Page 66 of Burned

She throws her head back, her raspy laugh getting Betty’s attention.

“Never said he wasn’t. He just seems to be less of one when it comes to you.”

I take a page out of Rhett’s book and just grunt because I really don’t know what else to say. I’m really, really mad at him right now. And while I know I am going to have to face him later and hash this shit out, I don’t really want to think about it right now.

“So…you and Wells?”

“Uh, no.” Her eyebrows pull together, and she shakes her head. Betty moves a bit closer, sniffing River’s hand that’s lying on the wine-stained rug next to her. “No, we’re just friends.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. It just looked like something.”

“No, I just kind of grew up here?” Her tone goes up at the end like she’s asking herself a question. “I guess. I don’t know. I was here throughout all of high school because my house just wasn’t all that fun to be at. So Wells and I are like brother and sister. Same with Rhett and Dean.”

I catch on quickly. “But not Hayes?”

“Not Hayes.” Her cheeks blush, and she looks down, suddenly very interested in the stain. “Hayes and I…it’s complicated.”

“You don’t have to tell me.” I reach out and squeeze her arm. “But if I need to kick his ass for you, I think I proved I’m more than capable.”

We both laugh.

“I may take you up on that.” The laughter settles, and she sighs as her head drops back onto the couch behind her. “I don’t know. Whatever it was, it ended badly. And I haven’t been back here for a very long time. But I miss it. Seeing Wells and Rhett and the animals…felt like coming home.”

“I get that. I’ve only been here for the summer, and this ranch already feels like my home. And Katherine and Clyde?”

“So cute, right?”

I groan. “So cute. Welcomed me into their house and hearts so quickly. I’ve never felt so loved.”

“They have a way of doing that. They’re such good people.”

“You’re coming to my birthday party tonight, right?”

“Eh.” She cringes and shakes her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. It’s a miracle I escaped Hayes at the event.”

“He’s out covering for Rhett,” I tell her. “That’s why he wasn’t there. They needed someone to manage moving the rest of the cattle. But he will be there tonight. I think everyone will. Katherine has made this a huge event.” I smile and roll my eyes.

River nods and stares down at Betty.

“You should come.”

“I don’t know, Poppy.”

“Look, if this is going to be my home, I’m going to need friends, right? No more acquaintances. So come to my birthday party and hang out with me and see the people you’ve missed.”

She looks like she’s considering it, so I keep pushing forward.

“And fuck Hayes,” I joke. “Just ignore him.”

“That, I’m afraid, is impossible.” She sighs.

I get that. Rhett is impossible to ignore, too. No matter where he is, I find him, and vice versa. I would never be able to be in the same space as him and ignore him.

“Come.” I’m pretty much begging at this point, but I don’t want her to miss out on things because of a man. Especially when it seems like this family is so important to her. “If he bugs you, come find me. I’ll be your buffer.”

“You’ll be speakin’ with Rhett.” She raises an eyebrow.

“Yeah, but not the entire night. And if he continues to be an ass, I may be the one that needs a buffer.”

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