Branded (11 page)

Chapter Fifteen

The country club party was suffocating and boring. Even Addy was yawning in the corner. She was talking to Jake, the kid who usually washed the dishes for the bartender, and his friends. All I could think about was Cole. I wanted to be in his arms, snuggled together like we’d been last night.

What was I going to do? That I was leaving for Europe in a few days was killing me. I didn’t want to go. At all. But was I the kind of girl who let a guy rule her life? One who made dumb decisions because of a man? Besides, all of this was temporary. Had to be. But my heart was tangled up in a bad, bad way.

Bethany would be here soon. Maybe she could help me, though I could never tell her who my guy was. I would never break the contract.

The music from the party was hitting my last nerve, and my head throbbed. “Can you keep an eye on Ads?” I asked my grandmother. “I need some air.”

“Sure. Should I have them change up the music? I noticed none of the kids are dancing.”

“Yep, that would be great. Tell the DJ to use the playlist I gave him last time.”

“I’ll do that. You’ll come back in soon?”

“Yes, ma’am. I just need a little fresh air. The perfume is getting to me, and the old-people smell. You’ve got to talk to Mr. Glen about his Aqua Velva showers.”

She playfully tapped my shoulders. “You are incorrigible, young granddaughter. But you speak the truth. Don’t be too long. I may need your help getting this party started.”

Ouch, that bit about speaking the truth hurt. I turned away so she couldn’t see my face. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

I headed out to the pool. After kicking off my heels, I sat down on one of the lounge chairs.

“Hard to get a tan this time of night,” James said.

I sighed. “I didn’t see you at the party.” I wasn’t in the mood for one his lectures about how I needed to socialize more with our friends, who were his friends, not mine.

“Just arrived. What are you doing out here?”

“Had old-people overload. You know me, too many smells.”

I heard the chair next to me scrape against the pool deck, but I didn’t look his way. “I was kind of looking for some space.”

“Yeah, I get that. What I want to know is why you’re ignoring one of your best friends. I’ve texted you half a dozen times to go out with me and Caroline, and you always have an excuse.”

I opened my eyes and stared up at the moon. “I’m not ignoring you. I’m going to school part time online, which is a secret, and if you tell anyone I will have to kill you. Working at the ranch and trying to help Gran with her six thousand charities this summer.”

“So it has nothing to do with the cowboy?”

My head shot around so fast I was worried I’d give myself whiplash.

“What are you talking about?”

He leaned forward, his elbows on knees. “Just so we’re clear, this isn’t about me being an asshole earlier in the summer. We’re past that, and things are really good with Caroline. Like really good. I’m not gonna screw that up.”

“I’m glad, about Caroline. I was talking to her earlier. She’s real, and she’s funny. And I’m pretty sure she can kick your ass.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure she can as well. She does that Krav Maga stuff you do. What is up with that? Did all of you start taking that, like, in high school or something? And she teaches self-defense at the youth center. I found out the hard way yesterday that she has a black belt. I won’t be sneaking up to surprise her ever again.”

My hand flew to my mouth. “No.”

“Yep, she threw my big ass right over her shoulder. But it serves me right.”

I couldn’t help the laughter as it bubbled out.

“Stop trying to deflect,” he said. “I’m being serious. You’ve got to stop seeing that guy. I checked into him. He’s probably not a bad dude, but he’s been in trouble a couple of times for fighting, never arrested. I’m worried he might hurt you. And you deserve better. I know things were tough for you at school, but don’t give it up to the first guy who shows you some interest.”

“For your information, he was never arrested because he was the one stopping the fights. His sister told me. And, oh my God, I’m not sure what I’m more appalled about. That you think I’m that desperate, or that you’re trying to tell me who I can date.”

“So you are dating him?”

Shit.
“What I’m saying is it’s none of your business. And I have no idea what you’re talking about. Did I mention I came out here to get away from pesky assholes? And, no, he and I are definitely not dating.”

He watched me carefully. “But you are doing something else.”

“Stop. If you want to be friends, stop asking stupid questions. You’re just pissing me off.”

“James?” Caroline’s voice came from around the corner.

