Page 35 of Rough Cowboy
I should slam the door shut and call it a night. I don’t. My feet drag me further down the hallway to their voices.
I lean in the doorframe of the baby nursery. The charming rustic room is updated like their bedroom. Warm woods and natural textures create a dose of the outdoors.
I’ve never wanted kids. Never saw them in my future. But when Sammy told me Elsie was pregnant with mine or his kid, something in me shifted. Small at first, then piled on as the weeks passed. Hell, deep down, I prepared for my name to be called. It scared the hell out of me, but I’d prepared.
Now, I feel like an idiot.
“This is beautiful.” Elsie touches the French-style rocking chair with cream upholstery.
“I left everything plain so you could add your touch.” Sammy picks up the stuffed bull from a small pile on the dresser and wrings it in his hands.
They are both in their own world and don’t even notice me.
“These are cute.” She picks up a crocheted beige and white bull.
“We don’t need to keep anything I picked.”
She sets down the bull and touches his arm. Jealousy drives through me like a train wreck.
“We’re in this together, Sammy—a team. You don’t have to run things by me, like decorations, toys, or anything else you want to buy. I love everything.”
I clap my hands. “Look at this team.”
Sammy glares at me. “I told you that you were cut off.”
I scoff. “I just wanted to let you know that you don’t have to worry about me, man. Elsie has clarified that there will be no more mutually satisfying hookups between us. You two are a thing. I get it. I’m happy for you both and wish you the very best.”
I watch my brother’s eyes play my words over in his head. “You two have been hooking up?”
“No,” I scoff. “Well, not right now.”
“But you were? More than that one time?”
“Like every time we met up at a rodeo. One, two, three times a day.” My eyes slide to Elsie. “Am I right?”
Hate fills her eyes. “Asshole.” It’s better she hates me.
“We fucked a couple of times. Who cares? What’s the big deal? I’m just sayin’ we’re not doing it anymore.”
“Why did you keep this from me?” Sammy’s talking to Elsie. He’s totally dismissed me.
Elsie folds her arms over her chest. “I don’t tell you, everyone I’ve slept with.”
“You know this ain’t the same. Silver doesn’t just hook up with a girl.”
“I hook up with any girl.” I sip my beer.
“Once. You hook up with them once. You don’t shack the same gal every chance you get. At least, you didn’t. Until Elsie.”
“You’re readin’ too much into this, brother. It was sex.”
“Fuck you.” Sammy points at me. “And you”—he shakes his head at Elsie—”you should’ve told me you two were screwing before today.”
“Sammy.” Elsie reaches for him, but he storms past me and out the door.
“What’s his problem? I was giving him the go-ahead to marry you.”
She’s shaking her head. “You couldn’t just let him be happy, could you?”
