Page 22 of Duke
Wheeler reaches for the latch on the truck’s sliding back door. “I drove to the gym in a hailstorm once.”
I beat her to it, our hands brushing as I yank down the door. “Now you’re just trying to get me riled up.”
“Why do you let me get you riled up?”
“Because you’re an indoor girl visiting a very outdoor place, and I could never forgive myself if you were bit by a rattlesnake and died or, yeah, you drove a U-Haul full of your beautiful boots off the side of a mountain.”
“That’s dark.”
I manage a tight grin. “Just like my mood.”
“Lighten up.” She pats my chest. “I’ll be back in a few days, hopefully with an empty truck. Promise I’ll be fine.”
But you don’t know that. I need to know you’re safe.
It’s ridiculous how much I care, right? Yeah, I thought Wheeler and I really connected that night at the Rattler. Beyond that, though, we actually haven’t interacted all that muchoutside of group settings. We’re friendly, but would I even call us friends?
I don’t know.
All I know is there’s a good chance this girl ends up hurt—or worse—if she drives to Aspen all by herself this weekend.
There’s a good chance I won’t get another opportunity to visit a place like that anytime soon.
Wyatt will have a shit fit about me missing work. But Cash and Mollie are in lockdown here in Hartsville now that she’s on bed rest, which means he’s available to fill in. I can always offer to do admin work remotely—grab one of the ranch’s laptops and bring it with me.
But really, I don’t care what my brothers say about me going. The idea of staying on the ranch suddenly makes me feel like I’m coming out of my skin.
Figure I’m killing two birds with one stone: by going to Aspen, I keep Wheeler safe, and I get to scratch my travel itch.
Without thinking, I wrap my fingers around Wheeler’s wrist. She’s delicate here, her bones so slender my fingertips overlap by a good amount. I don’t miss the flicker of heat in her eyes that she tries to hide by blinking and looking away.
“I’ll go to Aspen with you.”
“What?” Her eyes bulge as they lock on mine. She scoffs, dropping her hand. “Stop teasing me.”
I release my grip. “I’m not teasing. I’ll be your assistant for the weekend. Put me to work, Ms. Rankin.”
She scoffs again. “Why the hell would you want to come with me on a really,reallylong road trip?”
“Better question: why wouldn’t I come? I’ve never been to Aspen.” I nod at the truck behind her. “Handling heavy machinery is literally my job. Well, a big part of it anyway. And I’m charming as fuck. I’ll help you sell out of your boots, no problem.”
She’s still staring at me. At last, she huffs out a low chuckle, tucking her hair behind her ear. “I appreciate the offer, Duke. But I think it’s best if I do this on my own.” She offers me a tight smile. “Thanks, though.”
“Maybe. Or maybe I don’t get out of Texas nearly enough, and I’m dying a slow death doing the same thing with the same people all day, every day. This trip—it could be good for the both of us, yeah?”
Her smile falters. “Since when do cowboys get sick of cowboying?”
“All the fucking time. It’s hard work. I’ve been doing it since I was about yay high.” I flex my wrist down by my knee. “You really gonna deprive me of a much-needed break?”
Wheeler rolls her eyes, even as the edges of her mouth twitch. “Way to lay it on real thick.”
“Kinda my style.”
“I’ve noticed.”
My chest twists.You paying attention to me, sweetheart? Maybe you really are curious about me, same as I’ve been curious about you.
“Say yes, Wheeler. You make me beg, I will. But I promise to be the best damn driver and assistant and model you could ask for.”
