It was my turn to say, “Excuse me?” Her man?
“My man’s truck! That’s Mark’s truck. Why do you have a suitcase in there? Are you messing with him?”
I let out an incredulous laugh, mostly because this sounded like it had been scripted by the writers of Dukes of Hazzard. I was caught in an alternate universe. My mom looked at the girl with a furrowed brow now and said, “She’s my daughter and I’m married to Mark’s father. She’s his step-sister.” I could tell Mom was feeling protective and I appreciated it. Although, I didn’t need protection from this half-dressed skinny bitch.
The little bitch gave me another evil look and then smiled at Mom. “Is Mark around?”
“No!” Mom looked at me a little surprised, but she didn’t contradict me. Instead she said,
“He may have gone off on the horse. Can we tell him who was asking?”
“Yeah, if you see him, tell him that Taylor came by. He’ll want the message,” she said, looking right at me. Trust me.” Mom smiled at her again, but it was a tight-lipped smile. I gave her back the same evil look she gave me. I couldn’t even muster a fake smile.
“We’ll be sure to do that,” I told her. She walked back to her truck and Mom and I went inside. I was fuming. What a bitch…And, what the hell? Mark has a girlfriend? He sure did fail to mention “Taylor” the slut when we were having all of that sex.
CHAPTER FOUR
MARK
I just cooled Sarge down and put him away and I was putting away my other gear in the barn when I head a familiar voice. “Well, you are here.” I got a chill down my spine at the sound of it.
It was Taylor. Taylor and I dated through high school and a couple of years beyond. I grew up and she got left somewhere behind in adolescence. She thought life was supposed to be one big party and she had a fondness for showing off her body that bordered on exhibition. It was enticing to me at first, but as we supposedly matured, it became embarrassing. We’d been broken up for years now but she had a hard time processing that for some reason and each time she heard I was home, she would show up and act like we’re still together. She even had history of telling other women I dated that she was still my girlfriend. I can’t really understand that kind of clingy. I took a deep breath and said,
“What’s up, Taylor?”
“You didn’t tell me you were back in town.”
I couldn’t help it, I laughed. “Taylor, for the hundredth time…we broke up a long time ago. Whether or not I’m in town is none of your business. You really need to get over us and move on.”
“I thought we were at least still friends,” she said with a flash of anger in her eyes. “What about the brunette bitch out there? Is she my business?”
Shit! Did she talk to Lexi? If she said anything to her that indicated I was the kind of guy who cheated on my girlfriend I may just choke her. “She’s my step-sister, but again, not your business.”
Putting her bottom lip out in a way I know she thought was sexy, but I just find childish and annoying, she said, “Don’t be that way. Come on baby…you’re my cowboy. Don’t you remember all of the fun we used to have together?”
I sighed. Sometimes I actually felt a little bit sorry for her. She just wasn’t all that bright and I guess that wasn’t her fault. But it wasn’t my fault either and it didn’t make me want to choke her any less. “I do remember, Taylor. We did have a lot of fun. We were kids. That’s what kids do. But it’s over and it’s been over for a long time. You need to move on.”
She turned around and I thought she was leaving. Big mistake on my part. I turned to finish putting the saddle on the wall and when I turned back around to grab my bridle, she was right there in my face. “Taylor…” I no sooner got the words out of my mouth than she had her lips on me. I thought about pushing her away but I didn’t want to hurt her. Suddenly she was forcing her tongue into my mouth and pressing her tits up against me. It only lasted maybe five seconds before I finally took her by her arms and practically lifted her off the ground and set her back about a foot. “What the hell are you doing?” She smiled. I was pissed.
“Just reminding you how hot we were together.”
“We were kids. Everyone thinks they’re hot together when they’re kids. Damn it, Taylor! Listen to me because I’m not going to say this again…we are over. I have no intentions of getting back together with you. I do not want to kiss you. I don’t want to walk down memory lane with you. Got it?” I raised my voice to her which I usually didn’t do, but maybe that was the problem.
