Page 5 of Wrangled and Tangled (Raven Peak Ranch #1)
I ’ve ridden like shit the last few days.
Thoughts of Spencer circle through my mind, and I still can’t figure out why he would basically run away from me after that kiss. I know he wanted it just as much as I did. It felt electric like his lips zapped something awake in me I didn’t know was dormant.
I want him, and I have a feeling having him once would never be enough. Normally the thought would scare me if it were anyone else. But with him and his incredible green eyes, I want to feel it again… and again, and I have no idea why
“I heard the Play Boy of rodeo’s been strikin’ out!” Levi’s voice worms its way to my ears, and my blood immediately boils.
“Yeah? Maybe that's cuz I give my partners a choice,” I seethe. “What do you give them? Drugs, oblivion? You know, you’re lucky you haven’t fuckin’ killed anyone!”
My voice carries, and the rodeo hands around us all stop to stare. Levi’s shoulders puff up, and his neck and face turn red. He steps close to me, the tip of his boots touching mine.
“You keep your fuckin’ mouth shut. You think you’re untouchable, but you ain’t. I could drug your little crush for you, you know. Make it easier for you to get what you want.”
Shoving him by the shoulders, I watch as he stumbles to right himself, and I point my finger at his chest. “If you make threats like those again, I’ll fuckin’ end you. Do you hear me?”
Eddie rushes over out of the corner of my eye and steps between us. “I think it’s time for you to leave for the night, Levi.”
Levi laughs, looking around, throwing his arms wide. “You can’t touch me, Macabe.”
“Don’t be so sure.”
“Alright, that’s enough, Heath,” Eddie says. “Are you tryin’ to get arrested, man? Death threats? Shit.”
“Fuck him,” I growl, and Eddie turns my way, pushing me toward the exit. “I hate that motherfucker.”
“Me too, but you can’t be shoutin’ things like that,” Eddie says, following behind me. “That’s askin’ for trouble.”
“You know what he’s done!” I shout the second we get outside. I don’t care who hears. Levi Walker’s a fucking skeeze, and he needs to be stopped.
Eddie nods, and runs his hand down his chaps. Chalk from the riggin’ coats his pants, “Yeah, but I’m not threatenin’ to kill him, Heath!”
“He threatened to do it to Spencer! Said he could make it easier for me ,” I argue.
“You need to calm down,” he reasons, pointing toward my trailer. I don’t want to sit there and think about his threat. I want to punch something, anything.
“We only have a few days left here. What if he makes good on that promise?”
Eddie laughs, and it grinds my gears, “You’ve been waitin’ on him for days. Do you really think Levi, of all people, could get him to come out?”
By that logic, he’s not wrong, still… The dread I feel in my stomach sets my vision to red.
“I’ll head to The Raven tonight, too. If Levi shows up, I’ll call,” stomping away from Eddie, I head for my trailer.
Inside a smell hits me, and I scrunch my nose.
Searching my fridge for spoiled food, I don’t find anything, mainly because it’s close to empty.
Taking out the trash still doesn’t curb the smell, and even after a shower, I can still smell a hint of it.
Dressing in a fresh pair of jeans and a button-down, I throw on my hat and head for my truck. It’s not quite dark yet, but it will be by the time I get to The Raven.
Music pours out of the bar as hoots and hollers sound while people dance. The crash of pool balls plays in the background as the bar starts to fill up. Neon lights cascade around the space, casting red, green, and blue glows on skin and tables.
“What can I getcha?” The woman with long, graying black hair asks from behind the bar.
“I’ll have whatever you’ve got on draft,” smiling at her, she nods, taps her pen on the wood top, and turns to pour my drink. Before long, she’s setting my drink down in front of me. A light layer of foam sits on top, and the golden liquid’s cool through the glass.
Taking a stool at the bar, I sip the beer, just like I’ve done every night since I asked Spencer to join me.
A woman dressed in heels and a nice dress siddles up beside me, and I know before I turn, it’ll be my publicist, Staci.
“You look lonely, Show Pony.” Her tone isn’t teasing because the woman has a cold heart and wouldn’t know how.
“What do you want, Staci?” I’m not in the mood for her shitty attitude, nor do I have it in me to fight about this arranged marriage bullshit she’s hinting at.
She laughs, and it sounds hollow. “You really do know how to make a woman feel special, don’t you?”
“Staci,” I warn.
“I’ve set up an interview with three options–”
“No, Staci, I’ve already told you, I’m not fakin’ an engagement with anyone to look more relatable,” I cut her off.
She glares daggers at me, grabs her drink, and slinks off to torture someone else with her company, I’m sure.
Once she’s gone, my thoughts drift back to Spencer.
I wish I knew why I wanted to get to know him so bad.
I know my body’s reason, but my brain just won’t let it go.
I want to know who he is. Maybe my gut knows he’s a good one, a diamond among pebbles.
If he doesn’t show up tonight, I’ll make damn sure to do everything I can to get him to have a drink with me the next time I see him.