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“What do you think you’re doing, Uncle Jackson?”
I snort, but she’s seriously pissed.
“That’s no way to speak to your most favorite uncle now, is it?” He gives her a wink, then walks past her and leaves.
Maize’s mouth falls open, then she turns and looks at us. “This—all of this—is for the guests. I don’t need y’all eatin’ everything when we have a full house. I’m gonna have to start making double.”
Riley snickers. “I don’t know why you haven’t done that already. Nothing’s changed, Maze.”
“Shut. Up,” she barks, then storms into the kitchen.
“I’m telling you, they’re all experiencing the time of month at the same time,” I quip, and Riley shakes his head before standing.
“Guess I should get going. Honestly, I came to get one of those apple pies too.” He walks over and grabs one, leaving only one for the guests. Maize comes around the corner, and Riley takes off running with her right behind him. I can hear commotion through the living room, and eventually, she comes back huffing and puffing.
“At least I’m not that bad,” I tell her as she walks by.
“I’d murder you if you were. I deal with them because I have to,” she says matter-of-factly before disappearing out of sight.
I chuckle, finish eating, and set my perfectly cleaned plate in the dish tub before leaving. On my way out to the truck, I decide to go home, take a shower, and go to bed early. I have a ton of shit to do at work tomorrow, and though it’s hard, I’m trying to give Rowan some space.
The next day, I’m in the saddle all day long rounding up cattle and moving them to another pasture. It might be late August, but it’s still hot as hell outside. The temperature isn’t expected to drop for a few more months, but we’re prepping for winter already. Barns are full of hay, and I’ve made sure to get extra grain for the cows for when the grass completely dies. Today, Riley didn’t ride my ass or even mention his sister, so I’m hoping the conversation we had yesterday eased his mind. Though I didn’t completely lie to him, it wasn’t the whole truth, which I hate, but he can’t find out yet.
While I don’t want Rowan and me to stay a secret, if she refuses to give me another chance, that might be how it goes. Though it’ll be extremely hard for me to accept.
After work, I go home to clean up, then head up to the bar. Rowan may not want to see me, but it’s killing me not to see her. Even if she gives me shit or ignores me, it’s better than nothing at all. I put on the baseball cap I know she loves, spray some cologne I also know she loves, and dress in a T-shirt, jeans, and boots.
As I pull into the parking lot, the thought of seeing her has my heart hammering in my chest. I wish things weren’t like this, and we could go back to the way we were, but it feels impossible now. My life has changed indefinitely, and all I can do is take it one day at a time.
When I walk in, she’s smiling and talking to George, and that pretty grin immediately fades when she sees me.
“Well, hello to you too, beautiful,” I say, sitting at the end of the bar.
Kenzie walks up, wearing a cheesy grin. “Hey, stranger. Where ya been?”
I lift an eyebrow at her. “What’s up with the act?”
She leans closer. “Rowan said she doesn’t want to talk to you, so I’ll be helping you tonight.”
“Seriously?” I can tell Kenzie has this all figured out, but she doesn’t say anything. Damn, maybe we’re more transparent than either one of us thought. “Rowan!” I yell across the bar. “Hey!” I wave, making a scene.
“Go away, Diesel,” she says before turning around and going to the office. I let out a huff.
“Told ya,” Kenzie gloats. “Want your usual?”
“I guess.” Within a few seconds, she pops the cap off a Bud and sets it in front of me. I try to pay attention to the preseason football game on the TV screen, but it’s so hard to focus when the woman I’m in love with is dead set on erasing our existence together. I order another beer and wait around until closing time. Rowan peeks around to see if I’m still at the end of the bar and rolls her eyes when I smile at her. I feel as if we’re back to square one, right where we were when she moved home in May. There’s no way she could so easily forget everything we shared together. I refuse to accept that one bit.
Kenzie finishes cleaning, and I close out my tab, tipping her nicely for putting up with me all night. She tells Rowan she’s leaving and smiles before walking out. Rowan comes from the office and looks at me.
