The Cowboy and His Best Friend

by Kaci Rose

Before I know it, we park in front of the old church. Colt turns off his headlights and rolls the windows down before turning the truck off. We both remove our seatbelts and turn to face each other.

  “Remember the night after I was adopted, we snuck out here after dinner?” he reminds me.

  “When we sat in the back pew and talked about being a real family.”

  “Yeah, we talked for hours, and I don’t remember what we talked about. I remember just wanting to hear your voice and be with you,” he says. “I knew then I was in love with you. I just didn’t understand it all, ya know?”

  I nod because I know exactly what he means. We’re both quiet, looking at the church. Lots of good memories here. We loved to sneak out here and just talk. Later, we had quite a few good makeout sessions there too. It was also one of our spots we would meet when we needed to talk.

  I can tell by the look on his face, he’s remembering those memories as well. Almost all of them good. Many of those memories I have pulled out to get me through the hard times over the last few years.

  Looking in the backseat, I see a few pillows and blankets and smile.

  “Want to make up the bed in the back like old times?”

  He smiles. “I was hoping you would want to.”

  CHAPTER 7

  Colt

  One of our favorite dates used to be parking my truck out somewhere on the ranch and making up the bed of the truck with pillows and blankets and just lying down, taking it all in, and talking.

  Many times, it’s lying under the stars, but we have seen many sunrises and sunsets as well. We also had our first hot and heavy makeout session down the creek under the stars. Then later, we made love several times under the stars as well. While I don’t plan to get that lucky tonight, those memories aren’t far from my mind, and my cock is making it well known.

  I grab the pillows and blankets and set up the bed of the truck. Then I help her climb on in. We get comfortable and stare up at the stars in silence for a bit.

  I know what we need to talk about, but I just don’t know where to start. I’m not in a rush to dampen the mood on what has been one of the most perfect nights I’ve had in years.

  She speaks first, and I listen to every word.

  “That first year I traveled, I didn’t go on a single date. Many guys asked. They asked to take me to dinner, or for a dance. Some were bolder and asked to go back to their place. I said no every time. Never crossed my mind to answer them any other way. I was yours and to me, that hadn’t changed. Some of those guys turned into friends, and we have kept in contact, but they know they’re permanently friend zoned.”

  I reach over and take her hand, needing some connection with her. I don’t know what the conversation ahead holds, but I know it will be easier with this small connection. She interlaces our fingers and keeps talking.

  “But after Megan’s graduation… when I left, I went out with the first guy who asked. We dated for a few weeks and one night, things got to third base. I did what I do best and panicked. I packed up and left that night I texted him the next day that we were over and moved on.”

  She pauses and looks up at the sky like she’s trying to choose her words, so I squeeze her hand to encourage her. I’m torn on if I want to hear this story, but I also know we must get it out in the open to move on.

  “After that, I went on a few dates, but it never went that far again. Then I talked to Blaze. We were making plans for our Grand Canyon trip, and he told me about you and Kelli, and I broke. I went to a local bar, had a few drinks, danced with a nice guy, and had my first-ever one-night stand. I don’t know if you even want to hear this, but the whole time, I was thinking of you. I got home that night and cried myself to sleep.”

  My heart breaks. I never wanted to cause her that kind of pain, but so many times I was so hurt that I did want to hurt her. The thoughts of her crying herself to sleep I can’t take, even if I wanted to pound my chest that it was me she thought of when she was with another guy.

  We’re both quiet, soaking that news in. I reach over and pull her towards me. We still don’t look at each other, but she rests her head on my shoulder. I run my hand up and down her back.

  “Were you with anyone before Megan’s graduation?” she asks.

  “No, I wasn’t.” The thought of that kills me. If Kelli hadn’t interfered, we could have fixed things then. We would have, I know it. The thought angers me. I still need to have it out with Kelli. I don’t like her thinking she won this, even though I know Sage will say to let it be.

