Page 175 of The Brothers at Horseshoe Ranch

“I saw you girls running. Is everything okay?” She saw my face. “Oh no, Olivia what’s going on? What happened?”

“It’s fine,” I said. “Beau’s just gone to be with his ex-girlfriend.”

“No,” she shook her head. “No, there’s no way.”

“He did. He left. And he sent her to come tell me. He’s gone. He’s not in the house. I guess he didn’t want to face me. Maybe he knew he would hurt me, and he didn’t want to deal with it. I don’t know. I can’t believe this has happened to me.”

“I thought he really liked you.” Arya looked stunned. “I guess I really can’t tell what guys are thinking at all. I’m so sorry, Olivia.”

“It’s okay. It’s really okay.” I said, though I’d never felt less okay in my life.

“I just don’t believe it,” Sadie said, flabbergasted. “Brittany has always been a crazy bitch. Wyatt and I could never stand her when they were dating. And I don’t even think Beau even liked her that much. Is he crazy?”

“I think all the Hamilton men might be crazy,” Lucy said.

“You’re right about that. Wyatt’s acting like an asshole, too,” Sadie grumbled.

Lucy stroked my arm. “We could go to the bar again tonight.”

“No,” I said. “I’m not going to the bar anymore. I just want to go home.”

“Is there anything I can do?” Lucy asked. “Can we get you anything? Do you want us to sit inside?”

“You guys go back to the party, okay? I just need some time to myself to think and pack.”

“You can’t leave,” Lucy said. “Not right away.”

“I don’t want to see him again, Lucy. It hurts too much. I feel used. I feel stupid. I feel—I don’t even know anymore, but my heart is breaking and I can’t see him. What if he comes back with her? I couldn’t bear to see them together, kissing each other and touching each other. I just couldn’t.”

“Okay.” She nodded. “I’ll fly back to New York with you.”

“No, you can’t. You belong here.”

“I’m not letting you go back alone. I’m your best friend. Austin will be fine without me. He’s lived most of his life without me anyway.”

“I’ll come too,” Sadie said. “I’d love to see New York. And if you have me in town and you have to show me around, it will keep your mind off Beau.”

“Oh, Sadie, you don’t have to do that.”

“I’d offer to come,” Arya said, “but I really have no money, and I can’t move Eloise again.”

“Please don’t worry about it.”

“But I can come, right?” Sadie said. “Please?”

“Okay, sure. It’ll be fun. And maybe you’ll meet a New York guy, and you won’t even want to come back to Montana.”

“That would be pretty cool. I’d miss my family. But sometimes, it kind of sucks being around the Hamilton brothers,” she said. “Don’t get me wrong. I love them, they’re fantastic, and they’re like my family. But do you know what it’s like to grow up with seven really attractive, really hot guys and not one of them look at you like you’re a woman?” She sighed. “And I am a woman now. I’m not a little kid. I’m not a tomboy. But they don’t see me like that. They make me feel invisible.”

“I never really thought about it like that.” I gave her a quick hug. “But you’re gorgeous, Sadie. Trust me, any man would be happy to be with you.”

“Well, I hope so,” she said. “Maybe once I get out of this small town, I’ll meet a guy that really appreciates me.”

“Oh, you will,” I said. “Trust me on that. But, guys, go back to the party. I don’t want people to start worrying and talking. I’ll be back out in a little bit. I just need some time to myself, to compose myself and have a little cry.”

“Okay,” Lucy said. “But if you need anything, you text or call me and I’ll come right to the bedroom.”

“Thanks, Lucy. You’re amazing.”

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