Page 37 of One Reckless Moment

“What do you mean?” I asked innocently.

“You and Cash have been acting weird since you got home from your trip. Did you two fuck? Tell us. We won’t judge you.”

I barked out a laugh. “I did not fuck Cash.”

I’m like 87 percent sure.

“Well, something happened. Cash has been…nice. You’ve been cold. It’s like we’re in the twilight zone.” Tweety shivered as if he got chills.

“Nothing happened, guys, okay? We’re good.”

“When you’re ready to tell us the truth, we’re here to listen,” Buck said, before they both turned and sauntered away.

I hated lying to them but couldn’t exactly spill the truth. No one could find out about what happened in Vegas.

I continued my set up as they announced the start of the first event. I was lingering by the entrance to the arena when someone cleared their throat behind me.

I peered over my shoulder and came face to face with Cash.

“You can’t run from me this time, Pip.” He crossed his arms and widened his stance, letting me know if I tried to take off he’d catch me.

“I wasn’t running from you,” I lied.

“Save it. Look, P, I’m sorry we’re in this situation. We’re going to figure it out, but we can’t do that if we aren’t talking.”

“I know.” I dropped my head and started fidgeting with my camera.

Cash stepped up closer and placed his fingers under my chin, tilting my head up so I was looking him in the eyes.

“I want us to go back to how we were before this all happened. It felt like maybe we could be friends again.”

“I want that,” I whispered. And I did. I missed having Cash around. There was a time where I could tell him almost anything that was happening in my life and he would listen without judgment. That was hard to find.

“Then let’s do it, okay?”

I nodded, and he smiled so wide it made my heart melt. The man was dumb attractive.

Like, it actually wasn’t fair.

“This win is for you, Pip.” He placed a soft kiss on my cheek before backing away to the staging area.

I shook my head and settled in to watch the event. I watched as man after man were abusively thrown off bucking horses, snapping pictures the entire time. My stomach was in knots as Cash lowered himself into the bucking chute. No matter how many times I watched him, I never shook my nerves.

The gate opened and Cash shot out as the horse threw him around like a ragdoll. The clock counted down, but Cash stayed on. I cheered and jumped up and down, snapping pictures of him as they guided Cash and his bronc around the arena.

“He’s a hell of a rider, huh?”

I startled at the voice behind me. At a quick glance, his badge told me he was a local online reporter. I smiled and glanced back to the arena, but Cash was already out of sight.

“Yeah, he’s been doing well.”

The man moved in closer, forcing me to take a step backward.

“I’m sure you’ve gotten to know him pretty well, haven’t you?”

“I’m sorry? That is none of your business.” I looked around, debating if it would be better for me to run for it, or give this creep a piece of my mind. I landed on option one, deciding he wasn’t worth my words. I moved to take off but the man reached out and caught my arm, yanking me back.

“Get your hands off me,” I snapped.