Part 3 (2/2)

When I wasn't involved with wedding festivities, planning a bachelorette outing, or working in the salon, I often went to the local bar, or hung out at my cousin Bella's house. I'd babysit for her so she could help her husband in their veterinary clinic, which was also located on the family property just off the main ranch. Sometimes I'd stay the night and hang out with her and Rusty. They didn't seem to mind the intrusion, especially since her brothers were too busy with their own lives to bother to visit, even when they lived less than a mile away.

Jake and Jax, the world's worst set of twins, had gone from being womanizers to faithful companions. Since their turn for the better, they stayed to themselves. Jax has twin girls with his wife Amber, who happens to be a famous model. I think in some ways the boys always had each other, so as long as they spend time together they don't worry too much about all of us, though they do come around almost every Sunday for our large potluck dinners. It's a tradition that's been happening since before I was born. I honestly don't know a life without it. Even when we visit the family in Kentucky they share the same tradition with their children. Sometimes I feel like I'm going to be the only person in the family without someone to share my life with. I know I'm young, in my early twenties, and obviously stupid, but I still deserve happiness, right?

Cammie's bachelorette party was low key. She and Wes had decided to keep them simple since they were already practically wed. Leave it to Wes to be the perfect gentlemen when it came to making Cammie uncomfortable. He put his foot down when our uncle Ty, and his sons, Jake and Jax, pushed for strippers and Vegas. I think somewhere in the back of my wicked mind I was hoping Wes would screw up and make a mockery out of the whole wedding event. I'd be lying if I said the idea of it hasn't crossed my mind a time or two.

Anyway, for Cammie's outing we chose to do it at the local country club. It's on a lake at a well-known golf club. Many of our friends from high school attended, and even a few came all the way from California where Cammie had gone to school. As always, we were constantly compared to one another. Sure, Cammie and I look alike, but we're very different at the same time. Cammie is laid back. She prefers to be comfortable and doesn't worry about makeup or doing her hair, while I naturally feel better about myself when I'm dolled up and ready to impress. I always felt like I had to work at being beautiful, while she sort of woke up that way. Maybe it's her innocence. Even though she had an affair with a married man, Cammie is the poster child for being a good girl. She excels in school, stays focused on her dreams, and doesn't let problems get in her way.

We used to have the latter of those ideas in common, up until my heart got trampled on. I know it's my fault for putting myself out there to Wes. For the longest time when he came back to town I kept quiet regarding my feelings. I watched him with my brother and waited until I felt like my opportunity had arose. Unfortunately, it was right around the time Cammie came back to town, and the little hint of interest Wes was giving me dissipated. Maybe I shouldn't have turned a blind eye. I was so awestruck over his presence that I didn't see what was right in front of me. Shame on me for that. It was a whopper of realization, that's for sure.

So back to the bachelorette party. I may have taken it upon myself to pay for extra entertainment without my mother's knowledge. The police officer showed up promptly at eight in the evening. He came into the room with a citation pad in his hands, prepared to write us up for noise pollution. Aside from some mellow music none of us had caused enough sound to warrant a visit from the police, so all eyes were on me.

I simply shrug and smile. ”I have no idea who ordered him.”

It was already too late. The damage was done. Worst part of all he happened to be someone Cammie dated briefly in school, a person she couldn't stand. As he grinded his mostly naked body all over her I thought she was going to rip his c.o.c.k off. Her friends rallied, making the mood a little easier for Cam to manage, while I reap in the benefits of seeing a hot a.s.s man get down. When the first song comes to an end I'm being led into another room by my angry sister. ”What the h.e.l.l is wrong with you? Wes and I know him. You did this on purpose.”

I'm still smiling, but not because I'm up to no good, it's probably more because I had no idea when I ordered a stripper it would be someone we hung out with in high school. ”I really didn't know, Cam.”

She shoves me. ”You're determined to ruin my wedding aren't you? I've had about enough of this s.h.i.+t with you, Cal. Get over it already. I'm marrying Wes. We're a family, and there's not a d.a.m.n thing you can do to stop it.”

This enrages me. How dare she throw it in my face? I shove her back. ”Back off of me. I don't give a s.h.i.+t about your marriage to Wes.”

”Oh really? You could have fooled me.”

I don't know why this comes out of my mouth, but as soon as I say it I know I'm a total mess. ”Apparently you're easily fooled. Isn't that how you ended up s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g a married man and having his kid?”

The slap is fast and precise to my cheek. My sister's eyes have never displayed such horror. She's irate and ready to pounce. It's a good thing my mother has overheard most of the conversation. She swoops in and puts her whole body between us. ”Stop this now!”

I toss my hands above my head. ”I'm out of here. Enjoy the entertainment. The second hour is free.”

