Page 59 of Spurred On

Chapter Eleven

It was only natural for Logan to throw a party for all his friends, celebrating his engagement. It was just a small crowd, the usual suspects. Cody and Cade drove over together, with Cade behind the wheel, which was nice, because Cody wasn’t in the mood to drive.

He’d had a hard time focusing on anything since Hanna’s party. Well, to be truthful, since Sidney left. He’d hoped she would come to the ranch to collect her things, but she’d sent her father in her stead. It was then he realized he probably wouldn’t see her again.

He’d been convinced that when she said she was done with him, that she never wanted to see him again, it was just a moment of emotional distress. It had been a rough day for her, for all of them. But now he had to accept the fact that she meant what she said. He would never see her, kiss her, hold her again.

What a horrible thought.

Even worse, what she’d told him that last night really hit him hard.

He’d taken her virginity and then dumped her.

Fuck.

How did a guy get past emotional baggage like that?

“Why are you such a grump?” Cade asked as he turned off the highway near Logan’s ranch.

“I’m not a grump.”

“You are. You’ve been galumphing around the house like a bear with a sore head.”

“I have not been galumphing.” He didn’t know what it was, but he was sure he hadn’t been doing it.

“Oh, please. You’ve been a complete ass to Mrs. Billingsly—and if she quits because you hurt her feelings, I’m gonna tan your hide.”

“She’s not gonna quit.” Mrs. Billingsly, their housekeeper, had been with the family for decades. She’d even stayed on when all the rest of the staff quit the day the Stud Ranch opened.

“Hell, you even barked at Claire. And then you didn’t even respond when Claire barked back.”

Claire always barked back. There was no reason to respond. “I’m fine.”

“Are you?” His brother shot him a glare. “Whatever it is, you better snap out of it. At least for the party.”

Cody grumbled something, just something to get Cade to shut up. It didn’t work.

“I’m serious. If you ruin Logan’s celebration I’ll knock you into next week. Now, smile.”

“What?”

“Smile.”

Cody offered his teeth.

“A real smile. Come on. At least try.”

“I will.”

“You’d better.”

“Fine.”

“Fine.”

“Good.”

“Good.”