Page 10 of Saving the Rain
Leaving the two of us outside . . . alone.
I glare at Raine’s stupid jaw. The guy has never been clean-shaven in all the time I’ve known him. My first impression was how he just seemed to begrownalready. He was only a teenager himself, but to my naive eyes seemed like an adult. Even back then he was the guy with scruffy stubble and ink, who everyone wanted to eitherbeorbewith.
He was the scrapper who regularly sported a black eye or a split lip. Forever turning up looking like he’d chosen to waste his nights in a back alley bare-knuckle dust-up.
Now, he’s the thicker set, more heavily tatted version of the stepbrother I was forced to becomefamilywith. Only the faintest hint of a silver strand or two in his stubble gives any real indication that Raine is in his thirties. He’s got an ageless air about him, like a resident of Neverland, somehow youthful at the same time as being a miserable old fuck.
“How long have you been working here?” My teeth clench.
“Arrived a few weeks ago.” He studies me, and it makes my nape prickle even more with each passing second.
“Planning to stick around?”
That draws a glint in his expression as he lifts his gaze and swings a leisurely look around at the ranch. “Dunno. Maybe? Beau’s got a pretty sweet set up here.”
God, he’s impossible. It’s like he’s purposely trying to get a rise out of me, and I hate that it’s working.
“Yeah, well, there are plenty of other properties. Other towns.” He could literally be anywhere else in Montana, and I couldn’t care less, but Crimson Ridge is far too small, too cramped with him being here.
He clicks his tongue. “No one else in this place seems to have a problem with me. It’s just you bleating on and on, like a little lost lamb.”
Darting my gaze around, I step closer, and the words tumble out in a hushed protest. I don’t need Chaos, or anyone else hearing this. “You can’t just barge into my life and make friends with all my friends.” I seethe quietly.
“Jealous, are we?” His dark eyes glitter at the sight of how successfully he’s gotten under my skin within a matter of minutes. “Worried I’ll be better at that, too?”
“There are other people... other places... just, leave it alone, Raine.” Adequate words feel out of my reach, which is never the case. I’m usually at ease with anyone or any situation. Apeople personto my core.
Until this bastard shreds all of that with just one look.
He shrugs. “Hayes seems like a good guy. Buckle winners tend to stick together.”
My fists ball up as I fold my arms across my chest. “Oh, piss off. You’re such an asshole with all thatwinningbullshit.”
“Just calling it how it is.” Lifting a hand to his jaw, he slides a thumb over his mouth. He’s infuriating. Staring me down like I’ll melt into my boots beneath the combined pressure of his intense scrutiny and crappy attitude.
“Well,how it is... is that you can go fuck yourself, Raine. Take your stupid goddamn power trip and shove it. This is childish.” I’ve officially lost any sense of which way is up with him.
Right now, it feels like being straight back to a time and place where we shared a bedroom wall. This is a reminder of the arguments, the doors slamming, and the constant walking on eggshells around my mom. Was she having a good day? Was she on the up, or coming down? Would I get the apologies or the yelling for simply breathingwrong? I’m the trembling middle schooler, and he’s the asshole high school dropout who loved nothing more than to push my buttons because he could.
His lip curls at the corner. “You’re looking a little fried under the collar there, snowflake. Sure you don’t need to run on home? Let the big boys handle things here today.”
“Stop treating me like a little kid.”
Another shrug is all I get. “When you quit bitching like one. Then, I’ll consider it.”
“Jesus. You’re insufferable, you know that?” I lift my hat off my head and stab fingers through my hair.
“Don’t trip over your big words, boy.”
“Does Beau know you’re out here being a prize assjacket?”
“Only for you. Now I know how it gets you all hot and bothered, I’ll save it up especially.” He chuckles, a deep noise that makes my guts do an uncomfortable flop. “Since it looks like we’ll be running into each other more often...”
“Just stop.” I shove my hat back on and level him with a glare. “I’ve got crap to do, and this is stupid.”
“Quit turning up where you’re not wanted.” His dark gaze narrows on mine.
I can’t help the wry laugh that bursts out. “That’s mighty rich.” I spread my arms and look around at the peaceful ranch and mountains—the sight of golden leaves fluttering on the breeze, a canvas of orange and burnt umber decorating the slopes of the hills and ridges surrounding us—and then turn back to him. “Coming from the guy who turned up inmy town.”