Page 32 of Untamed

Did it not mean anything to him?

Clearly not.

Before I can stop myself, the words are out of my mouth. I need some clarification, and Nova has more experience with men than me.

“Do-d–” I stammer. Nova’s brows furrow. Clearing my throat, I drop my voice to a whisper. It’s not like anyone can hear us, but you can never be too cautious. “Do you think he likes her?”

Nova searches my face, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. “What aren’t you telling me, Mila?”

I swallow, panic gripping my throat. I should’ve kept my mouth shut.

“Nothing,” I rush out, wishing I could take back the last couple of minutes.

Hurt flashes in her eyes and my chest tightens. This feels wrong. We have always told each other everything and I can tell she doesn’t believe me.

“Don’t lie to me. You’re my best friend and I’ve known you my whole life. Don’t insult me; I can tell when something is up with you. So, you better start explaining.”

I catch my bottom lip with my teeth, glancing over at Brandon and my brother. They’re deep in conversation with the other men, too distracted to take notice of us. If there were ever a time to talk. It’s now.

Exhaling, I turn back to Nova, my heart pounding in my chest as I prepare myself to say the words.

“We kinda made out,” I blurt, my eyes widening along with my best friend’s.

Did I just say that out loud?

Nova gasps, her shocked gaze snapping to Colter, before shifting back to me.

“Oh my God. When? How? What?” She shakes her head. Sucks in a breath. It’s obvious she is trying to gather herself after the bomb I just dropped. “Why didn’t you tell me? This is fuckinghuge.”

“Shh,” I hiss, glancing down at my brother. I relax when I find him still engrossed in his conversation. My eyes meetNova’s, heat burning my cheeks as I prepare to say the most important part of my news. If my best friend thought me kissing Colter was huge, this is going to be colossal. “And he made me come.”

Nova’s mouth drops open in pure shock. Her eyes round to saucers and she looks almost cartoonish as she tries to process my news. If I wasn’t so pissed with Colter right now, I’d laugh.

“No way!” Her voice pitches with excitement as she shifts her body to fully face me and takes my hands in hers. “Tell me everything and don’t you dare leave anything out.”

I cast another look at my brother and Brandon. My heart skips a beat, my stomach somersaults, when I find Brandon’s narrowed eyes, intent on me. Fuck. Did he hear our conversation? No. There’s no way. The crowd is too loud as they cheer on the barrel racers. But still…I’m not about to risk it.

“Let’s go grab a drink. I’ll tell you then. Away from prying eyes,” I murmur, tearing my gaze from Brandon. The man is quickly becoming the bane of my very existence.

Nova nods, before rising to her feet. Gripping my hand, she pulls me up, but her gaze isn’t on me. I follow her line of sight to Brandon.

“What’s his problem?” she mutters.

Instead of responding, I lead us down the metal steps, ignoring the heat of Brandon’s stare on the side of my face. Maverick glances over at us, his attention momentarily distracted from his conversation. “Where’re you two going?” he asks, his eyes flicking between us.

Nova answers, before I have the chance. “To grab something to drink. Do you want anything, cowboy?” she purrs teasingly.

I watch my brother’s eyes narrow, a smirk curving up one side of his lips. “Nah. Nothing you can offer me anyway.”

The guys around him snicker and I brace myself for the inevitable fiery retort from Nova. But instead she shocks mewhen she just winks, then shoots him a flirty smile. “That’s okay. I’m sure there areplentyof other cowboys I can give something to.”

With that she links her arm with mine and drags me toward the food court. I laugh at her quick witty response. But not for the first time, a thought flashes in my mind. Is there something more going on between them?

Once we reach the concession stand, Nova buys us both a soda and a Funnel cake then we find a quiet spot at one of the wooden picnic tables. It offers us privacy but still gives us a view of everything happening in the arena. And of Colter.

Nova slides onto the bench beside me, her eyes expectant. “Talk, Mila.”

Sighing, I take a sip of my soda, then I let the words spill out of me. I tell her everything. From the night I caught Colter with his dick out in the barn, a woman straddling his lap. I share the aftermath of the awkward moment, the conversation that followed and our innocent nights together where he’d played his guitar. I tell her about the kiss we shared in the loft, the way he ran away after. How we both danced around, trying to avoid each other and whatever was going on between us. How we’ve both been wrong in how we have handled things Then finally, I tell her about the night of the cookout. How Colter left after I asked him to dance and how I followed him. I had no intention of anything happening, only wanted to talk to him. But the thick tension between us finally snapped. In the blink of an eye, Colter had me pressed against the door, his lips devouring mine as I rubbed my body against him until I orgasmed. The little bubble we had cocooned ourselves in only burst when the other guys returned. There was no way out without getting caught so I’d had to climb out the bathroom window. I frown when I recount how he pulled away after that night. How we haven’t spoken since. Which leads us to the here and now. My chest tighteningto the point of pain as I watch some other woman paw at him like he belongs to her.

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