“Shut up.” She couldn’t help but smile, because now Billy was laughing, doubled over laughing. “It isn’t that funny.”
“Yes, it is. For Christ’s sake, Renie, you couldn’t have found a regular ol’ cowboy? Somebody named Stetson? Or Maverick?”
She and Billy had good times making fun of the young bull riders who came out the chutes with names like Tuf or Stran or Cody. Jace was just as bad, she had to admit it.
“Tell me about him.”
“No. It’s none of your business.”
“Everything about you is my business.”
“I don’t want to talk about him, Billy.”
“He know about me?”
“Sort of.”
“What’s that mean?”
“You said it yourself, Billy. I talk in my sleep.”
Billy leaned over and put his hand on his knees, feeling as nauseous as he suspected Liv and Renie felt earlier.
15
“You are such a hypocrite.”
“What? How am I a hypocrite?”
“You had a baby with somebody. And then, you lied to me about it.”
“What…in…the…hell…are you talking about?” Billy took deep breaths between his words and stood, so mad he was afraid he would hit something.
“You told me you’d never been in a relationship. Was that so you could get in my panties, Billy? Is that what you tell all the girls, so they think they’re special?”
“Is that what you think? Is that why you left?” The anger flowed out of his body, realizing that’s what she believed about him.
“There wasn’t anybody who mattered, Renie. Not ever.”
“You expect me to believe Roxanne didn’t matter?”
“No, she didn’t matter. If Mr. Johnson hadn’t sought me out at the rodeo in South Dakota, I would have forgotten she existed.”
“I don’t believe that for a minute.”
“Renie.” He rubbed his eyes and then ran his hand through his hair. “I’m not sure how to say this without making everything worse.”
“Say it, Patterson. Tell the truth. It’ll be good for your soul.”
“I had sex with a lot of women. A lot. I don’t remember most of them. Hell, Renie, I’m not sure I remember any of them.”
“Thanks, Billy.”
“I don’t mean you.”
Renie had Pooh saddled up and was headed out to ride.
“Will you at least wait for me?”