Billionaire Cowboy: Siblings (Book 2 in the Richland Series)

Chapter 11: Matthew

Matt’s pov (Rianne’s brother)

After working the winter months on the family ranch in Wyoming, the drive home took longer than expected. My mind wandered countless times as the endless ribbon of road weaved through fields stretched out on either side as far as you could see. The view once offered promise, hope and possibilities, but whether I liked it or not, my life has changed.

Arriving home to a barren fridge with no sign of Mike was expected. Grabbing a beer can still attached to the plastic once holding five others, I realized this was no life at all. Cracking the can open, regardless of it not being lunchtime yet, I took a swig, glad to have this moment to myself.

The darn fridge was a symbol of my life, strong on the outside but empty inside.

My best friend was probably busy with last-minute preparations before the rodeo season or, most likely, finding females willing to put their boots up for a quick transaction. I’d like to admit the same, but the girl that I’ve spent the last four winters chasing made promises that never came though.

My expectations for this past winter crashed like an avalanche. It’s not like Bella and I hooked up once or twice, damn, we were together for three winters, eighteen months. This was not a fling. Every time the rodeo season wrapped up, I made plans to be near her because she’s all I could think about.

Okay, so I admit, when we were apart, I tried to get her off my mind with countless bunnies. Yeah, it made me d**k, but we never talked about being celibate when we were apart. For all I know, she had a boyfriend when I wasn’t in the picture. One thing for sure, when we were together, it was just us, me and Bella.

I never looked elsewhere.

But this pain I’m feeling is frustrating as hell. On one hand, I’m pissed Bella couldn’t find a way to the ranch and refused to let me visit her. In the past, she attended college online while interning with my grandma, learning about herbs and ways to improve plant production without pesticides. I thought Bella was going to live on the ranch after graduation, but she chose to remain in her hometown in Colorado.

On the other hand, I became the type of guy I used to make of fun, a love-sap sucker who got burned before a relationship was even established. What a joke! When we were apart, I tried to resist having feelings for Bella, but before I knew it, I was thinking of her nonstop.

And that’s the sad part, a benefit of a quick transaction was getting a solid release, but eventually s*x became a chore. I slept with random bunnies to forget Bella but had to think of her just to get it up.

Nothing compared to being with my Bella. I should have known I was in trouble.

It was one thing to admit my girl had me wrapped around her finger, but it was another thing not being able to do anything about it. All I wanted was to see her, touch her, let her know what she meant to me.

But I never got the chance.

Throughout the winter, I volunteered for jobs given to greenies to avoid my grandma, who knew I was hurting inside. I love her but was not ready to admit my problems. She would try to talk when we were alone, so I made it a point to keep busy and away from her. It was a sh*t thing to do, but how could I talk about whatever was going on when I didn’t understand it myself?

One day I would be angry, the next anguished, the next embarrassed and the next lost. To say I’ve been in an unpredictable mood would be an understatement. I saw it, I knew Bella was slipping out of my hands, but I didn’t know what to do.

I wasn’t ready to lose her.

Sitting alone in my Montana house with a half empty bottle of Jack that was stashed in my bedroom, provided time to analyze this past winter. It must have been the alcohol talking because overthinking was not my thing.

Replaying my conversations with Bella and my reactions to my pathetic situation, I made a list to see where I had gone wrong, something Ri always did. First, I worked long hours to get my mind off Bella, hoping she’d visit. She made excuses to stay in Colorado. Did she want me to visit her?

Second, I avoided the bars when all I thought about was being with Bella. Being with another female was the last thing I wanted, but I never told her. Third, we texted and talked often and even played around with phone s*x a couple of times. Should I have focused more on her?

I was beyond frustrated.

Needing to get out of my self-pity bullsh*t, I grabbed my large bag of dirty clothes and walked to Ri’s place. I was out of alcohol, and she was always stocked up.

The little squirt was out but thank goodness my cousin Heidi agreed to wash my clothes, if I helped fold and iron. Usually, my clothes were the least of my worries because I always found a bunny to do it, but not this season. If I wanted Bella, I had to change my ways for good.

Things might be on hold right now between Bella and I, but I was not ready to give up.

Heidi and I were close as kids, but after college, our careers took us in different directions. It would have been nice to have time with her to catch up, but just as luck would have it, she was preoccupied with entertaining the bane of my existence.

Kemper, Mike’s oldest stepbrother, who was always outspoken about how Mike and I should live our lives, was also present. Just my luck. We never asked for his opinion, but good lawd, he always had something to say.

By the way, why was he here? Talk about a buzz killer.

“Staying home with another STD?” Kemper sneered when Heidi walked down the hall to the laundry room to start the wash. Yeah, the jackarse was always careful when showing his true colors. My mood was simmering, not ready for this i***t. I needed more alcohol.

