Page 108 of Never Left You

Abi turned to me and gave me a wink before turning her back again. I gave her a moment of peace to talk to Stetson, loving just watching her interact with him, but soon she bounded towards me, holding the phone out.

“He wants to talk to you now, then bedtime,” she said, waving the phone in my direction.

“Bedtime for all of us.” Quinn stood. “I’m going to head to my room. We have a long drive tomorrow. Night Abi.” Quinn gave Abi a quick side hug as I took the phone from Abi’s hand. “Night Cash.”

I gave Quinn a quick nod before I put Abi’s phone to my ear. “Stet…shouldn’t you be in bed?” I asked.

“Are you mom’s boyfriend yet?” he asked, his voice so full of enthusiasm I was certain the people on the other side of the lounge could hear it.

I chuckled and looked at Abi. She shrugged as if she knew exactly what he asked.

“I’m getting there, bud. Don’t worry.”

“She told me she had a lot of fun and took a lot of pictures. I can’t wait to see them. Keep her smiling. She needs to smile more. Also, she likes those iced tea drinks, the ones with lemonade in it. Get her one of those and you will be her boyfriend for sure.” He talked rapidly.

“You giving me dating advice?” I questioned, raising my eyebrow.

“Well, you need it,” Stetson said flatly.

I winced. “Ouch, dude…ouch.”

“What? It’s what Uncle Rhett said.”

I heard a faintheycome from the background, and I could just picture Rhett sitting next to him as Stetson called him out, only causing me to chuckle.

“Just make sure you come back as her boyfriend. Remember, she’s not a flower person either—”

“I know, I know. How did your project go?” I asked, changing the subject as fast as I could. I didn’t really want dating advice from a seven-year-old.

“It was so good!” he shouted. “Everyone wants to meet you, so I told them they could come to the Hartwell Rodeo this July Fourth. They can see you ride.”

“Stet, man, the Fourth of July Rodeo is…”Not something I’m ready for.I glanced up at Abi who was shaking her head quickly. She mouthed ‘no, don’t tell him no’ as her hands met my thighs. “That sounds like fun.”

Abi pursed her lips and squeezed my thighs. I wasn’t sure if it was pity in her eyes or disappointment--I just knew that rodeo in particular was too close for me. Riding in an empty arena was one thing, but in front of people…I didn’t want to disappoint Stetson if I ended up hurting myself.

“Awesome!” He shouted. “I knew I could get you on the dirt again. I’ll mutton bust, Uncle Rhett will rope, and you’ll be the lead saddle bronc rider. This rodeo is going to be the best one.”

“Stetson.” I heard Rhett in the background, his voice faint but very, very clear. “It’s bedtime, little dude. Say goodnight, and we’ll call them tomorrow.”

“Okay, Uncle Rhett!” Stetson shouted, not moving the phone away from his mouth. “Tell Mommy I said goodnight, and Cash?”

“Yeah, bud.”

“Come back her boyfriend!”

I laughed, tempted to salute even though he couldn’t see me. “Yes, sir. Sleep well, and we will talk tomorrow.”

“Bye!!” The phone went dead. Lowering it, I looked at the black screen and handed it back to Abi.

“Wow.” She took her phone from me. “He didn’t even want to say goodnight to me?”

“Guess not. He was too excited about making sure I was your boyfriend. I’m supposed to get you an Arnold Palmer, and make sure you are smiling.”

Abi raised her drink, flashing me a sexy smile. “You’re on the right track. You even spiked it.” Her laugh floated through the bar as she leaned in for a kiss.

Downing the rest of my drink, I ignored the sting from the whiskey as it hit my throat. “The rodeo though…” I said, my voice heavy.

Abi took my empty glass and stood, grabbing her half-empty glass from the table. “We’ll talk about it, but…I’m sure Quinn is right. We have an early morning tomorrow…so…” she grinned.

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