Page 21 of Rain or Shine

“Let me help, Harloe.” Zander shoves his hands into his pockets. “I can save this place, help you fix it up. I can help your brother—this whole town. All you have to do is let me.”

His face softens, but it’s a façade. He’s so damn good at this. The master of manipulation. And for years, my heart distracted me from this game he’s playing. Wreaking havoc just so he can sweep in and play the hero. I’m over it.

I lift my chin. “I think it’s time I fix my own problems. I appreciate all you’ve done for me, but we both know we were only going through the motions since I got back to town. We weren’t right for each other before I left, and that didn’t change in the time I was away. If you need something from my brother, you’ll have to go to him directly, but I’m tired of being a chess piece you use to get what you want from my family.”

He opens his mouth, but I throw up my hands, cutting him off.

“I know, I was using you too. This isn’t completely one-sided, which is even more of a reason to end it. Forcing it when we were dating was one thing, but money isn’t a reason to get married. You deserve to be with someone who cares about you for who you are, and so do I. When is the last time we made each other happy? When is the last time we even kissed?”

“You said that’s what you wanted after—” He drags his hand through his hair, not finishing that sentence because God forbid he have to remind himself that he cheated on me.

Again.

“I said a lot of things, and I thought if I said them enough, I’d believe them. But the truth is, we can’t do this anymore.”

Instead of waiting for him to argue or respond, I turn and walk away. Thankfully, this time he lets me, chuckling to himself as I go like he thinks I’ll come running back to him eventually.

It wouldn’t be the first time. But I’m determined to make a change.

Ransack is busier as I make my way back to the front. The dance floor is packed, and there’s a game being played at every pool table. The music has been turned up another notch, which at least quiets the thoughts in my head.

I glance to my section, freezing when a familiar set of dark eyes snags my attention.

Shane has avoided me as much as I’ve avoided him since my wedding night. But here he is, sitting at the bar in my section, talking to Will.

The swinging door behind me snaps open and closed, and Shane’s eyes lift to Zander standing over my shoulder. Zander must notice because he comes up close, pressing his chest to my back and kissing the top of my head. His hand finds my waist, and my entire body stiffens.

“We’ll talk when you’ve had time to think this over, but we’re not done, Harloe. Far from it,” he whispers, finally walking away.

There was a time when Zander’s touch didn’t make my skin itch. When I trusted him. Now, he offers the sheriff a slimy smile as he walks out of the bar, and I don’t recognize this man.

Everyone grows and changes, but what has he become?

I don’t move until Zander leaves the bar. Only then do I realize I should probably get back to work.

Will and Shane are deep in conversation. My brother rambles about weather trends and migration patterns, and to Shane’s credit, he actually looks interested. Even with a drink in hand, my brother can’t stop thinking about work.

“This is why you have no friends.” I trade Will’s empty beer bottle for a fresh one, interrupting their conversation. “Drink. Hit on a girl. Hell, take her home with you. Do anything other than talk about the ranch for five seconds. I promise your life would be a lot less miserable.”

Will glares, but Shane chuckles.

“Do you disagree?” My eyebrow hitches, my gaze pinning Shane’s.

“That life is better when you’re drinking and fucking?” His voice is smooth yet gritty. “Nope.”

The way his lips pop with that one word sends a delicious shiver down my spine.

Shane is impossible to read. A complete mystery. The definition of danger. But my shoulders ease when he’s around, and his smile is like a warm blanket to my nervous system.

“My sister is a bit of a wild child and thinks the only way to enjoy yourself is to do something reckless. A piece of advice: Be careful around this one,” Will says, missing the point of the conversation entirely but smiling when I glare at him. “Hey, you know I love you, sis.”

“You’re lucky I love you too.”

He chuckles, tapping his beer bottle against Shane’s, but Shane doesn’t join him in taking a sip.

His eyes lift to the hat on my head. “Thought you said you weren’t a cowgirl?”

“This old thing?” I smile sweetly, running my finger along the brim. “Part of the gig. Just looking the part for tips. Cowboy bar and all.”