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“Nice to meet you,” I tell him, taking his hand.
“He’s new to Eldorado and will be staying in one of the ranch hand cabins. He’ll be working with Jackson on breaking in the wild horses. He has bull riding experience and trains riders too.”
“Bull riding?” My brows shoot up. “Impressive.”
“Thanks. It was dangerous work, won some competitions, got some trophies, but I’m retired now.”
“I bet you have some insane stories about traveling to rodeos and competing, huh?” Riley asks.
“Or how much ass you got?” I taunt.
The corner of Gavin’s lips tilts up as if he could tell us crazy shit for days. “You could say that.” He strokes his fingers over his scruffy jawline, smirking. “On both accounts.”
“Maybe over a round of beers,” I suggest. “My girlfriend works at the Circle B Saloon in town and will hook us up. We could meet up after work.”
Riley groans at the mention of me calling his sister my girlfriend, but I hid it for too long to keep on for his sake. I’m gonna tell everyone and anyone I want now.
“Uh, sure. I’ve been there a couple of times.” He pinches the back of his neck. “How about nine?”
“Sounds good.”
“Alright, now that our team meeting is over…” Alex snickers. “I’m gonna give Gavin a tour of the property and get him settled in with Jackson and Kiera.”
“Your cousins are gonna lose their shit over him…” I say once Alex and Gavin leave.
“Great, another guy I have to threaten to stay away from my family.”
I pat him on his shoulder. “Good luck, bro. You’ll be fighting them off him.”
Chapter Twenty
ROWAN
Diesel: I’m meeting your brother and a new worker at the bar at 9 tonight.
Rowan: Does this mean Riley doesn’t want to kill you anymore?
Diesel: Told you he’d get over it…I’m very convincing ;)
Rowan: Yeah, I’m sure…
Diesel: Can’t wait to see you. Wear those cowboy boots I like. And pigtails.
Rowan: With the jean skirt?
Diesel: HELL YES!
Rowan: You know every guy will see me wearing it in the bar, not just you…
Diesel: I’ve been scaring men away from you since we were in middle school. I’m a pro at this.
Rowan: Oh my God, you’re so possessive.
Diesel: Damn right. And it worked :)
Rowan: …ten years later.
Diesel: Love’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Rowan: Ha! Says the guy who was talking about marriage and babies last night.
Diesel: Shh…don’t say that in front of your brother. He really will kill me.
Rowan: It’ll be our little secret.
My cheeks hurt from smiling so much. Ever since leaving his house this morning, I just can’t stop. I’m so happy I don’t have to hide my feelings anymore. Especially when my cousins are making faces at me.
“Bite me,” I say at their expressions.
Kenzie and I met at the B&B to hang out with Maize while she cooks. I don’t work till later, so hanging out with them means we can officially catch up since Kenzie decided to come home from the weekend, considering her university is only a few hours away.
“So how’s the sex?” Kenzie blurts out.
“Kenzie!” Maize scolds.
“What?” She takes a bite of her omelet. “You were thinking it too. I just care enough to ask.”
“When it’s with the right person…” I let out a dreamy sigh. “It’s perfect.”
Maize makes a gagging noise, and we all laugh.
“Don’t be a love hater. Someday, Maze…you’re gonna find the one.”
She rolls her eyes as she beats her fist into a ball of bread dough.
“Speaking of which, Diesel and Riley are coming to the bar tonight with the new guy who just got hired. You should come. Kenzie and I are working.”
“Hells yes, you should!” Kenzie’s face lights up. “Stay until after my shift so I can use my newfound drinking freedom to do it legally.” She turned twenty-one a month ago and has been using any opportunity to remind us all.
“I’m busy tonight,” Maize says.
“Doing what?” I ask doubtfully. “Bingeing Love is Blind and shoving dark chocolate into your mouth doesn’t qualify as busy.”
Maize glares at me, knowing I’m right.
“But you gotta admit, it’s a train wreck you can’t look away from…” Kenzie says about Netflix’s new reality show. “Cameron’s my favorite. I’d marry him in a heartbeat.”
“See?” Maize holds a hand out toward Kenzie. “I need to catch up.” I’ve always admired Maize and Mackenzie’s sisterly relationship. Though I’m close with both of them, I’ve always wondered what it’d be like to have a sister.
“You can do it tomorrow. Tonight, you’re coming to the bar! No arguing!”
“Damn, I thought getting laid would make you nicer,” Maize mutters with a smirk.
“Maybe you’re the one who needs to get laid, meanie,” I retort.
“I definitely need to get laid,” Kenzie adds, and the three of us burst out laughing.
“What’s all the noise I’m hearing in here?” Uncle John enters the kitchen, and I hope he didn’t just hear his daughters talking about needing to get some.
