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“I don’t need shit from you, too, Wyatt. This was your damn idea anyway.”

“Yes, because I’m trying to save the rodeo and keep the town happy with us. You know if we lose the rodeo, Whiskey Falls loses a lot of money.”

“You think I don’t know that?” I spit out. I know I don’t need to take this out on him. I don’t know how many times Wyatt has told me to be more discreet, or not to party so much, but I’m a grown ass man. I’m tired of having people judge me for the way I am. I’m not my father and I’ll never be able to live up to that. Everyone should just leave me the hell alone.

“Look, I just want what’s best for everyone.” Wyatt runs his hands down his face as he looks at me.

I’ve never noticed before now just how tired he looks. The man has been working non-stop getting the ranch ready for the fair, on top of all his regular jobs. I’m pretty sure it’s been years since he’s taken a sick day or a holiday.

I’m going to have to do something about that once the rodeo is over.

“I know you do.” I throw the card onto the desk, leaning back in my chair.

“So, are you going to call her?”

“Yes.” I look up, staring at the ceiling.

“Are you going to be a douche about it?” I don’t need to look at Wyatt to know the bastard is smirking.

“Most likely.”

“Have you thought about being nice to her? That’s probably the best way to get a woman like Dakota to help you.”

I sit up, looking at my friend in bewilderment. “You’re telling me to be nice? You? The man who can’t even get a woman to be with him in general because you’re a bigger asshole than me?”

“I am not,” Wyatt huffs. “I just don’t have time for women who want to sleep with me for bragging rights. Plus, I’m not like you, fucker. They aren’t throwing themselves at me.”

I grumble, knowing Wyatt is right. I’m aware the women are using me just as much as I’m using them. They want to be the one to ‘reform’ me. Change my playboy ways and make me settle down.

The thing is, I don’t know if I’m capable of settling down.

“I looked into her.”

“You what?” I snap.

“Did you think I was going to let you get into this shit with just anyone? Let alone someone that clung onto you at a bar claiming you were their boyfriend?

I clench my jaw as I stare at him. I’m mad at Wyatt for not telling me he was doing this, but I’m even madder at myself for not thinking about it first. I’ve let her get into my head and mess with my logic. I’m normally more careful with the women I’m with. While it might appear I share my time, and bed, with just about anyone, I’m very picky about who I bring home with me. The rodeo circuit isn’t as big as most people think. Everyone knows everyone in the tight-knit community, and I don’t need to be messing around with the wrong people.

Been there. Done that. Not doing it again.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that if you mess with the wrong people, it could bring your world crashing down. But I’m not thinking about that right now. I have a bigger problem in Dakota Meyers.

“So, what did you find?” I ask as I blow out a breath.

“For the women you associate with, this one is actually decent.”

There was that fucking smirk.

“Explain,” I grit out through clenched teeth. If this bastard drags this out any longer, I may crack a tooth.

“She graduated at the top of her class from law school in Vancouver, moved to Whiskey Falls shortly after and started working at Hammond Law.”

“Odd move for a city girl, isn’t it?” I recline back into my chair, satisfied with what I’ve heard so far. Doesn’t sound like she’s someone that follows the rodeo circuit or could have planned this out beforehand, but really, anything is possible.

“Not really. She’s from Lone Butte. She’s probably familiar with the area.” Wyatt leans back, spreading his legs wide and resting his hands on his thighs. “Was in a relationship with Laughlin Chadwick for two years.”

“We knew that.”