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So I caught her arm, pulling her back around to face me. "No, if you want to have a fight, then fine, we'll fight."
"But that's the thing!" She yanked her arm out of my grip. "Idon'twant to have a fight. I'm so done with this. All weekend long you've been acting like I'm some little prize for you to show off, and I'm just..." She pulled in a deep breath, and it was like all of her anger just vanished. "I'm so fucking done."
"What the fuck does that mean, Cody?"
She pressed a hand to her forehead and shook her head. Not an answer, but she was clearly negating something, and I really didn't like how this felt.
"What the hell?" I asked next.
"Leave me alone, Ty," she said softly. "I just... I can't do this."
No, I didn't like those words. They made my balls crawl up inside my body and my guts tie themselves into a knot. What couldn't she do? What the hell was she trying to say?
Because all I'd done was find a way to stay close to her. I was supposed to behelpingher, but it felt like every time I tried, she got pissed off about it! Was it so wrong that I liked her this much and wanted her to know it?
Hell, I'd been hanging myself out there for her to kick since the first time I'd seen her. That first beer in that first bar, and now this? What more did she want from me? I hadn't fucked her when she was drunk. I hadn't stopped her from "dating" Tanner to help her friend. Shit, I'd even let that whole mess turn into something real, stepping back so she could have the kind of fun the rest of us took for granted.
I hadn't treated her like a fucking prize! I'd treated her like a goddamned goddess. I'd said ok when she wanted other guys. I'd cheered for her, fought for her, been all respectable around her daddy for her, and more. All I'd asked for in return was a little attention, but all weekend long, she'd been bitching me out!
"Can't do what?" I demanded, because I deserved an answer to that at least.
"This!" she insisted, gesturing between us. "I don't need you smothering me, acting like you own me, and making me feel like you're a real bull rider while I'm just a little sideshow to hang off your arm while I'm convenient."
"That is not what I'm doing!"
"No?" she scoffed. "Because you keep all the fans away from J.D., right?"
"And he can handle himself," I reminded her.
Her mouth just fell open and she stared at me. "Oh, but I can't?"
"You're the one who told me those guys are stronger than you!" I roared, stepping closer. "You said I could play the bodyguard. Last night, you seemed to think it was a real good idea, but when I do it - "
"You step all over me and forget that I have goals too," she broke in, finishing my sentence, "I made it clear I have to impress the sponsors, and I don't want to be your little trophy - wife, girlfriend, or otherwise!"
No. Nope, that was not what she meant, was it? It couldn't be.
Damn it, I wanted to puke. My balls had moved even higher, as if they could hide from her temper, but that just left the rest of me hanging out here to take it, and she wasn't saying things real clear. She might be saying a lot, but those words. All of these words. No, they sounded all wrong.
So my mouth flopped open and I couldn't fucking stop it. "Are you dumping me?!" I growled.
Her jaw clenched. She pulled in a breath. I saw her delicate little hands clench at her sides, and then she lifted her face and those baby-blue eyes of hers were as cold as J.D.'s had ever been.
"Yeah," she breathed.
My heart stopped.
She pulled in another breath. "I think I am, Ty, because I can't do this. When you figure your shit out, let me know, but I'm notanyone'stoy. I'm not here to make you happy.I'm here to ride bulls!"
I watched as she turned, and this time I couldn't even manage to reach my arm out. That little hellcat settled her hat on her head better and stormed out. Her ass looked so good in those pink-and-black chaps. Her strides were purposeful and powerful.
And she was walking right the fuck out of my life.
I couldn't even follow her. I couldn't think, couldn't breathe, and couldn't make my voice work. I felt like someone had just ripped my lungs from my chest - orsomethingin that area - and it hurt more than any hit from any bull.
"Cody," I tried, but it came out as barely even a whisper.
She was gone. Turning the corner, she vanished from sight - and more. I had no fucking idea what I'd done to deserve this. Last night, she'd melted in my arms. I'd given her everything I had to give, and I thought we'd found something real. I thought the two of us were going to be amazing. I'd been so sure she was the right one for me, and then this?
