Redneck Romeo (Rough Riders 15)

Cam grabbed Dalton’s arm. “Not kiddin’. Outside. Now.” To Rory he said, “We’ll be waiting for you.”

Dalton snarled something but Cam got him moving.

Rory didn’t move toward Dillon until she knew Dalton was out the door. The bouncers left them alone.

Dillon was still mopping blood from beneath his nose. His right eye had swelled. Knuckle-shaped marks dotted the left side of his jaw. He’d bruise, most likely. His shirt was untucked and ripped. Yeah, he didn’t look so put together anymore.

He spoke first. “You could’ve mentioned you were seeing a f**king psycho.”

“He was supposed to be out of town.”

“Like that’s an excuse. Next you’ll tell me the two of you had a big fight.”

Her life was one big cliché. “Yeah, we did. He’s the jealous type.”

“How long have you been with him?”

“I’ve known him since I was six. He almost married my best friend and we lost track of each other after that.”

“Now you’re both living back here,” he stated flatly.

“So it appears.”

“Don’t give me that coyness. I’m bleeding, beat up and really pissed off at myself for coming here. So at least tell me if you’ve always been in love with him.”

Rory stared at him like he’d just said the most idiotic thing on the planet.

Dillon pressed his point. “I get it. Star-crossed lovers or something. Been in love with him since you were six. He broke your heart, or you broke his. You couldn’t have him so you settled for me, a guy who kind of looks like him.”

After seeing them together the only similarity between them was they were both men.

“Psycho-cowboy and I have more than a passing resemblance to each other, Rory. And don’t think he didn’t notice it too as he was punching me in the face.”

“I don’t know what you want me to say, Dil.”

“How about goodbye? Because I finally understand that we’re done. I also finally understand why you’re willing to stay in a shitty-paying, low-level state job.”

“Dalton has nothing to do with that. I didn’t even know where he lived when I took the job with the WNRC.”

Dillon squinted at her. “One thing I did learn by coming here? You’re right. We didn’t know each other. Because the Rory I thought I knew? She would’ve already filled out the applications for the positions with the Wyoming State Parks and she’d be the first in line to apply for the BLM position. The Rory I knew was ambitious, planning for a career and not just settling for a job. Your skills are being wasted at the WNRC. We both know it. So I hope he’s worth it.”

Rory lifted her chin. “I guess we’ll see if he thinks I’m worth it, because I am applying for those jobs, Dillon. All of them.”

A calculating smile stretched across his face. “Good. Now get away from me before he comes looking for you and finds you talking to me.”

She grabbed her purse and coat and exited through the employee entrance.

Coming around the corner, she saw Dalton pacing and Cam resting against the side of the pickup. Air puffed out of Dalton’s mouth with every step. He reminded her of one of those cartoon bulls—not that she’d voice the comparison.

The soles of her shoes scuffed on the gravel and they both turned around.

Then Dalton was on her, his big hands gripping her biceps. “What the f**k is goin’ on, Rory? I’m out of town two f**king days and I get a phone call from Busby, who says you’re out with another guy? A guy who I find out just happens to be your former fiancé?”

“He asked me to dinner. I accepted. We have a history, Dalton, whether or not you like it.”

“I don’t like it. Not at f**king all. Why didn’t you tell him about us?”

How was she supposed to answer that?

Dalton’s hands fell away.

The hurt on his face sliced through her like an ax.

“I can’t…do this right now.” Without another word he climbed in his truck and burned rubber getting away from her.

Cam stood beside her. “It’s best to let him cool off.”

“Says you. I’m giving him a five-minute head start, then I’m going after him. I caused this, I will cowgirl up and deal with it and with him.”

Cam said nothing.

“Thank you for stepping in. It would’ve been easier to ignore it.”

“He’s my cousin, Rory. I’d never ignore him and turn my back on him when he’s hurtin’. I know what that’s like.”

“Then you understand that I won’t leave him alone when he’s hurting and caught in my mess.”

Cam sighed. “I’ve broken up more of his fights than I care to admit to. I’ve seen him drunk, belligerent, broken and pissed off. I’ve never seen him on edge like this. So I gotta ask if you’re sure you can handle him?”

“Dalton won’t hurt me.” He’d been hurt in anger too many times in his life to do it to someone else. “Go in and enjoy the rest of the night with your wife.”

Rory got in her car and drove to his house to face the music.

Chapter Twenty-Two

If Dalton needed to replace the Sheetrock in the living room, he might’ve put his fist through the wall. Instead, he paced. Beyond angry with himself. With Rory. With the whole f**king situation.

Since he’d left Wyoming, he avoided barroom brawling. Yet, after seeing that cocksucker kissing Rory, there he was, fists leading the way. He rubbed his jaw. Guaranteed he’d feel the aches and pains come morning.

He’d hear about the stupidity of his public display from his brothers too. They’d railed on him about his fighting ways the last two years he lived in Sundance. He hadn’t been trying to prove anything; but there’d been a whole slew of guys angling for bragging rights for kicking the shit out of a McKay.

So yeah, he’d lost more fights than he’d won, simply because he’d been in more fights than his brothers and cousins.

And of course one of his cousins had to be around when he lost control—and of course that cousin had to be Cam. Then again, Dalton had expected more grief from the deputy. The usual, pull your head out of your ass and quit being a little shit lecture he’d gotten umpteen times.

But Cam had removed him from the situation and that was it.

Dalton hated he wouldn’t have known about the situation if not for Busby’s drunken phone call warning him that Rory was out with another guy.