“Over here at the pool,” he said quickly. “Just talking to Callie.”

“Callie’s here? Thank God. That place is full of boring people.” She came down the steps. “What’s this? You two look serious.”

“Your boyfriend is trying to tell me who I can date.”

James rolled his eyes. “No, I’m trying to protect you from gold diggers. Girls like you have to watch out for that sort of thing. I’m not saying he’s bad guy, but I saw you two at the festival. That looked pretty serious.”

“It isn’t what you think. We were hanging out. With his sister and ten of her friends. People who want to do what you’re thinking about don’t bring eleven chaperones.”

He shrugged. “I saw the way he was looking at you. That wasn’t his sister he was thinking about.”

Hell, Cole did have a habit of looking at me like he wanted to eat me up. That was exactly what he had been worried about.
Shit.
“I’m not saying I am, but if I were, that sort of thing would have an expiration date. As in, I leave for Europe on Saturday.” Of course, I hadn’t told Cole that I was absolutely leaving. But this was best for both of us. I had to get out of here before he broke my heart.

Too late.

“Good. I’ll give you this week, and then I’m going to casually mention it to your grandfather.”

I jumped up. “Oh, hell no. You aren’t saying a damn thing.”

“She’s right,” said Caroline. “You aren’t going to say anything. That’s an asshole thing to do. Tattle telling—what are we, four?”

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I’m protecting my friend from someone I think might take advantage of her. If that makes me an asshole, then so be it. But I’m doing it.”

“You do that, and we won’t be friends or anything else,” I said. “That kind of rumor could cause trouble for him and his family. I won’t let you hurt them like that.”

“Then get your ass off to Europe and you won’t have to worry about it.”

“Fine.”

“Fine.”

Caroline pulled out from under his arm. “You”—she pointed—“get inside. I want to talk to Callie.”

He looked like he was about to argue but then started walking. “Just so you know, it’s not blackmail when you’re trying to help someone.”

Yes, it was. I’d planned to break it off, but now I had to. Shit. Shit. Shit.

When he was gone, Caroline said, “I’ll try to talk to him. I have my ways.”

I blew out a breath. “It’s not what James thinks,” I said.

Caroline pursed her lips. “Actually, I think it’s way worse.”

“What?”

“I saw you guys as well, and while my boyfriend was focused on Cole, I had my eyes on you. The way you were looking at him. You’ve fallen…hard. I know that look. I see it every morning when I look in the mirror and think of James. Don’t fool yourself. Whatever it is, it’s more than you want to admit to yourself.”

No. No. We were just having fun.

Who the fuck are you kidding?

“I’ll try to talk to James,” she said, “but you know how he is. If he believes he’s in the right, he’s going to do whatever it takes to protect you.”

Yep. That was one of the things I loved about my friend—his dedication to those around him.

“He’s lucky to have you, but he’s an asshole sometimes,” I said.

She laughed. “I’m not sure he understands just how lucky, but he’s going to find out.”

I wasn’t sure what she meant by that.

She started to walk off but stopped and turned back to me. “Look, I’m the last person to give love advice to anybody. Hell, my track record sucks like you wouldn’t believe. But if you love someone, you should tell them. And if they’re worth fighting for, then you should fight. But if you aren’t sure, and something bad could happen to you both because the truth came out, well, sometimes it’s best just to cut your losses. Don’t let anyone pressure you, but make sure you’re doing what’s best for everyone. I’ve talked to that little sister of his. She’s a sweet thing. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to her, because… Well, you know.”

There was some good logic there. “Thanks,” I said as she walked off. I didn’t have a future with Cole. How many times had he said that? We were temporary. I’d promised myself I’d be grateful for whatever time I had with him. That time was coming to an end. I’d give myself these last few days, and then I’d do it. I’d do what was best for the both of us.

I couldn’t risk him being hurt because I had to get my sex on. And what would happen to him and his sister and their poor Uncle Charlie? I could beg and plead with my grandfather, but he was kind of protective when it came to me. I’m not sure he’d understand.

Being a grown-up sucked. But I had to do this.

And it already hurt like hell.

