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Veronica huffed in annoyance. “You said he was buried hilt-deep inside of you, and then what happened?”
I didn’t want to keep going. I wanted to be left alone because my time was running out. My parents would be home any moment, and I already knew how the conversation was going to go. There was not a doubt in my mind that the school had already called them, which meant I needed to pack. There was no way they were going to let me stay at home with this big of a scandal over my head. I’d been warned.
“For heaven’s sake, what do you think? We screwed and then we got caught. I’m sure that silly man is back in the unemployment line.” Frustration filled me as the weight of what was about to happen hit me like a ton of bricks. I was about to be homeless, and I’d likely cost that man his job. Was this what guilt felt like? I didn’t like it. Not one bit.
“Oh. So, you won’t be seeing him again?”
I rolled my eyes and lied through my teeth. “Of course not. Don’t be daft! Listen, my parents are sending me on a trip until, as they say, ‘this scandalous episode blows over and the media frenzy dies down’. They think taking me out of the country and avoiding the scandal will keep them out of the limelight. I’ll call you when I’m settled in Rome.”
“Oh. Okay. Talk soon.” Veronica hung up the phone.
I lay back on my bed. Now what? Why couldn’t my life be my own, like my cousin, Jacob’s? He managed to escape the destiny his rich parents had planned out for him and moved to Montana to do security for some private ranch. I had a very vivid imagination and could easily visualize the place where my cousin now lived. He probably wore jeans and did whatever he wanted when he wanted. I was envious of the freedom I imagined he had to just be himself.
My cousin was the only family member I liked and the only one who would even consider helping me out of the bind I’d gotten myself into. Maybe he could set me up where he was and I could be free, too. Living out a cowboy fantasy sounded pretty good to me, and it would help me forget Gray Remington, my super-sexy teacher who I’d definitely be crushing on for the rest of my life as I didn’t think there were many men like him on this planet. They all lived between the pages of my favorite books.
Turning on the waterworks, I hit my contact list on my cell phone and pressed the number for my cousin.
“Little cousin, it’s been forever. How are you?”
“Waa!” I sobbed through the phone, really hoping he was in the mood to show my delicate situation an adequate amount of sympathy. “Jacob, the most horrible thing has happened, and I don’t know what to do!”
I could hear him chuckling through the phone.
“You shouldn’t laugh,” I sobbed. “I’m in real trouble this time!”
More chuckling from my slightly older cousin whom I always considered my friend but was now seriously questioning his loyalty regarding said friendship. I’d have to plot some Harmony-style revenge for when he least expected it.
“You know what, never mind. I guess I called the wrong knight in shining armor.”
“Wait, don’t be that way. I’m not laughing at you. I just expect that when you call me, you’re in trouble. So, I knew it was coming before I even accepted the call.” He let out one last, small chuckle. “Okay, I’m good. Now, how can I help?”
If he wasn’t my only option, I would have told him where to shove it and hung up on his ass, but I really did need his help. “I need to leave New York. My parents have cut me off for good this time, and for the worst reason ever. It wasn’t even my fault!”
“Does that mean you’re looking for a place to crash? Because I don’t have much, but you could take the couch.”
Ugh! Seriously, he expected me to lower my standards to sleeping on a couch? No, thank you! I wasn’t that desperate yet.
“Well, I um, was wondering if you could set me up with the place you work, the ranch place? Don’t they help women in trouble?” I swore he’d told me that they did. He’d always been kind of cryptic about it, though, so maybe I was mistaken. I really hoped that wasn’t the case.
Jacob was silent for a moment, and I wondered if he would hang up.
“Jacob?” His silence made me question the sanity of my plan.
“Sorry. I was thinking. Yeah, they do take in women—well, some men, too, who need help—but it’s a lot more than that. Let me check with my boss and I’ll call you right back.”
“Thanks, Jaky, you’re the best cousin ever!”
I didn’t put too much thought into what he said, I just knew he wouldn’t leave me high and dry. My cousin would absolutely come through for me no matter what. I’d just dug my luggage out of my wardrobe when my cell phone beeped with an incoming call.
“Well?” I answered brusquely.
Jacob laughed. “Impatient as always. Some things never change.”
I rolled my eyes.
“My boss has invited you to visit Rawhide Ranch. You’ll have to sit down with him and talk about some things, but he is willing to meet with you, at least, and if it doesn’t work out for you here, then you and I will figure something out together, okay?”
My feet tapped against the bed with my unspoken excitement, but I tried to play it cool.
