Sex was just a tool I used to let off steam, and not even something I did often. Finding someone to settle down with was not on my radar. I didn’t deserve to find happiness, not after what I did to Kaci. I didn’t want to fall in love. The fear of hurting someone again sat in the back of my head and was a constant reminder that I would probably do it again unknowingly.
“Listen, I’ve got to go. Have fun with the new chick in town.”
He laughed. “I think I’m more interested in the friend. Besides, she’s not staying, so it would be perfect. I could screw her and never see her again, except for the occasional time she came to visit Lincoln. Then we could have no-strings-attached sex. Yeah, I’m liking this little plan of mine.”
What in the hell was wrong with us? It wasn’t just me who was a mess; it was all three of us brothers. Not one of us could commit to a woman . . . all for different reasons.
“Yeah, well, good luck with that.”
“No, seriously, though. Lincoln is a nice person, and so is her friend Kaylee. I think you’ll like them both.”
I was curious about the woman who had bought my house. “Hey, speaking of Lincoln, what did she say about the house?”
I hadn’t stepped foot in that house in four years and had no desire to ever again. When I’d told my folks I was selling it, I’d thought for sure they’d want it back. They hadn’t, though. They’d told me it was a wedding gift and to do what I wanted with it, so selling it seemed like the best thing.
“She loved it. I’m pretty sure she’s going to change some things, though. With her being into decorating and all.”
I frowned. “Kaci decorated it.”
There was silence for a few moments before Ty cleared his throat. “Well, to be fair, she doesn’t know the backstory, and you can’t honestly expect her to never change anything.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“You don’t regret selling it, do you?”
“Nah, I was never going to live there again. Listen, I’ve got to run. Tell Mama and Dad I said hey and kiss Blayze for me. TV on so he can watch me ride?”
“Yeah, you know it’s on. Will do, baby brother. Stay safe.”
After we said our goodbyes, I hit end and stared at my phone. That familiar ache was starting to take hold of my chest. Only this time, I didn’t know where that ache stemmed from . . . Ty riding my ass about Blayze, or from the memories assaulting me over the sale of my and Kaci’s home. Either way, I didn’t like it one bit.
Chapter Four
BROCK
“You’ve got this,” Dirk said, pulling on the bull rope while trying to push Hornet’s Nest to move.
“Yeah,” I said, getting my hand secure in the rope.
Hornet’s Nest bucked in the chute, and Rob’s hand, extended in front of me, kept me from hitting the rail while Dirk had ahold of my vest. Rob worked for the stock contractor who owned Hornet’s Nest.
Once the bastard calmed down, I got myself adjusted, took a quick breath, said my normal prayer, and nodded.
The gateman pulled the gate open, and Hornet’s Nest took off like a damn rocket. I had expected him to go left, like he always did. I guess today he felt like changing shit up.
He went right.
Then, he changed direction. For a moment, I thought I was heading down the well, which was not something I wanted to do. That meant my ass would be on the ground, and this two-thousand-pound beast would surely stomp the shit out of me. Not to mention, I wouldn’t be getting paid.
I dug my spurs in to get a better grip.
“Holy shit,” I grumbled as Hornet’s Nest turned back.
He was all over the place—and I loved it. The feeling of this massive bull under me, fighting just as hard as I was . . . it was the reason I rode. He gave me one hell of a fight, and that had my heart racing with excitement. It never got old, this feeling of adrenaline flowing through my body when I was riding. And nothing compared to it. Nothing was able to make me completely get lost and forget everything. The moment that chute opened and it was just me and the bull, everyone and everything else disappeared. It was a fight to see who could outwit the other, and my goal was to come out on top. Every. Single. Time.
“That’s it! Give it to me!” I shouted as I finally heard the eight-second buzzer.
I reached down and pulled my hand free. For good measure, the bull bucked once more as hard as he could, and I went flying. Luck was on my side, though, and I landed damn near on my feet after flipping in the air.