…

They weren’t supposed to be home yet. I heard the golf cart coming down to the barn from the big house. I’d been working on the new program to help keep inventory of the livestock. I was just about done, but curiosity got the best of me, and I stepped out of the office.

Callie came through the barn door still dressed in her dark green dress.

“Everything okay?” I asked her. “Where’s Addy?”

“She’s with the grans. She wasn’t ready to leave.” Her brow was creased—something wasn’t right.

“What is it?”

“I’ve been trying to call you, and when you didn’t answer…”

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing.”

I touched her cheek. The cameras were off—I’d shut them down when I’d heard the cart.

“Why didn’t you answer?” She frowned.

“I didn’t hear the phone.” I really hadn’t. I patted my pockets, but my phone wasn’t there. Shit. Then I remembered. I walked over to where I’d been cleaning the tack. I’d taken my phone out before I’d ridden Maribel earlier in the afternoon. “I left it in the tack room.”

Her lips were pursed, and the frown line had deepened.

“Talk to me, Callie. What’s going on in that head of yours?”

“My mind went crazy places. I mean, it’s stupid. It’s not like this is serious between us. But when you didn’t answer, my first thought was that you were with someone else. That’s fucked up, right? I mean, we said we were going to be exclusive. But still, that’s the first place my brain went. I couldn’t stop, and the idea of you with another woman made me physically ill.”

She was jealous? “Hey, I told you I was working tonight. And I signed a contract that said we would be exclusive. I keep my word.”

She nodded. “It’s just—if you hadn’t signed that contract. Would we be exclusive? Would you be seeing other women?”

“Where the hell is this coming from?”

She scrubbed her hand over her face. “Doesn’t matter. None of it matters. I just needed to be with you, for you to just hold me. Sorry. Tonight was weird.”

“What happened at the party?”

Wrapping her arms around me, she held on tight. “Please. Can we just forget the last five minutes happened?”

“Okay.” She was shaking, and I hugged her. “Did someone try to hurt you?” Because I’d kill them. I could do it, as easily as I could breathe. If someone hurt her or Addy, they wouldn’t be drawing breath much longer.

She laughed against my shoulder. “No one hurt me. I told you, it was just a weird night. I don’t want to talk about it.” She squeezed me. “The grans will probably be bringing Ads home in about a half hour, which doesn’t give me time to do what I want. Will you come to my room in a couple of hours? Just text me, and I’ll give you the all clear.”

I laughed. “Your gran didn’t tell you?”

“What?”

“She’s having the ranch house painted and redecorated for Uncle Charlie’s return. He’ll be home Friday, and she wants it all done beforehand. So Addy and I are back up at the big house.”

She made a weird noise and then chuckled, but it didn’t sound very happy. “Convenient.”

“Yep. I’ll be up to the house in a bit. I have some work to finish here. You sure you’re okay?”

“Uh-huh. I’ll see you in a bit.” She kissed me on the lips and took off, but not before I saw the sheen of tears threatening to fall.

Something had happened to her, and I was going to fucking find out what it was.

Two hours later, I’d showered and decided to find Callie. After checking the hall, I listened at her door. When I opened it, she was sitting in her bed working on her laptop. She had her glasses on and her hair pulled up in a ponytail. No makeup on and in one of my old T-shirts, she was the sexiest woman on earth. No one did it for me like she did.

I was sort of worried no one ever would.

“Hey,” I said softly. “You feeling better?”

She nodded. “Working on this last assignment before the final. I’m trying to figure out the means and averages.” She turned the computer toward me. “Can you help?”

Wasn’t where I thought this night would go, but she seemed calmer than she’d been before. “You almost have it. Remember the other day how we were talking about when you’re doing the averaging—”

She snapped her fingers. “Oh, yeah. You make this so much easier than my old professor. So if you were trying to merge the two accounts”—she clicked a button—“then you just do it like this in the spreadsheet.”

“Exactly. Hard to believe this is your last assignment before the final.”

She scrunched up her nose. It was adorable when she did that. “I know. This summer semester has gone by so fast.” She frowned. “I’m gonna take the final before I leave, but I only have to get a seventy on it to pass the class. Thanks to you checking all my assignments, I have A.” Her voice choked up at the end.