The Better Brother

“Careful, or else you’ll kick off an air bag. Slow down and tell me what the hell’s going on.”

“I have to produce an heir by thirty, or I don’t get my fortune. And since I’m already a good month into my twenty-ninth year, I’ll have to go on a fuck fest to make it happen.”

“Boo-fucking-hoo, man. So you go out and pay some chick to let you knock her up. It’s not like you won’t be able to afford it.” Rick said, totally missing the point.

“I’ll have a kid. I might not want kids, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to have a little me roaming the world without being in their life somehow. I’m not my father, and I swore I never would be. He’s only done this to prove some point from the grave. I bet the old bastard is sitting in hell laughing his ass off.”

“Not to mention you’ll have to put up with its mother for at least eighteen years,” Rick said, adding fuel to the fire.

“Yeah, there’s that. Do you know any of the women I’ve been with over the past few years who I’d even consider spending a week with?”

He seemed to be thinking about it by the expression on his face, which looked like he’d sucked a lemon. “Not a chance. I see your point, man. But maybe you can meet someone. You need to find a nice girl for this. Not the kind of barhopping bimbos we usually pick up.” He paused a moment as if to consider an idea in his head, then continued. “Someone like Kayla, who’s coming down for the rodeo this weekend, and just so happens to be bringing a friend along. She did ask if I had any available friends, and I told her you’d be along.”

“Thanks for the heads-up. I’m sure she’ll be a real pie face, and I’ll get stuck entertaining her,” I said, groaning out loud.

“Or she’ll be hot as fuck, and you can make her your baby mama! Either way, you can use the time to figure out what you’re going to do, because crisis or not, we’re not missing out on this rodeo. I’ve got to buy at least six head and one sow at this auction. I have Jimmy coming out to pick up my take and bring them home, so we don’t have to miss out on anything hauling animals back.”

“I’ll be lousy company.”

“And that’ll be different how?” Rick deadpanned.

I lifted a brow and gave him a hard stare, trying to get him to break, but that kind of shit only worked on other people. I had never intimidated Rick a day in our live

s.

“Suck it up. You’ll figure this out, and I’ll help. I’ll keep my eyes peeled at the rodeo. Maybe you’ll find you a hot little buckle bunny who wants a baby.”

That was precisely the type I didn’t want.

“I don’t think you’re going to be helpful. My kid will end up with a stripper for a mother if I let you help. I need someone who’s going to have her own life and talents in an industry that’s not going to tarnish my kid’s life or my family name. My uncle will shit a solid gold brick if I bring some pole dancer into the family, although I’m sure that’s what they all expect. That would probably explain why I never even heard of this baby clause from my uncle’s mouth.”

“Fine, then, use the rodeo to clear your mind. You’ll start shooting blanks if you’re all stressed out.”

Great, something else I had to worry about. What if I couldn’t have kids?

“I’ll be there,” I finally said with a sigh.

But not before I made an appointment for a sperm count.

Fuck my life.

CHAPTER THREE - BELLA

As our plane landed, Kayla reached over and grabbed my hand.

“Thanks so much for coming. I’m not sure I could have gotten through this without you.”

I rolled my eyes. She meant the two shots in the airport bar and whatever pill she’d popped in the bathroom that she’d sworn was prescription.

I squeezed her hand back and smiled. “I’m glad I could help.” What I was really glad about was that I had gotten all my things out of the house earlier that morning, and by the time Gavin got home from work, I’d be landing in Dallas, too far away to deal with any of his bullshit.

“We should have planted a secret camera so we could have seen his face when he realized that you’re gone for good.”

I had to admit that I would pay money to see that.

“I told him I was leaving, and he’s tried to be a sweetheart the past few days thinking I’d change my mind, so, yes, he’s going to be pissed. I did manage to cancel all the wedding plans and secured refunds for all but two things I paid for. It was the least I could do for calling off the wedding. Take that expense and add it to the plane ticket and I’m strapped.”

“I’ll take care of you. Besides, the room is paid up. Rick hated that I insisted on us staying at the hotel but agreed to pay for it. I know he’s going to want us to stay with him. He’s got a huge house, but I thought you’d be more comfortable in our own space.”