Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 106150 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106150 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
“Bash.” Dev shook his head sadly. “You wanna fuck him, fuck him. But the more time you spend with him, the more chance you’re giving him to dig his claws into you. There are lots of ways people lie about who they really are.”
Shit. “Dev, your brother—”
He made a slashing motion through the air. “We’re not talking about me. You gotta promise you’ll confront this guy. Today. Ideally, right now.”
I blew out a breath. As much as I hated it, this was the advice I needed to hear. There was a reason it had taken all of our brotherhood to make Sterling Chase successful. “Yeah. I promise. Today.”
“Good. Now, let’s go make sure your beautiful liar hasn’t fucking caged my horse.” Dev huffed in amusement and shook his head as we turned and walked back. “You sure know how to pick ’em, Bash.”
But as we rounded the corner, we found Rowe stroking Trigger’s neck and murmuring to him gently. Dev froze and yanked me to a halt, too, just out of Rowe’s sight.
“You’re actually a very good boy, aren’t you?” Rowe asked, brushing his hand down Trigger’s deep brown coat. “I apologize for misjudging you. It’s just that my only experience with a horse before today was… not positive.”
Trigger nickered.
“Yes, it was unfortunate. Thank you. His name was Apple Butter, and he was known far and wide—well, far and wide around Linden, Indiana, so not particularly far or wide—for being unfriendly.” Rowe paused. “A kicker.”
The horse whuffled, making Rowe chuckle, and beside me, Dev made a low, startled noise before covering his mouth with his hand.
“But maybe it’s not all that surprising that he had a chip on his shoulder, now that I think about it,” Rowe went on, stroking the horse’s ears. “Since they named him for a breakfast condiment. Give a creature a name like Noble or Legendary or Sterling Chase and they’re automatically taken seriously. But when you’re named Apple Butter—or plain, old Rowe Prince—you’ve kinda gotta misbehave to get your point across.”
Dev darted a look at me. I had no idea what expression my face wore, but it was probably something sappy and sympathetic. Whatever it was made Dev come to some kind of decision. Without a word to me, he stepped fully into the open with a deliberate clomp of his boots that Rowe couldn’t miss. Frowning at his back, I followed.
Rowe turned, looking suddenly nervous again, and rubbed a thumb over a spot on his hip in that nervous gesture I’d seen him do before. “Oh. Hello. Trigger and I were just having a pleasant chat.”
Dev took this in stride. “Trigger’s an excellent conversationalist. Look, Sterling, I’m afraid I haven’t really kept up with who’s investing in what recently. I’m not the best person to help you make connections. It’s possible that another member of the board would know better. I think most of us are going to be in town for the Innovation Awards in a couple weeks since Sterling Chase’s projects have been nominated for several awards. You could maybe meet some of them then.”
Rowe blinked. “I could?”
“He could?” I said at the exact same time. What had happened to confront him immediately?
Dev looped his arm over Trigger’s neck and gave me a small shrug, and I thought I understood his sudden about-face. My friend loved his horse more than most people. Hell, maybe more than any people. Clearly, Rowe had made an impression on Dev without intending to.
A sound outside announced that the match was about to begin, and Rowe squared his shoulders resolutely. “Well. Thank you anyway, Dev. I’ll take the Innovation Awards under advisement if I haven’t managed to find another investor in the meantime. I suppose I should go… spectate now.”
Now that Rowe’s nervousness had returned, he sounded as enthusiastic about joining the crowd as a man facing a firing squad.
Dev regarded Rowe for a long moment. “No one will be interested in talking about business while the match is going on. If you’d rather watch from a quieter spot, you and Bash can head up on the roof.” He pointed to the far end of the building. “There’s a ladder that leads to an access door.”
“Oh, I… yes.” Rowe turned his huge brown eyes on me. “Could we? It feels like it’s been a long day already.”
More time alone with Rowe? It was the unwisest possible choice. “Sure,” I found myself saying. “You’re the boss.”
“Oh, right.” Rowe grinned. “I guess I am.”
“I just need a quick word with Dev about… horses,” I said. “I’ll be up in a minute.”
Rowe gave Trigger a final loving pat and took off in the direction Dev had pointed before calling over his shoulder politely. “Thank you so much, Dev!”
Meanwhile, I stayed where I was, arms folded, staring at my friend. “Confront him, Bash. He’s a liar and a user, Bash. Don’t spend time alone with him, Bash. But also, Bash, take him up on the roof.”