“Nah, I got you outta there before you made a complete and utter ass outta yourself.”
“Thank God. I probably wouldn’t have ever lived it down. My brothers don’t tend to forget shit very easily.” I take a small sip of the coffee, wishing the caffeine would jolt me awake.
“Well…” He lingers, then stands. “Guess I’ll let you get dressed.”
“I’m not puttin’ that back on.” I point at the heap of silk lying on the floor.
Payton chuckles as he walks to his dresser. He slides open the bottom drawer and pulls out some clothes.
“Here ya go.” He tosses them on the mattress.
“The last time I wore this shirt, I spilled beer all over me.” I laugh at the memory as Payton walks out. I find it sweet that he has my old clothes in a drawer. I put it on along with a pair of old shorts, then make my way to the bathroom.
When I return to his bedroom, I bend over to grab my dress off the floor, and the world feels like it shifts on its axis. “Shit,” I whisper-hiss, realizing just how terrible my day will be. Then again, just like Dad always says, for every action, there’s a reaction. I fully set myself up for this disaster when I was double-fisting glasses of wine last night, but at the time, it helped me cope.
Once I’ve grabbed my shit, I pick up my mug and go into the living room.
“Hungry?”
I throw my dress on the back of the couch, then move toward the kitchen. “Depends. Whatcha got?”
He opens the cabinet and pulls out a box of strawberry Pop-Tarts. “This is about it.”
“I’m gonna have to pass. Processed food is the last thing I should eat after a night of drinkin’.”
Payton smirks, then pulls a to-go box from the microwave. “Just kiddin’. I stopped by the B&B and picked you up some biscuits and gravy with triple sausage patties. After your bender, you need carbs.”
“See, this is why I love you.”
He smirks. “And I’ll even help you feed your horses too. I got up early and took care of my tasks so I’d have time.”
“Don’t know what I did in a past life to deserve you as a best friend, but I’m glad I have you.”
He hands me a fork, and I happily take it.
“Not that I need rescuing, but you always have my back when I need it the most,” I admit, digging in.
“You’d do it for me.”
“Very true.” I let out a moan as I finish one side of the biscuit that’s still warm. Maize’s cooking hits the spot, and I’m already feeling like a new human. “This is delicious.”
“I know. I had a plate or two before coming back.”
As I eat every bite of the food, Payton places my dress and heels in a bag. I clean up my mess, then he gives me a pair of his oversized flip-flops to wear when he drives me home to change. No way am I going to the stables dressed like I’m doing a drunken walk of shame.
When he turns into the long driveway, I notice my dad’s truck is gone, which means my parents are either at the training facility or eating at the B&B. Though it wouldn’t matter if they were home or not because I come and go as I please, even if Dad still jokes about grounding me. It’s been nice living with them because they live close to the training facility and only ten minutes from Payton.
Payton parks, then follows me inside my house.
The house is pitch black except for a small lamp that’s warmly glowing in the living room. On days like this, I wish I could just crawl into bed and sleep until the afternoon, but that’s just not reality when working on a ranch.
I push open my bedroom door and allow Payton inside. After grabbing some jeans, a T-shirt, and my boots, I make my way to the bathroom to change and brush my wild, tangled hair. Even though I’m sluggish, and my head is killing me, I somehow manage to look presentable. I grab some water and medicine for my hangover.
When I step into my room to ask Payton if he’s ready, I see him standing by my desk. He’s holding a piece of paper in his hand.
“What’s all this?” He turns to face me, his lips turned into a frown.
I move closer because I have so much scattered around that I’m not sure what he’s referring to. As soon as I see the header on the page, I smirk. He’s found my sperm bank printouts.