Fall With Me (Sugarland Creek, #3) (31)

“Choke and find out.”

Her head whips up and her stare is murderous. Good.

Getting a rise out of her is my new hobby. Now that we’re in a mutual dislike for each other, might as well push her buttons as much as she’s pushed mine over the years.

Arching a brow, I challenge her to say something about my choking comment.

Before she can, the person behind me clears their throat, and I realize we’re holding up the line. With the fair, the retreat is maxed out on guests.

Ellie gets the hint and moves along, keeping silent as we load our plates. Besides the meat on hers, the rest is filled with fruit. My gaze follows as she walks to a table with Waylon and Wilder.

Son of a bitch.

It’s weird enough that she’s eating here, but even more so that she’s sitting with them.

But I’m not letting her ruin my day, especially after I had a great date with Cecilia. We laughed most of the evening and had a great time. We’re planning to meet up at the fair again tonight for a couple hours and then we’ll go to the Twisted Bull for drinks.

I walk over to their table and sit next to Waylon, ignoring the way she’s burning a hole in my head. Wilder’s talking about some twin girls they met at the rodeo and Ellie doesn’t look happy about it.

Is she jealous?

“Well, if your goals were to find the bitchiest sisters in the South, you succeeded,” Ellie says.

Waylon smirks. “Why do you think we took them to the house of mirrors and then bailed?”

“They’re probably still in there tryna find us,” Wilder muses.

“Wait, you ditched them?” Ellie asks, surprised.

I’m not. I’m only surprised she’s surprised. Has she met them?

“As soon as they started talkin’ shit about you, we got rid of ’em,” Waylon says. “Figured they weren’t happy you kicked their asses and didn’t realize you were with us.”

“With you?” Ellie lifts a brow.

“Yeah, you’re an honorary Hollis. That means no one messes with you.” Wilder grins.

“Except Landen.” Waylon laughs, and I nudge him.

Ellie shoves a whole sausage link into her mouth while staring at me as if she’s waiting to see if I’ll confirm his statement or not.

“Nope. We’re mutual enemies. She no longer gets my life-saving services. So you better chew,” I mock with a smirk.

“Enemies to lovers, huh?” Noah asks behind Ellie, appearing out of nowhere. “My favorite romance book trope. Well, after monster smut. The tails do somethin’ to me.”

Wilder, Waylon, and I give her the same face of disgust.

“Have you come to rescue me?” Ellie asks, glancing over her shoulder.

Noah sits next to her. “Yep, sorry for runnin’ late. Donut was giving me attitude this mornin’ and Fisher wouldn’t stop annoying me about gettin’ off him.”

That’s Noah’s show horse she practices all her training on. A few years ago, she fell off him during a trick-riding stunt and got badly injured. After she had Poppy, she promised Fisher she wouldn’t do it anymore, but Delilah wanted help with advancing her skills before she went on a cross-country tour. So now Noah only practices when Fisher’s there to spot her.

“So what’s that have to do with you two meetin’ here for breakfast?” I ask.

“We’re havin’ a client-trainer meetin’, if ya must be nosy.” Noah scoffs.

“Talkin’ about that sick leg lift move she did last night?” Wilder asks.

“Yeah, you’re welcome for teachin’ her that,” I deadpan. “And wait, why wasn’t I invited to this meetin’? I’m her part-time trainer.”

Instead of acknowledging what I said, Ellie directs her attention to Noah. “Since Ranger didn’t get his hooves checked last week, I was hopin’ Fisher could see him before I leave on Wednesday. Give him a couple days with new shoes before the race on Friday.”

“Absolutely. Jase and he are going on a father-son fishing trip this weekend, but I’ll put Ranger on Fisher’s schedule first thing Monday morning. We’re headin’ out after chores on Wednesday, but I can meet you for a quick practice run on Thursday.”

“I’ll be there, too,” I interject with my fork in the air. “So, just tell me when and where.”

“My parents won’t be comin’ with me, so I’ll be free anytime,” Ellie tells Noah.

They don’t even offer me a glance.

“You’re drivin’ alone?” she asks.

“I could drive her. Since I’m going there, too,” I suggest, punching each word.

“Yeah, it’ll be fine. I’ll listen to an audiobook and chug some Red Bull.” Ellie smiles at Noah when she laughs.

“Hello? Does anyone hear me…” I tilt my head toward Wilder and Waylon, who are watching in amusement.

“I think they’re ignorin’ ya,” Wilder taunts with his mouth half full. “You can tell me about that hot brunette you were with last night instead if ya want.”

I don’t.

“Well, since no one’s listenin’, then I won’t suggest Ellie should wear her shoulder brace to keep it from droppin’ again. And I won’t suggest that she should work on Ranger’s third turn. I also won’t mention he got a little spooked when the stirrup smacked against him and y’all lost a few microseconds. Coulda taken first. But since no one’s listenin’, I won’t mention how to avoid it next time.”