Page 31 of Wild As Her

"Cami, I'm going to tell you something and I need for you to not get mad. Okay?" he says, tilting his head to meet my eyes.

"Okay, you're starting to freak me out, Jessop. What?"

"I bought your ranch," he says quietly.

Yeah, right.

I throw my head back and laugh. “You’re an asshole. And that’s not even funny.” I take a bite of pasta and chuckle again. Very funny.

I laugh some more and then freeze when I see the look on his face and realize that there’s truth there. The sinking sensation in my gut turns my laughter to bitterness, disbelief, and hurt.

Tears fill my eyes, my body exhausted from tidal waves of emotion pulsing through it. “What? Why would you do that?” I whisper.

I stumble from my chair and turn to leave. I turn to him, tears brimming and threatening to pour over like a dam trying to hold back the floods. My stomach pinching, I look him in the eye, noting his tortured expression and gasp out, “I thought it was just a game. I didn’t think you really hated me.”

I turn and dart toward my truck, stumbling as I get in, locking the doors and digging for my keys, my hands trembling. I’ve got to get out of here. Right now.

I jab my key into the ignition and start the truck and take off, pausing at the stop sign to buckle.

He had no right. He took the one thing from me that matters.

Of course, he'd want to stay at the house. It's his house. He probably just wants me out so he can move in. It's his now anyway.

I scramble into my kitchen and to the kitchen table where I feverishly thumb through the papers. The ranch was bought by a trust, which I understood. The name of the new owner I hadn’t noticed until now stares up at me from the page: J + C Trust.

This makes sense why Weston didn’t want to tell me. He knew his brother did this. He’s probably the one that helped him.

What does this even mean?

I drop my forehead into my hands. Why would he do this?

Chapter 9

Jack

Never Say Never by Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson

It’s summer, sticky and golden, and Cami's standing in front of me, all attitude and sunburned shoulders, her tank top soaked with sweat from riding horses.

We’re sixteen and stupid with tension.

“You ever kissed anyone?” I ask, leaning against the trunk like I’m cooler than I feel. I’ve got sweat dripping down my back, and I can’t look at her for too long or I’ll combust.

She grins. “Haveyou?”

“Plenty,” I lie.

She raises a brow. “Right. All those Bridger Falls girls lining up for Jack Jessop.”

I grin. “Girls love a cowboy with grit.”

She steps closer, dust kicking up between us. Her braid is messy, and I swear I’m about to die right here at the base of this tree.

“I dare you to kiss me,” I say.

Her eyes flash with surprise at the challenge. “What do I get if I do?”

“I’ll stop running my mouth.” I swallow. “Maybe.”

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