Page 43 of Still A Cowboy
It didn’t mean they’d lose either. The Seaglass was family owned, and while it made good money, she wasn’t sure they had the ready funds for a big legal fight with vloggers who were probably filthy rich.
“Besides,” he went on, “they’d have to prove their claim that you posted that, and you didn’t.”
No, she hadn’t, but Willa wasn’t sure how to convince Lark, Sawyer and Brent that she’d done nothing wrong. If it came to a lawsuit, she’d haveto defend herself, would have to prove she hadn’t put up that icky video of her ex in the throes of…something she didn’t even want to think about when it came to Brent.
Cal’s phone buzzed again, and when he glanced at the screen, his expression darkened even more.
Willa already knew what that meant.
This wasn’t just about her anymore. It wasn’t just her reputation or the Seaglass at stake. Now Cal’s business—his career, his life back in Dallas—was on the line, too.
And the worst part?
If it came down to saving his future or staying tangled up with hers, Willa already knew exactly what Cal should do.
She met his gaze, her throat tight but her voice steady, and her heart breaking.“My advice. Take a huge step away from this so you don’t get caught up in the crossfire any more than you already are.” She swallowed hard and said the rest, “You should let me go.”
Chapter Thirteen
Cal stared at her, the words still hanging between them like some final, immovable truth.
“You should let me go,” he repeated. There was only one answer to that. “Bullshit. That is not going to happen.”
Someone was trying to tear them apart. Someone was trying to punish them. Someone wanted them to believe this whole mess, from the video to the scandal to the endless town gossip, was too big to fight.
Cal knew better. This was just another bull. Wild, unpredictable, and doing everything it could to throw him.
But he had held on before. He could hold on now.
He crossed the room to Willa and met her eyes without hesitation. “You are not walking away, and I am not letting you go. I don’t know who is behind this, but we are going to find out. And when we do, they’ll regret the hell out of it.”
Because this fight was one ride he had no intention of losing.
Willa shook her head, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. “Cal, you don’t get it. I don’t want you ruined over this. You’ve worked hard to build your business. You could lose everything.”
Cal’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw another text from Darlene. He opened it quickly.
Got another complaint. Customer saw the video, said it was unprofessional. Wants to pull out of a deal.
His jaw clenched. It was exactly what Willa had been afraid of. Exactly what someone was counting on.
“I’m not walking,” Cal grumbled. “I can take a hit.”
“You shouldn’t have to,” Willa said, her voice rising. “I’m telling you to go.”
“Not happening.”
Fia spoke up from across the room, already scrolling through her phone. “I can help track who posted the video first. I know some tech people. Maybe we can trace it back.”
Delia nodded as she grabbed her laptop from the counter. “I can check local social groups, gossip chains, things like that. Someone knows something.”
Cal’s father, who had been quietly listening, crossed his arms and gave a slow, deliberate nod. “If this comes down to busting some balls, you justlet me know.”
That pulled the smallest laugh from Cal, even though the tension was thick in the room.
Willa rubbed her forehead like the weight of all of it was pressing down on her. She was still in it, still here with them, but Cal could see the crack in her determination. She still wanted him to leave. She thought she was protecting him.
He wasn’t going anywhere.
