I flash her a glare, curling my lip. “Who the hell are you, and what have you done with my sister?”
She blows out a breath, then rolls her eyes. “I’m just being reasonable because someone has to.”
Now that has me snorting. “Oh really? Do I need to bring up Grayson?”
Kenzie scowls, taking a gulp of the booze. “Shut the hell up.”
Her sudden change of tone has me bursting into laughter. “That’s what I thought.”
“Guess we’ll both become nuns,” she confirms.
“Fine with me. I don’t believe in love anymore anyway.” I grab the bottle from her and take another drink.
“Yes, you do,” she says, trying to reason with me. “You’re just scared.”
The whiskey goes to my head and makes me dizzy. Leaning against the headboard, I close my eyes. “Maybe you’re right.”
“Hope Mom and Dad didn’t want grandchildren.” Kenzie laughs as she rests her head on my shoulder.
“They know I’m working to get my catering business off the ground. What will your excuse be?” I tease.
“Focusing on my teaching career,” she says with a giggle.
“You’re already hired at Mom’s school.”
“Exactly, I need to let lesson plans and teaching on my own be the center of my attention. I don’t want to disappoint her or the students.”
I shrug. “Alright, that sounds like an excuse she’d buy.”
We both laugh, are tipsy, and finish watching this ridiculous movie. It’s just the kind of night I needed—to let loose, complain about my pathetic non-love life, and have my sister—my best friend—by my side.
Chapter Thirteen
GAVIN
Three weeks ago, Maize was in my arms, and we had another amazing night together—a night I’ll never forget.
Two weeks ago, she told me it was a mistake and to move on.
Now I’m left deciding if I’ll take Cooper’s offer or stay at the ranch. Though I’m tempted to live the rodeo life again, even if I’m not the one competing, I’m also not ready to give up on Maize Bishop. She’s running because she’s scared I’ll hurt her, but that’s the last thing I want to do. I’ve given her space as she requested, but when I catch her staring at me, I know something’s still lingering between us.
In the next twenty minutes, the family vet is coming to check on a horse with an infection. Sugar and Georgia got into a little tiff, and now Sugar has a nasty bite on her back. I’ve separated them and won’t allow them in the same pasture.
“Dr. Wallen, hey,” I say, reaching out my hand, and he shakes it. “I’m Gavin Fox.
“Gavin, how’s it goin’? I’m Connor.”
“Nice to meet you. It’s goin’ alright. Just dealin’ with these horses fightin’ each other. Ya know the drill.”
He chuckles, grabbing his bag and following me into the stables. “I sure do.”
“Jackson tells me you’ve been working with the family for a while,” I say as I lead him to the barn.
“Yeah, several years. Big family.”
“I didn’t realize that until Thanksgiving last year. It was a never-ending line of Bishops.”
Connor grins as I take Sugar’s lead rope and bring her out. He examines her, softly petting her to calm her as he inspects the area.
“So Elle works with you?” I say after he injects an antibiotic.
“Elizabeth? Yeah, she’s been working with me for a couple of years now.”
“I’ve only seen her a few times, but she seems nice. I hear she’s brilliant, too.”
“She is a very smart young lady.”
His expression tightens as he talks about Elle, and I wonder if there’s a reason for it. I’ve overheard Elle call him a dick, but Maize and Kenzie think he’s a hot piece of ass.
If I had to guess, he’s around my age, and since the majority of the friends I have here are much younger than me, I invite him to my party tonight. He seems friendly enough and as though he’d get along with everyone.
After he finishes with Sugar and packs his things, I put her back into the stall and turn toward Connor.
“So I’m having a little get-together tonight with a few of the Bishop guys. You should stop by for a beer if you can,” I offer as we walk to his truck.
“Uh, sure. I should be able to swing it.”
“I’m staying at one of the ranch hand cabins on the east side,” I tell him.
“Yeah, I know where those are. I’ll see you later.”
I wave once he jumps in his truck and takes off. Next, I head to the shop where I know the guys sometimes hang out during their breaks. When I open the door, I immediately hear Diesel and Riley being rowdy and messing around, which causes me to laugh. Though they’ve been up since the ass crack of dawn, they’re always having a good time.
“Hey, Gavin,” they greet when they see me. “How’d it go with the vet?”
I shove my hands in my front pockets and nod. “Fine. He gave Sugar an antibiotic and said to inject her with it for five days. Hopefully, that does the trick.”