Claiming the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 7)

No one else can afford that, so Mom declares her the winner.

When I walk back behind the stage, Knox and Grayson are laughing.

“Shut the fuck up.” I scowl. “I sold for more than both of you, so I don’t know what y’all think is so damn funny.”

“Yeah, but it’s Sarah Cooke.” Knox gloats. “Don’t be sour. I bet she gives some good head with that big mouth of hers. If not, just shove your dick down her throat until she gags for ya.”

I want to punch in his smug face, but I know Dad would kill me for causing an unnecessary scene. Then Grandma would chew me up and spit me out until nothing was left. Not worth it.

“I’m sure you’d know,” I shoot back. He’s the town bicycle.

“In her dreams,” Knox snaps with an eye roll. “Though a warm mouth is a warm mouth, bro. Don’t take shit so seriously, and you’d know what a blow job actually feels like.”

“Can you two have your heart-to-heart another time? Jesus fuck. I don’t know how Hadleigh can stand being around y’all.” Grayson shakes his head.

“Thought you’d be in a better mood since you’ll be going on a date with Kenzie,” I say when Knox finally walks away.

“Trust me, I am. And I’m gonna make it the best damn date she’s ever had so she’ll never want another man again.”

I snort at his arrogance. “Kenzie’s gonna make an example outta ya if you keep pretendin’ you’re invisible and don’t calm down. You gotta stop actin’ so excited.”

“Nah, don’t worry, I got this,” he says confidently.

Once the auction is done, Grandma tallies up the amount raised for the food bank and thanks everyone for coming. Then she reminds them to help themselves to the buffet and to bid on the silent auction items. Once she says her final words, I walk out and find Hadleigh chatting with Knox. My gut twists at seeing them so close, whispering and laughing. She looks at my brother differently than she looks at me, but I try not to let my irritation show.

Next to them, Grayson has his arm wrapped around Kenzie’s shoulders. He wouldn’t know how to lay low if his life depended on it. He’s been chasing Kenzie for years, and now he has a glimmer of hope, so there’s no stopping him.

“Kane!” Hadleigh grabs my arm and pulls me closer. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize how much this would cost and didn’t bring enough money.” She looks up at me with her beautiful green eyes, and I know I won’t be able to stay mad long.

“It’s fine, Hads.” I shrug.

“No, seriously. I feel really bad. I want to stab a pen in Sarah’s hand,” she grits.

“Don’t make his date more embarrassing,” Knox blurts out with a laugh.

I shoot him a glare, then bring my attention back to the beauty in front of me. “Stop worrying. It’ll be fine. It’s just one date.”

“I’ll make it up to you, I promise.” She smiles.

I wrap my arm around her and hug her to my chest. “Okay, deal.”

“After our date, though…” Knox interjects, shooting her a wink. God, he’s insufferable.

“If I ever get a free night.” She releases an exhausted breath. “I’ve been covering shifts for the past month. Teagan’s on maternity leave, and a few others have called in sick.”

“Whenever is fine,” I reassure her, not caring as long as I get to spend some alone time with her.

I turn to find Grayson and Kenzie whispering, then seconds later, she pushes him away.

“Maybe I’ll tell Sarah she can have you after all…” Kenzie threatens.

“Nice try, darlin’. You’re all mine.” Grayson waggles his brows, and I’m ready to throw up.

“Could you two get a room?” I say, annoyed by tonight’s outcome.

“Don’t be bitter. I’m sure you and Sarah will have plenty to talk about,” Grayson drawls.

“If she lets you get a word in…” my sister taunts. For being twenty-four, Kaitlyn sure is still a pain in my ass.

I roll my eyes, then walk away. Moments later, Sarah finds me.

“Oh my God, Kane!” She wraps her arms around me before I can form a sentence. “I’m so excited!”

I lift my cowboy hat and brush a hand through my hair. “Yeah.”

“I’ll text you when I’m free so we can arrange our date, okay?” she says enthusiastically.

Nodding, I give her a smile because I don’t want to be rude. “Sounds good.”

I tell her goodbye, then head to my truck.

Though I know I’ll have to go on a date with Sarah, I can’t stop thinking about Hadleigh. The fact that Knox will take her out before I do has me covered with dread. When it happens, I’m gonna need to get drunk off my ass and hope I pass out so I won’t have to think about it.

Hadleigh’s been my best friend for as long as I can remember, and I’ve had feelings for her since we were sixteen. Being her friend has always been enough for me. It never felt like the right time to tell her between my long hours at the ranch and her busy schedule. So I stood by and waited.