I watch the man sit straight up and stare at me. "There was no way I'd sleep with you."

My brow raises. "Then how do you explain the lack of clothing?"

Cob stands and shocks me by revealing a pair of tighty whites. He snaps the elastic. "I'm not naked, and you, well you did that yourself. It's funny you say you'd never sleep with me, because two hours ago you were begging for just that. You took your clothes off and climbed into my bed. After the mess you made in the bathroom I figured it was safer to let you rest until your stomach settled."

Oh no. "Please tell me I didn't get sick."

"All over my sister's car, the front steps, my pants, and the bathroom. What the f.u.c.k did you eat?"

I'm queasy just thinking back to the burger and fries.

Cob points at me. "You want something to cover up with?"

"Isn't it obvious? Where are my clothes?"

"Probably in the street where you took them off," he says while chucking a blanket in my direction. I quickly scoop it up off the floor in front of me and cast it over each shoulder to prevent him from seeing anything but my face.

I'm not sure I believe him about leaving my clothes on a public road. "Yeah right. I wouldn't."

His face contorts as a chuckle escapes him. "You did. As a matter of fact, I have about two hundred witnesses. You said you wanted to be free. You screamed it at the top of your lungs. You told somebody named Cammie to go to h.e.l.l and f.u.c.k herself, and then you spun around in a circle. It was pretty entertaining for me, but the chick I was trying to take home, not so much, especially when you came over and claimed me for yourself." He throws up his hands and rests them behind his head while leaning back down on his pillow. "There went my chances of getting laid."

"What?" I'm horrified. "No. I would never get that intoxicated."

"Woman, you obviously have issues and no stop point. Face it, I saved you from yourself. Who knows where you'd be if I didn't pick you up and carry you here myself?"

I place both hands at the side of my face and rub my temples. "This can't be happening."

"Like I said, you should be grateful. I saved your a.s.s. You'll be forever in my debt," he taunts.

My emotions. .h.i.t me like a ton of bricks falling from the sky above. Fixated on not moving from my position, I sulk on the floor next to the bed, praying this is all some kind of bad dream I can wake up from.

Cob climbs out of the bed and makes his way toward me, only to pa.s.s by and leave the room. I can hear the toilet seat hitting the porcelain back as he lifts it, and his strand of urine when he begins relieving himself in the hallway bathroom. I finally recognize being back at the house Lys shares with her friends, so I'm able to stand up and pray I can find her in the room she showed me from earlier. After making sure the blanket is covering all my appendages, I whisk through the hall, hoping I won't see Cob and have to stop to explain myself.

I'm not surprised when I find Lys' room unoccupied. At least Cob hadn't been lying about that part, though I'm still unsure of everything else he told me.

My stomach churns with disgust as I find my travel bag and locate clean clothes to put on after a hot shower. Before leaving the confines of the room, I peek out to make sure that man isn't anywhere near. If I never see him again it will be too soon.

Once I'm safely in the bathroom without incident, I immediately hop into the hot shower, hoping the water will refresh my soul and solve so many unanswered questions from the previous night. I no sooner begin washing my hair when I hear the familiar sound of the door opening, which is alarming since I vividly recall fastening it into the locking position. I peer through the front of the shower curtain to spot Cob standing in front of the sink with a toothbrush in his hand. He's occupied as if he hasn't noticed he's invaded my privacy. I'm quick to speak. "What the h.e.l.l do you think you're doing? How did you get in here?"

"I used my thumbnail to turn the simple mechanism. What's wrong with you? I've seen everything you have, so there's nothing else to hide. I need to get going, and I'm not going anywhere until my teeth are clean. You never know when an opportunity might arise."

"Opportunity? Oh Jesus. I can't even listen to this anymore. Make sure the door is locked when you're done, and please do me a favor and forget we ever met. I'd like to pretend none of the past twenty four hours happened."

When I duck back behind the curtain he responds with a calm tone. "That's probably going to be difficult. I don't think I'll ever be able to allow myself to forget something so exquisite." I hear him take his last spit and then the sound of the door opening then closing again.

When the spigot is shut off it's silent. I fetch a towel off the holder and hurry to the door to ensure it's locked, before dressing and exiting the bathroom. From there I wander downstairs to find I'm in the house alone. Cob is gone, but the memory of what he told me haunts my every muscle.

