by Kennedy Fox
She inhales sharply as my lips softly brush hers. I taste the fruit punch she must’ve drunk earlier, but we’re harshly interrupted before I can deepen the kiss. We pull apart when a loud commotion echoes through the gym.
“Fuck,” I mutter under my breath as I see Riley staggering toward the middle where we’re standing. “C’mon, we gotta go.”
I reach for her hand, but then think better of it and drop my arm. Riley’s wasted, bumping into tables and students as he nearly falls on his ass.
“What the hell?” I steady him, grabbing his arms. “Why didn’t you stay in the truck?”
“I couldn’t find you,” he stutters loudly. “You left me.”
Everyone stares, and when I look at Rowan, her cheeks are beet red. She’s embarrassed as hell, and it’s all my fault. If I had just waited outside for her, Riley would’ve never stumbled in here looking like a fool.
“You were passed out,” I tell him between gritted teeth. “I came in to grab Rowan.”
He blinks, looking around me as if he just realized his sister was next to me. “Oh.” He wobbles from side to side, and his eyes are in slits as he stares at us.
Ignoring his suspicious look, I straighten my shoulders and try to get us out of here fast. “Let’s go.”
I turn Riley around and walk him to the exit, hoping no one gives her shit for this later. While he picks on his sister regularly and has zero qualms about embarassing her in front of family, he’d never intentionally humiliate her in front of her classmates.
“Shotgun!” Riley shouts once we’re outside. How the hell he’s still standing is beyond me. He’s plastered, and if he doesn’t sit the fuck down, he’s going to vomit all over his truck.
I manage to get him into the passenger seat, and Rowan follows me to the driver’s side. She gets in the back, and I sit behind the wheel. Once we’re all buckled, I glance up in the rearview mirror and see her stunning brown eyes. We barely kissed, but I felt it all over. I wonder if she did too, but now isn’t the time to bring it up.
We’re halfway to the ranch when Riley perks up and looks over at me.
“I know I’m a little drunk…” he begins, slouching. “But did I see you kissing my sister in the gym?”
My eyes round, and I swallow down the panic streaming through my veins. He’s too drunk to really kick my ass at the moment, but that doesn’t mean I won’t pay for it tomorrow.
“Dude, what?” I contort my face. “You must be more hammered than I thought if you’re seeing me lock lips with your kid sister.”
He leans back against the seat. “I know what I saw,” he grumbles.
“You’re wrong,” I tell him flatly. “You must’ve seen another couple.”
Riley turns just enough to look at his sister. “Rowan?”
“What?” she asks as if she’s annoyed.
“Were you kissing my best friend?”
Without any hesitation, she replies, “Gross, no. He offered to dance with me, and that’s it.”
Riley scoffs, not believing her. “Then why was his mouth so close to yours?”
“Do you really think I’d waste my first kiss on him?” she spits out.
Jesus fuck.
That was her first kiss?
“He’s your annoying best friend who follows me around like a sad puppy,” she adds. “The last person on earth I’d ever want to kiss. If his mouth ever touched mine, I’d knee him in the jewels.”
Ouch.
Her words hurt like a thousand needle pricks. If her plan was to convince him it wasn’t real, she’s golden. If it was to hurt me in the process, then mission fucking accomplished.
“Dayum.” Riley whistles, slapping his knee.
I glance up into the mirror, seeing her narrowed eyes and tense jaw. What the hell? I denied it to save my friendship, but she went a step further, dragging me through the mud in the process. Did she expect me to tell him? Is she pissed I didn’t?
Silence draws on until we pull up to their house. Riley passed out against the window, and drool is sliding down his chin.
“Can you cover for your brother?” I ask Rowan when I open the back door and hold out my hand to help her out. She dismisses me and jumps down. “Tell your parents he’s sleeping over at my house tonight?”
She shrugs, then nods. “Alright, fine.”
I shut the door and follow her to the porch. “Rowan, wait.”
She spins around, her face emotionless.
“You know I only denied it so he wouldn’t beat my face in, right?” My eyes plead with her to believe me.