Little did he know I had been celibate for the past six months. The callouses on my left hand are evident of my loneliness. Ignoring the i***t, I grabbed a beer from the fridge that was packed with food, letting me know where I’d be hanging out until I hit the road.

My patience paid off when Kemper walked into another room to answer a phone call. He had a way of making everything seem more important than it was. It’s probably his mom on the phone. Grabbing another beer on my way to the dining table, Heidi raised a brow, but she didn’t need to know I planned to drink myself to sleep again.

I might have avoided the bars in Wyoming, but the isolation did wonders for my tolerance for alcohol.

Grabbing a beer herself, she sat across from me at the table with a concerned look, “How’ve you been? You’re always on the road in the summer and never around during winter. It’s good having you home.” She paused, staring at me. “How she doing?” Yeah, it’s been a while since we’ve hung out, but just like old times, Heidi knows me better than I know myself.

Taking advantage of the time without Kemper, I quietly divulged my pathetic life. Heidi, the only person who knew about Bella listened quietly, letting me talk through the pain.

Last year, I admitted to Heidi about my feelings for Bella and how I didn’t want her to be with other guys. Being the amazing person that she is, Heidi opened my eyes to my feelings, being more of lust than anything else because I was still sleeping with anyone willing to spread their legs.

And damn, that hit home.

But this past winter, everything changed. I explained how I kept to myself, worked long hours to avoid getting into situations with females. And no matter what I did, I couldn’t stop thinking about Bella.

Knowing me so well, Heidi had become my personal therapist or some sh*t like that. She gave herself the title and I appreciated the support, so I let it go. She let me talk and only asked questions to get me to open up further. “Were you able to contact her?” Rubbing my hands through my hair, I admitted, “We texted daily and talked every night before bed.”

After a few exchanges, she leaned forward, having pieced it all together, “Let me get this straight, you talked to her daily, ranging from morning texts to nighttime calls, even a couple of steamy video calls and you have no regrets about avoiding easy pieces of arse?” Rubbing my chin, I admitted, “yeah.”

Leaning back, she smiled, “That just means one thing…..”

The front door opened as my parents and Mike’s family walked in carrying bags, interrupting our conversation. Gawd damn it! Having people over was normal, our front doors were always revolving, but tonight I wanted Heidi to explain what it all meant. There’s no way I want to discuss my personal life with everyone.

And I need to ask her about Kemper, the i***t who returned to the room with a big smile like a savior. My night just went in the crapper, if this f*cker is staying. One thing for sure, I need to control the room and keep attention off me.

Sitting back and observing the scene, mom and Heather (Mike’s mom), were babbling about something while Mike’s stepbrothers were arguing about something else. I thought about getting involved, but I really don’t care. Mom paused, “Welcome home Matty.” She was the only one who could get away with using that name.

Looking around, she asked over her shoulder, “Have you seen Rianne and Michael? You told them we were meeting for dinner, right Walton?” Walt, (Mike’s other stepbrother), nodded his head as he turned, pulling out his phone to probably text Mike. Somethings never change.

Heidi walked by tapping my shoulder, “We’ll talk later, I’m going to check on your clothes.” I nodded, turning my attention back to the entertainment known as my family. Staying out of the kitchen as mom and Heather prepared food and dad joined me at the table asking about my winter. Growing up as a ranch hand, he insisted all of us had to earn our keep.

Mom and dad grew up together and crossed paths numerous times before venturing out on a date only to discover they were soulmates. Yeah, you could say my mom read A LOT of werewolf romance novels. Ri and I are lucky to have normal names and not something crazy like Moonbeam, Fang or Raindrop.

As dad and I exchanged stories, Walt chimed in while focusing on the TV with a PlayStation controller in a hand, “I couldn’t reach Mikey.” Dad shook his head, asking quietly so mom or Heather couldn’t hear, “You forgot to tell them?” Walt shrugged his shoulders, “They’re probably busy. Besides, Ri never leaves her house. How was I supposed to know they wouldn’t be here?”

Why would they be together?

My alpha-older-brother urges were pushing at the edges, wanting to know what was going on. Why was dad calm about Mike and Ri being busy together? Then out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Kemper pulling Heidi in close for a kiss, and no one said a thing.

What is going on?

Nodding my head in their direction, questioning my dad about it, he responded, “Yep, they seem to be happy. Your mom can fill you in.” Oh, I bet she will. She’s been wanting me to settle down for years. Little does she know there’s only one girl I want and it’s not going to work unless I pick up and move to Colorado.

