Page 23 of On the Wild Side
“Wild,” she says with a happy smile in her voice.
“Sandy, why are you calling me before the sun is up on a Saturday?”
“The sun is up in New York,” she counters, “and you know that I don’t take days off. Honey, I’ve got somebignews. Huge.”
“Okay, what’s going on?”
“Sponsorships are starting to pour in for the coming season. You havethreeoffers, and none of them want a non-compete, so we can sign with all three if you want to.”
She outlines the terms for a popular cowboy boot company, a hat manufacturer,anda denim company. I wear all of them on a regular basis. Andallof them want to pay me well into the seven figures. Jesus.
“Theyallwant me?”
“That’s right. You’re hot stuff, you know. All the cowboys want to be you. Of course, you’ll need to travel to LA for photo shoots?—”
“No.”
“What was that? I know for a fact you didn’t just tell me no.”
“I can’t travel, Sandy. I’m arealcowboy, and we’re in the middle of a bitch of a winter. If they want photo shoots and video, they’ll have to come to me.”
“Hmm.” I can practically hear her tapping her long fingernail on her chin. “You know what, that’s good. Can they shoot at the ranch?”
“I’ll double-check with my brother, but I don’t see why not. They’ll have to pay for it.”
“Of course, honey. You know I have your back there. Okay, let me make some calls, and I’ll take care of it. Talk soon.”
She hangs up before I can even reply, and I sit for another moment, not a little shocked.
This will be the highest-grossing year of my career. It’s a good thing I have my brother, Ryan, helping me with investments.
Pulling out of Abbi’s driveway, I head into downtown and park in front of Bitterroot Valley Coffee Co. My little sister, Millie, bought this place last year. She’s changed a few things in the past year, bought new tables, updated the signs, and added some things to the menu. We’re all damn proud of our baby sister.
I’m the only one in the place when I walk inside, and I grin when Millie smiles over at me.
“Good morning,” she says. “You want your usual?”
“How do you remember everyone’susual?” I ask her, leaning on the counter.
“Steel trap,” she replies, tapping her head. “You want?”
“Yes, please.”
“I hear you spent the night with Abbi.” She turns and grins at me, and I narrow my eyes.
“How the hell did you hear that?”
“Well, Rem told Erin that you were there when he took Daisy home, and Erin called me this morning. Not to gossip, we had to talk about the New Year’s Eve party for the collective, but she happened to mention it to me. So. Spill it.”
“Fuck that.”
“Come on.” She finishes my coffee and adds a lid. “She’s my friend, and you’re my brother. Don’t give me details, becausegross, but what’s going on? Are you a thing? Are you sleeping together?”
“We’re…” I shrug and sip my coffee. “Friends. I helped with Daisy. She was really sick.”
“Poor baby,” Millie says, frowning. “Was she better this morning?”
“They were sleeping when I left. Hopefully, she’s through the worst of it. I’m meeting Rem here.”