She pouted again and then she said, “Do you not want me anymore because you have your step-sister to screw? Isn’t that taking the cowboy country thing a bit far? People already think we’re hicks out here. Wait until they get a load of this.”
Now she really pissed me off. She stands here in front of me looking like fucking Ellie Mae Clampett from the Beverly Hillbillies and she’s accusing me of incest. Never mind that she’s right and I am screwing Lexi…but it’s not like that, and it’s none of her business anyways. My head felt like it was going to explode. In a tone that was even more vicious than the last I said, “You better put that out of your head right now, Taylor. Lexi is my step-sister and that is all the relationship we have. You better not go spreading lies like that…I’ll make sure you regret it.”
She narrowed her eyes and losing all of her childlike qualities she said, “I can see the change in your whole face when you talk about her. You have that lustful look in your eyes like you used to have for me. She’s more than your “sister.” You’re the one who’s lying. You won’t be happy with the results of that.”
I was closer to hitting a woman than I’d ever been in my life. “Get the fuck off my ranch.”
“It’s your daddy’s ranch. You’ve never wanted it. You want to be a cowboy and that city twit out there will never make it in this life.” That barb hit way too close to home for me at the moment. I got in her face and she actually flinched. My eyes must be betraying how badly I wanted to choke her.
“Get the fuck out of here, and you better keep your lying little mouth shut!” I stood there as she stormed off, trying to get my breathing under control. If it wasn’t one thing around here, it was another.
I heard her truck start and waited until I heard her disappearing down the lane before leaving the barn. I didn’t want Lexi seeing me with her. I was sick to my stomach. Taylor’s not all that bright but she lives for gossip. She does hair in town and now that she’s pissed at me, every one of her customers will get an earful about me and Lexi. She’s just that spiteful. It will get back to Dad and then I’m really screwed. Shit!
I stopped at the truck and grabbed my bag. I saw that Lexi must have gotten hers already. I couldn’t wait to get in the shower and then I suppose I better warn her about Taylor. Damn it! She’s going to be more upset about it than me, I imagine. My Dad already has a low opinion of me. I’d hate so badly for this to cause a rift between her and her mother.
I went into the house, hoping not to run into Dad. I couldn’t handle him right after having to deal with Taylor. “Hi Mark!” Lydia was sitting in the parlor when I reached the stairs.
“Oh, hey! How are you, Lydia?”
“I’m good honey. I’m glad you’re home. Lexi seemed to have had a good time.”
I felt sick to my stomach. Being with Lexi was great…as long as we kept it away from the ranch. On the ranch it just felt creepy. Lydia was such a sweet lady. I was as determined as Lexi not to hurt her. She was my only champion most of the time.
“It was a good time,” I said. “Where’s Dad?”
“He’s out on the horse…” she looked like she had more to say. I was happy to hear that.
“Oh, is something wrong?”
“I don’t know honey. Did you and he have words before you left?” Oh, I get it. He left so he didn’t have to deal with me.
“Um…no, not really. It’s probably the same old thing if it’s about me. You know how he feels about the ro
deo stuff.” If Dad wanted to tell her he thought I was a thief too, he could be the one to do that.
She looked distressed. “I suppose. I wish he wouldn’t be so hard on you sometimes.”
I laughed. “Me too, Lydia. Thanks. I’m going to hit the shower, I smell like Sarge.”
“Ok honey. I’ll see you at dinner.”
I went up and dropped my canvas bag in the floor of my room. I grabbed my towel and went into the bathroom. I started to turn on the water and I heard something that sounded like crying. It was coming from Lexi’s room. Knocking on the door that led to Lexi’s room I said,
Lexi?”
“Go away!”
God, my life is suddenly like a soap opera. Now what? I cracked open the door. She was curled up on her bed crying. My chest hurt. “No Lexi, I won’t go away. What happened?”
She glared at me and I swear she had fire in her eyes. “Go away! Go find your little Daisy Mae.” Shit! Taylor happened.