My thoughts were pulled away when Ri and Mike walked in the door. Walt yelled, “Just like I said.” Yeah, he’s lucky. Happy to see my best friend, I walked up hugging him wanting to hear his winter s*x-capade stories, especially since I still hadn't told him about Bella.

“Let’s hang out tonight and catch up?” I suggested. But Mike looked at my sister who smiled, then declined, “Sorry man, I have plans. How about tomorrow?” What the hell? He never brushes me off. Why did he look at my sister like he was checking with her?

What is going on?

Before I could find out, “Food’s ready,” was yelled. Bodies gathered in the dining area without having to be told twice, testament to my mom and Heather’s cooking.

Thank goodness Kemper was preoccupied with Heidi and had chosen to sit at the other end of the table. My focus was on my sister, and I had no patience for interference.

Leaning back in my chair, I guzzled beer and watched my best friend and sister exchange words closely, too close for me. Ignoring or missing the fact that his best friend, who had been gone for six months, was sitting across the table, made my anger ignite.

What is going on?

After prayer, I piled my plate with lasagna, garlic bread and salad, just to get my mom off my back about eating vegetables. Chewing and keeping my eyes on the weird exchange in front of me, I scanned the table realizing no one noticed or cared that Mike and my sister looked awfully chummy.

Needing to get to the bottom of things, I forced Mike’s attention away from Ri, “Where you want to go this weekend?” Taking a sip of beer as he swallowed his food, he replied, “I thought we’d follow Ri.” Digging into his food like it's no big deal, I paused with my fork in midair. We might run into Ri at bigger rodeos, but I don’t want to hang out with her.

I barked, “You want to follow my sister?”

Mike finished a bite of salad with a smile before looking at Ri, “Yeah, she’s featuring two brothers from Texas and scheduled all the rodeos with the best pay out. No need to waste time on planning when it’s already done.” He has got to be kidding me.

My sister nodded, but there was no way this was happening. I stated, “So, you’re telling me, we’re going to follow two young kids who think they have what it takes to make it to Sin City? What are we, a side show now?”

The table conversations stopped being interested in our conversation. There’s no way anyone would agree with this crap. My sister raised her chin to me like I’m one of her clients. Oh please. She spoke with her business voice, “The Kennedy brothers have dominated the southern circuits and almost earned invites to Vegas. They are THE next up and coming team. We’re dedicating this season to them.”

Shaking my head, I tried to put the pieces together, “Let me guess, ropin?” She shook her head, but Mike jumped in, “But, who has the experience and talent to take away their points? We do.” He pointed between us, but I had a feeling there was more to this circus act.

Looking briefly at my parents, who nodded agreeing with Ri, I noticed the rest of the table had blank looks soaking in the argument without getting involved. P*ssies.

Rubbing my face slowly, Ri chimed in with a softer voice, “Think about it, they’ll be featured and you two can prove you’re the better team. Why wait for Vegas or Sin City, when you can earn money and respect?”

I replied through my fingers, “We already have money and respect.” This sounded like a trap. Dropping my hands, I looked at Ri, “Sorry, we’re not going to advertise your YouTube stuff for you.” My sister wouldn’t give up, “That’s the thing, you won’t be the main feature, but every time you win, I’ll interview you. Eventually, followers will demand more features of you.”

Realizing my ship was sinking, knowing Mike was already on board, I adjusted my napkin on my lap, needing more time to accept my apparent already planned out summer.

Then the peanut gallery chimed in, “Sounds like a good plan.” Really Kemper? “Why not kick some youngin’ arses?” Great advice Walt. “The increased exposure, could get you another sponsor.” Thanks for tag teaming mom and dad.

But I must admit, getting another sponsor would be nice.

Turning the table on my sister, I inquired, “And you expect me to focus on earning points when random guys will be hitting on you?” She responded, “And, what would happen if we were at different locations?” Well, she’s got a point.

But then Mike dropped the hammer, “I’ll watch out for her.”

Forks clanked on plates reiterating my thoughts. Pointing my finger at Mike, I wanted to expose the problem in his plan, “You plan to be by my sister’s side? What happens when you’re busy with bunnies?”

Then what?

Looking down and shaking my head, everyone voiced their opinions again, which seemed to side with my sister. WTH? Catching Mike’s attention, I asked, “When did you and my sister become friends?” He replied, “We were never enemies.”

What the hell?

I barked, “That doesn’t answer my question.” He shook his head, “We’ve been hanging out this past winter, we’ve become friends.”

Seeing my temper rise to the surface, he quickly added, “Hey, would you rather some punk date your sister?” Throwing my napkin on the table, I shot up, causing my chair to fall back, “What the f*ck, are you dating my sister? You don’t date. You f*ck ‘em and leave ‘em. You better not f*ck my sister.”