“No.” I turn my head away from him. It’s easier this way, I tell myself. For both of us.
“Let me grab my keys. I’ll take you home.”
Home. What a foreign concept.
Research notes: never let a cowboy be the puppeteer of your heartstrings.
grayson
. . .
SEVENTEEN
It’s beentwo weeks since that night I almost tore all the walls down, consequences be damned. I keep finding myself in situations where I can’t help but be drawn to her, but I drew the line that night after taking her home. I was so close to kissing her vulnerable lips just one taste to satisfy me. I knew she could see it written all over my face, but she could also see that it wasn’t going to happen.
Dick of the year award goes to me.
The past two weeks, I’ve made myself scarce, only seeing her on the off occasion we were in the barn at the same time. Ches took over showing her the ropes around the ranch and filled me in on how good she’s been doing. Anatural, he had said. I didn’t doubt him.
I’ve skipped the last two family dinners, giving the Foxes one excuse after another. The few chances I did get graced by her presence, she gave me the death glare. I just let her, but my balls shriveled a little each time. Her eyes can be deadly, especially when she can tell I’ve been avoiding her after she pleaded for me not to.
Friendship,she had called it. I can’t just be friends with Maisie. I’ve lived off stolen glances and yearning from a distancethe past two weeks. No matter how much it hurts, it's a necessary evil.
I’ve also been called in to fight twice since that night. The more I try to pull away from them, the more jobs they seem to give me. It used to be once or twice a month, giving my body time to heal before getting it ripped to shreds again. Now, it seems like they are summoning me weekly.
My body hates me, but not as much as I hate myself.
I’ve been working on a plan to distance myself, reaching out to one of thegood guyswithin their organization to see what he can do for me. None of them are angels, but some of them still have souls.
I met Emilio Moretti during my first fight. He pulled me aside after the fight to congratulate me and warn me about the organization. He could tell I got wrapped up in the wrong crowd, that this was no place for a man like me. I respect him for having the balls to speak to me behind their backs. He’s been able to text me warnings if he knows they are going to summon me, or insider knowledge about my future opponents.
I can tell he’s up to his own scheming behind the scenes, but I’m not sure exactly what. He lives in New York, so he isn’t always here—that’s why he gave me his number. I know he’s in deep, I’m just not sure how deep. I know I can’t fully trust him, but it feels good to have one person looking out for me.
I’m reminded to text him, asking how the progress of getting my ‘debt’ paid off is going. We both know I’ve won my share and more to cover my debts from the fights I’ve competed in. It’s about power and control for them. They don’t like losing their favorite pets, and I’m bringing them too much money for them to just let me go.
Emilio’s response comes immediately. He’s always straight to the point.I’m working on itis all it says, and I believe him. It’s just so hard to sit around and do nothing, knowing they own me. They know where I live, I’m sure, which means they know where Maisie and the Foxes live.
I need a clean break, some kind of leverage to get out from under their thumb so I can move on with my life. Do I think it’s realistic? Not a chance, but I’ll die trying if I have to. I’m done rolling over on my back for them. Ever since a honey-eyed angel barged into my life, I’ve had dreams of wanting more, living the life I always dreamed about as a little boy.
Speaking of said angel, I round the side door in the barn and find myself right behind her. This is the closest we’ve been to one another in two weeks. We haven't talked, not unless you count glaring.
I remain quiet, taking her in. She’s wearing a white cropped jean jacket with a pair of skin-tight wranglers,Kiss My Ass, Cowboyembroidered into the back pocket in red. They look fucking divine on her, hugging all her curves. I chuckle under my breath, catching her attention. I wonder if she had those imported just to spite me. Secretly, I hope she did, because that would mean she was thinking about me.
I’m down bad.
She looks over her shoulder, sees it’s me, and dismisses me just as fast. That just won’t do. It’s been too long since I’ve gotten to play with my little flame.
“What are you up to, honey?” I ask, approaching her back.
She grabs a bale of hay, bringing it over to a stall. “Honey,” she scoffs under her breath, continuing to ignore me. “What’s your name again?”
She thinks she can pretend to not remember me and I’ll just walk away. Too bad for her. I follow her into the stall, watching her spread the hay. Once she’s done, she tries to exit, but I’m blocking her in.
“Grayson,” she seethes under her breath.
I smirk, feigning innocence. “So you do remember my name.”
“Get out of my way.”
