Page 75 of Wild and Wrangled

“Oh my god,” Dusty said, standing up from the bed now. “Are you kidding me? That is such a bullshit thing to say, and you know it.”

It was a bullshit thing to say, but I didn’t care. Dusty had just told me he was choosing this shitty apartment in Montana over our relationship.

“I can’t do this anymore. I don’t want to be here, and I don’t think you want me here.”

“Of course I want you here, Cam, but I don’t want you here if you don’t want to be here. I worry about you all day, every day. I hate that you’re here by yourself, but you don’t do anything to change that. I can’t be responsible for both of us. I’m barely learning how to be responsible for me.”

“Okay.” I shrugged, trying to play off how hurt and confused I felt. “Then I’m done.”

In the dark, I could see Dusty go ramrod straight before he sighed. “I don’t think we should keep doing this right now,” he said. “It’s the middle of the night. I’m tired. You’re tired. We’re both feeling a lot of things.”

I scoffed—like that mattered.

“Can we please talk about this tomorrow when I get home?” Dusty pleaded.

“Sure. Whatever.”

After that, Dusty grabbed his pillow and went out to the living room. I cried myself to sleep, and the next morning after Dusty went to work, I packed a bag.

Dusty,

I found a bus that goes to Jackson Hole. Good luck with your plans.

Cam

Chapter 32

Cam

I woke up with the weight of Dusty’s arm around my waist and his breath on the back of my neck. When I started to move, he pulled me closer to him and nuzzled into the space between my neck and shoulder.

“Good morning,” he murmured against my skin. His morning voice was something else.

“Good morning,” I said. “What time is it?”

“Not a clue,” Dusty said and then pressed his lips right behind my ear. “Don’t care.” He kissed me again.

I blinked my eyes open, taking in the sight of the other totally made bed. Last night, after I went to the bathroom, Dusty took a shower. I asked him if he wanted me to move to the other bed. He said, “Don’t you dare,” and then pulled me back into bed with him. I fell asleep in his arms almost immediately.

“Did you sleep okay?” he asked.

“Mm-hmm,” I said and then reached for my phone on the nightstand.

“Please don’t make me get out of this bed,” Dusty muttered. “It feels early.”

“Six,” I said. “Which I think is sleeping in for you.”

“Not when I went to bed like four hours ago, and I’m sharing a bed with you, Ash.”

“Shut up, flirt,” I said and turned toward him. Half of his face was hidden in a pillow, and his hair was a disaster. He was perfect. His eyes were closed, and a smile tugged at the half of his mouth I could see.

“Make me,” he said and pulled me closer.

I brought my hands up and covered my mouth. “I need to brush my teeth,” I said.

“What are you talking about? Give me some of that morning breath,” Dusty said with a squeeze to my waist, and I jerked.

“Gross.” I laughed.