Rebound Love

  Whiskey Run: Sugar

  Hope Ford

  Contents

  1. Becca

  2. Becca

  3. Lucas

  4. Becca

  5. Lucas

  6. Becca

  7. Lucas

  8. Becca

  9. Lucas

  10. Becca

  11. Lucas

  12. Becca

  Epilogue

  Whiskey Run Series

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  About the Author

  Rebound Love © 2022 by Hope Ford

  Editor: Kasi Alexander

  Cover Design: Cormar Covers

  Cover Models: Quinn Biddle & Meighan Wright

  Image Photographer: CJC Photography

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Chapter 1

  Becca

  As I stare up at the white popcorn ceiling, I know that I have just made a huge mistake. At least it feels like I have. Thomas, my boyfriend of one month, rolls off of me and sits on the edge of the bed. I look down at myself, naked from the waist down. I know people say your first time is not always the best, but for some reason, I expected more than what just happened. I mean, that's it? Really?

  I roll to my side, pulling the sheet across my waist and legs, and notice that Thomas is typing something into his phone. "What's going on?"

  He doesn't even lift his head. Just shrugs his shoulders. "I'm about to head out."

  That has me sitting up straight. "Head out?"

  He stands up, disposing of the condom and pulling his clothes on. "Yeah, I have plans for tonight."

  I shake my head, feeling as if I'm in some alternate universe. Literally, he’s barely got the condom off and he’s leaving. "You have plans for tonight?"

  He rolls his eyes at me. "Yes, Becca. I have plans."

  He pauses and then looks me straight in the eye. "I have a date."

  My eyes about pop out of my head. I look at him incredulously. "A date?"

  He points his finger between the two of us. "Yes, a date. This thing, you know, this," he says, pointing to the bed, "was just a one-time thing."

  He's putting on his boots, and I get out of the bed and pull my shorts on. "A one-time thing?" I feel like a parrot, repeating everything that he says. "Thomas, we've been going out for a month. You told me that you loved me."

  He's walking toward the front door, and I follow behind him. "Thomas," I say again, and this time, he stops and turns around.

  He looks at me, clearly frustrated. "Look, Becca, this was fun, you know? I had a good time. But you know, you and I are not going to work out."

  I throw my hands up in the air. "What, and you needed to take my virginity to realize that?"

  He laughs. And it’s not just a soft smirk; no, he literally holds his belly as a deep laugh comes out. “What, you thought this was real? This isn't real, sweetie. This is life. In case you don't realize it, men tell you what you want to hear to get what they want."

  I’m stunned... and pissed. How could I be so stupid? “What and you just had to fuck me? You lied to me... about everything... just to have sex.”

  He shakes his head and looks at me, acting as if he’s dealing with a child instead of a grown woman. I’m waiting for him to pat me on the head by the condescending look he’s giving me. “No, I didn’t just want to fuck you... I wanted to fuck a virgin.”

  He has the gall to reach out and put his palm on my cheek. Before now, I probably would've turned my face and kissed his hand, but not now. I jerk back, hating the feel of his hand on me.

  "Fuck you, Thomas. You're an asshole."

  He laughs again. "I could have told you that."

  Without another word, he walks out of my house, and I slam the door behind him. I'm a fool. I'm a damn fool ... but even after thinking that, I know it wasn't completely my fault. I listened to him for a month. He talked about what I meant to him and our future. He did everything right, but it's like now, after seeing the real him, everything from the last month, I’m starting to see it in a different light. The times he said he forgot his wallet when we went out on a date. The times that he said he couldn't come over because he was working late. Then there were all the times that he would go out with his friends and I was never invited. He's been seeing other women this whole entire time.

  I'm twenty-three, and I thought that I was too picky. I thought that it was time for me to finally lose my virginity. I thought that I needed to give him a chance, but boy was I wrong.

  "I'm not going to cry," I tell myself as I walk back into my bedroom. I strip off my clothes on the way and walk into my bathroom, turning the water on in the shower as hot as it will go.

  What I thought was going to be a good night has now turned into probably the worst night of my life. I fucked up, but there's no fixing it now.

  As I stand underneath the scalding hot water, I vow to myself that I'll never put myself in this situation again. I was lied to, I was cheated on, I was used. If nothing else, I'm going to learn from it. From now on, I do things on my own terms, and I’m not falling for some guy that only wants a piece of ass.

  Chapter 2

  Becca

  Three Months Later

  "I'm glad you decided to come tonight."

  I look over at my boss and friend Emery. She owns the Sugar Glaze Bakery that I work at, but more than that, she's been a great friend to me. I knew I couldn't miss tonight since Matt is proposing to April. April also works at the bakery with us, and her boyfriend invited us tonight to be there when he asked her to marry him. I'm happy for her. She deserves this.

  We are crossing the county line into Whiskey Valley. It's an hour away from Whiskey Run, and this is more of a ranching community than our small town. I'm not sure how this all came about, but April was excited for all of us to get together and go to the rodeo.

  I look over at Emery. "Have you ever been to the rodeo before?"

