She backed out of the room and took off down the hall, down the stairs, and we could still hear her sputtering gross things about seeing her brothers dick out the door. She was so dramatic, but then again if I had seen my own sibling’s dick, I probably would’ve had the same reaction.
He shook his head and winked at me. “Alright, let’s get dressed and go put her out of her misery.”
It felt weird, knowing that Reagan knew what we were doing all night. We were adults though, so it’s not like she could reprimand us at all.
“Breakfast is ready, lovebirds. You two really make me sick, literally. I’d tell you to get a room but…”
A chuckle came from Beau. “Already did…”
Beau leaned over and kissed my forehead as I took a seat at the table. While we’d taken the time to get ready, Reagan had been making pancakes. The crew filtered in through the front door and I knew that the house would soon be filled with stories from the fair the night before. We had our own stories, but ours weren’t the kind you share with people… even if they were your friends. Reagan brought the pancakes, eggs, sausage, and bacon over to the table and we all dug in. Not much sound in the room other than the munching of people enjoying a home-cooked meal.
“Cassidy Mae, you ready to run barrels tonight? Saw you and Oakley in the arena the other day. Looked real good from what I could see,” Jameson piped up from the end of the table.
“Yeah, I think we’re ready. She’s been bending well around the barrels. Her speed is good. She’s leaning on me when we make those turns. We’ve got a pretty good chance. Even if we don’t make it past the prelims tonight, I’ll have had fun either way. It’s nice riding again.”
Reagan choked on her sausage and then mumbled under breath. “I’m sure it is.”
I couldn’t help the laugh that fell from my lips. I don’t think she realized that I’d heard what she said when I leaned over and whispered, “I’d say I was sorry for what you witnessed this morning, Rea, but for the first time in my life I’m happy and I won’t apologize. Maybe it’ll teach you not to barge into people’s rooms.”
She scoffed and managed to keep eating her food. There was an odd tension in the room this morning and I knew it had to do with more than just what happened a little while ago. Rhett and Rea weren’t making eye contact with each other. Remy and Faith wouldn’t look at each other either. It was weird. Like somehow the fair had brought Beau and I together and torn everyone else apart. I wondered what had happened, but it wasn’t any of my business.
“So, Jameson, you coming to watch the barrels tonight?”
“Hell yeah, Cassidy Mae. From what I hear, the whole town’s gonna be there to watch you ride tonight. Everyone’s real happy you decided to go for it. Well, except for Tara. She ain’t too happy, but she’ll get over it when you kick her ass. ”
The name on his lips made me cringe. I’d competed against Tara before and knowing she’d slept with my man really ground my gears. I didn’t have a reason to be mad. I wasn’t here and Beau wasn’t mine yet. I knew she’d smirk about it. That’s just who she was as a person. Mean and bitter to the core. I was breathing heavily, anger rising in my veins as I thought about my arch-nemesis. I couldn’t stand her.
I felt a squeeze on my thigh and looked over to see the concern in Beau’s eyes. I looked down and realized that I was making half-moons in my hand over the anger that was cascading through me. It dawned on him then that I knew.
“It was a long time ago, Cass. She means nothing to me. Not even a tiny speck of the amount that you do to me.”
“Still doesn’t mean I have to like her.”
“Damn straight. Hate her if you want to, baby, but if being with the town bicycle meant I was better for you then so be it.”
I huffed and folded my arms over my chest. It wasn’t an acceptable excuse. He knew I hated her.
He chuckled. “Alright, well I need to go out and work with Zeus. Would you like to come with me, Cassidy Mae?”
“No.”
“Well come on anyhow. I know you like hanging out with that crazy horse.”
“Maybe…”
“Please, darlin’,” he whispered in my ear. He didn’t know it was a weakness of mine; being called that.
I shrugged my shoulders again, “Okay fine, but I’m still mad at you.”
“Am I going to have to fuck the mad out of you, darlin’? Don’t tempt me.”
A smile tore its way across my face and I shook my head.
“Beau…”
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“You’re mean.”
We made our way out to the barn and brushed down Zeus. He’d finally learned to trust me over these last few months and he started acting like the other horses around me. Begging for treats. Leaning into my scratches, and neighing when I came into the barn.
Beau looked over at me with a curry brush in hand.
“Alright, I think we’re done. Let’s get him out to the round pen. I wanted to start him there again today.”
“Okay, let me know what you want me to do.”
“I want you to come to watch, maybe hop on. You’re an experienced rider, Cass. I’m sure you’ll be just fine.”
“Uh-huh…”
One look, one smirk, and my panties melted away into dust. This man. My man.
We got Zeus out to the round pen and started getting him used to the saddle again. Beau showed him every single step before placing it on him—saddle pad, saddle, girth.
