AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That’s awesome,” she said with a toss of her hair. “I’m running for the Junior Rodeo Queen. We’ll have lots of time to catch up during the fair.”
Hunter nodded at her and I couldn’t help but wonder if he was being pulling in by Sarah’s fake smiles. Guys automatically seemed to like her. She knew how to turn on the sugar sweet charm around them. It was a strategy she’d used on me, too. It had taken me a while to see through the act.
Lexi elbowed me in the ribs. “We’ll be sure to be there to cheer Hunter on, won’t we?”
I shot her a thin-lipped smile. Seeing Hunter gored by a bull wasn’t on the top of my to-do list, but I supposed this was best friend territory. “Yeah...I guess. But I’m going to cover my eyes when Hunter’s turn comes up. I don’t think I can watch.”
“It’s a deal.” Hunter pinned me with a steady look, his frown deepening slightly, as my gut warmed. “I’m glad you’ll be there, Char. It really means a lot.”
“It does?” I asked, chewing nervously on my thumbnail.
But all of my worries faded away as Hunter took a step closer to me and gently grabbed my hand I was chewing on and pulled it away from my mouth. He leaned down slightly to look me in the eye and gave me one last, heart-galloping crooked grin.
“You’re my girl, Char. I need you there.”
I knew he was just talking big when he called me his girl, but still, I wasn’t immune to the power those words held. My head spun just enough to make me dizzy. Somehow, I managed to nod my acceptance at him, earning another wide hazel-eyed smile. And I didn’t miss the narrowing of Sarah’s eyes as she glared at me from behind Hunter.
“We’ll be there,” I said. “But when you fall and bump that pretty head of yours, don’t make me say you I told you so.”
“No worries.” His eyes danced with excitement. He rapped his knuckled on the side of his head and then winked at me. “Hard as a rock. At least, that’s what Mom says.”
“I’m pretty sure she meant dumb as a rock,” I offered with a suppressed smile.
He threw his head back and laughed, flashing his white teeth. “Touche. At least you admitted I’m pretty. That’ll keep me warm at night.”
My cheeks warmed and I looked my feet. Blushing around Hunter was not something I did. I didn’t know what was wrong with me.
“Listen, I’ve got to get this bull back to her pen and get ready for the fair’s opening ceremony,” he said, his eyes never leaving my face. “See you then, Char?”
“Yes,” I said firmly. “And then we’re doing our movie tonight.”
It was the official return of our movie night. I’d missed them desperately. If there was one thing that could chase away the awkwardness of seeing Hunter again, it was the continuation of our weekly movie nights. After that, everything would fall into place.
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Hunter shot me one last lingering smile and then waved goodbye to the other girls.
We watched him leave and I was pretty sure every single one of us were appreciating the tightness of his jeans. Sarah especially because when I glanced over at her, she was rubbing her lips together and staring at him as if he were a snack. I had to shake my head to loosen the strange surges of female hormones grabbing ahold of me. If I wanted to stare at a cowboy, there were plenty more around here who weren’t my best friend.
“Guys, I got to get to work before my mom calls the national guard to bring me in,” I said, glancing down at the time on my phone. “You can check out guys later.”
Lexi sighed dreamily beside me, as if she hadn’t heard me. “Did you see those cowboys? I mean, did you really see them? Those boots. Those rugged muscles.
“Or those jeans?” Beth giggled. “I think I’m in love. Every man should own a pair.”
Sarah tossed her hair one last time and threw me a smile that hinted at nastiness. “You know, Lottie, I’m not sure how you do it. If I had a best friend who looked like that, I’d have a hard time not falling for him. Hunter’s delicious. You sure do know how to pick them.”
Dread cast a shadow over my head as Sarah’s lips twisted into a scheming smile. I wasn’t sure what her plans were for Hunter, but the last thing he needed after moving back to Rock Valley was to become another victim of Sarah Claiborne.
And the truth was, Sarah had nothing to worry about. Hunter and I had a pact. We’d set it back in seventh grade. Never reveal the top secret location of our hangout. Always make up after a fight. And never ever fall for each other. If we followed that, we’d never hurt each other. It was an unbreakable agreement.
“You’re delusional,” I told her with a nervous laugh. “Those boys with their tight jeans are going to your head.”
Lexi and Beth snorted with laughter, but Sarah shot me one last superior smile before turning on her heels to march away. Even as she disappeared from view, her words flitted around my head like bees, resisting my attempts to swat them away.
No, I would not be falling for my best friend. He knew the rules we’d set long ago. So did I. My best friend was back and nothing was going to change between us.
One way or another, I’d find a way to get my life back to normal.
Even if I had to fight a bull to make sure it happened.
