Because of a Cowboy

Cheaters Never Win

My eyes wandered around the instruction pages as I sat on the carpet. The floor of the guest house's second bedroom was cluttered with crib pieces. Moving boxes were lined up against the wall.

I took in a breath of fresh air blowing through the window and turned to the next page.

"What's next?" asked an eager Wrylie.

"Screw part F into part G using part AA," I said.

"Already done. Next!"

"Stop building faster than I can read the instructions!"

"I told ya I didn't need them," she said, smirking.

We both turned at the footsteps coming down the hallway. Winter popped her head into the doorway.

"Hey, sorry to interrupt...but you have a visitor, Willa."

I could see Toby's low-hanging head behind her. "Okay. Thanks."

"I'll give you two kids some privacy," Wrylie said, making her way to the door.

Toby sat down with me on the floor. "You didn't answer me. I saw that you read the message, but you didn't answer. I...just wanted to make sure that you were okay." My fingers wrapped around a loose thread in the carpet. I didn't know how to answer him. "You fooled around with him, I can tell."

"I couldn't help it! I'm sorry," I said. "Besides, you never really said that we were exclusive."

"Huh? I told you I wanted to raise this baby like it was my own!"

"And? Being a father figure doesn't mean we have to exclusively date. You never asked me to be your girlfriend or anything."

Toby looked like he was about to crumple to the floor. It was tearing me up inside. I'd spent my entire life on this ranch. I was homeschooled my entire life.

Other than my siblings, Toby was all I had for company. He was always there, whether it be a hard math problem on my homework or after a fight with Winnie about the bedroom.

But at the same time, I knew I still had feelings for Holden. I wanted to keep staying in touch with him, if he'd even answer me. But in order to smooth things over, I knew I had to be honest with Toby, even if it hurt him.

"I just don't think I want to be exclusive right now," I said bluntly.

"Then why didn't you say so at our date? Why didn't you say anything for the entire week we were talking?" He sighed. "I even took you out for dinner two nights ago. We held hands. We kissed."

"I know...I know."

"No, I didn't say we were exclusive, but especially after our second date, I thought it was much pretty implied. Why would you even want to be with Holden after he ran out on you last night?"

I looked up at him. "How did you know?"

"It's our opening day this coming week. I was up late at the stand, which as you know, has a window facing the street. I saw him ride over and speed out not even a half hour later."

I buried my face in my hands. Why did he always have to be so stinking nosy? Or coincidentally in the right place at the wrong time?

"Willa, I wanted to wait to say this, but I'm going to tell you now, because you need to hear it."

"Hear what?"

He got to his feet. "Willabelle Harvester, I love you." Silence filled the room. "But I know you don't feel the same way back. Holden will never treat you the way I do, but if you still would rather be with him, then fine. Don't be with me at all."

I searched for words, but before I knew it, Toby was gone.