When I leave I drive until I reach the Pennsylvania line. Since I've come unannounced, I know there is little chance Lys is going to be prepared for company. After parking my car I notice the house is dark. Only a single vehicle sits in the driveway and I recognize it immediately.

I'm tired of driving, and it's entirely too late to turn around and head home. My phone died earlier in the day and I don't even have a charger in the car to rectify the situation. My only option is to go inside and hope his sister is using his car while he's out of town.

I knock on the door before squatting down to check under the rug for the spare key they keep. As I'm doing it I hear the lock being unfastened and spot a familiar face looking down at me. I stand with little pride and face someone I never wanted to see again. ”Hi,” I manage.

”It's been a while,” he remarks.

”Yeah, several weeks.” At this point my hands go into my pockets and I'm rocking from side to side in hopes he'll feel pity for me and let me in without questions.

I'm wrong. ”What do you want?”

”Is Lys here?”

”No. She went to a concert with my sister. They won't be back until tomorrow night.”

My heavy sigh leads him to move aside. ”You can come in and wait if you want.”

”Do I really need your permission? I'm not trying to be a b.i.t.c.h, but this is my friends place. She pays rent and said I was welcome whenever I want.”

”Actually,” he spins around to face me. ”You do. You see, I own this house. I bought it as an investment years ago. When I'm in town I stay here. When I'm not I know it's being taken care of. Your friend is my tenant, Callie.” My name projects with sarcasm. He's purposely being a jerk and I have no patience.

I begin to turn around and head back out the door. If I have to drive all night it'll be better than being around this guy.

”Where do you think you're going now?”

”I must have gotten my days mixed up. I'll come back when Lys is home.”

He runs outside to meet up with me. ”Hold up. I know you didn't drive a ton of hours just to turn around and go home. I don't really care either way, but you're welcome to stay and wait. I won't bother you if you don't bother me. I'm expecting company, so I'll be out of your way.”

I spin around with a contorted frown. ”Who would want to hang out with you, especially at this hour?” It's nearly two in the morning, so I hardly think this is a late dinner.

He brings his pointer finger over and lifts my chin so I'm looking at him. ”Everyone but you.” He waits a second for me to take it in. ”It's late. You should at least take a nap before driving home.”

Just like the first time we met, he's annoying me. Even as I watch his s.e.xy a.s.s walk away I know I can still hop in my car and go back to the ranch, or at least sleep at a rest stop.

Except I don't.

I look up into the living room window and see him peeking out a curtain. He expects me to leave, but I have a better idea. I'm going to make sure whoever he has coming over knows I've been naked in his bed before. That will certainly pay him back for being such a c.o.c.ky b.a.s.t.a.r.d.

It's nearly five minutes before I walk back into the house. I've managed to find a bag of clothes that will at least suffice until I can wash the ones I'm wearing. With no luck finding a cell phone charger, I'm inclined to use the one in Lys' bedroom. As soon as my feet hit the threshold I smell something wonderful coming from the kitchen. My nose leads me in that direction until I'm standing over an old butcher block island, Cob is on the other side chopping vegetables. He tosses me a quick glance before getting back to his task. ”You hungry?”

”No,” I lie. ”I just ate before I came.”

”That's too bad. I'm sure I'll have sc.r.a.ps left over.” His cackle afterwards. .h.i.ts me hard.

”You're such an a.s.shole.”

”It takes one to know one.”

Without an instant comeback I'm left to walk away and lock myself in my friends room, where I know I can find solace.

While my phone charges, I scroll through and listen to the slew of messages my family has left. Everyone blames me for ruining the night. I'm exhausted, but can't find sleep. A female voice leads me to believe Cob's company has arrived. I try not to listen, but the walls are thin. Just when I think it's too quiet I hear a car door closing and then the engine starting. I peek out the curtain and see Cob waving his guest goodbye. I'm not an expert by any means, but she didn't stay long enough for a quickie, even if he's a minute man.

Determined to get under his skin I barge out of the room and wait for him to emerge from the front door. As soon as the door creaks open I start on him. ”Not as good as you think, huh?”

He crosses his arms and simply shakes his head while staring me up and down. ”You're relentless.”

”I tell it like it is.”

For a second he takes me in. As I begin to feel uncomfortable he saunters toward the kitchen. ”Go back to your room and pout. I don't have the energy to deal with your s.h.i.+t this late.”

He seems different, almost like he's p.i.s.sed about something. Did this girl break up with him? Did she break his little black heart?

I reach over and dig his fork into the plate of food, bringing a bite up to my mouth and savoring the flavor as he watches astounded I've done something so rude. ”I think I'll hang out with you, being that your date left.”

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