Page 43 of Coming Home Country
Thatwas a detail everyone had conveniently left out. Not once had Mac or Aspen mentioned that Bex was bringing a plus-one to the wedding. When she showed up alone, I’d assumed she would be flying solo all week.
Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Tuck, I can explain.”
“Jesus, Rebecca. It’s the middle of the day, and you’re walking around like you just rolled out of bed.”
The words alone were bad enough, but the condescending tone with which they were said had me spinning around, fists clenched. He didn’t get to talk to her that way. Not now, not ever.
But before I could open my mouth to give him a piece of my mind and demand he treat women with respect, Bex rushed past me, putting her body between me and Aaron.
“We camped out on the ranch last night,” she explained.
The thought alone had his lip curling in disgust. “You’re not camping now. You’re out in public. Less than a week down here, and already you’ve let yourself go.”
My jaw popped with how hard I was grinding my teeth.
The idea that she’d let herself go simply because she wasn’t wearing makeup was ludicrous. Bex was the most naturally beautiful woman I’d ever met, and this tool couldn’t even appreciate the treasure set right before him.
Aaron’s gaze dipped to the cast encasing Bex’s right forearm, and he scoffed. “What the hell have you done to yourself?”
I couldn’t remain silent a moment longer. Not with him acting like she’d done something wrong when her wrist was broken because of an accident. “Bex had a fall.”
His eye roll had me itching to turn one or both of them black. “Are we really back on this Bex thing?” he asked her.
“That’s her name,” I gritted out.
“I don’t remember asking you,” he shot back.
Was this guy fucking for real right now? Did he think he could walk intomytown, disrespectmywoman, and get away with it?
Bex standing between us was the only thing holding me back.
Aaron grasped her left hand, lifted it up, and his expression darkened. “And where the fuck is your engagement ring, Rebecca? I swear to God, if you’ve lost it, I’m going to lose my shit. I spent thirty grand on that, and if I have to replace it, you’ll be wearing a fake until you’ve proven you’re trustworthy enough to hang onto it.”
No. No, no, no, no.
My heart dropped to my stomach. That door that had been cracked open slammed shut, shattering any hope of winning her back.
She was engaged. To a man who could easily win Asshole of the Century.
“Bex,” I croaked out, my throat closing up as reality sank in that the fight had been over before it even began, and I’d already lost.
She peeked over her shoulder briefly, her eyes pleading with me, begging for forgiveness.
When she turned back to face her fiancé, she spoke with a measured calmness, like she had practice in placating him. “Aaron, it’s in a safe place. I didn’t want to risk it slipping off while we were on the ranch. We covered so much ground on horseback that it would be impossible to find it unless I noticed right away.”
He let out a hum, eyes narrowed in displeasure. “I expect it to be back where it belongs as soon as possible.”
Bex ducked her head. “Of course. I’m sorry.”
Of course? What the actual fuck, Bex? Stand up for yourself and tell him to take a hike, that you have a better offer standing right here!
My head was reeling, working overtime to reconcile how she could willingly be with a man like that, when he tugged her hand forcefully, causing her to fall against his chest. Curling an arm around her waist, he guided her toward the SUV my truck was blocking.
“It was nice to meet you, Tyler. Now, if you don’t mind moving your car?”
I opened my mouth to correct him, but Bex’s cringe betrayed that he’d purposely said my name wrong—his preppy boy version of a power play.
Cocking my head, I gave her a look that said,Seriously? This guy?