  She laughs and shakes her head. "No, never."

  I nod. "Me either."

  We ride along in silence for a few minutes before Emery taps her hand on the steering wheel. "You know, I was thinking about what Tara said the other day."

  I'm looking out the window at the passing trees. "Oh yeah? What about?"

  Tara is the youngest of all of us, and she works at the bakery part-time. "When she said that you should get you a rebound guy. It's not a terrible idea."

  I bark out a laugh. "It's not a good idea either."

  She holds her hand up and then puts it back on the steering wheel. "Hear me out. You need to get over dumb-ass Thomas. What's the best way to do that?"

  I shrug, not answering her. She slaps her hand onto the gear shift. "It's by dating and getting back out there."

  I cross my arms over my chest. "Oh yeah? Is that what you're doing?" I ask.

  She looks at me and then back the road in front of us. "My story is a little different."

  I turn in my seat to face her. "Yeah? Your ex-husband is still crazy in love with you and trying to win you back. I would definitely say our stories are different. But I mean, if you're not interested in him, then maybe you should be dating some more. Maybe get you a rebound guy."

  She merely shrugs her shoulders. "I'll think about it." Which I know is Emery's way of saying, "Let's change the subject."

  I point at the sign ahead. "There's the parking lot for the rodeo."

  She pulls in, and we're able to get a spot fairly close. By the time we get to the arena and to our seats, the others are already there. Matt and April are sitting next to each other, and then Josh and Violet are here also. Violet owns Red's Diner in Whiskey Run, and her husband Josh plays on the Jasper Eagles football team with Matt.

  It's easy to get lost in the festivities when you are a people-watcher. I watch everything happening around us. We barely get through three events, and Emery is elbowing me in the shoulder, nodding her head at Matt and April. That's it. Now is the time. We watch as Matt gets down on his knee and asks her to marry him. She obviously says yes, and we all are so excited, congratulating her and him.

  When everyone sits back down, I can't help but look over at April. She's so happy. I'd be lying if I said I wasn’t just a little bit jealous. I would love to have what she has.

  I try to smile and have a good time. I know I've been a downer for months now, and I need to snap out of it. My friends Emery, April, and Tara have all been there for me, and I know they want me to be okay.

  I take a deep breath and try to settle the thoughts in my head. Looking around the arena, my gaze lands on a cowboy across the way. He's staring my way, but from this distance, I'm not sure if he's looking at me or not. I figure if I can't really tell if he's looking at me, he can't tell if I'm looking at him either. So I take this opportunity to take him all in. He has on tight jeans, dusty boots and chaps, a button-up shirt, and a brown cowboy hat. I can't see much of his face, but his body is enough to send a tingle down my back.

  I roll my eyes. Don't do this again, Becca.

  Needing a break from everyone and everything, I lean over toward Emery. "I'll be right back. I'm going to go to the ladies' room."

  She drags her eyes off the event taking place in the arena and looks at me

. "You want me to go with you?"

  I shake my head. "No, you stay. I'll be right back."

  I barely climb down the risers and turn the corner and run almost smack dab into Nash.

  "Hey," he says with a blush.

  I laugh. "Hey, Nash. What are you doing here?"

  I'm not even surprised to see him. Nash is Emery's ex-husband, and he's always turning up at the bakery and other places that I've gone to with Emery. At first, it freaked me out a little bit, but it's obvious the man is still crazy in love with her.

  He crosses his arms over his chest. "Oh you know, just thought I would take in a day at Whiskey Valley."

  I nod my head at him knowingly. "All right. Well, enjoy the show."

  He nods, and I walk past him toward the bathroom.

  I’m so happy that April is getting her happily ever after. I can only wish the same for the rest of us. I'm not for sure what went wrong with Emery and Nash's marriage, but it seems that he wants to work it out, and even though she won't admit it, I think she still cares about him too. And Tara is young; she has plenty of time to figure things out.

  For just one second, I let myself think about the cowboy in the arena, but I tamp it down quickly. No, Becca. We're not going there again. It may not be in the cards for me.

  Chapter 3

  Lucas

  I think I felt it the moment she walked into the arena; it's like a chill went down my back. My arms were covered in goosebumps, and I lifted my head, searching around, trying to figure out what the cause was. As soon as I laid eyes on her, I knew it was her. I've never seen anyone as beautiful as her. Even from a distance, I can appreciate her curves. I need to get closer to her. I watch the whole time as she sits with her friends, and when she gets up, I can't stop myself from walking around the fenced-in area to go and find her. I should be doing all of my pre-event rituals, but I'm skipping that today. I'd skip the whole event if it meant that I would get an opportunity to talk to her.

  I walk around and notice that she's still not in her seat, but all of her friends are still sitting in the same spot. I go by the concession stand, and she's nowhere to be found. Deciding that she must be in the ladies' room, I stand across the hall from it and lean my back against the wall, waiting for her to come out so I can see her again.

