Wrangling the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch #3) - Kennedy Fox Page 0,61

my eyes, I set my phone down and lean my head back.

I weigh the good and the bad. I loved rodeo life, but I hated how dangerous it was, and I won’t be risking myself. If Cooper wins, I get a percentage of his money. He’s a good rider, and he has learned quickly, taking all my instruction to heart.

My mind is made, and I know what I have to do. After finding the right words, I send a text to Cooper, lock my phone, and then go to bed. I don’t wait for his response because I already know what he’s going to say. Tomorrow is a new day, a new beginning, and I know I made the right decision.

There’s no going back now.

Chapter Fifteen

MAIZE

Rowan shows up carrying a bottle of tequila, and it makes me smile wide. She knows exactly what a girl with a broken heart needs, and it usually starts and ends with Patrón. In her other hand is a bag of limes, salt, and shot glasses.

“The traveling bartender. I love it!” I exclaim, helping her with the items. I move some things from the top of my dresser and set everything down. A minute later, Kenzie bursts through the door with cookies, popcorn, and a giant ass bowl of M&M’s. Elle’s trailing behind her, and she looks exhausted.

“This should do the trick,” Kenzie tells me.

Elle nods. “Booze, snacks, and reality TV. You literally can’t be upset after all that.”

“I hope you’re right,” I say, sucking in a deep breath as Rowan pours the shots.

Elle kicks off her shoes and sits on the bed, and Kenzie follows her.

“So, catch me up.” Elle waves her hand. “I need to know all the details of what happened, considering we’re having a drinking party over a man.”

I let out a huff and roll my head on my neck. I’ve been cautious to keep everything to myself—except for Kenzie, but she’d never spill my secrets. I’m grateful I had someone to talk to. Otherwise, I might’ve driven myself crazy over the past year while dealing with Gavin’s shenanigans.

“You’re stalling,” Elle sing-songs and Rowan snickers, then turns around and hands us the tequila. She goes back to the makeshift bar as we shoot it down, then takes our glasses.

“Just needed a little liquid courage first,” I admit, then start from the beginning. I tell them about the one-night stand and how it was the best sex of my life, how we kissed, the stolen glances, and unspoken words we’ve exchanged over the past few months. Then I go into detail about the rodeo and how elated I was to spend time with him.

“So what’s the problem?” Rowan asks.

I suck in a deep breath. “I overheard the twins asking him about traveling with Cooper full-time, and he hadn’t made up his mind at that point. So I pushed him away and stupidly brought a date to his birthday party. I honestly didn’t know it was his birthday, though, so I wasn’t trying to be a bitch. Anyway, he confronted me about it, and I told him I’d moved on, and he should too. So what did he do?”

I glance at them. “He brings Sarah motherfucking Cooke to the Fourth of July party. She was so hateful to me growing up and did some messed-up things just because she could.”

Rowan shakes her head. “Maze. You told him to move on, and he did.”

I throw my hands up in the air. “I know. I’m a damn idiot, and now I don’t know what to do to fix this. I’ve messed up big time, and I’ve realized this entire time that he deserves better from me, but I’m scared.”

“I was actually pissed when I saw Sarah there,” Kenzie admits. “And she was being so flirty and touchy. I wonder if they had sex afterward.”

Elle throws a pillow at Kenzie. “That is not helpful. Gavin is a gentleman, so I bet even if she begged him, he would’ve denied her. I’d bet money on it.”

“Yeah, I don’t think he did either,” Rowan says, bringing us more shots, then continues. “Gavin’s more mature than that. He didn’t seem like he was that into her. After you two had your little confrontation, I watched him. Each time she tried to make a move, he tensed. He was playing games with you, Maize. It was so obvious.”

We gulp down the tequila, and I try to think back to Saturday. I was in a blind rage and didn’t notice the