  “Kelli and I did sleep together after Megan’s graduation on and off, but we stopped when you came back to town. Then she and I slept together once when you were dating that guy from Dallas and when you dated that rodeo guy. That was the last time. I made the choice awhile back that I would try to fix this with us, so I cut her off completely. I never knew how to go about things with you. Then Riley showed up, and I put it on the back burner again. But when I saw you with Brice…”

  She cuts me off then. “It wasn’t serious with Brice. I was just so sick of being lonely and even more so watching Riley and Blaze fall in love. I didn’t want to go to the sale alone, so I went with Brice.”

  She squeezes my hand then tries to lighten the mood. “He was a horrible kisser.”

  I can’t help but smile. “Good.” But then I must know. “Did you… with him…”

  “No, Colt. We kissed a few times, and that was it. It never went any further.”

  I feel myself relax at that.

  “Has there been anyone other than Kelli?”

  “I had two one-night stands in Dallas years ago, but for the record, Sage, I haven’t been with anyone in almost two years now.”

  I can tell she’s smiling when she says, “Good.”

  “Has there been anyone since your one-night stand?” I ask. I must know, but at the same time, I don’t want to know. Not that it makes a difference. There could have been a hundred guys, she’d still be mine.

  “No. I thought about it, but I just didn’t have it in me. It’s been over five years since I’ve been with anyone,” she says, on a whisper.

  I nod, and my heart swells. So many misunderstandings were just cleared up tonight. I don’t think it was as bad as either of us thought.

  Almost like she can read my mind, she says, “Can we put this conversation on pause? I’d like to end tonight on a good note.”

  I agree. Having good memories of our first date after all this time is all I want for her.

  After a minute, she rolls over to her side so her chest is pressed to my side. Her head is on my shoulder, and her hand is on my chest. I wrap my arm around her back and place my hand on her waist. With my free hand, I hold hers. When I take a deep breath, it’s shaky. Does this girl know what she does to me? Is it too much to hope I have the same effect on her?

  “This okay?” she asks. How can she not think this is okay? I need to make sure she knows I’m here waiting like a stray dog, to soak up any attention she wants to throw my way. Some might say that’s sad and pathetic, but when you meet Sage and you know what it feels like to have her attention, you would understand.

  “More than okay,” I say and kiss the top of her head. “I missed this.”

  “Me too,” she whispers then looks up at me. When she smiles at me, my heart takes off like a racehorse at the Kentucky Derby. I lean into her, rolling her gently onto her back and kiss her.

  Without breaking the kiss, I roll on top of her and brace my weight on my arms by her head. She sighs, and I take the opportunity to explore her mouth. When her tongue meets mine, I’m as hard as steel, and I know in this position, she must be able to feel me. I want her to feel me, to know the effect she has on me.

  She wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me even closer to her. I kiss down her neck and stop at the spot where it meets her shoulder, causing her to moan. As I kiss back up to her jaw, I watch her every move and see if the same spot on her neck just under her ear drives her crazy st
ill. While I lightly scrape my teeth over it, she moans my name, and I can’t help but smile.

  I kiss my way back to her mouth again, and we make out like teenagers for a long while, neither of us pushing to take it any further. I’m going to have a major case of blue balls that no cold shower will help, but it’s worth it with her.

  When I finally pull away, I rest my forehead on hers to catch our breath.

  “Can I take you out tomorrow night?” I ask her.

  “Well, I have to be up early on Sunday morning.”

  “For church, right?”

  She gives me this strange look, but she will soon know that I know everything about her. Every move she makes, what she likes and hates. I never stopped watching and paying attention.

  “Yes, how did you know?”

  “I pay attention.” I pause. “Can I come with you to church?”

  With this, she sits up with her back to the window of my truck. I sit up facing her with her hand in mine.

  “You want to go to church with me?” she asks in shock.

  I smile. “Yes, and the potluck after. I know you and Mom go every week.”

