Chapter Thirteen
I thought I was going to vomit.
Colton waved slightly, making Harrison laugh out loud.
He was still wearing his rodeo clothes, a dark blue shirt that clung to his chest. His jeans were slightly dusty from the arena. He was wearing his usual tan cowboy hat and, of course, the dark, heavy boots.
I turned back to Harrison, my face on fire. Everyone around us was nearly silent, excited to hear how this situation would explode. “You need to listen to me. Can we go somewhere private to talk?”
He laughed, a mocking, cruel laugh. “What? Are you embarrassed to do this in front of all your new hick friends?”
I felt the need to apologize to every single person in this town for his behavior.
Fine. I guess we were doing this here. “I didn’t sleep with anyone. What I was going to say was that I spent the last few days reflecting and spending time with my-”
“I don’t have to listen to this,” he growled.
He pushed his chair back so hard that the legs scraped the real hardwood floors below him.
He was standing, but didn’t move, his eyes narrowed at the cowboys, fresh from the rodeo, standing at the door.
“Don’t act like you’re here for a nice meal, cowboy. Come on. Have at her.”
I gave Harrison an appalled look. “Harrison. Stop it.”
His gaze turned to me, glaring through his spotless circle glasses.
He picked up the velvet box and shoved it back into his pocket.
He leaned across the table, getting right up in my face.
“Go have your fun with the hick in his barn.” His words were venomous.
“See how much your career loves you when I call Craig Sterling Monday morning and tell him you ran off with the talent. See how fast that promotion evaporates when the board knows you chose a good time over this project.”
I never questioned how he knew my boss’ first name, but as he threatened to blackmail me, I knew that his relationship with Mr. Sterling was good enough to ruin mine. I stood up and grabbed his arm as he turned to leave. “Harrison, let me explain-”
He ripped his arm from my grasp.
My sweet boyfriend. In Chicago, the most exciting thing he ever did was golf on the weekends.
He never raised his voice, never argued, and now it was like a completely different person.
He raised his finger, holding it an inch away from my nose.
His face was as red as a tomato, the vein in his neck looking dangerous. “You’re a lying slut.”
I took a step back in surprise, tears filling my eyes.
“Hang on there, Chicago,” a Southern accent jumped in. Once again, I was staring at the back of Colton’s head as he stood between me and Harrison. He was taller than Harrison, at least half a foot, if not more. “That’s enough. It’s time for you to leave.”
Harrison shoved Colton back hard, but he only stumbled once before catching himself. “What are you going to do about it, hick?”
Colton rubbed his eyes, as if he were too tired to deal with his stubbornness. “I’m not gonna ask you nicely again.”
I put my hand on Colton’s shoulder, pulling him back gently. “Harrison, it’s time to go.”
“Listen to her,” Colton echoed. “Keep your dignity and go home.”
“Oh, now you get to tell me what to do?” Harrison turned, as if he couldn’t bear to look at either of us anymore. “I don’t think so.”
He turned quickly, his fist raised. Colton ducked instinctively. I barely had time to register what was happening before I felt Harrison’s knuckles crash against my face.
“Ally!”
An explosive, searing pain erupted in my cheek. Surprised, I fell back, landing on my butt.
“Alright, buddy, time to go,” Jimmy ordered.
My hand went to my cheek, covering half of my face.
“Ally, are you alright?”
Colton was crouched in front of me, concern and surprise written on his face. My mouth hung open in utter shock at what had happened. I glanced up to see Jimmy ordering Dean and Alan to haul Harrison out of the restaurant.
Harrison was shouting, threatening to call the police, but they slammed the door the second he was outside.
I still hadn’t answered Colton, who gently tapped my knee with his pointer and middle fingers to pull me back. I turned my attention to him. “I’m fine,” I whispered. “I’m fine.”
“I am so terribly sorry, Ally,” he whispered back. “I-”
I took my hand away from my cheek and held it up to stop him. “Please don’t apologize, I already feel terrible for getting you involved. If you apologize, I will feel more guilty.”
He had a small smile on his lips. “Can I help you up?”
I nodded, and he held out his calloused hand. I took it, feeling my palm get swallowed in his. He pulled me to my feet with ease and didn’t let go. I stared deep into his gaze, not able to pull myself away.
He had some stubble on his face, making him even more handsome, if that was possible. His crooked smile was still plastered on his face as he sighed contentedly. I felt blood rush to my cheeks.
I finally pulled my hand away when Jimmy, Alan, and Dean wandered behind him. I tucked my hair behind my ears. “I am so sorry.”
