to explain what the fuck you’re doing here This is private property, and you’re trespassing. The police have already been notified. In case you forgot, Ms. Thurston has a restraining order against you. You’re not supposed to be anywhere near her.”
“I wanted to talk to River, not you,” Christian replies. “So back the hell off.”
“Not a chance. I don’t give a shit who you’re here to talk to. I made it clear as day last night what would happen if you ever came near River again. I can’t believe I have to spell it out for you.”
“Is that a threat, Mr. Burke? Are you threatening me?”
“Damn right, I am. If you’re smart, you’ll leave. Right now.”
“I’m not leaving without talking to River. You don’t own her. You’re not her husband. And she can speak for herself. She’s a grown woman, and she doesn’t need you acting like her keeper.”
Colby’s jaw clenches, and his shoulders bunch. For a second, I’m sure he’s going to punch Christian right in his smug face.
“Colby, no. Please,” I say, stepping forward. “It’s fine. We’ll talk. Just give us a minute.”
“I’m not leaving,” Colby replies, and his tone is so final, it’s clear there’s no point arguing.
“Fine,” I agree. “Stay. But can you at least step away? Let me talk to him. I can handle this. I need to handle this.”
Colby looks at me, and after a long pause, he nods.
“Thank you,” I reply, turning to face Christian.
Colby kicks the dirt as he retreats a whole twenty feet away and posts himself near the porch.
“What are you doing here, Christian?” I ask, trying to keep my voice even.
“You’ve been avoiding my calls,” he replies. “After the way that guy manhandled me last night, the least you could do is answer the phone.”
“He was protecting me,” I reply. “You were breaking the terms of the restraining order, and you were harassing me. So yeah, he had every right to protect me.”
“Protect you? Who the hell is he to protect you? Are you... Are you screwing this guy, River? Is that it?”
“That’s none of your business, Christian.”
“Oh, I see how it is. You’re fucking him. Is that why you’ve been blowing me off? You’re too busy playing house with this old fuck to answer my calls?”
“Stop,” I snap, taking a step forward. “You need to listen to me very carefully. I am not your girlfriend. I’m not even your friend.
Not anymore. You and I are over, and that’s not going to change.
And honestly, Christian, if you had a lick of common sense, you’d stop while you’re ahead.
I have no interest in getting back together with you, and the more you push, the less I’m inclined to take your calls. Do you understand?”
“I don’t understand. At all. I thought we were happy, River. What happened? Why are you doing this to me?”
“Christian, I don’t owe you an explanation, but I’m going to give you one.
We were never happy. You were, but I wasn’t.
And that was my fault. I shouldn’t have stayed.
You treated me badly. You treated me like your possession, and you didn’t care how much it hurt me.
And then, when I tried to leave, you threatened me.
You held me against my will, and that is not okay.
No woman deserves that, and especially not me.
Now, the fact that you don’t understand why I’d want nothing to do with you speaks volumes.
And the truth is, if you truly cared about me, you’d accept that.
You’d leave me alone and move on with your life.
But you’re not going to do that, are you? ”
Christian stares at me for a moment and shakes his head. “You know what I think? I think this isn’t about me. It’s about him. This is because of that asshole, isn’t it? He’s got you convinced that I’m the bad guy. That’s what this is, isn’t it?”
“You have got to be kidding me,” I mutter, pinching the bridge of my nose. “This has nothing to do with Colby. This is about you and me, and how you treated me. It’s not complicated. It’s actually really simple. But clearly, you’re not hearing me.”
“I’m listening,” he insists.
“Good, because I’m only going to say this one more time. You and I are over. It’s done. It’s over, Christian. Do you understand?”
Christian reaches out and grabs my wrist, pulling me toward him. “River, don’t say that.”
“Let go of me.”
“Please, just—”
“Get your hands off her!” Colby barks, charging toward us. He reaches out, grips Christian’s forearm, and jerks him away from me.
“Don’t fucking touch me!” Christian screams, throwing a punch.
But Colby ducks it easily, and the momentum carries Christian forward, sending him stumbling to the ground. Lewis and the rest of the hands are running toward us, shouting and yelling, but their words are lost in the commotion.
“Stay down, Christian,” Colby growls.
“Go to hell!”
Christian is scrambling to his feet when Lewis and another hand, Jackson, reach him. They grab him and hold him back as he struggles.
“Let me go, assholes! I swear, if you don’t let me go, you’re gonna regret it.”
“I’ll regret not breaking your fucking neck,” Colby spits, moving toward him.
“Stop,” I cry, putting myself between them. “You said you called the cops already, right? Then let’s just wait for them. We don’t need any more violence. This has gone on long enough.”
Right on cue, the wail of sirens cuts through the air, and Christian’s shoulders slump in defeat. Christian tries to squirm away, but Lewis and Jackson are holding him tight.
“Easy,” Lewis tells him like he’s talking to a spooked animal. “Just relax, buddy.”
“Get your hands off me!” Christian demands, trying to jerk his arms free.
“We will. Soon as the police get here. Just hang tight. Don’t want you making things worse for yourself, do you?”
“Worse? How the fuck could this get any worse? I came here to talk to my girlfriend. My girlfriend. Not you, you son of a bitch. So let go of me. Let me go, goddamn it.”
Nobody responds, and the ranch hands stand firm until two officers arrive on the scene.
I take a deep breath before I reach into my pocket and pull out the piece of paper I’ve kept on me every single day since I left Christian.
Every time this man has contacted me, I’ve thought about filing charges, but some twisted sense of loyalty to the man I once loved kept me from doing it.
But not anymore.
Today is different.
Because today, I’m not going to let him walk all over me. Today, I’m going to put an end to his abuse once and for all.