Page 28 of Rough Cowboy
That hits Sammy’s sore spot. He’s been my shadow since we were young. Always sitting on the sidelines while I jump in first.
No double-thinking.
No insecurities.
Go big or go home.
He charges at me. The first punch connects with my jaw. I stumble back as pain seers down my chin from his knuckles. His second punch winds me. I curl over and take a few breaths until I laugh and straighten.
I feel warmth pool by my mouth, and I wipe the blood from my lower lip.
“Big man,” I say.
“Screw you.”
“Sweet lil’ Sammy,” I mock.
He barrels at me. His shoulders connect with my middle, and he hoists me into the air. My back slams onto the ground. He lands on top of me.
Who doesn’t like a good rumble?
I fight back. He gets a hit. I get a punch. We roll laps over the ground. My brothers don’t step in to separate us, but I hear my folks shouting.
“Just let them fight it out.” Elsie’s voice drags me from the pain-inflicting adrenaline buzz I’m riding.
My hands freeze. My head whips in the direction of her voice. When our eyes lock, I realize my brother isn’t the only one who’s angered me.
I liked what we had. I liked sneaking around with her—more than any other woman I’ve ever met. I never double-dip. I never fuck a piece of ass I’ve already had. But she was different. And she ruined it.
My brother is on top of me, straddling me. He fists my shirt and lifts my torso. My peripheral vision catches his arm swinging through the air before blackness swallows me.
Chapter Six
ELSIE
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