Forever Her Cowboy (Always 1)

“Sometimes things come up,” she mutters, looking out her window. I tighten my hands on the steering wheel. The only thing her parents ever showed up to were those stupid pageants her mom made her do.

Scratch that. Her father never even bothered to show up to those. He’s never fucking around when it concerns Noelle. Even today he was nowhere to be found. His only daughter is starting this new journey in her life, and he couldn’t even take the time to wish her luck or help her move.

“Come here.” I pat the seat next to me.

“I’m fine.”

I give her a look. She huffs, undoing her seatbelt, knowing I’ll pull the truck over and put her next to me if she doesn't. She clicks her seatbelt back on. “They’re dicks. They’ve always been self-centered. I’m used to it already. I don’t expect anything from them.” She may be saying those words, but I know that she’s disappointed deep down.

“I know.” She drops her head on my shoulder. Some of the tension I was feeling drains from me. No wonder she doesn't want to lose my family. Soon she’s going to understand she’ll be one of us. Hopefully sooner rather than later. “My mom’s mad I’m going to culinary school.”

“I caught that.” I want her to tell me things about herself. I don’t want to have to drag every bit out of her, so I say as little as possible and allow her to talk in her own time.

“She wanted me to do the college thing, the sororities, and all that other stuff that I have no interest in. She never got the opportunity to do it, so I guess she figured she’d push me to live her dreams.”

“I’m glad you didn’t cave and give her what she wanted.”

“I used to do that, trying to win my mom’s favor, but no matter how many times I agreed to whatever it was she wanted, I never really got anywhere with her. Nothing was ever good enough.” She looks back out the window. I bring my hand down on her thigh. “Your mom gave me the push I needed to do this. It was her idea that Daisy and I get a place together. That I follow my own dreams.” I smile, not the least bit surprised my mom did that. “She means a lot to me. Your entire family does.” She turns to look back at me.

“I know. I’d never hurt that. I promise.” She lays her head back down on my shoulder. I feel like I’ve gotten a little further with her. One step at a time, I suppose.

“You scare me.” She almost whispers it.

“The last thing I want to do is scare you. I’m trying to go slow. I’ve given you space like you asked.” She snorts a laugh. “I slipped up a few times. I’m not a saint when it comes to you. That’s for damn sure.”

“Do you like what you do? Your life has been kind of planned for you, hasn't it?”

“I love what I do. The land is in my blood. It’s part of me. I’ve never thought about anything other than following in my dad’s footsteps. But if I wanted to choose something different they wouldn't have stopped me.”

“Of course not. I just wondered if you ever felt like you had to. You’re always doing the right thing. It’s kinda who you are. The all-American boy. Quarterback of the football team. Prom king.”

“I wasn’t prom king,” I mutter under my breath. Shit was ridiculous. I don’t understand the whole point of prom.

“That’s only because you didn't show up. You and Eric skipped prom and went fishing instead. I bet there were a lot of broken hearts that night. Sometimes I didn't know if you guys were the cool kids or the dorks, to be honest.”

“You went to prom. You wore that white and silver dress with those killer heels. I’ll never understand how you walk in those.”

“You remember?” I can hear the smile in her voice. “I thought you were annoyed with us with how you were stomping around the house before we left.”

“That dress is branded in my brain. You looked like a bride.”

“I actually love that dress. It’s the only one I took with me today.” Good. I want to put it back on her and give her the prom night we both really wanted.

“I was stomping around because I was jealous.”

“Jealous?” She sits up to look at me.

“Yep,” I drawl. I am way past hiding how I feel when it comes to her. I watch a slow smile spread across her lips as she sits back down.

“I kinda like that. Thinking about Josh Price getting jealous over me isn’t terrible.”

“Why do you say it like that?”

“Cause all the girls were in love with you.”