𝐂𝐎𝐖𝐁𝐎𝐘 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐌𝐄 • 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐝

꧁ 6 ꧂

𝟐 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊S 𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑

꧁☘︎︎𖢻☘︎︎꧂

𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐲

William Bonney is the most annoyingly attractive man I've ever met and he won't. Stop. Teasing. Me.

I actually thought about just giving in to the borderline sinful urges I've been feeling recently but he realised it before me and is completely fucking me over - the man is incredible at playing hard to get.

Even now, as I sit between my parents and brother, watching said cowboy exit the arena with his horse, the speakers blaring about his brand new triumph, my thoughts are running wild with thoughts just because he sent me a wink. Dick.

My dad's voice suddenly changes from a family conversational tone to one that means he's talking to someone else.

I don't really care who he's talking to - I'm too busy watching Billy walk away - until I hear the other voice.

"Haven't seen any of you in a while!"

Rusty Taylor. A man with the shittest name known to man. A man that is unattractively egotistical. A man that uses his money to buy people and their attention. A man who thinks he's so hot. A man I used to be immeasurably in love with.

I freeze. That stupid voice and the way he worded his sentence; making it seem like I've done something wrong by not seeing him for eight months. And I spent so long believing I was in the wrong and, if I'm honest, I still kind of do.

"Hi, Marty." I internally grimace at the nickname and slowly tilt my head up to look at him.

"Hey."

Rusty scoffs. "That's it?'

I hate him, I hate him, I hate him.

I let out a fake, courteous laugh and stand to meet his hand when it outstretches to me. "Sorry. How are you?"

"Just fine, dandelion."

Ew. Vomit. Vomit. Gross.

"Good." I nod slowly. I don't want to make this conversation last any longer than it has to. Especially considering that he hasn't bothered to ask me how I'm feeling in return. Luckily for me, my family begin talking to him instead - they all love him.

After a few minutes of conversation that I'm not even listening to, I feel Rusty's arm wind around my waist and I tense up.

That's a big problem for me; when I'm scared or uncomfortable, I just freeze instead of trying to get myself out of the situation that is affecting my emotions.

So I just stand there. It feels like those four years I spent in a suffocating relationship with him.

I mean, he was appealing, very stereotypical. Football player in high school, rich family, cool car at 17.

But he was no bronc rider.

"Well, if it's only two weeks and you need a free place to stay, you're welcome to stay on the ranch." I hear Mom's voice say to Rusty and my heart drops.

"That'd be great."

"We've already got somewhat of a house guest anyway." Billy sometimes spent the night in the attic. Our house was huge anyway and the attic, without all the separate rooms was like a whole house of its own, plus we always kept it in good condition so it wasn't like he was sent to sleep in a mountain of dust.

"You do? Someone I know?"

Now Ross pipes in, of course. "In a way. He's a rider here."

"Mm? Who?"

"Hi."

꧁☘︎︎𖢻☘︎︎꧂

𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐲

I don't know why some stupid looking short prick is talking to Marley with his arm around her waist but it's pissing me off.

In two seconds, I've basically flown up the stands and let out an abrupt greeting.

"Hi."

Marley looks up at me and I give her the smile I reserve to drive her crazy. She flushes but looks away unlike usual and I frown.

Ross nods to me and says to the guy: "Billy's the 'somewhat house guest'."

The man that I've noticed is only a few inches taller than Marley nods. "I see." Why the fuck is he talking like that? He's got a shit accent and who in hell says 'I see' anymore unless they're kidding? "Nice to meet you. I know Ross is a big fan."

My eyebrows raise. What a pretentious little bitch. Trying to act like he's on the same level as me by making sure I know that he doesn't care who I am. I can see Marley's face and it's not a happy one.

He offers his hand, the one not wrapped around the blonde, to me. I purse my lips and nod, not giving him mine.

Instead, I turn to Marley and make sure to use my nickname for her to its full potential. "Doll, can I speak to you?"

One of her eyebrows raises and I only smile at her, offering my hand. Now both of her eyebrows go up - I don't usually hold her hand. She takes it though and I send a smile to the family. The Jacks aren't bad people, I like them.

Once out of earshot, I start talking. "Who the fuck was that?"

Marley groans and takes her hand out of mine to cover her face. "My ex. He's... complicated."

"He's a dick."

She only scoffs, her hands now on her hips. "Tell me about it."

I'm taken aback for a second before I grin. She normally never badmouths anyone, or anything for that matter.

"And he's staying with us for two weeks and I know he's gonna be weird with me."

My grin disappears. "Weird how?"

"We split eight months ago and whenever we see each other, he's always so touchy and... ugh." She groans again and my mind is already working at a fast pace.

"Maybe we should get together just to get on his nerves." I joke and Marley rolls her eyes. Once I get that reaction, I give her my actual idea. "I could stay with you- at your house. Just so I'm always there to give him a run for his money if he tries anything too serious."

The blonde looks at me a bit skeptically and I raise my hands. "I'll keep working and stay in my attic. Swear."

She seems to ponder it before shrugging. "If you want to be there."

Fuck yes I do.

꧁☘︎︎𖢻☘︎︎꧂