“It doesn’t matter, Adam. I don’t care.”
I flinch at her harsh words. She leaned into me, I know she did, so why is she acting as if I’m the biggest inconvenience of her life?
Furrowing my brows, I step closer. “Was that really your first kiss?”
She bursts out laughing, crossing her arms. “Yeah right.”
“What the hell is your problem?” I finally ask.
Before she can respond, the front door swings open. “I thought I heard voices out here.” Alex looks at the two of us, squinting. “Where’s Riley?”
“We’re gonna hang out at my house if that’s alright?” I step away from Rowan. “I’ll make sure he’s at church tomorrow, though, sir.”
Alex nods, then looks at Rowan, smiling. “Did you have fun at the dance?”
Rowan glances at me before climbing the steps and nods. “It was fine, Dad. I’m tired, though.”
“Okay, kiddo. Let’s get you to bed then.”
“Good night,” I call out, waving to both of them. Alex waves, then shuts the door.
I drive Riley to my house in town and hope I don’t get pulled over in the process. My parents are asleep, so I quietly help him to the couch in my room. The asshole can sleep there without a pillow and blanket for putting me through this shit tonight. Hopefully, he’ll forget what he saw between his sister and me.
It seems as though Rowan already has, so perhaps I should too.
Though there’s really no way I can.
What she doesn’t know is that was my first kiss too, and I’ve been waiting for her.
I don’t understand why she’s so pissed, but I’ll do whatever it takes to figure it out.
Chapter One
DIESEL
PRESENT DAY
“Damn,” I mutter as I roll out of bed, realizing I’m late as fuck for work. I probably shouldn’t have stayed up until two drinking, and I sure as hell shouldn’t have made out with that woman at the bar. I don’t remember her name, just her long legs and revealing neckline. As quickly as I can, I rush to the bathroom to piss, then brush my teeth, and that’s when I see the dark purple hickeys on my neck. Not one or two, but three are in plain sight. I should’ve called her Hoover, considering they’re the size of a vacuum hose.
“Shit,” I say after spitting out the toothpaste because I know I can’t cover them up. Wearing a turtleneck sweater in June might be more of a red flag than just owning up to my stupid mistake. I shrug, then rinse my mouth, and hurry to get dressed. This is why I stopped staying out late and drinking so much, but sometimes, those old habits reappear. Before leaving my modest cabin located on the Bishop Ranch, I text my boss, Alex, and let him know I’m running late.
Alex: I knew that an hour ago. Hurry your ass up.
Diesel: Yes, sir. I’ll be right there.
With a smile, I crank my truck and rush down the long dirt road toward the shop where we do our morning roundups. Riley’s dad holds staff meetings every morning so we’re on the same page. What’s needed around the ranch often changes for reasons like the weather or emergency repairs, so doing this each day is necessary. About six months ago, I was promoted to help manage a group of ranch hands, and together, we tend to the cattle. It’s a group effort, considering how large the property is, and while it’s a lot of hard work, I nearly sold my soul for this opportunity. There are days when all I do is sit in a saddle in the hot, blazing sun, swe
ating my ass off, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. The Circle B Ranch is my home, and I don’t plan to ever leave. I could be shoveling shit and be as happy as a hog here because this place is my own personal heaven on earth. I’ve grown up here, and the Bishops are my chosen family.
Trust me, I’ve done my fair share of bitch work over the years because nothing is handed to anyone. Everything here is earned, which I respect and appreciate.
I pull up to the metal building and see no other vehicles except for Alex’s old beat-up truck he drives around the ranch. The bumper is dented from dumbasses backing into random things, and there are scratches all over the paint. Honestly, I don’t blame him for using it because I’ve done my fair share of damaging it, too.
Before I get out, I grab my cowboy hat and place it on my head, then take in a long, deep breath. When I walk inside, he’s drinking a cup of coffee and gives me a smug look. He’s like my second dad, but I’m actually afraid of Alex’s repercussions. The man could kick my ass all the way to the border of Texas and back. I’d never want to intentionally cross him.
