Gone Country (48 page)

“I just had a bad day. Nothing specific happened, I’m just feeling kind of sad. I miss my mom.”

“I know you do, sweetheart.”

“I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever. I’m low on Dad hugs and need some Dad time.”

Gavin held her a little tighter. “So we should do something after your physical therapy appointment.”

“Just you and me?”

“Sure. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

She nodded against his chest and sighed.

Moments like these were worth suffering through every slamming door and petty fight. “I’ll run in, grab my wallet and leave a note for Rielle.”

“I hope it won’t hurt her feelings that we’re doing something without her.”

That Sierra even mentioned it was a sign she’d accepted Rielle as a permanent part of their life—he refused to look at it any other way.

May…

“You know, I think it’s sucky that Boone isn’t taking you to prom this weekend.”

Me too.
“Prom is
so
not his type of thing.”

“How would he know if he’s never been to one?”

“You do have a point.” She couldn’t tell Marin that Boone couldn’t afford to take anyone to prom. What girl would ride on the back of his bike in a fancy dress?

You would. In a freakin’ heartbeat.

Marin sighed heavily. “I just don’t get you, McKay.”

“What did I do now?”

“You turned down Paxton Green’s invite to prom, which is just stupid because
hello
, he’s hot, sweet and…did I mention hot?”

“Several times.”

“So you should’ve said yes. We should be in Rapid right now trying on slutty prom dresses.”

Sierra laughed. “You really think my dad would let me wear a slutty prom dress out of the house?”

“Hell no.” Marin grinned. “I didn’t say we were gonna
buy
them, just try them on.”

“I suppose I’d be wearing fuck me heels too, with this imaginary slutty prom gown?”

“Naturally. And carrying a sparkly rhinestone purse big enough to fit a flask, condoms and a small handgun.”

“You are so crazy-wrong.”

“What is crazy-wrong is that you’re not goin’ to prom with pretty Paxton the bulldoggin’ stud, because you’re mooning over boring Boone.”

“Mooning. As if. We’re friends. That’s it. Besides, prom wouldn’t be any fun if you weren’t there, Marin, so that’s really why I’m not going.”

“Bull. But next year we’re double dating no matter what.” A few minutes passed and Marin complained, “Why are we sitting out here? I can feel my white skin frying like bacon and more freckles popping up on my face.”

Sierra knocked her foot into Marin’s. “It’s a gorgeous day. Warm air, blue skies. No snow. One thing I miss about Arizona is soaking up the sun. So suck it up, cupcake, and sit here with me until Rielle picks me up. I do all sorts of stuff with you that I don’t want to.”

“Like what?” Marin challenged.

“Like listening to country music.”

She snorted. “I’ll admit that there are worse things we could be doin’ than watching the guys on the track team running around in shorts and tank tops.”

“Have you ever thought about going out for track?”

“Not until right this minute…omigod.” Marin peered over the tops of her sunglasses. “Who is that guy in the black shorts and white wife beater running sprints by the fence?”

Sierra didn’t even hesitate to say, “Boone,” with a sigh.

“Really? I didn’t recognize him without his thug hat and coat on. Is that why you made me come here? So we could drool over him from afar?”

Yes.
“No. I’m waiting for a ride, remember?”

“Sierra—”

“Fine. I want to talk to him, okay? I’ve texted him a couple times and I haven’t heard back. And I don’t wanna come across as”—desperate—“a pest, so I hoped I’d see him.”

“What do you want to talk to him about?”

“Whether he’s coming to the branding. I’m supposed to share my McKay family history report—the stuff that didn’t make it in the actual school report—and since he helped me so much, I hope he wants to be there.”

“How’s he supposed to see you if you’re crouched down in the grass?”

Sierra’s gaze slowly tracked over Boone’s body—obviously amazing even at this distance. His skin gleaming, his muscles straining as he performed a pivot and run body conditioning exercise. The last time she’d spoken to him, he’d talked about a new strength and stamina training regimen. She’d asked tons of questions until he’d offered to demonstrate his new moves, which made her feel a little pervy, but a victorious pervy.

“Sierra?”

She said, “What?” offhandedly, keeping her eyes on Boone as he bent forward. Nice buns. But she preferred them in jeans.

“I said how is Boone supposed to notice you if you’re halfway across the damn football field?”

“He knows I’m here.”

“He does? How?” Marin demanded.

It’d sound like a lie, or at least wishful thinking, if she told Marin she knew Boone had watched her walk the entire way from the gym exit. “He, ah, waved to me.”

“Huh. I didn’t see that.” Marin stood and brushed the grass from her rear. “You sure you don’t need a ride? I could drop you off on my way home.”

“Rielle is in town so she offered to pick me up. I’ll be fine hanging out here.”

“Okay. Call me later.”

Within three minutes of Marin leaving, Boone strolled over.

Her belly did that flip, swoop, roll thing even when she acted bored.

Boone flopped beside her, stretching out on his back and groaning, “Man, I’m so fucking whupped.”

“No,
Hi, Sierra, how are you today
? No,
I’ve been ditching your calls because I pulled a muscle in my phone dialing finger?
Just,
I’m so fucking whupped
?”

“Touchy today, aren’t we?” He showered her with a handful of grass.

“Hey! That’s it. I’m leaving.” Sierra started to stand but Boone grabbed her around the waist and rolled her beside him in the grass, ignoring her yelps.

He kept his hand on her stomach, holding her in place. “Hey. If it isn’t sexy Sierra McKay. You’re looking damn fine today. Is that a new shirt? It does amazing things for your…eyes.” He aimed a quick grin her direction. “Did you do something different with your hair? The chocolate-colored tresses are so silky and shiny in the sunlight.”

