Page 52 of Bronco

I swallow hard. “You’re right, I don’t like talking about it, but you hit the nail on the head, okay? I was in a religious cult, and my ex was a complete nut job, is that enough for you?” I’m being rude, IknowI’m being rude, but the words fly out before I can stop them.

“I’m sorry, I had no idea.” His words are sincere.

I drop my head. “It’s my fault for not thinking?—”

“You never have to think before you speak around me, ever.” He tilts my chin up so I’m looking at him again. “You also don’t have to talk about anythin’ you don’t feel comfortable with,which I’m guessin’ you don’t since this is the first I’m hearing about it.”

“I don’t like bringing up that part of my life,” I whisper. “It makes me sad, then I get to thinking about what happened all over again, and I never, ever want to go back there, even in my mind.”

He nods. “I’m sorry?—”

“You’ve nothing to be sorry about.” A fucking traitorous tear slides down my cheek and I’m mortified.

Bronco catches it with his thumb. “Do you need me to deal with him?” His voice is low and serious.

I shake my head. “No. He doesn’t live here, or anywhere close to here. Please, let’s leave it alone. Can we go now?”

He stares at me for another moment, the mood has plummeted from fun and giddy to whatever this is; glum and sad. “We can go, if you still want to?”

“Of course I want to. I just…” I blow out the air in my cheeks. “I brought something up, and now I’ve made you feel bad about it.”

He pulls the front of my cap down, tucking the loose strands behind my ears. “I feel bad if I upset you, that’s all. It wasn’t my intention.”

“There you go again, taking all the blame.” My face softens. He truly is the sweetest creature I’ve ever met. “Let’s just rewind. Can we go back to the part where you put thebasketballcap on my head and said we were twinsies?”

I see his throat bob, and now I feel guilty that he’s thinking about it. I hope he doesn't ask me about it again. That isn’t Bronco’s style, but I know it’s not something you hear every day.

“You look pretty,” he tells me. “Too pretty to be seen with the likes of me.”

“Now you’re just being kind.”

“Nope.” It’s then I realize his hands are still cupping my face. “I mean every word. In fact, I’m happy to be your chaperone on any future dates.”

Future dates?

“Yeah,” I joke. “Just what I need; you in the middle when the dude is trying to hold my hand.”

“Hey, someone’s gotta make sure he’s on his best behavior.” He finally moves his hands away as if he’s just realized, too.

“I’m sure nobody will make any moves when they find out you’re my best friend.”

“Woah, I’ve been upgraded fromfriendtobest friend.”He high-fives me, and I laugh. “Though I do recall Olive sayin’ you talk about me all the time.”

I sigh. “I wondered when you were going to bring that up.”

He smirks, his eyes still a little wary, but he’s trying to lighten the mood. I really want to go to the game, forget about adult shit and cults for a while and just have some fun.

He shrugs. “Kids don’t lie, and I’ve got some questions about other vegetables on the ride over to the arena.”

I laugh out loud. “The Happy Hangout is not in session when we’re at the game.”

He pouts. “I’m really gettin’ into it. Trix has some sass, she reminds me of you.”

I laugh again. “She does?”

“Uh huh, giving the main dude a hard time because she can, that and he is bein’ a dick the majority of the time because he secretly likes her but won’t man up.”

“Oh, he mans up,” I snicker.

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