  Only seconds go by, and when she walks out of the door, she lifts her head, and her gaze lands on me. Her eyes widen as if she recognizes me. She stumbles, and it catches her off-guard as someone walks by and knocks into her. She falls down before I can even get to her. It must be between events because the hallway has filled up, and people are moving all around, stepping over and around her.

  I squat down next to her. "Are you okay?"

  She nods, keeping her head down, and tries to get up. "Yeah, maybe just a little embarrassed, though."

  I shake my head. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about."

  "Thank you," she says, then tries to walk away. As I notice her hobbling, I do the only thing that I think of: I put one hand behind her back and the other behind her knees and lift her up into my arms.

  Her hands go to my chest, and her eyes widen. I don’t move. I don’t even breathe. Being this close to her, inhaling her sweet, sugary scent has my nostrils flaring and my arms tightening around her. Her soft body feels perfect against mine.

  She struggles against me in surprise. "What are you doing? Put me down."

  I don’t let her go, though. "I think that you may have twisted your ankle. I was going to carry you to your seat."

  "Put me down," she says, more firmly this time, and I do as she asks. I set her down gently on her feet.

  She starts to walk away from me, and I can tell that she's trying to hide the fact that her ankle is hurting her. I easily catch up to her. "It would probably be less painful if you just let me carry you."

  She stops and stares up at me. "I'm too big for you to carry."

  I laugh. "Have you looked at me, honey? I can carry you easily."

  She leans her head back to look at me, and finally her eyes connect with mine. Her soft blue ones darken as she stares up at me. "I don't need your help." She holds her hand up as if by doing so, she's going to make me stay where I'm at, but what she doesn't understand is that there's no way I'm going to let her get away that easily.

  She walks back to the stands where her friends are, and I follow behind her.

  I wait for her to sit down between her friends, and then I take my hat off and hold it to my chest. I stare at her, wanting her eyes on me before I ask her, "You okay now?"

  She juts her chin out. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just embarrassed. You didn't have to carry me."

  Her friend sitting next to her gasps loudly, looking back and forth between us. "Becca! Are you okay? What happened?"

  Becca. Her name is Becca.

  She shakes her head with a blush on her cheeks. "I tripped coming from the bathroom, and then there was a stampede of people that tried to get by me. This guy," she says, pointing at me, "decided the best course of action was to pick me up and try to carry me back to my seat."

  I smile at her description of what happened. "It was my pleasure. Becca," I say, drawing out her name, pleased that I now have it.

  Becca's forehead creases. "I wasn't thanking you."

  The dirty look that she's giving me doesn't even faze me. I shrug my shoulders. "It was still my pleasure."

  At that moment, the announcers come over the speaker. "Up next is a fan favorite. We're going to take a little break, and then Lucas Granger will be riding Rampage. Hold on to your hats. It's going to be a hell of a ride."

  All at once, Becca's friend points up at the big Jumbo-tron. "That's you," she says, pointing at it and looking at me.

  I turn and look, and sure enough, my face is up on the big screen. "Yep. It is."

  I turn back to Becca and tilt my head at her. "You going to wish me luck?"

  She rolls her eyes. "Sure. Good luck."

  I just laugh. She’s going to make me work for it. I put one foot on the higher step and lean over toward her. I can feel all of her friends’ eyes on me. The two guys in her group of friends are big guys, and I guess I’m lucky they seem to be more interested in the women next to them than Becca, not that I’d give up if they were. I wait until Becca’s eyes meet mine again. "So how about a wager?"

  She crosses her arms over her chest. "I'm not making a bet with you."

  "I'm not saying a bet, but how about if I stay on Rampage the eight seconds, you'll give me your number?"

  She seems surprised by that, but she recovers quickly. "Sorry, but I'm not interested."

  She's lying. I may have just met her, but I can read people. I know that what she just said is not the full truth. She has a tinge to her cheeks, and the way her voice has dropped a little tells me that she’s interested. She may not want to be, but she is.

  I take a long look at her and stand up to my full height. "Well, at least stick around and watch. I have a feeling that you're going to be my good luck charm."

  She shrugs as if she doesn't care one way or another.

  I put my hat back on my head. "I'll see you later, Becca. It was nice seeing you all. Thanks for coming out," I tell the rest of them. I walk down the steps, and I can feel Becca's eyes on me.

  I walk across the arena knowing that I need to get her out of my head because I need to concentrate on the event that is about to take place. Rampage is a mean son of a bitch, and if I'm not ready for him or if I’m distracted, he could hurt me badly.

  I try to clear my head as I walk over to the chute and climb in. I shouldn't, but I can't resist looking across the arena at where Becca is sitting. She's sitting on the edge of her seat, hands in her lap, leaning forward, and I can feel her eyes on me.

  She may have acted like she's not interested, but I know she is. The stadium is quiet. I take deep breaths waiting for the announcer to start. When he does the countdown and the chute opens, I hold on, gripping my legs around the beast underneath me. I listen to the crowd count, and once I hit eight seconds and the buzzer sounds, I jump off the back of the bull, landing on my feet, and run to the fence.

 

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