Page 111 of Here With Me
“If you wanna raise the big bucks, auction off the twins for dates. Thirsty women will pay three to four figures.” I chuckle, expecting my parents to laugh at my joke, but instead, Dad goes serious and grabs his phone.
“I was only kiddin'.” I lean over as he types on his screen.
“Too late. I told Landen to add it to the list.”
“Great. Well, if anyone asks, it wasn't my idea.” I hold up my hands. Although they deserve the humiliation after all the shit they do to annoy me.
Ellie and Magnolia meet up with me and find a spot to sit behind the judges' table. I'll be sitting close by with my parents and making sure everything runs smoothly while Ayden and the other ranch hands handle the horses. Landen and Tripp oversee getting the competitors lined up on time while Wilder and Waylon keep up with bringing out the barrels and jumping poles.
Gramma Grace comes in with Mallory and Serena, and they sit on the bleachers next to Momma. I wave to people finding their seats. More ranch hands walk around, helping people, and soon the arena is full to the max. My heart swells with pride, and butterflies swarm my stomach. The moment I worked on for the past six months is about to start.
Wilder walks in eating a giant cob of corn and chewing with his mouth open.
“Where'd ya get that?” I ask with my hands on my hips.
“What? The food trucks are open.”
“You're supposed to behelpin',” I remind him.
“Relax. I can multitask. Just ask Jen.” He waggles his brows, and I gag. “And I was escortin' the judges in. They're here.”
My heart speeds up when I see Fisher walking at the end. My parents shake each of their hands and thank them for volunteering. Fisher's gaze meets mine, and I quickly avert my eyes before anyone notices the tension between us. When the judges sit at the table in front of us, Dad hands them a booklet of papers for each competition with all the riders' information.
“Once the charity spokesperson arrives, you can start,” I tell my dad when he finishes.
I asked them to send someone so they could be a part of the event and we could present a check at the end of the day.
Magnolia pokes me in the side, grabbing my attention, then nods toward someone coming toward us.
Oh shit.
I didn't expect him to come since he lives a few hours away.
“Noah. Magnolia. Lookin' beautiful as always.” He whistles, and a shudder rolls through me.
“Hi,Ian.” I force a smile, hoping like hell he doesn't recognize Fisher as the guy from the food truck the night he busted us at the rodeo.
“What're ya doin' here?” Magnolia asks him, purposely keeping his attention on her.
“You didn't think I'd miss the event of the summer, did ya? I knew y'all would be here and couldn't resist seein' y'all again.” Instead of realizing that we don't want him here, he sits in the row behind us.
“How nice of you to support thecharity, Ian.” I emphasize the word so he knows this isn't a mingling event.
As soon as I say his name, Fisher turns around. He flicks his gaze from me to Ian, and I notice the realization on his face as soon as it hits him. I widen my eyes and shake my head to signal him to stay turned around. He flashes a look of concern before facing the arena.
Ian continues talking to Magnolia, asking why she never texted him after the rodeo and how they should hang out some weekend. She tries to turn him down, but he's not grasping the hints.
“Mags doesn't do long-distance, so unless you plan to move here, I'd say a date's pointless,” I intervene when Magnolia's cheeks heat with frustration.
She whips her head toward me and whispers, “Don't give him any ideas.”
“You never know. I'd move for the right person.” He smirks deviously. “Speakin' of…you still with that guy I caught ya sneakin’ ’round with in the food truck?”
Fuck.
“Who?”
Of course Wilder would return at the worst possible moment.