  I can tell she’s thinking about it and running it over in her head.

  “Okay then, what about a running into town date tomorrow. I need to pick up feed and a few things. We can do lunch at the café?”

  I smile. “Perfect.”

  We head home, and I walk her to her room and give her a chaste kiss.

  “See you tomorrow, love,” I say then head to my room. Even though I have spent a week in bed with her while she was healing, I don’t want her to think this is about sex.

  Sleeping in my room with her just next door is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do after the night we just had.

  CHAPTER 8

  Sage

  I slept worth a crap last night. I got so used to Colt sleeping next to me, it was almost impossible to sleep last night. I kept thinking of going into Colt’s room. I know he wouldn’t have turned me away, but I just never got up the guts to do it. It was well after three a.m. before I finally got to sleep.

  We’re now riding into town and even though we’re taking my truck, Colt insists on driving. We fight a bit but when he says it’s a small way he can take care of me, I swoon a bit and give in. I haven’t let go of his hand since we’ve been in the car though.

  We make a few stops before filling up the back of the truck at the feed store and then head to the café next door for lunch. Jo is working, and her whole face lights up when she sees us. She comes over and gives us both a hug.

  “I heard you two made quite a show last night at the bar. I am so happy for you two. I always loved seeing you two together! Come. Sit at the table back here, less prying eyes,” Jo says.

  Colt sits next to be me instead of in the booth across from me.

  I look at him, and he can see the question in my eyes right away.

  “The other side is too far away.” He pouts, and it’s so cute, I can’t help but laugh. Then I see everyone in the café is watching us. Some are being blatantly obvious, and some are trying to make it look like they aren’t, but they are. I see some are texting on their phones, so I know the word is spreading that we’re here.

  “Ignore them all. It’s just you and me, Sage.” He leans over and kisses my temple. We both look over the menu though it hasn’t changed in years. Jo’s motto is if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

  Jo comes over to take our order. “We will both have the meatloaf. Extra gravy on hers and an order of cornbread. Sweet tea for both of us,” Colt orders for me.

  I can’t help but stare at him as Jo walks away. He seems to be staring then shifts in his seat a bit.

  “What? Did I get it wrong?” he asks.

  I don’t answer. I just lean in and kiss him. It’s a short, sweet kiss. “I forgot what it’s like to be with someone who knows me so well. The order was perfect.”

  He beams then leans in for another quick kiss. People file in to get takeout orders or even just to-go coffees, and every one of them looks over at us. I now understand what zoo animals feel like.

  We have a few people come up to tell us it was about damn time we got together which makes us laugh. We talk about food, the ranch, hobbies, and just get to know each other again.

  We’re about halfway through our meal when someone sits in the booth across from us. I look up and see the bottle-blond hair of no other than Kelli. She doesn’t look like she’s here to congratulate us. Colt’s hand on my thigh tightens, and I feel his whole body go stiff.

  I look at Kelli for the first time in a while. She looks like a blond Lindsay Lohan before the drugs, but she just looks fake. Fake hair, fake nails, fake boobs, fake eyelashes, caked-on makeup. Then it hits me. She’s the exact opposite of me, and it makes me laugh. Out loud. Earning me a glare from fake Barbie.

  “What the hell, Colt?” she whines, and her voice is like nails on a chalkboard. High pitched and whiney, and I now hate my spot trapped in the booth.

  “Go away, Kelli. There was never anything between us, and the lies you told Sage show how pathetic you are.”

  I see Kelli’s eyes go stormy. “I don’t know what you mean, but I never talked with Sage…”

  “Cut the bullshit, Kelli. It was just sex. My heart has always been Sage’s and because of your lies and scheming, you pushed us away when we could have patched things up years ago. Even if Sage never forgives me, I never want another thing to do with you.”

  “You will see what you’re missing, Colt. I just hope I’m here when you open your eyes.”

