Page 58 of Rough Ride with the Grumpy Cowboy
I allow myself to indulge in a short, sweet kiss with her since Ella and Daisy are already out of the truck.
“You go ahead. I’ll join you in a few minutes,” I say to her when we pull apart.
She nods, undoes her seatbelt, and kisses my cheek before she alights the truck. My eyes are on her the whole time, and she looks back a few times, waving just before she disappears inside the building.
Once she’s safely inside, I step out, grabbing a steel pipe from the bed of the truck. As I approach a beat-up station wagon I noticed following us from the moment we got into town.
It’s parked a couple of cars away, and the closer I get, the better I’m able to make out Estevan’s ugly face behind the wheel. My fist tightens around the pipe as my steps quicken. Just as I’mabout to get close enough to take a swing, he backs out of the parking lot and drives off.
With javelin skills I didn’t even know I possessed, I throw the steel rod and it goes straight through the back window. He’s too far by now for me to know if I’ve hit him or not. I hope I have. That fucker has gotten away today—next time, he won’t be so lucky.
I have beef with Ava’s whole family, but especially that bastard and her mother. Him for trying to force himself on her and her mother for all the abuse. Those three better start counting their days, for I will have the last laugh as I make them pay for what they did to my precious Ava.
When I make it into the class, it’s already ongoing, so I grab a seat at the corner and watch with wonder as Ava performs her magic. I’m not the only one enchanted—the kids are a hundred percent focused on the class. They’re having a blast being taught by a real pop star.
Her eyes meet mine every couple of minutes, and I see her lips twitch in a smile that’s only for me. I almost think I’m distracting her, but she doesn’t waver for even one second.
The three hours fly by fast, and I’m not as bored as I thought I would be, probably because I had something entertaining to watch the whole time.
We don’t leave immediately because it’s one of the students’ birthdays and they brought cake for the whole class, so we stick around for Daisy to enjoy as well.
“That looks like fun,” Ava comments with a sad smile as we enjoy cake slices while we watch the kids chasing each other around, trying to smear icing on each other.
I don’t reply as I wait for her to say more.
“I never really had fun birthdays growing up. I spent most of them in auditions or vocal lessons, and my mom definitely never bought cake for the whole class. She always used to say that she spent all the money on my lessons, so there was nothing left over for cake and a present. Even when we did have the money, my birthdays were never about me. She threw these lavish parties to try and fit in with the elites in the music industry and parade me around like a prized turkey—I hated it,” she shivers in disgust.
I wrap my arm around her shoulder and kiss her temple, hoping to offer some form of comfort since I’m not so good with words.
I keep getting more and more reasons to hate that woman. Just how much did her mother take away from her!
“You know, I always had the most fun at Ella’s birthdays. She knew how much my own sucked, so she always tried to incorporate me into hers, but I always felt so guilty for taking away her special day,” she comments with a sad laugh as we watch Ella take pictures of Daisy with the birthday girl.
I remember those times. Even though they’re born months apart, Ella always forced us to sing happy birthday to them both, saying they were twins. Looks like my sister has been an intuitive one from the beginning.
The more Ava talks about her failed birthdays, the more I realize just how broken she is. But since she’s here with me, I can do my best to try and mend those cracks in her heart, starting with a special day that’s supposed to be all about her.
When we get back to the ranch, I let Ava and Daisy walk into the house first as I grab Ella by the neck to stop her.
Assuring that we’re alone, I let her go and she turns to me with a glare. “What do you want?” she demands, fixing her hair.
I reach into my pocket for my wallet, retrieve my black card, and hold it out to her. Her eyes widen and she snatches it out of my hands.
“Aww, I didn’t know you loved me this much, big bro,” she gushes.
“It’s not for you,” I quickly correct, erasing the dollar signs from her eyes.
“What is it for then?” she grumbles.
“Ava’s birthday is coming up in a few days, and I want you to plan it.”
Her eyes light up once more. “Wow, this is very thoughtful of you, Zane.”
“I only have a couple of requests,” I say before she gets too excited.
“Let’s hear them.”
“Don’t let her know that I’ve funded it, keep it a surprise, and try to make it as fun as possible.”