His steel blue eyes glance up at the clock on the wall, then pierce through me. “One hour and twenty-three minutes late.”
“Sorry,” I say. Walking over, I grab a cup and pour some steaming hot coffee into it. “I…”
“Don’t lie to me,” he snaps.
“I wasn’t going to. I drank too much and—”
“What’s on your damn neck?” Riley asks. I didn’t even realize he’d walked in. I glare at him as he wears the cheesiest expression ever. He comes closer and tugs on my shirt to fully reveal the marks. All I can do is smirk.
“That’s how you get a disease,” he explains. “Lettin’ strange women suck all over ya.” Riley chuckles, but Alex shakes his head, unamused.
“Well, not all of us went to Vegas and came back with a wife,” I throw at him. Three years ago, as a twenty-first birthday present, Riley took me on a surprise trip to Las Vegas. When I think about it now, I smile because it was a weekend to remember. Riley found Zoey, and I ended up hooking up with one of her friends. The only difference is I didn’t put a ring on it, and I don’t even remember her name. However, a lot has changed since then because while I go to the Circle B Saloon often and have a few drinks, I’m not into the one-night stands like I was years ago. That’s why Ms. Hoover Vacuum didn’t come home with me last night, which is probably for the best. I might not have survived her sucking powers.
The Circle B Saloon is also owned by the Bishops. Riley’s uncles John and Evan invested in the property and fully remodeled an old building downtown. It now consists of a large beer and liquor selection, a pool table, and a quaint seating area. Before the Saloon opened, there were zero places for people to hang out at after dark, so it became an instant moneymaker. It’s done really well, and everyone in the family helps run it, especially Rowan, who’s taking over now that she’s graduated. Their cousins Ethan and Kenzie bartend a few nights a week when they’re home during college breaks.
“It looks like she bruised you from the inside out,” Riley taunts with a grin. “You might wanna get that checked out.”
“I’ll live.” I glower, ready to give him a snide comment about wishing it was his sister who marked me. But since their dad is within earshot, I hold my tongue. I’m already in the hot seat with him for being late so I don’t push my luck. These Bishops aren’t always mild mannered—the men or the women—if I’m being honest.
“Anyway,” Alex drawls, “it’s supposed to start raining this afternoon, so I’m not sure how much you’ll be able to get done, but you can try. I had Grayson start since you were nowhere to be found.”
Grayson was hired this past year to help with the cattle. He’s my right-hand man and super dependable, so it doesn’t surprise me that he stepped up today. He saves my ass when needed, which is great, considering Riley and I work in different areas now and can’t cover for each other anymore.
“Sorry about that, sir,” I apologize again, taking a sip of coffee because I need to wake up. “Won’t happen again.”
Riley chuckles. “Yeah right.”
“Shut the hell up.” I punch his shoulder, then look at his dad. “It won’t.”
“Since it’s getting hot out there, ya need to ride around and check the wells and make sure the water troughs are full. I know the pond out in the far pasture is drying up, and we can’t have those cows getting dehydrated. It’s so dry the rain ain’t gonna do nothin’ but evaporate as soon as it lands. Not much shade after all. Can’t afford to lose any of them due to the heat,” Alex explains.
“I’ll get right on it,” I tell him, finishing every hot drop of coffee, then head out.
Riley follows behind me, laughing his ass off.
“Way to make me look bad in front of your old man.” I scowl, narrowing my eyes.
“He already knows how you are, Big D.” He waggles his brows. “Don’t forget, we gotta drive to Houston tomorrow and help my sister with all her stupid shit.”
I grin at him with a smug expression. “You know I won’t.”
He shakes his head. “Oh God. Don’t you be gettin’ that look in your eyes like that. You know she hates you.”
“I think that means she’s got the hots for me. Maybe you can put in a good word and have her start calling me Big D, too?” Just seeing him squirm is worth every second.
“Shut your damn mouth, you dumbass.” He groans. “Tomorrow morning, we leave before the sun rises. Four o’clock sharp. It’s a long ass drive, and I wanna get there and back as fast as possible.”
