He scruffs my head, and I swat at his hand. He sniffs the air. “Get outta here. You stink.”
With a chuckle, I shove him away. When I reach my room, I pop my birth control pill with an eye roll. “Are you happy, Rhett?” I mumble to myself.
I asked him if having a baby with me would be the end of the world, and he went stone-cold silent.
Why do I care so much? I feel like I’m fifteen years old all over again. I wish I could flip a switch and be as nonchalant as I said I would be about this whole marriage thing.
When will my life get easier? I just want a family of my own. Is that too much to ask?
Frustrated with myself, I head to the en suite bathroom. I stand under the cool water and replay the conversation I had with him in his truck for the millionth time.
That numbness I haven’t felt since I got to the ranch washes over me as I lean against the cold tile.
I let out a sigh.
It’s a relief to not feel anything. I used to think being detached was a curse, but maybe it’s a blessing. I’d rather not cryover Rhett anymore. Lord knows I spent enough time doing that during my teens.
I’m feeling better… until I puke into the drain.
Gross.
Ugh. I press a hand against my stomach and try to avoid the nastiness at my feet.
After I clean up my mess, I fall into bed and pull the covers over me. I’m supposed to be in the office in a little while, but the room is spinning like I’m drunk. I’m not sure why. I’ll just close my eyes for a little while.
I snuggle deeper under the covers and hope Rhett’s out on the range all day. I don’t have the energy to deal with him right now.
I’m just starting to fall asleep when the rest of my breakfast comes up.
27
RHETT
My phone rings.It’s Jace. I pause unloading a bale of hay. “What’s up?” He’s talking so fast, I only make out half of what he’s saying. “What’s wrong with Paige?”
“She’s throwing up. She went out for a run and when she returned, she was the color of a tomato. She hadn’t eaten, so I made her something and gave her some juice. I thought she was fine, but then she started puking.”
“Shit. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Keep an eye on her.”
“No prob.”
I give Beau a quick update, then take off on Apollo. Guilt for being an ass these last two days hits me hard. I got tongue-tied when Paige brought up having kids right after we fucked. Hell, my cock was still lodged deep in her body. She was so standoffish afterward, I didn’t want to crowd her. Amber always bit my head off after an argument, so I got used to giving women a wide berth if they were pissed. But now I’m not sure that was the right thing to do.
When I reach the barn, I hand off Apollo to Wayne and then run to the house. I don’t bother cleaning off my boots or washingup, just head straight to my bedroom where I find Jace putting a wet towel on Paige, who’s flushed and panting.
“Jesus. Are you okay?”
Her eyes flutter open, but she closes them again. “Fine. Just tired.”
Jace winces. “I’m thinking she has heat stroke. She had a hard workout, and she’s not used to this humidity.”
She waves a hand at us, like she’s trying to shoo a fly. “I’ve worked out in humid gyms my whole life.”
Her hair is wet. “You took a cool shower?” She nods, but that makes me more alarmed. That should’ve lowered her body temperature. I kneel next to the bed and place my palm on her forehead. “Darling, you’re burning up. Maybe you got dehydrated. It’s easy to do, especially on a day like today. Let’s take you to the ER.”
She groans. “I can’t afford that.”
“You’re on my insurance, remember? I’ve got you.”