I locate and manage to charge my phone before I can get in touch with Lys. Just like Cob had mentioned, she'd hooked up with some random guy at the party and a.s.sumed I'd be fine about it. I try to keep my cool and think back to the times I left her alone because someone caught my attention.

By the time she arrives at the house it's after noon. I've been in a negative state of mind since our previous cell phone call. As soon as she steps into the room and sees my face she knows I've got trouble on my mind. "What's up, girl? Did you get any booty numbers last night?"

I sit up from my slouched position. "If I did it was no thanks to you. How could you leave me like that?"

"You've never had trouble fitting in before, besides, this guy, oh my Jesus, you would have pounced on that s.h.i.t too."

I have to let out a sigh-filled laugh. She will never change. She'll be fifty years old picking up random men at retirement homes, because in her mind it's absolutely normal. It's not all Lys' fault. Her mother raised her alone. They lived in a small single-wide trailer up until she graduated from high school. If it wasn't for her grandfather's life insurance Lys wouldn't be in college. Since her initial enrollment her mother has spent every last penny of the money on G.o.d only knows what, leaving Lys to have to pay for her cla.s.ses herself. She works a full time job now, and attends school on a part time basis. To be honest, I don't see her ever returning to North Carolina. She wants to be as far away from the person who raised her as she can get.

"So, apparently I ripped off my clothes and danced around in the road last night."

"No way. That was you? I heard someone talking about it this morning. Wow. Sorry I missed that."

"Lys, I woke up naked in a bed with a stranger. Do you have any idea how c.r.a.ppy I feel?"

"Was he s.e.xy?"

I shove her. "Shut up. You're terrible. This is serious. I came here to get away, not contract an STD or get pregnant. I'm a freaking mess. Maybe I should head home tonight."

"Please stay. I promise I won't leave your side." She waits a second before continuing. "Did you at least get his number?"

I shake my head. "I don't want it."

Her face curls. "Why? Is he ugly?"

"No. He's a p.r.i.c.k. I'd rather not talk about it. It's not like I can change what happened."

"Was it good?"

"According to him, we didn't have s.e.x, not that I would remember."

She reaches over and hugs me. "I'm sorry, Cal. You must think I'm a s.h.i.tty friend."

"No. You're worse than that," I tease.

Just like that all is forgiven. We've been through worse than this before, and I can't help but love her anyway.

I think that's what bothers me so much. I'm easy to forgive others, but when it comes to my family it seems impossible. Maybe it's that I can't forgive myself. I suppose only time will tell me if we can manage to get past this hurdle.

Lys and I spend the next two nights hanging out in front of her television. We watch an entire streaming series and eat two whole pizzas, and three bags of chips. That's more than I probably eat in a week, so you can imagine how I left with an upset stomach.

I was sad to drive away from her place and know I had to head home. Wedding festivities awaited me, and knowing I was a huge part of them only made it ten times worse. All I could hope was that I'd find a way to make it through them so I could leave on good terms with my family.

Before pulling up at the ranch I promised myself I'd put what happened at the party behind me and forget all about meeting and waking up naked next to the very s.e.xy Cob. Guys like that are why women like me stay single. He was trouble with a capital T and I'm glad I'd never have to see his face again.

Chapter 5.

Callie The weeks leading to the wedding went by quickly, especially when I threw myself into everything I could in order to keep my distance from my sister and Wes. I know it seems like it would be difficult since it's their wedding, but actually, I found it easy. Despite the fact that time was helping me with my grudge, I am excited for my sister. Her beautiful daughter deserves to have two happy parents to love and cherish her. Wes is a loyal man. He'll be good to both of them, and for that I'm grateful I have no idea how my parents would have handled it if Cammie came home with her married teacher in tow. They certainly wouldn't be celebrating the way they are now.

When I wasn't involved with wedding festivities, planning a bachelorette outing, or working in the salon, I often went to the local bar, or hung out at my cousin Bella's house. I'd babysit for her so she could help her husband in their veterinary clinic, which was also located on the family property just off the main ranch. Sometimes I'd stay the night and hang out with her and Rusty. They didn't seem to mind the intrusion, especially since her brothers were too busy with their own lives to bother to visit, even when they lived less than a mile away.

