Page 47 of Saddle and Bound

I drive for hours, aimlessly, trying to escape the pain that's consuming me. But no matter how far I go, I can't rid myself of the image of Rosie and Ethan together, happy and perfect.

?

When I finally return to the ranch at dawn, I’m exhausted and hollow. I know I’ve ruined everything, destroyed any chance I ever had with Rosie. Maybe it’s better this way, I tell myself. Better to hurt now than keep deluding myself.

Did I ever have a chance? No. She wasn’t flirting with me—just joking around or being friendly, or something else I’ll never understand.

As I step into the house, ready to retreat to my room and lick my wounds, a voice stops me.

“Alex.”

I turn to see Rosie sitting on the stairs, her eyes red and puffy. She’s been up all night, waiting for me.

We stare at each other in silence, the weight of everything said and unsaid pressing between us. I look away, unable to face her. I don’t want her pity.

“Alex, wait!” Her voice carries urgency, but I pretend not to hear, quickening my pace.

“Alex, damn it, stop!”

Her footsteps rush toward me, and she grabs my arm, forcing me to turn. Her eyes burn with anger and pain, and I can’t bear to meet them.

“What is it, Rosie? Haven’t you said enough?” My voice drips with sarcasm, my usual defense. “Or did you forget some detail about your glamorous life in Los Angeles and come back to fix it?”

I know the words are cruel. I know they’ll hurt her. But right now, wounded and angry, I can’t stop myself. Sarcasm is the only thing keeping me from breaking in front of her.

Rosie flinches, her eyes shimmering with fresh tears. Guilt stabs through me, but I bury it beneath my pain.

“It’s not what you think, Alex,” she says, her voice trembling. “If you’d just let me explain…”

“Explain what?” I snap. “How you and your perfect Ethan are meant to be together? How your life in Los Angeles is so incredible you can’t wait to go back?”

“Stop putting words in my mouth!” she yells, frustration breaking through her calm facade. “It’s not like that!”

“Oh no?” I retort, crossing my arms. “Then enlighten me, princess.”

Her nickname comes out like a curse. I see the hurt in her eyes, but I don’t stop.

“Ethan is just a friend, Alex,” she says, trying to steady her voice. “There’s nothing between us.”

I laugh bitterly. “Sure. And I’m an idiot. I saw you together, Rosie. I’m not blind.”

“What you saw isn’t what you think,” she insists, stepping closer. “If you’d just listen—”

But I don’t want to listen. I can’t. If I do, I might believe her, and I can’t let myself hope again.

“You know what? It doesn’t matter,” I say, stepping back. “Go back to Ethan. I have work to do.”

I turn to leave, but her next words stop me cold.

“You’re an idiot, Alessandro Ricci. A jealous, stubborn idiot who can’t see what’s right in front of him.”

Her words hit me like a slap. I stare at her, stunned. She knows my full name? And damn, it sounds so good coming from her lips.

Damn it, I’m doing it again.

“Ethan has been my best friend forever,” she says, her voice rising with emotion. “There’s never been anything between us, and there never will be. He’s not my type, and I’m definitely not his. He’s gay, Alex. And he’s engaged. He came here to support me because he knows I’m going through a tough time.”

I stand there, silent, her words crashing over me. Relief seeps in, but shame and regret follow close behind.

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