Chapter 121 When Old Friends Collide with Furious Cowboys
POV Maya:
I’m closing up the flower shop. It’s already past five in the afternoon, and it’s time to head back to the farm and make dinner for the cowboys. I could have gone back at lunchtime and made something for them, but I was still really upset about the lack of food at breakfast. My bad mood over their little act of revenge didn’t allow my gentle side to win. That’s why I didn’t return to the farm and simply left a sweet note telling them not to wait for me. Which reminds me that I need to go to a store to buy new boots for Luca.
I still can’t believe Louis did that.
Just as I’m leaving to go to my car, I see the gossiping idiot I know very well and love despite him being annoying. David idiot Burt. His smile is huge, and for a second I pretend to believe he missed me. I run toward him and jump into his arms, hugging him tightly.
The good thing about men being muscular and going to the gym is this: you can throw yourself into their arms and let them struggle to hold you. Since I couldn’t do this with Peter—because unfortunately my ex was skinnier than me—I shamelessly do it with my friend’s boyfriends. And God help them if they don’t catch me.
“Idiot, I missed you so much,” I say emotionally, because yes, I was dying of it. But I will never say it like that.
“I missed you too, but it just passed,” he says. I don’t believe a single thing that comes out of his mouth. David loves me too much—I know he does.
I squeeze him for a little longer, feeling that warm glow in my heart. He’s part of my family. David, Tay, Sean, Hunter, and Gavin are my family. I love them so much, and I miss being among them, playing my wonderful role as the perpetual third wheel. Before I can control myself, I’m already crying. I miss being with them and being constantly traumatized by the generalized debauchery they get up to.
“Are you crying? Oh, Maya, this makes it hard for me to keep saying I hate you,” David says, tightening his arms around me, and I force myself to swallow the tears.
“I’m fine. It was just a moment of drama. Louis has been sensitive, and it probably rubbed off on me,” I say, wiping the corners of my eyes and motioning for him to put me down. “Now tell me everything. How are things in Dallas? I haven’t answered Tay’s calls in a few days. I’ve been playing dumb. I’m not ready to tell her that I’m on the Moretti farm and that I’ll be living there for a few weeks.”
“You’re staying on their farm?” David yells, drawing the attention of a few people walking down the street.
I slap his shoulder. I don’t like attracting attention. If there’s one thing I value, it’s discretion. I’m very discreet—unlike my idiot friend. David stares at me for several long seconds. I know exactly what he wants, and I’m not ready to tell him. I know him too well. The moment I say even the smallest thing that’s happened since I set foot in this city in my heels, he’ll start a video call with Hunter, Sean, and Gavin. They’ll talk about my life as if I weren’t standing right next to them, hearing every word.
When it comes to gossip, men are the worst species.
“Don’t look at me like that. I’m not going to tell you anything, so don’t even try,” I say. David makes that smug face that clearly doubts my words.
“I’m serious. I’m not going to say absolutely anything.”
And I really won’t.
...
I finish telling David what happened in the alley, and my friend doesn’t hide the sleazy grin of someone who enjoyed hearing all the debauchery. I was determined not to tell him anything, but how could I have stayed true to my convictions after he invited me out for coffee? If there’s one thing I love more than designer clothes and limited-edition shoes, it’s eating. Shit, I put Louis in fourth place. I don’t want to think too much about the love ranking right now, so I focus back on my conversation with David.
“Dominic must hate you—and a lot,” he declares. I shake my head immediately.
“That brute loves me. He just hasn’t realized it yet,” I emphasize, and David shakes his head, laughing.
“Now how about you explain better this whole living with them on the farm thing?” I roll my eyes but end up agreeing.
“Just wait a second until the video call connects.”
I knew it wouldn’t take long. As soon as I hear the chorus of voices I miss so much, I break into a smile. It’s impossible not to love them and see how much they care about me, even if it’s because I’m their favorite topic. The moment David shows me to them, he starts filling them in on everything that’s happened. All I can do is smile and wave.
After about five minutes of hearing every indiscreet question imaginable, I tell my friends every detail of Mrs. Moretti’s request and take advantage of the conversation to find out how everything is in Dallas. Unfortunately, my friends are just as explicit as I am. They tell me every tiny detail of things I didn’t even ask about. I’m happy to know they’re doing well and that my friend is really enjoying working at the flower shop.
I’m seriously thinking about inviting her to be my business partner. My friend was fired when the company she worked for found out about her polyamorous relationship. Tay was so sad that the only thing that cheered her up was when I asked her to take care of the flower shop for me while I embarked on this arranged-marriage madness.
My friend doesn’t know—and I hope she never finds out—that I went to that company and caused the biggest scene of all. Did I leave there in handcuffs? Of course I did. Did her boyfriends have to pay my bail? Of course they did. But it was totally worth it. I remember my time at the police station with great affection, along with the restraining order saying I can never go near her former employers. And I can’t forget the photo I took with One-Eyed Jeff, the drunk guy who was locked up in the cell next to mine.
And I know I would do it all over again for my friend.
After half an hour of catching up, I tell my friends that I need to go shopping before heading back to the farm. David gets excited and decides to come with me, which is wonderful—now I can make him carry my bags. I say goodbye to Hunter, Gavin, and Sean, promising that as soon as I can, I’ll go to Dallas to torment them a little.