Page 18 of Wild As Her

“You know I’d never betray you, Jenna.”

She nods because we’ve grown up together as neighbors, and we’ve kept in touch on social media. She’s one of the few people on this planet that I can truly trust. When you grow up in an unstable home, and other kids have too, you learn to build a community in other places, because your own family is shitty.

A look of sadness crosses her face, but then she nods. “I know. That’s why I’m here.”

I nod back. “So, what’s up?”

“By now, you’ve probably seen all the film crews around town. They’re here filming b-roll footage and planning out the show. And they’re here for my brother,” she says as she takes a deep breath.

I startle and blink. “Wait, what? Which brother?”

She leans forward, and her face lights up when she tells me. “It’s a new reality TV show that I’m co-producing. We’re calling itThe Rancher Finds A Wife, and we’re filming it here at the ranch. Jack is going to be the star.”

My mouth opens and closes. This is not what I expected to hear. Wow. I shake myself back to what she’s saying, and I have so many questions swarming around my brain right now. The biggest one is about Jack finding a wife.

“What do you mean, ‘find a wife’?” I ask, trying to keep it cool. But the truth is, there’s no coolness in me right now. Not even close. In fact, I’m the exact opposite of cool. I’m an inferno. I could explode at the thought of Jack getting married. And to who? What the actual hell is happening? I didn’t want him to date anyone else, much less marry someone.

She crosses her legs and leans back, excited. “The women are going to date him, and it’s kind of like The Bachelor. Wyoming ranch style. At the end of the show, the hope is that they find the love of theirlives.”

No.

Instead, I say, “Jenna, that is... wild,” as I try not to give away that my heart is pounding so hard right now.

“I know, right? And the best part is that I get to help produce it!” she says excitedly. “This is my chance to break out as a producer.”

“What does Jack think about this?” I ask. He didn’t mention this at all. Not that we are big on sharing, but still. This is huge. He probably knows I’d give him shit about it.

“He doesn’t know, yet,” she mumbles. “He’s been avoiding me.”

“You’re right, he’s going to kill you.” I shake my head and blow out my breath. “Where do you want to be buried?”

“Yeah,” she breathes. “So, that’s why I’m here. I’m hoping you can help me talk him into doing it.”

I laugh, then when I look at her, I realize that she’s serious. “Wait, what makes you think he'll listen to me?”

She looks at me and says, “He’ll listen to you. I’m pretty sure you could talk him into anything. You guys are the weirdest best friends I’ve ever seen.”

I shake my head. “I don’t think you realize that your brother and I are not really even friends. We’re more of the rival variety.”

She snorts. “Right. Everyone knows that’s bullshit. Whatever you have going on with each other is…weird.”

I glance over, and Jack’s dark blue truck pulls in and parks. “Well, Jenna, it’s your lucky day.”

“Why?” she asks as she turns to look behind her out the window.

We both go still as Jack kills the engine and stalks toward the trailer like he’s about to arrest somebody, with that wide-shouldered, long-legged, cowboy-on-a-mission stride that makes my brain short-circuit.

I pop the service window open, trying to bite back my grin. “What can I get you, Jessop?”

His eyes flick to mine, sharp and stormy. “Where’s Jenna?”

Yikes. Not here for scones and coffee.

“Right here!” Jenna chirps from behind me, voice a little too high. “Hi, Jack!”

He doesn’t even blink. “Out here. Now.” He says it calmly. Clipped. No room for negotiation. Just points to the spot in front of him like it’s marked for judgment.

Jenna practically shrinks.

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