Page 64 of Duke
Less than that. Acquaintances, because I see her less than I ever did. I know she’s visited the ranch often, because I’ll see her car parked outside the New House. But I never actuallyseeher, which is strange. I can’t shake this…unsettled feeling I have.
It sucks, but there’s nothing I can do to change that. I tried. I’ve texted her a bunch since we’ve been back, and I’ve even called her a few times. Just making sure she’s okay. I know there’s a lot going on with her family and her job.
I also can’t wrap my head around the fact that she doesn’t want to explore the amazing chemistry we have. Doesn’t she know how special—how rare—it is?
She hasn’t responded to any of my attempts to get in touch. I should let it go.
I can’t.
Maybe that’s why I blurt, “I think…it’s Wheeler. We had a great time together in Colorado—”
“You were a good man to drive all that way with her,” Sawyer says.
I give my right rein a tug as we head for the southwest pasture. “Are you kidding? It was an absolute pleasure to travel with Wheeler. Most fun I’ve had in fuckin’ forever. But since we got back to Texas, we haven’t hung out much. I…” Sighing, I look down at my gloved hands. “I guess I just miss her.”
Cash clears his throat. “You try talkin’ to her?”
“Of course I’ve tried. She won’t return my calls or my texts. Haven’t seen her at any meals. I get the feeling she’s avoiding me. And you know, I accept the fact that she doesn’t want to see me again. I just can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong.”
My oldest brother clears his throat again. A pink flush is working its way up his neck.
I furrow my brow. “You chokin’?”
“Duke, you gotta talk to her,” he says, shaking his head.
My heart skips a beat. “What? Do you know something I don’t?”
Cash looks away. There’s something…off about him. He rides stiffly, and his eyes are narrowed.
My heart skips another beat.What is going on?I hate this feeling, like the world is pressing in on me from all sides as I wait for the proverbial axe to fall.
“Talk to her,” he repeats.
An icy wash of panic moves through me. “How can I do that if she won’t pick up my calls? If you know something, Cash, I need you to tell me.”
“Not my place to say. I’ll tell Mollie to tell Wheeler to call you.”
I reach out and grab his arm. Our horses immediately slow to a walk. My pulse throbs, my thoughts whirring. Is Wheeler hurt? Did something happen with her family? Her dad? I’ll murder that man with my bare hands if he did something to make her cry.
“Tell me. I’m begging you. She okay?”
He has a pained look on his face now. “She’s fine. Well, she’s not fine, but—”
“Jesus Christ.” Sawyer stares wide-eyed at me. “She’s pregnant, isn’t she?”
An explosion detonates inside my rib cage, the blast roaring in my ears and rattling my spine.
We didn’t use condoms.
We had so much sex.
So.
Much.
We fucked a hundred times. And every time, I came inside her. Yes, she’s on the pill, but there’s no fail-safe method.
We should’ve used backup.
