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“What doyouwant?”
“What in the hell was that all about?”
He scowled. “Do you make it a habit to eavesdrop?”
I grabbed him by the shirt. “You hurt her, you motherfucker. She was trying to be honest about her feelings, and you turned it all around on her, making it all about yourself.”
“Fuck you, Maverick! I see the way you look at her. You should be happy now.”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
He laughed, but there was no humor in it. “With me out of the picture, maybe you finally have a chance to get into her pants, unless you already have.”
Before I knew what was happening, I drew my fist back and punched him.
Ben stumbled back and nearly fell into his truck. He wiped the blood from his mouth and looked at me in shock.
I pointed my finger at him, my hand was shaking. “Don’t youevertalk about Lily that way, do you hear me?”
Giving me another hard look, he slowly shook his head. “She’d never be interested in a guy like you. I’ve known Lily a lot longer than you, Maverick. You’d be a nice little plaything for her until she’s found someone else. Just like her supposed feelings for me that she magically got over once she heard I was getting married. She only wanted me because she couldn’t have me.”
I went to throw another punch, but someone grabbed my arm. I turned to see Lily’s younger brother, Nathan.
“He’s not worth it, Mav.” He glared at Ben. “Get the hell off our property, and don’t ever show your face here again.”
Ben got into his truck. “Don’t worry. I won’t be back.” He slammed the door and drove like a bat out of hell down the gravel drive.
“I never did like him,” Nathan said, folding his arms over his chest. “Arrogant prick always thought he knew more about horses than anyone else.”
I fought the urge to smile. Nathan may have only been seventeen, but it was clear he could already read people easily. Clapping him on the back, I replied, “Always thought the same thing. Thanks for keeping me from clocking him again.”
Nathan nodded. “I was tempted to let you, but he’d be the type to sue. He knew hedeservedthat first punch.”
A car drove up, and Dr. Waters stepped out. I walked over and shook his hand, as did Nathan.
“Dad told me to bring you right up to Lily’s room.”
“Lead the way,” the good doctor said before he offered a goodbye to me and followed Nathan up the steps and into the house.
I glanced up to Lily’s window. It took every ounce of strength I had not to follow them up, but I wasn’t family. I didn’t belong there. And Ben had been right about one thing—Lily would never fall for a guy like me.
I had nothing to offer. Nothing but my heart and soul, at least. And I wasn’t even sure those were good enough…or that I could give them toanyone.
Drawing in a breath, I turned and headed back toward the barn. I’d go let Juniper and Tesoro out to pasture and call it a day.
No—change of plans. I’d text Tanner after I took the horses out, see how Lily was doing, and then head home to get shit-faced.
My phone had gone off three times in the last ten minutes. I lifted the beer to my lips and took a long drink. I set it down and swiped across my phone to see it was Bradly who’d texted. I knew he was in town for a few days since there was a break in the PBR tour. He’d sent a text asking if I wanted to go to The Blue Moose.
I sighed and was about to reply no, but decided maybe a night out on the town was what I needed. It had been a crazy-busy week on the ranch, and three weeks since I’d gotten sick, and a night off sounded amazing.
I’d spent a good portion of each day working with Lily and Juniper and Tesoro. It was thrilling and torturous to workso closely with her. Sometimes she’d look at me in a way that had my dick going painfully hard, and other times she was so wrapped up in the horses that she seemed to forget I was there.
So needless to say, after spending so much time in her presence but not being able to touch her…to pull her into my arms and kiss the shit out of her…I was ready to get wasted.
I closed my eyes and could practically smell her lavender and vanilla scent that drifted off her throughout the day.
“Jesus Christ. I need to get laid.”
