Page 71 of Burning Skies
“My brothers, mostly Rhett and Isaiah.” He motions to me. “What about you? Why’d you end up there that night? To lose your virginity?”
“You remember that?” How embarrassing. “Actually, Cynthia dragged me to that party. She didn’t tell me where we were going. At the time, she was my new college roommate. She was fun and spontaneous, and I didn’t want to be the sheltered girl on our dorm floor. I didn’t realize none of the women would be wearing tops. I’m not sure Cyn knew that either because she stole the invite from her stepbrother.”
“So you got in over your head.”
“You could say that.” The waitress drops off our food, and we each fill our plates. “Beau, I had no intention of giving my virginity to just anyone.”
“But you were gonna give it to me? Someone your family hated?” He looks genuinely confused.
I hope I don’t regret this confession. “Someone my family hated, but I had a serious crush on.” He just stares at me. “So yes, I was going to give you my virginity that night, not to just do the deed, but because I’d always liked you.”
“Well, damn.” He looks down at his plate. “I kinda blew it, huh?”
I laugh and drag a mozzarella stick through the marinara. “Maybe a little.”
“Jesus, Honey, I’m sorry. This apology is long overdue, but I’m really sorry. I was an ass that night. You didn’t deserve my anger.” He scrubs his face. “I don’t remember what all I said, but I know I was a dick.”
“You accused me of being sent by my brothers, maybe to entrap you? So they could beat your ass when they found us together, I assumed.”
“God, I’m dumb.”
“I get it. I was hurt at the time, but a part of me understood.”
Beau shakes his head. “The worst part is that I just left you there. I should’ve made sure you got home okay.”
“You sent your friend with a hundred for an Uber.” I laugh when I think back to that. “Did he give you my message?”
He chuckles. “You told me to shove that money up my ass.”
“Yup.” I hold up my beer. “Here’s to building new memories.”
“Better memories.” He reaches over to clink his beer.
After I take a pull, I stare at the handsome man across from me. “That night wasn’t all bad. Having you come to my defense against that asshole who was grabbing me proved you were a really good guy.”
He lifts a brow. “Which is why you didn’t talk to me for seven years?”
I sniff. “You hurt my feelings. I felt really rejected. I wasn’t ready to let go of that.”
Reaching across the table, he grabs my hand. “I’m sorry I hurt your feelings, Honey. Truly.” He looks across the room like he’s trying to gather his thoughts. “At the time, I felt like getting with you was robbing the cradle. I didn’t wanna take advantage. Now I don’t think a four-year age difference is a big deal.”
“Let’s not forget that since then I’ve also kicked your ass at the Rattlesnake Ridge Ranch Rodeo.”
He shakes his head. “Darlin’, you’re forgetting when the Walkers beat y’all last spring.”
“I was coming down with something that day. Not sure that should count.”
“We probably need a rematch. Maybe next spring.”
I wish. “My father won’t let me compete with my brothers anymore.”
“Why?” Beau bites into a nacho.
“He says it’s not ladylike. He thinks I should be more refined. But I miss working with the animals. Riding my horse. Competing with my brothers.”
He frowns. “I’d love to see you back in the saddle.”
“Thanks. Maybe someday.” But if my dad disinherits me for not marrying Ian, I won’t be able to afford a horse on my own. That’s a depressing thought. I fiddle with my napkin. “It’s one of the reasons I like being the sponsor of the Harvester Club at school. I get to teach my students about raising animals and gardening. That probably sounds lame.”
