Fall With Me (Sugarland Creek, #3) (51)

As we drive back into town, I get a text from a number I don’t recognize.

Unknown





You forgot something.





Well, that could be anything considering…but first…

Ellie





Who is this?





Unknown





Wow, seriously? You never even saved my name in your phone. Why am I not surprised?





I snort. Previous Ellie really did hate him.

Ellie





Maybe I was just trying to come up with a name as clever as Little Devil.





Unknown





I’m sure that was the case.





Ellie





Well, give me an idea…what name would I have put your number under?





Unknown





Probably “The Sexiest Man I’ve Ever Seen” or “Hottest Cowboy Ever” …just to give you a couple ideas.





Ellie





Wow…both great choices! However, I’m thinking of something a bit shorter. Maybe “Egomaniac?” or “Captain Ego?”





Unknown





Captain? Now we’re talking.





Ellie





Glad I didn’t suggest Lord High and Mighty. You’d probably require I bow at your feet.





Unknown





I would never suggest that. Kneeling, maybe.





My eyes widen at the text on my screen and my cheeks heat. I glance over at my dad to make sure he’s not watching me blush.

Did he seriously just say that? Is he flirting with me?

I’m not good at that. If anything, my resting bitch face is part of the reason I’ve been single for years.

Ellie





Um…didn’t you say I forgot something? Are you gonna tell me what that is or add it to the long list of other shit I don’t know?





Unknown





Depends. Did you change my name yet?





Smirking, I roll my eyes and edit his contact information. Then I take a screenshot and send it to him.

Ellie





Here, I gave you a promotion.





Major Ego





HAHAHA





He adds a dorky sunglasses emoji.

Major Ego





Now you know this means you’ll be required to salute me.





Ellie





Of course.





And then I add the saluting emoji.

Major Ego





Okay good. Well the thing you forgot was me telling you a memory. In the hospital, I mentioned I would in a few days assuming you didn’t get it back by then.





Ellie





Oh right! Better tell me something good…





Major Ego





I’ll let you pick. Do you wanna hear something nice or something mean?





Ellie





Is the nice or mean in reference to me?





Major Ego





Yes.





Ellie





Uhh…nice, I guess.





Major Ego





I had a horse named Sydney. Noah and I ended up rescuing her from a bad home where she was being neglected. I was the only one she’d go to while I nursed her back to health. Used to ride her all over the ranch and retreat. One day she got sick and had to have surgery to remove the blockage. She went into shock and her heart couldn’t keep up. After twenty-four hours, I refused to let her suffer, so I had to say goodbye. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever gone through. A few days later, you gave me a condolence card. I still have it in my truck.





Wow…I did not expect that at all. If I truly hated him, why would I go through the trouble of gifting him a card?

Ellie





Okay, now tell me something mean.





I know I’m being greedy, but I’m dying for more.

Major Ego





I took your card as an olive branch, and a couple weeks later, asked you out on a date. You laughed in my face and walked away.





I cover my mouth, containing my laughter. It’s not funny. In fact, it’s really mean, but the fact that he’s even talking to me after I did that is comical.

Ellie





I’m not sure if I should apologize or say that’s what you get for trying to get in my pants.