It seemed Spencer's hope of a calm day was quickly diminishing. Sawyer had woken her up, complaining about Jackson's cryptic text messages. It was the first time anyone had actually seen the girls argue, and they hoped it was the last time.
"I can't help if you don't tell me what's going on!" Spencer spoke loudly, throwing her hands in the air.
Sawyer ran her hands over her face in frustration. "There's nothing to tell!"
"I don't know, I think Jackson saying there's problems kind of sounds like something's on Sawyer!"
The blonde huffed, flipping her hair off her face after she slumped onto her bed. Well Spencer's old bed but that wasn't important. "He paid off the lender, and it was fine. But I guess they still want my dad to help them out."
"With what?"
"No idea. Something about Jenkins though I know that."
Spencer huffed, throwing her hands in the air as she barged from the room. She didn't have the energy to deal with Sawyer. What she arrived to downstairs, however, wasn't much better. She had heard Beth and her father plotting to put someone else up for Attorney General. If the blonde chick on the couch was any indication, it seemed their problem was solved.
"Oh she'll do just fine Daddy," Spencer smirked, not bothering to stay for a conversation as she walked out the door. The only thing that could calm Spencer down right now was a ride. Or Rip. Or... She smirked at the thought, but her flailing good mood fell quickly as she ran into Walker.
"Princess."
"Bitch boy."
Walker stiffened, standing to his full height which just made Spencer laugh.
"I already told your psycho boyfriend, but I ain't breaking the law for you. I don't give a damn about you or this ranch."
"Walker, if I gave a shit about what half of this town thought about me, I'd never leave my fucking room. If you don't wanna live up to the brand, that's fine by me. But I'd sleep with one eye open, it's a real bitch when we take them back."
Spencer shoved Walker hard, causing the man to stumble to the ground. She didn't even give him a second look as she made her way to Rebel, stepping over the idiot. Rebel raced out of the barn once Spencer had him ready, almost as if he could feel the tension running through her.
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Sawyer stared at her phone as it continued to buzz, Erin's name flashing on the screen. She had been avoiding her brother's friends for weeks, but it seemed her hiatus from her life was ending.
"About time you answered," Erin's voice rang through the phone. Sawyer heard the background noise, and realized the girl was with her brother. Typical.
"Sorry I've been busy."
"Yeah, I heard. Must be tough working on the Yellowstone, all the hot men who seem quite lonely."
"What do you want Erin?"
"Ouch. Look, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your brother is being a little bitch. It's bad, like really bad. Dustin said he's uncle is getting pissed-"
"I didn't agree to help him! That was a choice my father made, not me. And why is Dustin even talking to his uncle, I thought he hated him?"
"He's still family," Jackson's voice took over. "Look, I know neither of us wants to do this, but he's threatened Mom."
Sawyer paused, shock rolling over her body. Her father seemed to be making deals with the Devil, and the price was growing steeper.
"Jackson, the money's been taken care of. What else does Dad owe him?"
"These aren't people you just get to walk away from Sarge. Please, please just be careful alright? Hanging around with the Duttons may not be the best thing right now-"
Sawyer didn't let her brother finish his sentence, hanging the phone up before throwing it at the door. What she hadn't expected was for the door to fight back. Sawyer gasped, but sighed in relief when she saw Ryan walk through the door.
"Remind me to never get on your bad side," he smiled as he walked over to the blonde. "Everything ok pretty girl?"
Sawyer nodded, letting herself melt into Ryan as he pulled her into him. It felt like it had been forever since she had gotten to be alone with him. She thought moving onto the ranch would make it easier to see him, but they felt farther apart in her head. But maybe that was just her.
"Well it's Saturday, do you want to do anything tonight?"
She shook her head. "Not really, is everyone just hanging in the bunkhouse?"
"Most likely."
"Sounds good to me."
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Spencer wasn't sure whose idea it had been to actually agree to cowboy poker, but she was never one to back down from a challenge. She smirked as she looked across the table at Avery, knowing the girl was really her only competition. Jimmy and Ryan sat on either side of her, and they both looked ready to shit their pants. Even Colby looked ready to jump ship and the bull hadn't even gotten into the pen yet. Spencer looked up, hearing a yell of encouragement from Sawyer, who had decided to be much smarter than her friend and boyfriend.
The bull began to rattle through the guard rails, a full head of steam on him. Spencer laughed as the bull was let through the gate, Ryan booking it on sight, taking the bottle of whiskey with him.
"Pussy!" She yelled after him, her laughs growing louder as the other men quickly ran off after him. The bull hadn't even gotten near the table yet.
Spencer stared across the table, locking eyes with Avery. The brunette smirked, letting Spencer silently know she wasn't leaving the table. The bull turned back around, charging directly for the center of the table. Avery popped an eyebrow, her demeanor calm. Spencer's heart began to race, she could hear it pumping in her ears. She could see the bull, swore it was coming right for her. And she didn't want to be a coward, but the last she wanted was to be impaled on a fucking bull horn.
"Motherfucker," she whispered, pushing back with just a moment to spare. She rolled, seeing the bull demolish her chair as he plowed through Avery, sending her flying as well. Both girls stood, Avery wiping the blood from her mouth as she smiled at Spencer.
"Not too bad for a rich girl." Avery smiled, a sheen of red on her teeth.
"I knew strippers would do just about anything for money," Spencer retorted, making the group go silent.
"My money's on Spence," Ryan and Colby began to whisper, expecting the two girls to fight. But Avery only laughed, clapping Spencer on the shoulder once they were safely over the gate.
"The fuck is going on?" Rip's voice rang out, making all conversation go cold.
Jimmy spoke up, "It's cowboy pok-"
"I know what it fucking is Jimmy. You want to get your rocks off? Go to the fucking bar. Spencer, why would you let this happen?"
She turned, a stern glare settling onto her face. "Let this happen? Rip we're having fucking fun!"
The cold glare Rip sent her made Spencer gulp. She wasn't concerned for her safety, not one bit, but she did everything in her power to resist the shiver that wanted to break through her at that look. Rip didn't say a word, just turned and walked away, Spencer hot on his tail. Only when they were out of earshot of the others did he speak up.
"You can't be doing shit like that. You could've gotten hurt Darlin'."
"I know, but it was fun! And I didn't even get hit anyway."
Rip huffed. "That's not the point and you know it."
"I'm sorry baby." Spencer smirked as she saw the look Rip shot her, heating her thoroughly. "Think I could make it up to you?"
She batted her eyelashes, turning a soft gaze to Rip. One they both knew got her away with just about everything.
Rip groaned, pulling the girl into him as he smiled. "You're trouble. But I love you."
Spencer's smile widened at his words. "I love you too Sugar."
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author's note. you guys, we're just shy of 20,000 reads! that is absolutely crazy to me, i never thought a few hundred people would look at this story, so i am beyond grateful and appreciative to know you all are enjoying this book.
with that being said, i did just publish a criminal minds book, Ghost, if you want to check it out! i'll still do my best to update this book twice a week, but i have been working on this new one for a while!