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She turned around and fled like a coward.
25
LIAM
Liam pushed his extra-large cart with the pallet of feed toward the front of the supply store, looking for Jeremiah as he went. They’d headed in different directions after coming in. Jer was headed to get some wood for fence repair and Liam wondered if he’d—
“Oh hi!” came a chirpy voice. “I thought that was your truck I saw parked out front.”
Liam looked down to see the fake-tanned blonde who’d insulted Calla at the Trail Trial the other day. He frowned and tried to move his heavy cart around her but she just stepped in his path again.
“It takes a lot of man to handle that much truck.” She smiled flirtatiously. “I thought about getting that model but Daddy talked me into the Ford F450 Crew Cab.” She rolled her eyes and shrugged. “Yes, it was more expensive, but I always say, never scrimp on the important things.” She beamed at Liam.
“You’re in me way,” was all he said, gesturing to his cart.
“You’re not still upset about what you overheard the other day, are you?” Her eyes went big and she put a hand to her chest. No doubt to emphasize the cleavage spilling out of the tight red top she was wearing. “I’ve been so embarrassed about that ever since. My Mama would’ve washed my mouth out with soap if she’d overheard me.” She waved a hand. “It was just a harmless joke but I totally understand if poor Cal took it wrong. I’ll apologize to her again the next time I see her. I just think of her as one of the guys but it was wrong of me not to be more considerate of her feelings.”
“Anyway,” she sidled closer to Liam’s side, ignoring the way he jerked back when her arm brushed his. “Liam, like I said, I’ve felt so bad about the misunderstandings we’ve had the last couple times we’ve talked. I wanted to invite you out to my place where we could spend some alone time and really get to know each other. I’ve got a big stretch of land and a jacuzzi out back that will help relax these muscles.”
She moved and put her hands on his shoulders.
What the— He jerked away from her touch again. Could she not get a fucking clue?
“Oh! See? You’ve got so much tension back there. The jacuzzi will loosen you right up.” She leaned in. “I know there aren’t a lot of places around here to enjoy the finer things in life, but I’ve got a bottle of Chateau Margaux that I have just been dying to split with someone who would appreciate it.”
“I guess I didn’t make meself clear enough last time. This is biscuits to a bear.” At her confused expression, he clarified. “A waste of time. I will never, not ever, want to spend any time with you.”
“But you wanted me,” she sputtered. “That night at Bubba’s. We had a connection. I know if you would just give me a—”
“Are you feckin’ delusional?” he asked incredulously. Jaysus. “You were a cow to me girl, Calla. To be honest, breathing the same air as you is makin’ me a bit nauseated.” He scrunched his nose up to give further effect. “I wouldn’t get with you if you were the last woman on earth and sleepin’ with you meant the survival of the human race. I’d still find you too disgustin’ to lay me hands on. Me cock would shrivel up and fall off first.”
The woman’s mouth dropped open and then her face went quickly red with rage. Liam waited for the slap. Perhaps he’d taken it a tad too far there, but he wanted to get it through the poxy bitch’s head once and for all.
“Did I miss something?”
The woman’s head swung over to Jeremiah as he pushed his cart closer and looked between her and Liam with raised eyebrows.
“I— He—” The woman sputtered several more times before making an infuriated high-pitched noise, turning on her high-heeled boots and stalking off toward the front of the store.
Liam just shrugged his shoulders when Jeremiah leveled his gaze on him. “What?” he said. “The ladies love me. Sometimes I’ve got to beat them off with the proverbial stick.”
“Remind me never to make you my wing man.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Liam rolled his eyes. “Come on, let’s get going.” Calla spent the day in Casper visiting her dad and Liam wanted to be there when she got back.
Getting the rest of their supplies took longer than Liam would’ve liked and they didn’t get home for another hour and a half. It was nine o’clock but Calla still wasn’t home yet.
Liam jogged up the stairs and headed for Mack’s room. Calla hadn’t texted him anything, but maybe Mack had heard from her.
Liam had just pushed Mack’s door open the slightest bit when he heard Mack’s voice. Liam frowned, pausing. Mack never had anyone in his room. Liam leaned his ear to the door and realized it was just a one-sided conversation.
