I think I like it here.
catalina
. . .
The drive back to the ranch is painfully, aggressively silent. I could cut through the tension with a fucking steak knife.
I’m still riding the high of actually getting a job all by myself. Sure, it’s at a bar, and sure, Carter looks like he’s ready to drive us straight into a ditch, but I don’t care. Ididsomething.
I sneak a glance at him, my fingers tapping against my thigh, dying to test how far I can push him.
“What’s wrong, cowboy?” I say with mock innocence. “Mad, I didn’t listen to your precious advice and took the job anyway?”
His hands tighten on the steering wheel, and the leather creaks under his grip. “Don’t push it, Catalina,” he growls low, a warning thick with something hotter than anger.
A shiver skates down my spine, but I fight the smug smile clawing its way up my throat. I settle deeper into my seat, drumming my nails lazily against my thigh to antagonize him some more.
My phone vibrates sharply in my lap, startling me.
Vartan.
The high drops out of my chest like a stone. I answer quickly, plastering fake cheer into my voice.
“Hey, Dad.”
Carter doesn’t react at first and doesn’t even flinch, but I can feel the way he stills beside me.
“Tell me you’ve done something useful with your time,” my father snaps.
I sit up straighter, gripping my phone a little tighter against my ear. “Actually, yeah,” I say, forcing a bright smile. “I got a job.”
There’s a beat of silence so thick I think the call might have dropped.
“A job?” he spits. “I’m surprised my useless daughter managed to do something right for once.”
The words hit harder than they should, but I don’t let it show.
“Yeah. It’s at this bar in town—Boots & Bourbon. Carter’s brother needed help, and I?—”
“A bar?” he cuts in.
My stomach churns, a slow, slick heat curling throughout my body until it feels like my skin is too tight.
I’m going to be fucking sick.
“Yeah, but it’s?—”
“A damn bar, Catalina?” he says, raising his voice. “Jesus Christ!”
I grip the phone tightly, my nails digging into my phone case. “It’s a job,” I manage, forcing the words out through the lump in my throat.
“It’s worthless!” he snaps. “You’re worthless for taking it!”
The words land like a slap. Still, I keep my voice steady, holding the pieces of myself together by sheer will.
“I’m trying,” I say quietly. “It’s only been a day, for fucks sake.”
“I don’t give a fuck how long its been!” he snarls. “It’s not hard enough. You think wiping down sticky counters and serving drunks is going to prove anything? That’s not responsibility, Catalina. That’s you being useless in a different setting.”
