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Diesel
It’s a date, baby.
“We’re supposed to get some heavy rain and wind tonight,” Riley says as he walks into the shop with Ethan. “I need all hands on deck to bring in the horses.”
“Don’t you work at the bar tonight?” I ask Ethan, curious as to why he’s here.
“Yeah.” He tilts his head. “How do you know my work schedule?”
Fuck, fuck, fuck. That slipped out way too easily.
I shrug, trying to act indifferent. “Just a guess. You work most weeknights, don’t you?”
Ethan blinks, then nods. “Yeah, I gotta head in soon but thought I’d help before I go.”
We pile into the back of Alex’s truck, and when I look up, I notice how dark one side of the sky is already. We can always use the rain, especially in the middle of summer, but it sucks when we have to rush around the ranch and do things around the weather’s schedule.
An hour later, I’m drenched with sweat and cussing out Riley for making me tag along. They could’ve handled it, but he has learned I won’t say no and enjoys making me do extra shit.
“Quit scowlin’,” he blurts out when we ride back to the shop. “Doesn’t look good on your ugly mug.”
Ethan and Grayson laugh at my expense, and he’s damn lucky I hold back on pushing him out of the cab.
“Pretty cocky there, Bishop,” I taunt. “You’ve gone soft since you became a dad, so I wouldn’t poke the bear that’s already bigger than you.”
Riley laughs, kicking his foot out toward me. “I don’t know. Those dark bags under your eyes imply you ain’t gettin’ much sleep, so I think we’re pretty equal in that department.”
“The difference is, my lack of sleep isn’t due to changing dirty diapers and spit up.” I flash a cocky grin.
“So it is a chick keeping you up,” Grayson adds with satisfaction. “I fuckin’ knew it!”
“Yeah right,” Riley drawls. “He’s drinking alone and jerking off to fetish porn.”
Ethan chokes out a laugh. “Huh. What’s your fetish?”
I grin, knowing Riley’s about to kill me. “Best friend’s little sisters.”
“Goddammit, Diesel. That’s getting old.” Riley rolls his eyes with a deep groan. “Like ten years’ worth old. Time to find a new fantasy.”
“No can do, Daddy.”
Alex parks the truck, and we all haul out.
“Told ya I’m gonna marry her someday.”
“Not on my watch. You don’t settle down for shit. You’ll get your fix, then leave her brokenhearted like you do every other woman you bang.” He pushes his finger into my chest. “Back off already.”
“For your information, the last one-night stand I had was in Vegas,” I tell him, reminding me of the letter I received weeks ago, but then I immediately push that thought away. Her name was Chelsea, and the only reason I remember that is because of Riley. Not my proudest moment, honestly.
“Oh, my bad. You buy them dinner and drinks first, then wait until after the second date to ghost them.”
I shake my head, my jaw tensing as my anger rises. He’s wrong.
“Actually, the last chick I took on a date told me she didn’t see us having a future together, and we mutually broke it off before the second date ended.” Which is true. We met through a friend and didn’t even sleep together. My dating life has been pretty much nonexistent.
Riley slow claps as if he’s supposed to be impressed, and it pisses me off further.
“Whatever.” I walk away, finished with this fucking conversation.
“Yeah, whatever. Stay away from my sister!” he howls at my back.
“I’m pretty sure Riley’s gonna kill me,” I tell Rowan, then chug my glass of whiskey. “Like actually stab me, cut out my heart, and then display it on a wall like a deer head.”
Rowan looks at me wide-eyed in horror. “That’s quite graphic.”
“I know he’s been telling me for years that you were off-limits, but he’s been extra asshole-ish about it lately.”
“He’s also sleep deprived and taking care of a newborn. He’s probably just edgier because of that,” she explains with a sad smile. “At least, let’s hope that’s what it is.”
I take off my cap, brush a hand through my hair, then replace it. “I don’t know. It’s like he’s determined to make my life a living hell right now.” I rub my eyes, inhaling slowly as I think about the consequences of Riley finding out the truth. It’d suck if being with Rowan ruined my lifelong friendship with him.
Thankfully, Riley hasn’t come in the bar since Zoey found out she was pregnant, so I know we’re at least safe in here for now. But if he catches us even remotely being friendly, there’s no way he won’t figure it out.
“Well, I think we both need to get better at hiding our happiness so everyone stops asking. It’ll calm down, and we can just go back to hanging out without guilt.” She refills my glass.