“That’s quite a shiner,” Alan said quietly.
I gave a quizzical look before Colton pointed to his own face. I reached into my forgotten purse and pulled out my mother’s rose-embroidered compact. The small mirror dusted with powder did not make me feel any better about the situation.
My left eye was growing more swollen by the second, and a small cut had split open on my cheek. I slammed the compact shut and took a long breath, ready to give another long apologetic speech.
I never got the chance.
“Are you okay?” Colton asked again, resting his twitching hand on a chair.
I had never been more embarrassed in my life. I had a throbbing pain in my cheek, and I wanted to crawl under the covers for the next week. “I promise, I’m okay. I just want to go back to my hotel. I’m going to go call a cab.”
“You will not,” Jimmy said sternly. “We’re takin’ you. Load up, boys.”
I held up my hands. “You all have done more than enough for me.”
“Load up,” he ordered again.
“Let me grab the food,” Dean said, wandering to the counter.
“When did he order our food?” Alan asked with a shocked smile.
“Please, I promise-”
“We’re takin’ you home,” Colton interrupted. “You can’t stop us.”
He was looking at me again with that lost gaze. I offered a small smile, and he led me through the still-silent restaurant.
“I think I owe the manager a gift card or something,” I muttered as we wandered into the warm evening air.
“Are you kiddin’?” Alan scoffed. “You did this town a favor. They will be gossipin’ about this for years to come.”
Colton glared over his shoulder. “That’s not helpful, Alan.”
We stopped in front of a beat-up red truck. Colton opened the front passenger door for me and helped me in, giving my hand a small squeeze as he did. He climbed in the back with the twins, and Jimmy took the driver’s seat.
“Where are you stayin’?” Jimmy asked as he pulled away.
“The new hotel, south of town,” I answered quietly.
Dean whistled. “Fancy fancy.”
It was quiet for a long time; I’m sure all of them were trying and failing to think of anything other than the scene I had caused to talk about. “Are you all going to Oklahoma in two weeks?” I asked after the silence was becoming painful.
“That’ll be our home rodeo,” Jimmy said with a wink, turning on his blinker.
I kicked myself mentally. “Right! That’s exciting. I bet your families are excited to see you all.”
Dean sniffed. “My fiancée is probably ready to leave me.”
“Rodeo wife life,” Alan retorted, shoving a handful of fries into his mouth.
“And your wife and kids?” I asked Jimmy. “Are they used to the rodeo life?”
He half shrugged. “I don’t know if you can ever be used to it.” She’s put up with a lot for me, and one day, when I’m done with the rodeo, I’ll make it up to her by never leavin’ again.” Jimmy pulled into the hotel parking lot.
“I’ll walk you in,” Colton said suddenly. He popped his door open before I could say another word.
I snagged my purse, thanked Jimmy for the ride, and climbed out.
Colton and I walked side by side toward the hotel. I held my breath; he smelled so good.
Once we were a foot away from the lobby entrance, I stopped and turned to him.
He leaned against the wall, folding his arms and letting a mischievous grin take over his face. “If you’re going to apologize again, I might as well get back in the truck.”
“I can’t not apologize,” I said with a sheepish grin.
“You have nothing to apologize for,” he said casually.
“My boyfriend thought we were sleeping together and tried to punch you,” I argued. “That’s worth an apology.”
He took off his dusty hat and ran a hand through his messy hair. “I’d gladly take an apology from your ex-boyfriend any day, but I’ll be darned if you do it on his behalf.”
I really loved how he called Harrison my ex-boyfriend. I looked at my shoes, unable to hide my blush. “Well, then, let me say thank you for defending my honor.”
“They call me the fireman,” He shrugged with a knowing smile. “Puttin’ out old flames all over town.”
I laughed out loud, I couldn’t help it.
He put his finger under my chin, as if he couldn’t help himself, and forced me to look at him. His lips were in a hard straight line, and he was tilting his head.
We stared at each other, the world seeming to disappear around us.
I was barely breathing.
He dropped his hand, as if reality had slapped him. “I’ll let you get some rest. See you in Oklahoma?”
I let out a breath I’d been holding for way too long. “Yes. I’m headed to Chicago for a bit to regroup, and then I will see you there. Travel safe.” My words came out staccato.
“You too.” He took a single step away.
“Thank you,” I said, not able to move.
“Thank you,” he said, taking another step.
We stared at each other for another thirty seconds before finally both turning and going our separate ways.
I had been punched in the face by someone who was supposed to be my husband, so why couldn’t I stop smiling?