Chapter 12 Tully
TWELVE
TULLY
“I’m a horrible friend,” I say to my best friend.
Today has been a day.
I’ve never felt more alive and more exhausted at the same time.
On the one hand solidifying everything with Dean, saying fuck it.
I’m jumping in feet first, head over heels, ass over elbows, any analogy you can come up with it.
That’s what we’ll go with and it will be absolutely amazing.
On the other hand, it left me feeling like a piece of shit.
I kept this huge, massive, life-size secret from her.
The worst part is she’s not even the first to know.
Nope, that would be Ryland, JW, and Catherine.
Birdie has every right to kick my ass and take away being the godmother of her future unborn children. I’d deserve it plus some.
“Why do you say that?” Birdie is at my greenhouse I’m renting from her mom.
I left Dean and the Johnson ranch. I had to go back to the clinic, drop off the bloodwork, work on charts, and tell Maureen about the three extras horses I worked on, too.
She didn’t act surprised in the least, which led me to believe this wasn’t the first time it happened.
The only difference was the bill was divided between the ranch and Dean.
I didn’t really like the idea of Dean taking responsibility of three horses that may come back with an issue of who knows what.
Although I’m praying with everything I’ve got that Honey Belle, Raven the black stallion, which is now JW’s horse, and Catherine’s colt, Buck, are as healthy as they can be under the circumstances.
Yep, she named him just as fast as I did Honey Belle.
Poor Dean. He didn’t get a say in the last two, and I named the first.
“I’ve been seeing Dean for a few weeks. It’s been a secret because of Herbert and his penchant for riding my ass.
And I’m falling in love with him.” I’m stepping out of the shower, towel wrapped around my body, one on my hair wrapped in a turban.
This was the only time I could get with her before I’ll undoubtedly be called out.
Thankfully, Lane was working with Lawson on some downed fence, and she was planning on coming to see her mom, too.
“I know, Tully.” Birdie is sitting on the floor, back to the mattress, legs stretched out in front of her, and looking down at a paperback.
She quite literally has her nose stuck in a book.
The same one I’m supposed to be listening to, but each time I lay my head down at night, I promptly pass out.
I’ve tried to catch up while driving, except it seems that’s now become my down time.
“What do you mean you know? Does everyone know?” I ask.
“Tallulah, it was clear as day at the rodeo that he was smitten with you. I don’t know how you thought you could get away from a Johnson.
When they see something they want, they go after it.
I’ve been waiting patiently for you to finally tell me.
” She turns a page, finishing the chapter she was on.
I see her find a receipt on the floor to use it as a placeholder.
Damn straight. We are not evil spawns of Satan.
We do not dog ear pages, crack spines, or read the last page first.
“And you’re not mad at me?” Birdie shakes her head. Finally, my shoulders relax.
“Nope, I knew you’d talk to me when you were ready, and I also know my best friend enough to realize there was a reason behind it. Although, I’m sure the subject matter sounds stupid even to your own ears. We women put up imaginary walls; it’s up to our men to break them down.”
“Fuck.” My back meets the wall, and I slide down until I’m on my ass and facing my best friend. I sit much the same way she is, my lower back and calves loving the stretching sensation. Clearly, I haven’t been as active lately, minus in bed with Dean.
“I hope you’ve been doing a whole lot of that.” Birdie’s comment breaks me out of my reverie. I giggle then snort. She laughs and tosses her head back.
“Oh, we have.” I’m unsure of how to talk about this or how this is going to work. “I’m really sorry I didn’t tell you first.”
“Tallulah, that’s enough. We’re friends. I’d probably do similar in your shoes. From now on, though, no more secrets.” She holds out her pinky finger. I wrap mine around hers, and we kiss our fist at the same time, sealing our promise to one another.
“No more secrets,” I agree.
“Good. Now tell me everything. Lane gossips with his brothers but forgets to relay the juiciness to me. Therefore, I’ll be living vicariously through you for the time being.
” Who am I to deny my best friend details of what’s been going on today?
I’m known for staying in my towel forever.
Same goes with my hair turban, a character flaw of sorts.
There is some good that comes with it though, the longer it dries on its own, the less time I have to deal with blow drying.
We sit for what seems like hours, catching up like we didn’t see each other a couple of days ago.