Page 18 of Every Single Wildflower
“Not surprising since you barely graduated,” Ryder mutters.
“Fuck off.” Cooper flips him off. “I’m the creative type.”
Cooper was too busy chasing bulls and buckle bunnies to actually show up for class. Dakota was the only reason he made it through.
“Shep.” Ryder snags my attention. “Take her to the office. Might as well let her take a look. It can’t hurt.” Ryder turns to leave, then glances back over his shoulder. “Ivy.”
“Yeah?” Her eyes look hopeful.
“I’m glad you’re here.” He pauses. “Just give me some time, yeah?”
She nods and tucks her hair behind her ears. “Ok.”
Ryder heads back to the horses, then Cooper follows. I face Ivy, slipping back into the act. The one where I pretend breaking her heart didn’t completely shatter my own.
“Come on. I’ll walk you.”
Chapter thirteen
Ivy
I have papers and file folders scattered across my father’s so-called desk. Hisdeskconcluded of two pieces of plywood stacked on top of some old feed barrels. It was so him, and absolutely dysfunctional. Majority of the things in the three tubs I found were receipts. Some going back to 1995, which was bordering the line of hoarding and not good record keeping. It was nearing eight o'clock and I hadn’t found what I was looking for yet. Organization was not one of my father’s best qualities and it might take me longer than expected to help them get their ducks in a row. Maddox had been across the hallway from me all evening. Silent and glaring. I don’t know why he’s so pissed atme. It’s not like I broke into his cabin on purpose or that I’m the one who was so cruel the last time we spoke. That was all him, so if anyone has a right to be angry it’s me.
His light flips off across the hallway, and I pretend I don’t notice. I pretend I don’t notice his lingering presence in the door frame either. I fumble through a box I have balanced on my thigh, not even looking at the pages. I’m hyper aware of his eyes on me.
“It’s late.” His deep voice fills the room, my skin tingling.
“So go to bed,” I quip, before briefly glancing at him. “I’ll grab my bag when I’m done here. Go crash at Cooper’s.”
“It’s fine,” he clips. “Just stay.”
No, it’s not fine. There is no way I can stay in the same house as him. According to the disaster that is before me, I’ll be here a week or two. Not the couple of days I expected. I refuse to be in the next room if God forbid he brings a woman home. I’m not naïve. I grew up with two brothers and ranch hands my entire life. I know men. I know cowboys, and an empty bed isn’t something they keep.
“I will be moving my stuff. It was a misunderstanding,” I reiterate.
Being the stubborn ass he is, he takes a stride into the room. “You’re not sleeping on Cooper’s fucking sofa. It’s not even a full size one. Your back will hurt.”
I pause my fingers, my gaze drifting to his. To anyone else this would seem like someone telling you the couch is a piece of trash, and anyone would be uncomfortable on it. But it’s that last line.Your back will hurt.I place the box down onto the plywood, my heart hammering inside of my chest. He’s referring to my unfortunate accident. The one that has kept me off the back of a horse since I was seventeen. He knows how hard it was for me to sleep those first few months. How uncomfortable I can besometimes. He’s acting concerned, and that ignites a fire inside of me bigger than the one that just burned down my house.
“My back is fine.” I straighten my shoulders. “I know what I can handle.”
His jaw tics and if I’m not mistaken, he almost winces.
“I think it would be best if I stayed with Cooper.” I step around the box, ready to call it a night and get as far away from him as possible. “I’m here to deal with family matters.” I step up next to him, and dig the knife in a little further because I’m irritated that I’m still hurt after all this time. “Which you are not.”
His hard eyes hold mine, and I can feel the heavy beat of my pulse. “Now, if you will excuse me. I have bags to move.”
I make one quick step around him when my phone rings. I slip it out of the pocket of my dress, seeingmomflash across my screen.
I swipe, lifting the phone to my ear. “Mom? Everything ok?”
“He’s awake," she breathes out through happy tears. “And he’s asking for you.”
I can feel my entire body stiffen, my lungs burning as I take a deep breath. “Ok. I’m on my way.”
I end the call, turning to face Maddox. “He’s awake.”
He dips his chin, his legs already striding toward the door. “Let’s go.”