“I don’t know what Taylor told you…”
“She said you’re “her man.” But that didn’t really upset me. I guessed that she was full of shit…but I was wrong, wasn’t I?”
“No, you weren’t. You were right. It’s bullshit, Lexi…”
“I saw you kissing her.”
Fuck! “She kissed me. I didn’t kiss her.”
“You didn’t seem to be resisting.”
“You must have seen as soon as she latched onto me. I physically peeled her off of me, and I told her she needed to leave me…us, the hell alone.”
“I guess I missed that part….Wait!” she suddenly had a look of terror in her eyes. “What do you mean us?”
“I reckon you did miss that part. The “Us” is because she was making insinuations about you and I and I don’t want her going around spreading rumors. She’s spiteful like that.”
“Oh, fantastic. This is just what we needed isn’t it? I have a headache Mark and I really have no desire to talk about this any further. You have a girlfriend….”
“I do not have a girlfriend.” He looked me over and said, “At least, Taylor’s not my girlfriend.”
He must be kidding. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m not your girlfriend either. Besides, I don’t believe you. I saw the kiss. It looked like a passionate embrace, Mark. I’m not an idiot.”
“I don’t believe you are. I do believe that you’re mistaken. It was not even close to a passionate embrace. I cringe when she comes around. I don’t want her Lexi…I want you!”
“Shh! Mom or Rob is going to hear you and then everything will hit the fan. Just go, Mark. Leave me alone.”
“Lexi…”
“Go!”
I went. I didn’t want to be like Taylor, unable to take “leave me alone” for an answer. I was pissed. I was pissed at Taylor. I was pissed at Lexi for not trusting me and I was pissed at life for dealing me such a screwed up hand.
CHAPTER FIVE
LEXI
After Mark left my room I got up and locked the door between the bathroom and our rooms. I went to sit in the window seat. I still felt like I wanted to cry every time I thought about him kissing that girl. I know that I’m the one that said I didn’t want to be his girlfriend or his wife…but for crying out loud, we just spent the weekend together…having a lot of sex. We had been home for less than half an hour when I walked into the barn and saw them kissing. He can tell me that she was the one doing the kissing, but he’s a lot bigger than her…why didn’t he just move her back or push her away? What kind of pervert was he? He’s just like everyone else I ever trusted. Sometimes I think everyone has issues telling the truth.
I was in a state of shock when I saw him kissing her. I almost said something then, but that would have let the little bitch know I was jealous and who knows who she would have told about that? Besides, I felt like I was going to throw up, and cry…I couldn’t bring myself to do either of those things in front of her. It probably would have given her way too much satisfaction. Jesus, this whole situation is a mess.
To top it all off, I’m expecting my mother up any time because the tears had already welled up before I made it back in the house and when she saw me start up the stairs she asked if I was okay. I tried to sound normal, but she knows how I look and sound when I’m upset, so I don’t expect her to leave it at that. I needed to think fast so when she did ask, I had a logical reason that didn’t involve Mark.
I stood up and paced the room. I had a strong desire to just pack up my things and go home tonight. Mom would be upset though and she’d also want to know why. Damn it! This is my fault. I know better than to trust so easily. I really wish I had gone to the wedding for another reason now…I would have had months to get him out of my system before I was sleeping one room away from him…or I could have not come here at all. I saw my phone lying on the dresser and I picked it up. I needed to hear a friendly voice. I called my roommate and best friend, Samantha.
“Hey country girl! How’s it going out there?”
“It’s okay. I’m bored and I hate it here and I want to come home.”
“Oh no! You sound miserable. I’m sorry. No more bars with the hunky brother?”
“Stop it!” Jeez, no matter what I did, I couldn’t escape it. “It’s not that bad really. It’s just different and I’m homesick for our favorite coffee shop and people…”
“Aw, I’m sorry, honey. Have you talked to your mom about it? How’s your mom adjusting to that life? It’s different for her too. Your mom was a city girl as much as we are.”