I know it’s because he wants to be with Zoey, and I can’t blame him, considering she’s eight months pregnant. He’s supposed to be on pre-baby duty right now, but he can’t seem to stay away from the ranch life, even if it means meeting at the shop for ten minutes. He’s addicted to this, just like the rest of us. Tomorrow, we’ll be on a tight schedule, and I’m sure he’ll be in a mood. If Zoey goes into labor while we’re gone, I’m not sure he’ll ever forgive Rowan or his dad since we were voluntold to help.
I throw him a grin. “Whatever you say, Daddy.”
He pretends to gag as I hop in my truck and crank it. I roll the window down and holler at him. “See you in the morning after I dream about your sister sittin’ on my face.”
As expected, he flips me off and walks away, but it’s all in good fun. Though when it comes to Rowan, I’m never joking. If she’d let me, I’d hang the damn moon for her. We haven’t spent much time together because she’s been at the University of Houston for the past four years and only comes home during her breaks, but it doesn’t matter. My feelings for her haven’t changed.
Something about Rowan makes my blood pump a little faster and my adrenaline rush. Rowan Bishop’s a goddamn firecracker, sassy as can be, and Southern to the core with her values. One day, I’m going to make her mine, and I’ve been telling Riley that since we were kids, even if he’s been warning me away from her for that long too. He thinks I’m too unreliable and unable to settle down, but he’s wrong. She may be dead set on loathing me, but I’m still convinced she’ll eventually get on board. Hopefully.
I drive out to the old barn where Grayson is busy saddling the horses. He looks at me over his shoulder and shakes his head before tightening the strap. Hopping out of the truck, I walk over to him.
“Where the fuck have you been?” he asks.
“That is no way to talk to your boss,” I snap, then grin. “Overslept.”
“You dumbass. I already sent the boys out to the far pasture to round up the cows and move them. Saddled Meadow for you so we could ride over to the wells and make sure they’re good. I think the pump on the east side needs to be rewired. It was making a noise a week ago.”
“A noise?” I prompt. “And you decided to say something now?” Releasing a deep breath, I shake my head and walk over to Meadow and climb on. He’s a red quarter horse who loves to run and ride through the mud. We’ve had some great day
s together even though he’s young, spunky, and doesn’t always listen.
Once my feet are in the stirrups and Grayson is on his horse, we take off down one of the yellow trails that shortcuts over to the little water shack we need to check. Looking up at the sky, I see the dark clouds in the distance and know we don’t have much time.
“Should we take the four-wheelers instead?” Grayson asks, looking out over the horizon.
“Nah, I think we’ll be okay if we get going and don’t lollygag any longer. We’re already halfway there.”
“Alright. You’re the boss.” He snickers and follows me as we continue forward.
The temperature is dropping, and the wind is picking up, but I focus on the task at hand so we can get it done before getting dumped on.
“You gonna talk about those bruises on your neck?” Grayson finally asks, trotting up beside me.
“God, not you too,” I huff. “Riley’s ragged on me enough this morning for it. In front of Alex, too.”
“Well, it’s impossible to ignore it when they’re like beacons in the night.” He chuckles.
“I drank too much, but luckily, I wasn’t drunk. One more beer and I might’ve gone home with her, but I’ve had enough one-night stands to last me a lifetime,” I admit.
“And it’s not because Rowan’s coming home tomorrow?” He arches a brow.
All I can do is smirk. “Maybe I’m not as transparent as I thought.”
“Better get something to cover up those marks, or she’ll notice.”
I nod, agreeing. I honestly didn’t think about it. Rowan will use every opportunity to bust my balls, and these stupid hickeys will be enough to get her wrath for a month.
We continue riding until we arrive at the water well. We dismount and tie the horses to a fence post before walking over. Grayson was right; it’s making a noise, but I’m not sure what it is exactly.
“Go check the water trough and turn on the water so I can hear this pump kick on and off,” I order, and he jogs across the pasture. I take the casing off the pump and continue to listen closer. After everything is filled, Grayson joins me in the small shed.
