Broken

by Kelly Elliott

Page 16

 

  Her fake-ass smile grew bigger. “Horseback riding, of course. You girls do know how to ride, right? I mean, I know y’all are from New York and all, but riding is so easy. Anyone can do it. I use to barrel race in high school. ”

  I saw Courtney sit up straight, and I quickly looked at her and winked. I turned back to Olivia.

  What a royal bitch! If she wants to play that way…well then, have at it, honey.

  “Oh, well, you know, I’ve been around a horse or two in my life. We could certainly give it a try. ”

  The Cheshire Cat smile spreading across Olivia’s face just about had me gagging.

  “Well then, let’s go, ladies. Justin, Mimi, will you excuse us for some girl time?”

  They both nodded.

  “Girls, now, be careful and have fun,” Mimi called out.

  I asked Olivia, “Do you mind if I run to Courtney’s truck to put my things away and grab my sunglasses?”

  “Of course not. Do you remember how to get to the barn? I’ve already called down to the stables and had them saddle up some horses, so y’all don’t have to worry about trying to do something you’re not familiar with,” she said with a shit-eating grin.

  As Court and I walked to the truck, I was getting angrier by the second.

  “Oh. My. God. Who in the hell does she think she is?” I balled my fists.

  “How long are you planning on playing the we-are-stupid-city-folk role? ’Cause I really want to kick her in the teeth right about now. ” Courtney turned and looked over her shoulder.

  I shook my head. “What a damn bitch. What in the hell did Layton ever see in her?”

  “Beats me. Maybe the blonde hair, big tits, and blue eyes? Probably rocked his world in bed, too. ”

  I stopped and just looked at her. “Really?”

  “What? You asked, and I gave you my thoughts. If you don’t want to hear my thoughts, don’t ask me the question, bitch. ”

  The whole way from the truck to the barn, I couldn’t shake the image of Layton and Olivia together.

  We rode for about forty-five minutes, and even though I was pretty sure we were heading toward Layton’s property, I couldn’t be certain. I wasn’t so great with directions. Courtney was playing the whole city-girl act to a tee.

  “How are you girls doing?” Olivia asked with a smile as she looked over her shoulder at us.

  “Doing great!” I called back.

  Then, I heard male voices.

  “Oh, wow! Looks like Layton is out riding with some friends,” Olivia said with a slight smile.

  She took off so fast that I had to hold my horse back from wanting to run right along with her horse.

  Courtney trotted up next to me. “You get the feeling she knew he was going to be out riding?”

  I had the sickest feeling in my stomach. “Yeah, I do. I also get the feeling she thinks she’s going to embarrass us in front of them. ”

  Courtney let out a gasp. “Fuck me. Why is he here?”

  I looked over and saw Layton, Kevin, and Reed. My heart felt like it dropped into my stomach when I saw Layton.

  “Who? Kevin or Reed?”

  “Reed. Blah. He’s such an asswipe. ”

  I let out a laugh. “He’s a nice guy, Court. ”

  I watched as Olivia rode up and started talking to Layton. He seemed pissed. He looked over toward Court and me, and when our eyes met, my stomach started to flutter.

  Stop it, Whitley—right now. You don’t like him that way.

  My breath was taken away by the smile he was giving me.

  Good Lord, his smile is breathtaking—that dimple and those lips.

  Courtney leaned closer to me and whispered, “Is it just me, or does his smile cause your panties to just melt?”

  I snapped my head over and glared at her.

  She laughed and winked. “Nope, it’s clearly not just me!”

  “Fuck off, Lollipop!”

  “Lollipop?”

  Courtney and I both turned to see the guys all riding up to us, and Reed was smiling.

  Court’s face turned fifty shades of red. “Yeah, it’s a stupid nickname that Whitley gave me when we were little. ”

  Reed smiled from ear to ear. “What’s your favorite lollipop?”

  Courtney smirked back. “Blow Pops. ”

  Reed’s smile faded. “Um…”

  Courtney smiled and winked at him. She really was good at this shit.

  When I glanced over toward Layton, I saw he was just staring at me. I smiled, and the smile he returned would have brought me to my knees if I had been standing.

  “So, CG, you any good on that horse?” he asked with a wink.

  I looked over at Olivia. The smile on her face answered all my earlier questions. She had known Layton and his friends would be out riding. She was trying to set me up to look like a stupid city girl from New York.

  Okay, Whitley, time to reach in and pull out your inner cowgirl, and show this bitch she messed with the wrong girl.

  I grinned. “I bet I could hold my own against you and your Thoroughbred. ”

  Olivia, Kevin, and Reed all laughed.

  “Oh hell, Layton, I believe she just challenged you and your horse,” Kevin said.

  Layton gave me a crooked smile that melted my heart completely. For the first time in years, I actually wanted to be with another man besides Roger.

  Oh, for the love of God, Whitley, stop this. You don’t want Layton.

  I shifted in my seat and looked over at Courtney, and she smiled a wide-ass grin at me.

  Layton laughed. “You want to race me, CG? You think you can keep up with me?”

