Page 67 of See It Through

“Maybe me saying Remington means something else now.”

He chucked my chin with his knuckle. “You’re not going to tell me, are you?”

My eyes twinkled right back at him, amazed and grateful at how quickly he was able to turn my mood around.

“Not even a chance.”

Chapter Twenty-seven

Remington

We had fun throughthe broncos, barrel racing, and stock roping. Hannah was on her feet half the time, cheering loudly and clapping her hands over her head. She gave zero shits about anyone’s opinion. She was enjoying herself with her whole damn chest.

And I was enjoying being here to see it.

To tell the truth, I could take or leave the rodeo, but she made it a good time and dragged Jesse into the spirit with her, doing a little dance each time one of the girls successfully roped a calf. I caught Caleb watching his kid and sister. There was a calmness to him he didn’t always have. His mouth was curved into a soft grin as he brought his beer can to his lips.

I thought I got it. Jesse was bright and inquisitive, but from what I’d seen, he spent a lot of time buried in books. Caleb let him do his thing, but it must’ve been nice for him to see his son busting loose and simply being a silly kid for once. It probably only added to Caleb’s happiness that Hannah was dancing alongside him.

Once again, a sense of loss struck me in my chest. I wished I could picture Hannah dancing with baby Jesse in her arms or Caleb toting him around on his shoulders, but I’d missed out on all that. Walking away from my life hadn’t been a mistake, but leaving these people behind had been. I couldn’t regret who I’d become outside the confines of Wyoming, but I’d always be wistful over what I’d missed. There was no chance of getting that time back. All I could do was make better choices going forward.

The change in Hannah was swift and obvious. Down below, a new set of cowboys had emerged, and bulls were being loaded into the chutes. Hannah stiffened next to me, her jaw set tight.

One of those guys had to be her ex. I scanned them, each one cockier than the next. When I landed on the man at the end, dressed in black all the way up to his hat and thick mustache, instinct told me he was the one. It was the way he stood, wide and arrogant, his hands looped in his belt, emphasizing the massive buckle. And the way he scanned the stands, like he was looking for someone.

I saw it when he found her. The man lit up, and a slow grin spread across his face. Hannah made a little growl, and two seats down, Caleb muttered an expletive.

Jesse perked up and craned his neck. “Is the prick here? I see him. There’s the prick!”

Caleb groaned again, reminding his son not to use that word. Though, he wasn’t very convincing since that guy was most definitely a prick.

“All right.” I laced my fingers with Hannah’s. “Ready to head out? I heard something about dancing.”

Her eyes flared. “You’re going to take me dancing?”

I nodded. “I was listening when Lily mentioned the band you like playing tonight. I’m not an idiot. I take hints.”

We said goodbye to Cay and Jess, and I pulled her up with me. Before we left the aisle, I glanced down at the chutes again. This time, Watkins Simms was focused on me, and his mustache was turned down, framing his heavy frown.

Maybe it was a dick move, but I stopped Hannah, took her chin between my fingers, and planted a firm kiss on her lips. I didn’t have to check if Watkins was watching. The daggers in my back were enough evidence. For Hannah’s sake, I hoped he choked on bitter regret. It pleased me to no end to be the one to remind him of what he would never have again.

“Was that for me?” Hannah swiped her thumb over my bottom lip. “Or him?”

“Me,” I told her. “All for me.”

Then I slipped my arm around her waist and got her out of there.

I appreciated Hannah’s taste in music. The band played covers—classics and newer hits. They kept it lively, bringing the crowd onto the dance floor.

And quite a crowd there was. A massive barn had been converted into a concert venue with lots of room to dance in the middle, seating around the sides, and a bar running the length.

Since we’d arrived and grabbed drinks, Hannah had been moving her body to the music. Whatever had happened with her ex had seemingly rolled off her back. At least, if it hadn’t, she was good at pretending.

I couldn’t say I was much of a dancer, but there was not a chance I’d leave her out on the dance floor on her own. She turned me into a pole, spinning and twirling around me, holding my shoulders and clinging to my chest for balance.

“Do you hate this?” she asked next to my ear.

“Not even a little.” I let my hand slide to the upper curve of her ass. “How could I hate watching you when you’re on fire?”