Catching the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 2)

Everyone stares, and when I look at Rowan, her cheeks are beet red. She’s embarrassed as hell, and it’s all my fault. If I had just waited outside for her, Riley would’ve never stumbled in here looking like a fool.

“You were passed out,” I tell him between gritted teeth. “I came in to grab Rowan.”

He blinks, looking around me as if he just realized his sister was next to me. “Oh.” He wobbles from side to side, and his eyes are in slits as he stares at us.

Ignoring his suspicious look, I straighten my shoulders and try to get us out of here fast. “Let’s go.”

I turn Riley around and walk him to the exit, hoping no one gives her shit for this later. While he picks on his sister regularly and has zero qualms about embarassing her in front of family, he’d never intentionally humiliate her in front of her classmates.

“Shotgun!” Riley shouts once we’re outside. How the hell he’s still standing is beyond me. He’s plastered, and if he doesn’t sit the fuck down, he’s going to vomit all over his truck.

I manage to get him into the passenger seat, and Rowan follows me to the driver’s side. She gets in the back, and I sit behind the wheel. Once we’re all buckled, I glance up in the rearview mirror and see her stunning brown eyes. We barely kissed, but I felt it all over. I wonder if she did too, but now isn’t the time to bring it up.

We’re halfway to the ranch when Riley perks up and looks over at me.

“I know I’m a little drunk…” he begins, slouching. “But did I see you kissing my sister in the gym?”

My eyes round, and I swallow down the panic streaming through my veins. He’s too drunk to really kick my ass at the moment, but that doesn’t mean I won’t pay for it tomorrow.

“Dude, what?” I contort my face. “You must be more hammered than I thought if you’re seeing me lock lips with your kid sister.”

He leans back against the seat. “I know what I saw,” he grumbles.

“You’re wrong,” I tell him flatly. “You must’ve seen another couple.”

Riley turns just enough to look at his sister. “Rowan?”

“What?” she asks as if she’s annoyed.

“Were you kissing my best friend?”

Without any hesitation, she replies, “Gross, no. He offered to dance with me, and that’s it.”

Riley scoffs, not believing her. “Then why was his mouth so close to yours?”

“Do you really think I’d waste my first kiss on him?” she spits out.

Jesus fuck.

That was her first kiss?

“He’s your annoying best friend who follows me around like a sad puppy,” she adds. “The last person on earth I’d ever want to kiss. If his mouth ever touched mine, I’d knee him in the jewels.”

Ouch.

Her words hurt like a thousand needle pricks. If her plan was to convince him it wasn’t real, she’s golden. If it was to hurt me in the process, then mission fucking accomplished.

“Dayum.” Riley whistles, slapping his knee.

I glance up into the mirror, seeing her narrowed eyes and tense jaw. What the hell? I denied it to save my friendship, but she went a step further, dragging me through the mud in the process. Did she expect me to tell him? Is she pissed I didn’t?

Silence draws on until we pull up to their house. Riley passed out against the window, and drool is sliding down his chin.

“Can you cover for your brother?” I ask Rowan when I open the back door and hold out my hand to help her out. She dismisses me and jumps down. “Tell your parents he’s sleeping over at my house tonight?”

She shrugs, then nods. “Alright, fine.”

I shut the door and follow her to the porch. “Rowan, wait.”

She spins around, her face emotionless.

“You know I only denied it so he wouldn’t beat my face in, right?” My eyes plead with her to believe me.

“It doesn’t matter, Adam. I don’t care.”

I flinch at her harsh words. She leaned into me, I know she did, so why is she acting as if I’m the biggest inconvenience of her life?

Furrowing my brows, I step closer. “Was that really your first kiss?”

She bursts out laughing, crossing her arms. “Yeah right.”

“What the hell is your problem?” I finally ask.

Before she can respond, the front door swings open. “I thought I heard voices out here.” Alex looks at the two of us, squinting. “Where’s Riley?”

“We’re gonna hang out at my house if that’s alright?” I step away from Rowan. “I’ll make sure he’s at church tomorrow, though, sir.”

Alex nods, then looks at Rowan, smiling. “Did you have fun at the dance?”

Rowan glances at me before climbing the steps and nods. “It was fine, Dad. I’m tired, though.”

“Okay, kiddo. Let’s get you to bed then.”

“Good night,” I call out, waving to both of them. Alex waves, then shuts the door.