Reckless Love (Cowboys & Angels 7)

I was a stupid idiot.

I didn’t want to believe that Scarlett had been with Eric, but I hadn’t given her much reason not to be with another man. I’d walked away from her that night we’d made love. Like a complete asshole. I’d thought it was better to leave than show her how freaked out I was. I was afraid she’d see how much I loved her. Know how much I wanted every night to be like that night.

Looking back on what happened over these last few hours, it had nothing to do with not wearing the condom. It had everything to do with how I’d fallen in love with her. Hell, I was pretty sure I fell in love with her when I kissed her our senior year of high school. No one woman ever made me feel the way I felt when I was with Scarlett…when I thought about her, made love to her, heard her laugh, saw her smile. Especially when I was the one who making her happy.

My chest did a weird flutter thing as I closed my eyes.

“You’re such a fucking asshole,” I spoke out loud.

“I can agree with that.”

Opening my eyes, I found Aunt Vi sipping a cocktail while floating in my folks’ pool. She’d been the only one to actually force me to talk to her yesterday when I got back to the ranch. I didn’t want to go back to my place alone, so I sat with Aunt Vi and told her everything while we waited for my mother and Waylynn to bring my father back home.

“Thanks, Aunt Vi. I actually didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

She took another drink before saying, “Now that you’ve admitted it, what are you going to do to fix it?”

“I have no clue. As far as I know, Scarlett doesn’t want anything to do with me.”

Vi scoffed. “Please, the way that girl looks at you, she’s madly in love. Anyone can see it. Well, anyone but you obviously. Dick.”

That last word she attempted to mumble under her breath. At least, I thought she meant to mumble it. I would have been shocked, but we are talking about Aunt Vi here, after all.

Glancing to my right, I saw my cell phone sitting on the side table. I reached for it and pressed the button on the side, turning it on.

“It’s about goddamn time. What is it with you Parker men? My God, does a damn lightning bolt need to come out of the sky and strike your penis for you to get your other head on straight?”

“I needed time to think,” I said defensively.

“Hmm, your phone had to be off for you to think?”

“Yes.”

“Sounds like you didn’t think very much then, Trevor. Dick.”

I rolled my eyes. “Okay, you do know that I can hear you calling me a dick.”

“If the cowboy boot fits.”

I sighed and said, “I don’t think it is his baby, but I’m not sure if they haven’t struck up something other than friendship. He’s always with her and they looked…comfortable the few times I’ve seen them together.”

“Maybe he’s just being a friend to her. Sounds like she needed one.”

Now it was my turn to let out a gruff laugh.

“May I give you some advice, Trevor?”

I faced my aunt again. “Yes.”

“Go to her in person. Don’t do this over the phone. The first thing you need to do is tell her you’re sorry for being a…”

“Dick?”

She smiled. “You said it, not me.”

With a nod, I returned her smile with one of my own. “Thanks, Aunt Vi.”

I made my way back toward the house. I’d go see my father before heading back to my place.

“Trevor, before you go to her, change and shower, you stink.”

“Don’t you have a pool at your own house, Aunt Vi?”

She laughed. “What fun would that be?”

My hand rubbed the tension in the back of my neck. “If they don’t already know, will you not say anything to my folks? I want to be the one to tell them.”

“Well, if it makes you feel better, the Oak Springs prayer chain hasn’t asked for God to strike you down dead yet, so…you’ve got that working for you.”

I was positive my eyes were wide as saucers before I chuckled. “Right. See ya later, Aunt Vi.”

“See ya!”

I found both of my folks crashed on the sofa, and I didn’t want to wake them so I headed back to my place to shower before making my way into town. When I pulled up to Scarlett’s house, I saw her BMW in the driveway. I pulled in a deep breath and got out of my truck. Glancing across the street, I couldn’t help but notice Mrs. Johnson talking to Mrs. Croft. They both looked my way and waved, while giving me a smile that clearly said they already knew the news. If they knew the scuttlebutt, then who else also knew it?