  Colt looks right at me and without breaking eye contact with me, he says, “I already found what I was missing, and she’s the nicest, sweetest person I’ve ever met. She’s the exact opposite of you. I’ve missed her like crazy, and she has always owned my heart and soul. I have no intention of letting her go again.” Then he leans in and kisses me.

  Kelli lets out some annoying screech that reminds me of a bobcat. That’s when Brice shows up next to our table.

  “Kelli, it’s time for you to go,” he says.

  “Go away. This doesn’t concern you,” she snaps.

  “No, it concerns the whole café now. You’re making an ass of yourself, and Jo just called the sheriff. I think you should leave of your own free will.”

  She shoots me a death glare then stands, her back ramrod straight. I want to take some dig at her, but how can I top Colt’s reply?

  Kelli pushes past Brice and walks out of the café. The whole crowd erupts in cheers as she walks out the door, causing her to spin on her heels and stare at everyone before she leaves.

  “Thank you, Brice,” Colt says and shakes his hand.

  He smiles. “Treat her good, or I’ll be joining the line of people kicking your ass,” he says to Colt.

  Colt nods, and a look of understanding crosses between them before Brice heads back to his table.

  “Eat up, love. Don’t let this ruin our day,” he says and kisses my temple. No matter how hard we try, we can’t get the conversation to flow as easily as before.

  As we head out of the café, Colt pulls me the opposite way of the parking lot. “Let’s take a walk down Main Street. The weather is nice, let’s enjoy it,” Colt suggests, and I agree.

  We walk down Main Street hand in hand, checking out some shops and antique stores. It feels great to not have to hide like we did in high school. We never got the chance to be open about us, to be able to walk down the street hand in hand like we can now.

  Somehow, my gut tells me we haven’t seen the last of Kelli, but I push it aside and just try to enjoy the day.

  The easy conversation returns when we get back in the truck and head for home. It wouldn’t be a Rock Springs date without drama, so all in all, it is still a great day.

  CHAPTER 9

  Sage

  With yesterday’s drama at the café forgotten, we’re now sitting in our pew at church. Mom and Dad are to my right and Colt is to my left at the
end of the pew. I make a joke that it’s the best place for him to make a quick exit. He doesn’t find it funny. Once again, all eyes are on us. I think more so today than yesterday.

  When the pastor takes his stand at the pulpit and scans the crowd like he always does, I know he takes count of who is here and who isn’t. When he sees Colt, his eyes go wide, and he starts the service like nothing is out of the normal.

  As we stand and sing, Colt wraps his arm around my waist and shares my hymn book. We’re in a small Southern town, and this small action still means something. It means we’re a serious couple. I know this is Colt’s way of once again staking his claim to me.

  Mom and Dad haven’t stopped smiling since they saw Colt walk in with me. I did give Mom and Dad a warning he was coming last night which led to a lot of questions, but they did give us their blessing. I guess Colt talked to them too once he told me he was coming.

  Being their opinion was one of the things that scared us last time, this is a weight off my shoulders. Though I know if we were still in high school, things would be different. We were still kids, still living under their roof then.

  The next battle is talking to Megan, Mac, and Blaze. Jason already knows because Colt talked to him before our date at the bar, though I don’t think he knows the details. Riley knows because she picked up on how we act around each other weeks ago. I have given her just enough info, but she doesn’t know the details either.

  If I’m being honest, I’m terrified to tell Blaze. Not to beat around the bush but keeping this from him is like flat-out lying to him. He’s going to be hurt and mad, and I can’t blame him one bit. I just hope that since Riley is on our side, she will help rein him in and talk to him.

  After the service, we head to the event room for the church potluck brunch. Colt gets a few dirty looks as we make our way into the room, but most everyone, including Pastor Greg, is welcoming of him. Mom and Dad stick near us almost like we’re going to battle.

  We pretty much are. We’re making a statement that not only are Colt and I together, but that Mom and Dad approve. Colt’s reputation will factor into the gossip.