Jake and Jax, the world's worst set of twins, had gone from being womanizers to faithful companions. Since their turn for the better, they stayed to themselves. Jax has twin girls with his wife Amber, who happens to be a famous model. I think in some ways the boys always had each other, so as long as they spend time together they don't worry too much about all of us, though they do come around almost every Sunday for our large potluck dinners. It's a tradition that's been happening since before I was born. I honestly don't know a life without it. Even when we visit the family in Kentucky they share the same tradition with their children. Sometimes I feel like I'm going to be the only person in the family without someone to share my life with. I know I'm young, in my early twenties, and obviously stupid, but I still deserve happiness, right?

Cammie's bachelorette party was low key. She and Wes had decided to keep them simple since they were already practically wed. Leave it to Wes to be the perfect gentlemen when it came to making Cammie uncomfortable. He put his foot down when our uncle Ty, and his sons, Jake and Jax, pushed for strippers and Vegas. I think somewhere in the back of my wicked mind I was hoping Wes would screw up and make a mockery out of the whole wedding event. I'd be lying if I said the idea of it hasn't crossed my mind a time or two.

Anyway, for Cammie's outing we chose to do it at the local country club. It's on a lake at a well-known golf club. Many of our friends from high school attended, and even a few came all the way from California where Cammie had gone to school. As always, we were constantly compared to one another. Sure, Cammie and I look alike, but we're very different at the same time. Cammie is laid back. She prefers to be comfortable and doesn't worry about makeup or doing her hair, while I naturally feel better about myself when I'm dolled up and ready to impress. I always felt like I had to work at being beautiful, while she sort of woke up that way. Maybe it's her innocence. Even though she had an affair with a married man, Cammie is the poster child for being a good girl. She excels in school, stays focused on her dreams, and doesn't let problems get in her way.

We used to have the latter of those ideas in common, up until my heart got trampled on. I know it's my fault for putting myself out there to Wes. For the longest time when he came back to town I kept quiet regarding my feelings. I watched him with my brother and waited until I felt like my opportunity had arose. Unfortunately, it was right around the time Cammie came back to town, and the little hint of interest Wes was giving me dissipated. Maybe I shouldn't have turned a blind eye. I was so awestruck over his presence that I didn't see what was right in front of me. Shame on me for that. It was a whopper of realization, that's for sure.

So back to the bachelorette party. I may have taken it upon myself to pay for extra entertainment without my mother's knowledge. The police officer showed up promptly at eight in the evening. He came into the room with a citation pad in his hands, prepared to write us up for noise pollution. Aside from some mellow music none of us had caused enough sound to warrant a visit from the police, so all eyes were on me.

I simply shrug and smile. "I have no idea who ordered him."

It was already too late. The damage was done. Worst part of all he happened to be someone Cammie dated briefly in school, a person she couldn't stand. As he grinded his mostly naked body all over her I thought she was going to rip his c.o.c.k off. Her friends rallied, making the mood a little easier for Cam to manage, while I reap in the benefits of seeing a hot a.s.s man get down. When the first song comes to an end I'm being led into another room by my angry sister. "What the h.e.l.l is wrong with you? Wes and I know him. You did this on purpose."

I'm still smiling, but not because I'm up to no good, it's probably more because I had no idea when I ordered a stripper it would be someone we hung out with in high school. "I really didn't know, Cam."

She shoves me. "You're determined to ruin my wedding aren't you? I've had about enough of this s.h.i.t with you, Cal. Get over it already. I'm marrying Wes. We're a family, and there's not a d.a.m.n thing you can do to stop it."

This enrages me. How dare she throw it in my face? I shove her back. "Back off of me. I don't give a s.h.i.t about your marriage to Wes."

"Oh really? You could have fooled me."

I don't know why this comes out of my mouth, but as soon as I say it I know I'm a total mess. "Apparently you're easily fooled. Isn't that how you ended up s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g a married man and having his kid?"

The slap is fast and precise to my cheek. My sister's eyes have never displayed such horror. She's irate and ready to pounce. It's a good thing my mother has overheard most of the conversation. She swoops in and puts her whole body between us. "Stop this now!"

I toss my hands above my head. "I'm out of here. Enjoy the entertainment. The second hour is free."

When I leave I drive until I reach the Pennsylvania line. Since I've come unannounced, I know there is little chance Lys is going to be prepared for company. After parking my car I notice the house is dark. Only a single vehicle sits in the driveway and I recognize it immediately.

