I didn’t like the idea of some outsider, who didn’t even care enough about Pete to visit him when he was sick, coming in and taking over. Maybe it was selfish of me to say, but I believed that Danny should have gotten the ranch from Pete. She was more of a daughter than whoever this long-lost child was.
She loved that place and had been working there since she was sixteen. Whoever this daughter was, I hoped that she would give us the opportunity to buy the ranch from her.
My phone buzzed, and I looked at the screen. It was Ashleigh.
Ash: Hey stranger, I will be in town tomorrow if you want to grab lunch or something. It would be really great to see you.
I ignored the message and went back to getting dressed. I loved Ash but not in the way that she wanted me to love her. I was not oblivious to the fact that the girl liked me.
Whatever it was, I knew I couldn’t be with her. The truth was, I couldn’t be with any woman. I had already had my great love; there would be no one else for me after Sarah. It had been almost four years, and I still loved Sarah more than life itself.
I shook my head, removing the negativity from my mind. I didn’t like getting in my head too much because then I would go down my little rabbit hole, and I couldn’t afford that. I had been there once, and I wasn’t going back.
After I got dressed, I collected my things and headed downstairs.
When I turned the corner to go into the kitchen. I found my best friend with his tongue down Lily’s throat. He had placed her on the counter, somehow managing to lose his shirt in the process.
“Seriously? You just had sex less than 30 minutes ago.”
They broke apart. Ethan glared at me, and Lily looked away horrified. Yep, this was the last time I was coming over. These two were insatiable.
“Leave,” Ethan ordered.
I put my hands up in mock surrender, “I was. I was just coming to say goodbye. Next time, I’m not sleeping over. You two are like rabbits who never rest.”
“No.” Ethan smiled before turning back to Lily. “I have some lost time to make up.”
Before they started attacking each other again, I left the kitchen and headed for the front door. As soon as I stepped outside, I saw Maddie standing by her porch with a cup of coffee in her hand. She was wearing these skin-tight biker shorts and a crop top that showed off her toned abs.
I was not blind, the woman was fucking sexy. She had a body that made you want to commit the most heinous sin. Her eyes were this haunting icy blue that pierced right through you. At first glance, you would think she was angelic but once she opened her mouth you would be proven wrong.
Maddison Vandlewoods was one of the most foul-mouthed and violent people I knew. She took no one's shit including mine, and I guess that’s why I loved messing with her so much.
Her bark was just as lethal as her bite, and I just so happened to be a masochist. I loved when she insulted me and threatened violence. It was sweet ecstasy.
“What are you thinking about Vandlewoods?” I yelled from the porch, giving her my best smirk.
Maddie glared at me. “Ways to kill you without getting caught.”
“You wound me, Maddie. Here, I thought we were best friends. I even told Ethan and Lily about our budding friendship. I think we are on the friendship-bracelets stage now."
“In your dreams, Anderson. I would much rather have my eyes gouged out with a spoon than be friends with you.”
I walked down the porch steps. “That’s morbid, Vandlewoods. Then, how would you see my gorgeous face? Doesn’t it brighten your day?”
I made my way over to her, knowing that my closeness would only irk her even more.
“More like sours my mornings and evenings,” she grumbled. “Don’t you have a fire to put out somewhere?”
“Don’t you have kittens to eat?” I batted my eyelashes innocently at her. I was rewarded with a scowl and a middle finger. “Right back at you bestie.”
She rolled her eyes. “Go away, Anderson.”
“You need to get laid, stink bug. You are a little snappy this morning.”
“I don’t need to get laid, and I was at peace before you showed up, Anderson.”
“Yes, you do, Vandlewoods. But also to get laid, you need to be somewhat likable. I don’t know who would ever want to tap that, knowing how you are.”