Page 19 of Breathless

Rambo trots after me,his tiny paws clicking on the hardwood floor down thehall.

Joey’s bedroom door is ajar, and I peek in, smiling when I see her flopped like a starfish on my mom’s bed, the blankets and sheets a heap around her. I close the door quietly so I don’t wake her up when I rummage through thekitchen.

It’s barely five am, and I’m not expected at the ranch for a few hours, but I need to run some errands first. The wedding activities are throwing a wrench in my schedule. I’d completely forgotten about Ethan and Tori’s plans for the weekend, which is not like me, but I’ve been running onfumes.

I feed the pooch and scratch his head. He’s damn cute for a puffball. “Be fierce, my man. Look afterJo.”

Grabbing my keys, I head for the door. I’m not sure I told Joey I had to work today, but I’ll send her a text later so I don’t wake her up. I hate when my phone buzzes on the night table and wakes me. Sleep is a precious commodity, and that girl isexhausted.

After our late-night pizza, I ran her a bath, and she was so sore, I could hear her moaning and groaning through the door as she changed herclothes.

That sent my filthy mind intoovertime.

And I might’ve had a weakmoment.

Once we both went to bed, I locked myself in my room and sought out my favorite porn on my phone, but nothing did the trick. I threw it on my bed, closed my eyes, and everything I’d tried to ignore yesterday came rushing back to me. Like Jojo’s incredible body in that tank top and how she’d felt when I’d hugged her at the bus station. The way her thick golden hair tumbled over her shoulders and her voice when we talked on the couch, low and sweet andsoft.

I popped off like a firecracker on the Fourth ofJuly.

Now I’m feeling the guilt. I’ve always managed to avoid jerking it to thoughts of my best friend, and I need to get this shit on lockdown if I want to survive living with her for the next two weeks. No more naked thoughts ofJoey.

I stop at the gas station to fill the tank and grab a crappy cup of coffee, and then I’m on the road again. When I get to the Stock Yard, I’m the first one here, but that’s nothingnew.

The Stock Yard is a mom-and-pop store two towns over that sells everything a rancher could need. I’ve worked in the back, restocking their supplies and taking inventory a few times a week for the past two years, usually in the middle of the night. But since Ethan’s wedding and honeymoon take precedence, I need to rearrange myschedule.

An hour later, I’ve shelved the incoming feeds and reordered everything on my list when Hank, my boss,arrives.

“Well, I’ll be damned.” He gives me a wide smile. “I could’ve sworn you were a vampire. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you here during theday.”

I let out a laugh. “Thanks for calling me back so late last night. This wedding stuff is more high-maintenance than I thought. Won’t be able to do any late-night shifts until the end of themonth.”

“You do what you got to do for family. I understand.” He wipes his sweaty forehead. “You gonna take some time off for yourself after that? Been burning the midnight oil for a long time now,son.”

I know he wants to ask me why I do this when I run a successful business with my brother, but Hank’s good people and knows when something’s private, so he neverpushes.

“Nah. I couldn’t bear it if everything went to hell while I was away.” I give him an easy smile and reach for my keys. “I’ll be back tomorrow to take care of the rest here, but then I’m headed out of town for the weekend with my brother and the wedding party. I’ll hopefully get a chance to work Monday night. But I’ll keep youupdated.”

He nods thoughtfully. “If you need more time, just let meknow.”

More time off means not getting paid, which means I can’t do it. “Thanks again,sir.”

I don’t have to call him ‘sir,’ but he works himself to the bone for his family, for his lovely wife and kids and grandkids, and has nothing but my respect. Fidelity and loyalty are tough things for some guys to grasp, but he’s a shining example of what a man can have if he keeps it in hispants.

As I’m crossing the parking lot, my phone rings. Only three people call me this early, and since I’m about to see Ethan and my mother, I’m guessing it’s notthem.

The name flashes on my phone, and I let it go to voicemail.

Speaking offidelity…

I’m running late, and if I pick up now, there’s no telling how long this call willtake.

A text comes through as I’m starting thetruck.

Stop avoidingme.

I roll my eyes and reluctantly respond.I’m not avoiding you. I need to get to work. Texting while driving is illegal,remember?

Are you trying to be charming? I’m in no mood for yourgames.

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