I'm tired of driving, and it's entirely too late to turn around and head home. My phone died earlier in the day and I don't even have a charger in the car to rectify the situation. My only option is to go inside and hope his sister is using his car while he's out of town.

I knock on the door before squatting down to check under the rug for the spare key they keep. As I'm doing it I hear the lock being unfastened and spot a familiar face looking down at me. I stand with little pride and face someone I never wanted to see again. "Hi," I manage.

"It's been a while," he remarks.

"Yeah, several weeks." At this point my hands go into my pockets and I'm rocking from side to side in hopes he'll feel pity for me and let me in without questions.

I'm wrong. "What do you want?"

"Is Lys here?"

"No. She went to a concert with my sister. They won't be back until tomorrow night."

My heavy sigh leads him to move aside. "You can come in and wait if you want."

"Do I really need your permission? I'm not trying to be a b.i.t.c.h, but this is my friends place. She pays rent and said I was welcome whenever I want."

"Actually," he spins around to face me. "You do. You see, I own this house. I bought it as an investment years ago. When I'm in town I stay here. When I'm not I know it's being taken care of. Your friend is my tenant, Callie." My name projects with sarcasm. He's purposely being a jerk and I have no patience.

I begin to turn around and head back out the door. If I have to drive all night it'll be better than being around this guy.

"Where do you think you're going now?"

"I must have gotten my days mixed up. I'll come back when Lys is home."

He runs outside to meet up with me. "Hold up. I know you didn't drive a ton of hours just to turn around and go home. I don't really care either way, but you're welcome to stay and wait. I won't bother you if you don't bother me. I'm expecting company, so I'll be out of your way."

I spin around with a contorted frown. "Who would want to hang out with you, especially at this hour?" It's nearly two in the morning, so I hardly think this is a late dinner.

He brings his pointer finger over and lifts my chin so I'm looking at him. "Everyone but you." He waits a second for me to take it in. "It's late. You should at least take a nap before driving home."

Just like the first time we met, he's annoying me. Even as I watch his s.e.xy a.s.s walk away I know I can still hop in my car and go back to the ranch, or at least sleep at a rest stop.

Except I don't.

I look up into the living room window and see him peeking out a curtain. He expects me to leave, but I have a better idea. I'm going to make sure whoever he has coming over knows I've been naked in his bed before. That will certainly pay him back for being such a c.o.c.ky b.a.s.t.a.r.d.

It's nearly five minutes before I walk back into the house. I've managed to find a bag of clothes that will at least suffice until I can wash the ones I'm wearing. With no luck finding a cell phone charger, I'm inclined to use the one in Lys' bedroom. As soon as my feet hit the threshold I smell something wonderful coming from the kitchen. My nose leads me in that direction until I'm standing over an old butcher block island, Cob is on the other side chopping vegetables. He tosses me a quick glance before getting back to his task. "You hungry?"

"No," I lie. "I just ate before I came."

"That's too bad. I'm sure I'll have sc.r.a.ps left over." His cackle afterwards. .h.i.ts me hard.

"You're such an a.s.shole."

"It takes one to know one."

Without an instant comeback I'm left to walk away and lock myself in my friends room, where I know I can find solace.

While my phone charges, I scroll through and listen to the slew of messages my family has left. Everyone blames me for ruining the night. I'm exhausted, but can't find sleep. A female voice leads me to believe Cob's company has arrived. I try not to listen, but the walls are thin. Just when I think it's too quiet I hear a car door closing and then the engine starting. I peek out the curtain and see Cob waving his guest goodbye. I'm not an expert by any means, but she didn't stay long enough for a quickie, even if he's a minute man.

Determined to get under his skin I barge out of the room and wait for him to emerge from the front door. As soon as the door creaks open I start on him. "Not as good as you think, huh?"

He crosses his arms and simply shakes his head while staring me up and down. "You're relentless."

"I tell it like it is."

For a second he takes me in. As I begin to feel uncomfortable he saunters toward the kitchen. "Go back to your room and pout. I don't have the energy to deal with your s.h.i.t this late."

He seems different, almost like he's p.i.s.sed about something. Did this girl break up with him? Did she break his little black heart?

I reach over and dig his fork into the plate of food, bringing a bite up to my mouth and savoring the flavor as he watches astounded I've done something so rude. "I think I'll hang out with you, being that your date left."