Page 52 of Chase Me, Cowboy

I’ve seen it happen too many times.

I know the red flags by now.

Once in the hotel room, I get in the shower and stare at the glossy white wall. I’d hoped I wouldn’t be in such a bad way after decompressing on the plane, but no such luck. Serena’s face swims in my mind. Soft, relaxed, lashes on her cheeks as she sleeps. The other night, I woke up a few times while she was out cold and watched her sleep, on her side with the sheet falling off her curves.

I’m hard again.

Is this how it’s going to go from now on?

Frustrated, I jerk off quickly to get it out of my system and get out. I have a pair of chinos and a button-down that will do for informal work meetings like this. Throwing them on, I grab my wallet and head down to the lobby to take an Uber to the car rental place so I have something to drive while I’m here. Then, I hit the road.

The Banker family lives in one of those big houses in an area where the neighborhoods shot up overnight during the oil boom. Everything is opulent, but cookie-cutter. Like God hit copy-paste a hundred times without changing a thing. Every one has a perfectly square lawn, mowed in a patchwork pattern, a pale brick house, a white paved drive, and a pool in the backyard. There’s no variation, even in the color of the front doors. I check house numbers as I go until I get to 40402 and pull into the drive behind Noah’s enormous truck.

I cut the engine.

Goddamn, I hate this guy.

Four German shepherds jet out of the garage as I step from the SUV. It’s been a while, but they still remember me. The biggest one nudges my hand, licking it, and jumps up. He’s about to my elbow, standing. I tousle his ears and shove him off, circling around their hustling bodies, and head into the open garage.

The door hangs ajar, looking into the enormous open first floor. I tap on the door and wait. Nobody answers. It appears the living room is empty, as well as the second hallway leading to the den. On my phone, I scroll through my contacts until I get to Noah’s number.

“Hey.”

I look up, eyes settling on Madi. She’s standing in the living room, just outside the bathroom door. Her hands are tucked in her back pockets, like she’s apprehensive.

“Hey,” I call. “Here for the meeting.”

“Hey, come on in,” she says, entering the kitchen and offering me a smile. That looks a little more like her; she had me nervous for a second.

I step in, and she shuts the front door. There are faint dark shadows beneath her hazel eyes, but otherwise, she seems alright. She’s the opposite of Serena in looks: pale olive skin and a lot of dark hair that falls to her waist. However, they’re the same in the sense that people stop to look twice, immediately aware there’s something a little different present.

“You want some coffee?” she asks, smiling.

Her smile is tired. I nod and pull out a chair, sinking down. Making sure I’m coming across casual, I stretch my legs out and keep an eye on her as she makes a cup of coffee. Her hands are steady, she’s moving normally, just tired, I guess. When she brings it over, she sits at the table with me.

“How’s it going?” I ask.

Her lids flutter. “Good.”