Jeremiah (Stud Ranch 5)

But he didn’t say any of those things.

He looked at me, his brown eyes full of sorrow, and said, “I think it’s because we were never meant to be. Two people who drive each other this mad—”

I shook my head, scoffing. “That’s what you said love was. The I-want-to-wring-his-neck-and-also-fuck-his-brains-out-at-the-same-time. Remember? And being the only ones who checked all each other’s boxes?”

Again he held his arms up, looking at a loss for words. “Maybe that was just—”

A woman could only handle so much. “A what?” I asked. “An idiot mistaking lust for love?”

He stood there looking miserable in front of me.

I breathed in. And I breathed out. My guts were twisting inside and embarrassment flamed my cheeks red hot. But right behind that was icy anger.

I looked down at the ground, collected myself, and then marched the few feet I’d put between us to where Jeremiah stood. And, in a single fluid motion, I slapped the bastard hard across the cheek.

“That,” I said into the stinging silence that followed, my face only inches from his, “is because you’re a liar, Jeremiah Walker, and a coward.” I pointed my finger in his face. “Because I know you felt it too. And it was the real fucking thing.”

And then I turned on my booted heel and walked my ass away from him and out of his life.

Or I would have, anyway, if there was any justice in the universe and I wasn’t still obligated to go spend the next few hours at his twin brother’s wedding reception.

Having your heart ripped out, shredded into pieces, and then stomped on—and then having to smile and pretend like everything was wonderful and you were just so happy for your friends, one of whom just happened to look like the man who’d smashed your heart into bits—not my idea of a great day.

But today wasn’t about me, so I grinned and bore it anyway.

At least Jeremiah stayed away from me. But as I busied myself pretending to fuss over catering and helping the servers keep everything restocked—the tables and champagne flutes, I was steadily bleeding out from the inside.

Which was stupid. We’d only been engaged for a single night—not even twenty-four hours. And he’d been drunk last night—or at least a little wine and sex hazed. I should have known he wouldn’t mean it in the morning. Stupid. I’d been so stupid to let myself believe, for even a second, that—

“Hey, are you ready, they’re about to cut the cake—” Olivia said as she caught me in an unguarded moment hiding behind the catering truck. “Whoa. Are you okay? Did something happen?”

I tried to wave my hand and blink back stupid tears. “It’s nothing. I’m fine.”

She crossed her arms and blocked my path. “Uh uh. I’ve known you since second grade, Ruth. I know when you’re lying. What happened? Did someone say something nasty about your dad? Who was it? I’ll punch them.”

I laughed through my tears and swiped at my eyes, then lurched forward and hugged my friend. “God, you’re the best. I’m going to miss you so much.”

She stiffened slightly in my arms and pulled back. “Miss me? Where the hell are you going?”

I breathed out and swiped again at my face. Shit. My makeup was going to smear if I didn’t stop it soon. I didn’t have Charlie’s mega-mascara on, just the cheap grocery store kind.

I looked my longtime friend in the eye and breathed out hard. God, it hurt, the brief future I’d allowed myself to envision along with Jeremiah’s faux-prosal. But it was gone and now I was back to reality.

“I’ve taken a job up near Fort Worth. I leave in a few weeks. I didn’t want the news to overshadow the wedding so I haven’t told anyone.”

Olivia’s mouth dropped open in shock. “Not even me?” She sounded hurt and now that we were here, I could see what a dick move it was.

“I’m so sorry, hon. I think I just didn’t want…” I shook my head. “I didn’t want to admit I was really going.” I looked out at the land I’d so long called home, that I’d fought so hard to hold onto. “Everything’s changing.” I looked back at her. “But you and me are family and nothing will change that.”

Now she was the one with tears in her eyes and she pulled me back in for another hug. “Nothing’ll be the same around here without you, bitch,” she whispered in my ear. “Whose gonna be my drinking buddy now?”

I laughed. “Well, luckily you’ve still got Charlie. She’s not going anywhere.”

But Olivia just shook her head. “It’s supposed to be the three of us. And now she’s getting married. And having a baby. You’re moving onto some awesome career. And I’m still just here. Same as always.”

“Don’t say that. You’re fabulous. And I’ll come back and visit all the time. It’s only a three-hour trip back. I’ll be back so much and crashing on your couch you’ll be sick of me.”