Ride Rough - Tessa Layne Page 0,76

that?" squeaked Izzie, voice hitting chipmunk levels. "Did he freaking really just say that?" She bounced on the couch. "That's better than a marriage proposal, Ceece. Holy shitballs, the entire female race just collectively burst into tears."

"Shh," Jeanine hissed. "He's still talking."

"Wait, what'd he just say?" Emma asked.

Jeanine shook her head. "Something about Bonita Carradine."

Shit. Cecilia puffed out a breath. It was only a matter of time before people asked about his involvement.

"I've met Bonita a few times, but to be honest, I don't remember much." Trace held up a finger. "Look, I have confidence in our legal system. But leaving Hollywood showed me I was on a track that wasn't healthy, or making me happy. That's why I left, and that's why I'm not returning."

"Are you an addict?" someone asked.

Trace shrugged, jamming his hands in his back pocket. "No. But I was overindulging, and if I continued, I might have become one. Look guys, I loved my time making movies, but Hollywood is toxic."

"There's tomorrow's headline," Emma interjected. "Trace McBride retires, calling Hollywood toxic."

"I don't know that too many people would disagree," pointed out Jeanine.

Izzie nodded her head. "Right?"

"What's next?" another voice asked.

Trace grinned. "I ride off into the sunset, and you guys go hunt for your next story. There are no more stories where I'm going."

"Are you going to retire to your ranch in Colorado?"

Cecilia clutched Izzie's arm. "Wait. He as a ranch?"

"In Colorado?" Now Jeanine's voice rocketed into the stratosphere.

Trace shrugged. "We'll see. Wherever I end up, I promise you, my life is going to be boring from here on out."

Cecilia snorted. "Boring, huh? We'll see about that."

"It's okay, CiCi." Emma waved a reassuring hand. "He's laying out a narrative for why he'll never make the paparazzi another dime, thereby ensuring they leave him alone for the rest of forever. We talked about this, actually."

Cecilia's eyes whipped toward her friend. "Wait. You knew about this?"

Emma nodded, eyes big and round. "Of course. This is what Em+Power does. I run PR and marketing for a very private list of high profile clients. The stuff you see me doing in Prairie is just for fun. And it allows me to help most everyone for free, or very little. I'm even consulting on a political campaign right now."

"But she'll have to kill you if she tells you who it is," teased Jeanine.

Cecilia sat back, jaw open. The weight of Trace's actions finally hit her like a truckload of fenceposts. "Guys, gimme my phone. Where's my phone? I gotta text Trace. No wait. Wait right here." She jumped up from the couch, grabbed her phone from Izzie and ran out the door. There was too much energy in her body to sit still, too much trembling in her hands to text. She called. Of course, it went straight to voice mail - he was still answering questions from the press, letting them take their fill of final photos. "Trace Walker, no, strike that, Trace McBride, you did not just do that." She was talking a mile a minute, but she couldn't help it.

"Holy crap, Trace, you didn't have to do that, we could have figured something out. And what do you mean you have a place in Colorado? Are you for real? I mean, yes. I know the answer to that, but seriously, Colorado? Also - I meant every word I said earlier about you and me and home, and by the way, the girls are spending the night over here. I'm not leaving my house, and I am leaving the door unlocked. Spank me later if you like." She paused to catch her breath.

"Look, I don't know what you're planning, but I don't care. I love you, and whatever we figure out, as long as we're together, I'm good. And wait, was that the first time I said I love you? Shit, it probably is, and I didn't mean for that to be how you heard it, but now you know, and now you can play this over and over and hear me say I love you. I. Love. You. Trace. I love you," she said, suddenly choked up. "Please be safe tomorrow. Please come home safe."

As soon as she spoke the words, she knew what she had to do. She disconnected and walked into the house. "Gals, I'm sorry. I have to go."

Izzie met her eyes, instantly understanding. "We're coming with you."

"If we hurry, we can be there before ten," Jeanine said, rising from the couch.

"I'll clean up and