"Not really," I said. "Doesn’t mean I have to be friendly to you."
Brock's arm came around my waist, pulling me firmly against his side without a word.
I froze. Part of me was grateful, but the other part was screaming that we were standing way too close.
Trent’s gaze dropped to his hand on my hip. His expression shifted.
"You know," he said, his voice turning conversational, "when Avery told me you were still out here, I couldn’t figure it out. You, managing a rodeo cowboy? I figured you’d be dying to get back to the city. But you actually like it out here, don’t you?"
I held his gaze without blinking. “And what if I do?”
"I saw the kind of videos you posted," he continued, ignoring my question. "You two look real cozy." He gave a cynical little laugh. “Jesus, Sienna. I didn’t think you’d have it in you. You actually slept with one of your clients?”
Brock’s expression went cold. “Watch how you talk about her.”
Trent held up his hands. "No offense, man. I get it. I’d have done the same thing."
“You don’t know a damn thing about me or her.”
Brock’s grip on my hip tightened like a vice, his muscles going rigid. I grabbed his forearm, my nails digging into hisheavy canvas sleeve, and shot him a frantic look.Don’t do it. He’s not worth it.
"It’s none of your business anyway," I said quickly.
"It’s my business. I’m the one who’ll have to tell the agency you crossed the line." His voice remained smooth. "I didn’t think you’d throw away your career over a summer fling."
My stomach dropped. Everything clicked into place.
"The video from the fair," I said, searching his face in disbelief. "You sent it to Avery."
His expression didn’t change. "I have no idea what you’re talking about."
"You’re lying."
"I was assigned this account yesterday."
"Bullshit!" My voice rose, sharp in the open air.
Behind us, Rio let out a nervous nicker and paced along the fence. Moose slipped out from under my hand and trotted away.
I stepped forward, pulling out of Brock’s grip so I was facing Trent head-on.
"I don’t believe you. I think you dug up that video, sent it to Avery, and volunteered to take my place. You ruined my career back home, and now you followed me out here to finish the job."
Trent laughed softly, slipping his hands into his pockets. "C'mon, Sienna. You're really going to blame me for your fuckups? Listen to yourself. You sound psychotic."
"Watch your mouth," Brock said, his voice low. “You’re pushin’ it.”
Trent waved a dismissive hand, not even looking at him. "Relax. I’m just trying to talk some sense into her. She has a habit of acting like this when things don’t go her way."
I didn’t flinch. A year ago, that tone would have made me second-guess myself. Now I just felt tired.
"I don’t care what you think of me, Trent," I said. "But you need to get back in that car and leave. Tell Avery to sendsomeone else, because if you stay here, this isn’t going to end well."
Trent scoffed, pulling his keys from his pocket. "Gladly. I don’t even want to be out here anyway."
He yanked the SUV door open, then paused for one last bitter look.
“You always thought you were too good for the rules. Look where it got you—throwing yourself at some hothead who’s dying to swing on somebody. Couldn’t even keep your legs closed.”