“You’re a dickhead. And I’m still mad at you.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Yes, I am.”

“Then how come you’re still here?”

Sierra pointedly looked at his palm that seemed to be burning a hole through her shirt, right to her skin.

Boone removed his hand. Those striking brown eyes met hers and he lifted his eyebrow in challenge.

She didn’t move. She stayed right there, gazing into his handsome face, understanding what Marin had meant by mooning over him—wanting what she couldn’t have. Somehow she forced herself to sit up. “You suck at returning text messages, West.”

“I’ve been studying for finals and covering Alan’s shift since he’s on vacation. Or I’ve been working out.”

“I can tell. You’ve got some beefy biceps going on.”

Boone flexed. “Check ’em out.”

Yes please.
She bumped him with her shoulder. “No. It might compromise your virtue if people saw me feeling you up.”

“Might be worth it.” His intense focus traveled from her eyes to her hair. “Sorry for throwing grass at you.” He leaned close enough she could see his pulse pounding in his throat. “I’ll get it.”

“Boone—”

“Relax.”

She stayed frozen as his fingers started at her scalp and drifted down the strands of her hair with such deliberation she’d swear he was dragging it out.

You know better
.

“So what did you need to talk to me about?” he asked.

Sierra’s gaze roved over his face. From his dark eyes, so intent on his task, to his full mouth, his lips parted to release shallow breaths, to his angular jaw. Such a beautiful man. She could just look at him all day.

“Sierra?” he murmured.

“Oh. Right. I wanted to see if you were coming to the branding next Saturday. You don’t have to help with the actual work part, just come to the after party.”

“Why the invite? The McKays need a West whipping boy? Or are your dad, psycho uncles and cousins gonna castrate me?”

She turned her head and sank her teeth into his wrist. Hard.

“Jesus, McKay! Let go.”

She slid her mouth free and licked her lips. “Yep. As salty as I expected.”

“What’d you do that for?”

“Because you’re being a dick.”

“Remind me not to really piss you off,” he muttered.

“Too late. I’m already mad at you. Anyway, I’m filling in the blanks on the McKay/West feud for the entire McKay family. I wondered if you wanted to be there since you helped with the research.”

He tucked her hair behind her ear. “I can’t. I’m working a twelve that day.”

Disappointment flooded her.

“But I heard there’s a pre-graduation party at Phil Nickels’ parents’ cabin at the lake that night.”

“Are you going?”

“I wouldn’t have told you to come if I wasn’t.”

Close enough to an invite for her. “I’ll show up. Think Angie, Kara and Tyler will be there?”

His eyes turned cold. “I’ll flatten that fucker Tyler if he comes anywhere near you.”

“So we’ll have to pretend we’re together again?”
Stop acting like that’s what you want.
“You have to be tired of that.”

“Never.” Boone gave her a light head butt that shouldn’t have been sweet, but was. “I gotta get back on track.”

Sierra groaned.

“See you around, McKay.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

Rielle stayed in the greenhouse long past dark. She’d finished her work hours ago, but she couldn’t force herself to be in the house with happy Gavin and his equally happy sidekick Sierra.

She was in a mood. This type of surly, sulking mood was rare, but once she became infected with it, look out. Which was why she’d hidden herself away from the people she cared about.

Gavin wouldn’t track her down. He understood the demands of her business. So with any luck, and with the help of isolation and booze, she’d shake this mood and return to normal tomorrow.

For the next hour she accomplished exactly nothing except pacing and fretting. Running calculations in her head caused a headache and she threw in the towel. She slipped on her jacket and shut the lights off, her trusty pal Sadie trotting alongside her on the road to the house. On the porch she crouched and hugged her dog. “You’re a good girl, Sadie. Sorry I’ve been lousy company.”

The house was quiet but she saw the glow from the TV upstairs which meant Gavin was glued to some sporting event. Addicted to sports was better than being addicted to porn, she supposed, but she’d never understand the man’s undying love of the games. Rielle found it ironic the sport Gavin’s brother competed in on a professional level held zero interest for him. He’d watch Chase ride, but he turned the channel the instant Chase was done.

A long shower removed the dirt but not the black cloud hanging above her. She stared out the window for a while, until she realized if she’d be up all damn night without a sleep aid. She wandered to the kitchen and grabbed a six-pack of Mike’s Hard Lemonade. During her unproductive navel-gazing in her room, she’d already downed half the second bottle when a knock sounded on her door.

“It’s open.”

“I heard you in the kitchen. I thought you were still working.” Gavin’s arms encircled her waist and he pressed a kiss on her neck. “Why didn’t you come upstairs?”

Rielle pointed to the six pack. “I’m lousy company.”

“I doubt that.”

“Trust me, it’s true.” She drained the bottle and set it on the windowsill.

“Would you like to talk about it?”

“Gavin, I appreciate your concern, but I’m bitchy right now and I’d rather you didn’t see this side of me.”

His mouth brushed her ear. “Am I to take that as you’ve never been bitchy with me before?”

“Funny.”

“Or you think I can’t handle you being less than my Ree of sunshine?” He paused. “Ray of sunshine. Get it?”

She smiled, in spite of herself. “Yes, I got it.”

“Were you really going to sleep down here?”

“Yes.”

“Well, that sucks. Not only because I looked forward to having my wicked way with you—which I was—but because that means you’ve shut me out. And you know what? I don’t like being shut out.”

Rielle didn’t detect hurt in his tone, just concern. “I’m sorry. This…
sharing your bad day
stuff is still new to me.”

“To me too. But we both know every day won’t be perfect and I want you to be able to tell me what’s eating at you.”