Page 78 of A Lot Like Love
Ryder clenched his right fist, wishing he could smash it into something. “Don’t ask. Just put me to work and don’t mention her name. I told you I was going to work alongside you now I’m back, and I wasn’t lying.”
There was silence on the other end for a moment. “Meet me at the barn. I’ve got cattle to move and some fences to check. I was going to get the guys to do it, but how about we head out just the two of us?”
Ryder unclenched his fist. His brothers might give him shit a lot of the time, but when it came to something like this, he knew he could count on them not to be assholes.
“Thanks. I’ll see you in ten.”
Ryder left his phone on the bed and pulled on socks and a shirt. He went into the bathroom, brushed his teeth, and headed for the back door, tugging on his boots.To hell with Chloe. He’d make Chase work him till he dropped, and do his best to forget all about her. Although he knew damn well there was no way in hell he’d be able to get her out of his head.
“Ryder!”
He looked over his shoulder, seeing Nate jogging in his direction. His oldest brother was dressed in worn-out jeans and a checked shirt with the sleeves rolled up—nothing like his usual weekday attire.
“What are you doing?” Ryder asked, making an effort to wipe the scowl from his face. It wasn’t Nate’s fault Chloe had walked out on him.
“Chase said you’re working on the ranch with him today,” Nate said, catching up and falling into step beside him. “I decided it was about time I did the same.”
Ryder chuckled. “You’re sounding more and more like Granddad every day.”
“You can’t run an empire without getting your hands dirty on the land every once in a while,” Nate said, perfectly imitating their granddad’s commanding voice.
“Damn right,” Ryder muttered.
They walked in silence for a while as they headed for the barn. Ryder rolled up his sleeves and glanced at the sky, the day already heating up even though it was early.
“So are we talking about Chloe today or not?” Nate asked.
Ryder didn’t look up, just kept walking. He shook his head. “Not a chance.”
Nate slapped him on the back and kept his hand on his shoulder until Chase appeared and he waved to him. “Sure thing. Let’s find some cattle to round up then, huh?”
Ryder stopped and watched his brothers, wishing he wasn’t feeling so pissed off with the world. Hanging out with them both for the day should be fun, and instead all he wanted to do was kill something, take his frustration out on someone with his fists.
“Hey, when’s your next bull ride?” Chase asked as he joined them, throwing him a halter and lead rope. They all walked side by side to the corrals to catch their horses, collecting their saddles on the way. Ryder slung his over his arm.
“I’ve got the National Finals in a month. Nothing till then.” He grunted. Damn it. The last thing he needed was to think about heading to Vegas again after the time he’d had there with Chloe. “And don’t even think about giving me shit about riding, not today.”
Nate nodded. “Fair call. You get a twenty-four-hour pass.”
Ryder haltered his horse and gave him a quick brush down, following every indent and groove. There was something therapeutic about brushing down an animal—he could have done it for hours.
“You want us to come watch this year?” Chase asked.
“Of course we’re going,” Nate said with a chuckle. “We can take the jet, make the most of going to see our little brother in Vegas, meet some gorgeous women… Do you need any more reasons to go?”
Chase laughed. “Hell no. We’re definitely going there.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Ryder tried not to grumble and found it impossible. He was pissed off and he wanted to get going, to do something to take his mind off Chloe and every other thought running through his head like a steam train. He quickly finished saddling and bridling his horse and led him from the corral, checking the girth one last time and hauling himself up. “I’m gonna go ride off some steam. I’ll catch up with you guys soon.”
Ryder didn’t wait around to hear what they had to say. He nudged his horse into a walk and fought the urge to kick him straight into a canter as they headed north. The only thing that stopped him was not wanting to injure a good horse, and not wanting to be a complete asshole. As soon as he was limbered up he’d go for a good gallop before meeting up with his brothers, and if that didn’t help then nothing would. Except for maybe whiskey. If all else failed, he’d have to resort to drinking himself stupid.
