Page 23 of Riding the Sugar High

“Nah. He’s right. Just because someone posted it, it doesn’t mean you should engage.”

“Well, you two are no fun.” Pocketing his phone, he pulls his chocolate brown hair back. “I can’t exactlyforget it.”

“Who leaked it?” I ask, the answer coming to me before Kyle can open his mouth. “Derek, of course.”

Kyle nods.

So when she said she wanted toseeDerek, when she said she just went to his farm totalk, that’s what she meant. She’s trying to get her list back.

“He said that Primrose sent it to him, begging him to take her back. In her version, she accidentally left it behind when he dumped her.” He rubs his five o’clock shadow. “Wanna know what’sreallyhappening?” His eyes narrow. “Derek thought his newfound audience was actually about him, while it was not. And once everyone moved on from the breakup and onto the next gossip, he made up all these lies to have five more minutes of fame.”

“And apparently, it worked,” I say as I think of this morning’s conversation with my brother.

“Oh, yes.” With a scoff, he crosses his arms. “People will believe anything as long as it’s entertaining, and now Primrose is suddenly a pariah.” His eyes roll. “She doesn’t deserve all the shit she gets.”

Goddamn it. “Kyle, you bring up this list in front of her, and you’ll be looking for your teeth in the grass,” I tell him as I point a finger at his face.

“Why would I?—”

“You seem awfully protective of this...stranger,” Simon interrupts as he takes a step toward the stables, and his deep-set eyes scan me the way they always do. It’s infuriating.

“Don’t make this about her,” I warn.

“Who should I make it about?”

“About bullies. Assholes like Derek Gracen.” I rub a tired hand over my face. “God, I’m going to kill that piece of shit.”

“Is her reputation completely shattered? Or could she...you know...” Simon trails off. When Kyle and I turn to him with a confused expression, he shrugs. “Seriously? Am I the only one who’s thinking it?”

Thinkingwhat, exactly?

“She’s a famous foodie influencer.”

“And?” I insist, gesturing impatiently at him to speak.

“And, you might act like the farm isn’t struggling, but we’re not idiots, Logan,” Simon says as he follows me. His voice has taken that serious edge he’s developed since he became a father, and I can’t say I love it. “You’ve got half as many guys as last year working here, and the rescues have doubled. It doesn’t add up.”

Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I grab the bale and turn to him. He’s tried to broach the subject before, so he knows I have no intention of discussing it. “You want her to promote us.”

“Yes, of course I do. You should too.”

Shaking my head, I hold back a chuckle. “Well, I don’t. And besides, she’s been deceived by her ex for followers, and you want me to use her for promotion?”

“No, notuseher. Ask her. You won’t sleep with her, so it’s not even remotely the same situation.” He rolls his thin lips. “Unless...”

Unless? Unless what?

Noticing Kyle and Simon’s eyes on me, I sigh. “There are as many chances that I’ll sleep with her as there are that I’ll sleep with you.”

Kyle perks up. “So she’s fair game?” He shoves his phone in front of Simon’s face. “Because look at this. Just look at the bikini.”

“Yeah, she’s cute,” Simon mumbles, and Kyle immediately smacks him in the chest.

“Cute? She’shot.”

“Okay, hot.” Simon throws a worried look at me. “Tread carefully, Kyle.”

A familiar, hot anger moves up my throat until it morphs my lips into a sneer. “Did you not hear what I said?” I ask as the two of them share a look. “Why would I care? Say whatever you want.”

---