Page 46 of Knot my First Rodeo

Briggs shifts beside me, his thigh pressing against mine, and I remember we're not alone. He doesn't say anything, but I feel his attention move between us.

"Eat your food," he tells Autumn. "You're gonna need it."

"For what?"

"Chores don't stop 'cause we stayed out late."

Her lips press together. "I know that. I'm not stupid."

"Didn't say you were."

"You implied it."

Briggs sets his sandwich down, his jaw working side to side. I can see the irritation building in the set of his shoulders. "I told you that you need to eat. That's it."

"I don't need a babysitter."

"Could've fooled me."

Autumn’s hands flatten against the table, fingers spreading wide before she drags in one slow breath through her nose.

"I'll eat when I'm hungry," she says.

I pick up my fork finally, because watching her is getting me nowhere, and force myself to take a bite. The pork is cold, the sauce too sweet, but I chew and swallow. Across the table, Tripp wipes his mouth with a napkin, finally slowing down enough to notice the atmosphere.

"Y'all are making this real relaxing," he jokes, his gaze moving between Autumn and Briggs. "What'd I miss?"

"Nothing," Autumn and Briggs say at the same time.

Tripp's eyebrows lift, his mouth pulling into a grin. "Sure. Okay."

He knows something's off. He's not pushing because he's Tripp, because he likes to let things unfold before he steps in. It's a good quality in a bronc rider; patience. Less good when you're sitting across from a powder keg with blonde hair and a grudge.

Autumn pushes out of the booth. "I’m going to the bathroom," she says, not asking permission, and walks away before anyone can respond.

I watch her go. The way her hips move under worn denim, the set of her shoulders. The bathroom door swings shut behind her and I let out a heavy sigh.

"She's in a mood," Tripp observes.

"She's always in a mood," Briggs mutters.

"Different mood." Tripp leans back, his arm stretching along the top of the booth, and his eyes find mine. "You do something?"

"Not yet."

The words hang there, and Tripp's grin widens slightly.

Autumn returns before the silence gets uncomfortable, sliding back into the booth with her hair rearranged, loose strands tucked behind her ears. She looks calmer, or she's pretending better.

"So," she says, her voice lighter than before, "what's the plan? We staying the night, or driving back tonight?"

"Staying," I say. "I already got us rooms at the motel down the road. Texted Joe to put the horses in the rodeo barn for the night. We can head back after breakfast."

"We should hit the bar for a drink or two, then." Tripp smiles.

Her eyes flash, something sharp moving through them before she blinks it away. "Great. More quality time."

"You can head back to the motel now, if you want," Briggs offers. "We'll go do the evening feed and go to the bar, just us."