Kissin' Tell (Rough Riders #13)(89)

All single men.


All gazing at Georgia with lust-filled eyes.


All dead men, as far as Tell was concerned.


But rather than storming over and hauling her ass out like he had before, he hung back. Just as he had in high school. Waiting for her to notice him.


You’re still a wannabe, McKay. Nothing has changed.


Bullshit. But tuning out that voice of doubt and reminding himself to act like a mature adult in this relationship didn’t spur his feet to move. He was stuck in hell, seeing Georgia laughing with these clowns, oblivious to the fact she’d missed their date.


Thirty minutes passed while he remained in the shadows, nursing a beer. Thirty long minutes in which he didn’t cross Georgia’s mind once because she’d made no effort to contact him.


Sobering and humbling.


He texted her.


I must’ve mixed up my nights. Thought we had a date at Fields. I’m tired and going home. Catch up with you later. T~


Maybe it was perverted, but he hung around to see her reaction.


Georgia fished out her cell from the pocket of her suit jacket and glanced at the screen. Guilt crossed her face and she swore. She immediately began punching buttons. Soon after his phone buzzed in his hand.


No, it was tonight. Sorry! I didn’t mean to stand you up. I got sidetracked. Are you still waiting at Fields?


Tell waited a solid five minutes before he responded.


No worries. We’ll go another night. Got a busy day tomorrow anyway. See you @ the Pine Haven Rodeo Saturday.


Georgia frowned and texted furiously, ignoring the men at the table.


I’m really sorry. Can I come out to your place and make you supper?


Probably made him a petty dick, but he just wanted to be mad at her.


No. I can’t text and drive, so I gotta go. See you.


Tell finished his beer. Wondering if Georgia would stay at the bar and drink with these guys or if she’d head home.


But he didn’t stick around to find out.


He dreamt of her that night. Dreamt of being back in high school. Dreamt of being invisible. Dreamt of gazing at her adoringly from the sidelines.


Georgia. Beautiful, perfect Georgia. His Georgia. Not the unattainable Georgia from the past.


He approached her in the lunchroom. But she wouldn’t deign to look in his direction or even speak to him.


He pulled her hair and called her name in history class, but she wouldn’t acknowledge him at all.


In the next dream frame, Georgia was surrounded by his cousins. Strong, strapping McKays. With those black Irish good looks. Rich men. Successful ranchers. Oozing confidence. Spreading charm.


When he wormed his way through the throng to get to her, he was roughly jerked back. Put in his place at the end of the line.


“She doesn’t want you,” Kade sneered.


“She never has, she never will,” Colby hissed.


“She’s too good for you,” Colt added.


“You ain’t man enough to handle her,” Ben warned.


“She’s using you, and you’re a loser who lets her,” Dalton said with derision.


His father appeared—all mean attitude and ugliness. “You’re an embarrassment to the McKay name.” Casper turned his back on Tell, shunning him.


Then, one by one, his McKay relatives started laughing at him. Pointing. Whispering. Making fun. Taunting him. He tried to run away but his feet were buried in the earth.


The real kick in the balls came when Georgia looked at him with pity and contempt. “You didn’t really think you had a shot at me, did you?”


He woke up angry. Irrational anger from a stupid dream, but he hated there were some truths in his fears. That he’d never be good enough for her. In her eyes and everyone else’s eyes. Truths that made him feel raw and helpless. Truths that made him a little desperate to dispel those fears by any means.


Chores kept him hopping all Friday morning. So when his caller ID said Chase, he almost didn’t answer, but curiosity got the better of him. “Omigod! Is this really Chase McKay? World champion PBR bull rider? Callin’ me? I’m so honored!”


“Yes, it is, and why don’t you just go ahead and pucker up to kiss my famous butt for that smart-ass comment.”


Tell laughed. “What’s up, cuz?”


“I’ll be in town for the Upton Rodeo tomorrow afternoon. Pressing the flesh, passing the word about safety helmets. I got to talkin’ to Verna, the Upton Rodeo secretary, and she told me they’re short a judge for tomorrow. I told her I’d call and see if you’re interested in subbing.”


Hell yes he was interested. Then it hit him. He couldn’t. It was too bad Georgia had hired him to work the Pine Haven Rodeo tomorrow.


It’s too bad Georgia has blown you off all f*cking week.


Whoa. Seemed his subconscious was still bitter.


But the bottom line was the Upton Rodeo was a PRCA-sanctioned event. More money, more prestige than a dinky-ass nothing rodeo. Not to mention he’d get to share the spotlight with his celebrity cousin for an afternoon.