  I peeked at Olivia, who was now glaring at Layton. She clearly didn’t like the fact that Layton was not only flirting with me, but he was also enjoying the little banter we had going back and forth.

  So am I—more than I want to admit.

  “Oh, cowboy, I’m sure I can do just about anything you can do…and do it just as well, if not better. ”

  “You want to make that a bet?” Layton said as he looked over and winked at Courtney.

  She busted out laughing, causing Reed, Kevin, and Olivia to all turn and look at her.

  I couldn’t help but smile as I remembered that I’d told him I didn’t like to lose bets. “What’s the bet?”

  He looked around and then back toward me. “If I win, you have to sit in my deer stand with me, but I bet you won’t last two hours. There’s no talking, no moving, nothing until we see a buck walk up. ”

  “I’m not killing a deer!” I said as my heart started pounding.

  Layton threw his head back, laughing.

  Damn it, I swear the feeling between my legs is going to drive me insane. Why do I want him so much?

  Fuck! Don’t let him do this to you, Whitley. He’s only a friend.

  “It’s not even hunting season, CG. I win, and you have to sit with me in my stand until we see a deer. You win…and I’ll let you decide what you want. ”

  I smiled. I didn’t really think my quarter horse was going to beat Layton’s, so I pretty much knew I was going to lose. I was only playing this game to annoy Olivia.

  Shit. How hard could it be to sit in a damn deer stand? I’ve seen at least fifteen deer a night in my front yard. I’ve so got this. Plus, it would drive Olivia nuts to know I’d be spending time alone with Layton in his deer stand. That’s what the bitch gets.

  “You’re on. Where are we racing to?”

  Layton turned and looked out in the open field. “You see the third oak tree down there—the largest one you can see from here?”

  I glanced over toward where he was pointing and saw it. Shit. That had to be at least a half a mile away. I had no idea how this horse would run.

  “Yep, I see it. ”

  I walked the horse up next to Layton. I quickly glanced over at him, and his beautiful blue eyes captured mine. I couldn’t even think. He seemed to be l
ocked into our trance just as much as I was.

  He smiled and leaned closer to me. “I know you’re a fast reader, CG. I don’t know how fast you are at self-satisfaction…yet. ”

  My smile dropped, and I felt my cheeks blush. I can’t believe he just said that to me!

  “But let’s see how fast you are on a horse. ” He winked, and reaching up, he tapped my nose with his finger.

  When he touched me, I instantly felt a hot tingle travel throughout my body. What in the hell? I can’t let him do this to me. I will not fall for him. I shook my head to clear my thoughts.

  He laughed and winked at me.

  That fucker knows what he just did to me!

  “Get ready to eat my dust, asshole. ” I gave him a dirty look.

  “On three then?” he asked with a wicked smile.

  “On three. ”

  As soon as Layton hit three, I kicked the shit out of my horse and took off. For most of the time, I stayed neck and neck with him. He looked over at me and smiled as he did something to his horse, and the next thing I knew, he was gone.

  Holy shit! That’s a fast horse.

  By the time I reached the third oak tree, he was already there, waiting for me.

  “Holy shit! Why is that horse not training for racing?” I tried my best to catch my breath from all the excitement.

  He laughed and winked at me as he ran his hand up and down the neck of the chestnut Thoroughbred gelding. “Buck here is a retired winner. He actually won me close to a million dollars in the few races he was in. ”

  My mouth dropped open. Oh. My. God. He totally just played me.

  “You are such a jerk, Layton Morris. Ugh!” I turned the horse and started to head back toward everyone.

  I heard him laughing behind me.

  “Oh, come on, CG. You walked right into that one! Didn’t I tell you I raised and had racehorses?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Yes, you did tell me that, Layton. ”

  He came up, riding his horse next to mine. “I’m impressed at how well you ride, Whitley. I think I’m going to have to change the meaning of CG from city girl to country girl,” he said with a sweet smile.

  I couldn’t help but smile back at him. “Thank you. I actually love riding. I always have, and I’ve always been a cowgirl at heart. ”

  Layton smiled. “Why do I get the impression that Olivia was surprised by the fact that you could ride?”

  “Ha! Why do I get the impression that she knew you would be out riding, and somehow, she was trying to show me up?”

  Layton’s smile faded as he looked away. We rode for a bit in silence.

  “What are you doing this evening?” I wasn’t even sure why I had asked.

  He let out a sigh and shook his head. “Heading into Austin. Kevin and Reed want to check out some club. ”

  I snapped my head over to him. “Really? Court and I are going to Austin! I’ve never been. We’re going to look at a few stores for Olivia’s engagement party. ”

  Layton’s smile faded for one brief second before another one of his amazing, panty-melting, dimpled smiles returned.

  His eyes lit up. “Can I take you out to dinner tonight in Austin?”

  Jesus, between his eyes and that smile, he could drive a girl mad.

  I smiled and nodded. “What about Courtney?”

  “That was an open invitation for both of y’all,” he said with a smirk.