“I don’t really want to tell her how badly I hate it here. It will make it seem like I’m not happy seeing her and that’s not true. I love, Mom. She’s always great. As far as how and why she has adjusted, I don’t really understand it either, but she has. I guess love trumps all for my mom. She’s happy. Happier than I’ve seen her in a long time. I guess she was willing to make compromises.” I felt another pang of guilt for my mom and pain in my chest thinking that Mark had said almost exactly that when we were in the hotel.
“Aw, well that’s nice anyways for her. What about your step-dad, how is he? Do you like him?”
I thought about Mark and what he said about Rob kicking him out. I was still mad at Rob, although I was mad at Mark. I think a lot of it was transference because of my own situation.
“He seems nice. He’s a little moody, I guess…but he’s been nice to me.”
“That’s good. Any hot cowboys on the ranch besides the brother? Maybe you need to hook up! That always makes me feel better.” she giggled. If she only knew, what would she think of me? I couldn’t seem to quit thinking about Mark.
“Um…no, not really. The ranch hands are all older. Nice, but way older.
“Lexi, you don’t sound good, girl. Maybe I should come out there and visit with you for a while. I miss you too.”
Definitely not a good idea. She would see right through me and Mark. Samantha and I had been friends since we were little girls. “No thank you, Samantha. You have work and all of that. I don’t want to disrupt your whole life because I’m in a funk. Maybe next weekend I’ll come back to the city and we can see a movie or have dinner or something. We’ll make a day or a night of it…whatever you want.”
“Okay. Hang in there It’s only for the summer. Oh hey! There’s a new club opening this next week…”
“I don’t know if I’m up for the club scene, but I’ll keep in touch and we’ll do something, I promise. Like I said, it’s not all bad. I just miss home. Talking to you helped. It always does. How are you and Lance doing?” That did the trick to get the subject changed. She switched tracks quickly and started talking about Lance, her boyfriend. She started dating him about three months ago. He’s some kind of event promoter and I’ve always found him a little bit arrogant…but she likes him and he makes her happy so I guess that’s what matters. I worry about her because she usually picks the super good-looking or the super-smart or the super-rich and somehow they leave her feeling less than
what she is…wonderful.
She launched into a blow by blow account of their trip to San Diego last weekend and how Lance can surf and he can water ski and he can…do everything! I’m sure that’s what he tells her anyways. Poor Samantha has worse luck with men than I do. Mine are usually just clingy and annoying. Some of hers have actually gotten abusive with her…mostly verbally, but that’s still abuse. Right now was the honeymoon phase for them. She hadn’t noticed anything bad about him yet. I would keep my fingers crossed that this time there was nothing bad to see.
I zoned out as she went on and on and said, “Mm hmm,” and “Uh huh,” at what I hoped were appropriate times…it was just nice to hear a voice from home and to talk about familiar things.
After I hung up with Samantha, I had just lain back down on the bed when there was a knock on the door. It was the hall door, so I suspected it was Mom and not Mark. I sat up and swiped at my face. I still hadn’t thought of any reason I’d been crying. “Come in!”
Mom came in, took one look at my face and said, “What is it, honey?”
I smiled. She’s so sweet. “Nothing Mom, I’m fine.”
“You were upset when you came in from outside. I saw tears in your eyes honey. Why don’t you want to talk to me? Did Mark do something to upset you?”
“Mark?” I tried to sound like that was the furthest thing from the truth. “No…not at all. I guess I’m just a little bit homesick. Being away at the rodeo, I kept so busy I didn’t think about it. But coming back just reminded me that I wasn’t at home. I called Samantha and that helped. She’s crazy. We’re going to get together soon. That’s all I need, I think.”
She sat down on the bed next to me and put her arm around me. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault. You’re here to visit me and I’m letting Mark do all of the entertaining. I’m sorry that you don’t like it here.”
“Mom! Oh no, that’s not it. I love being here with you…”
“How about if I order us a pizza and we watch a movie tonight…just you and me? And tomorrow, we can go get our toes done or something.”
Ride Me Cowboy #3 (The Cowboy Romance Series - Book #3) Page 3
