- SEVEN -

Emmett.

By the time we got the 7s cattle into the makeshift arena, then into the trailer to cart them back home, the sun was a scorching ball directly overhead; it seared everything its tendrils could wrap around, turning everything, including us, into arid tinder.

I swung myself down off of Daisy, my boots thumping into the Earth like sacks of potatoes. She was sweating, her flanks heaving, so I snagged her reins and began a slow, stiff walk around the field to cool us both down. After a few laps Jazz walked over, bucket of water topped up with ice in his hand. He set it down and let Daisy go to work sucking it down; I dipped my hands in, cupped, and threw it on my face before dipping my hat in and turning it over on my head.

Jazz didn't immediately walk away, but rather stood there eyeing me like I'd shot his dog. Heaving a sigh I sat down in Daisy's shadow, looking up at him plaintively. "Look man, I got it. She's your sister. No-touchy, no worries. I like my life just fine, thanks."

He didn't immediately walk away, though he did turn as if he meant to. He hovered there, half-stepping away, before turning back to me. "It's not for her, man; it's for you. Rose's only goal in life is to fuck our dad over any way she can, and if that means literally fucking the bunkhouse, she's gonna do it. Save yourself the misery and just ignore her."

I found myself nodding, despite a very real desire not to. But I needed this job - I had a debt to pay; to society, and monetary. No woman was gonna mess that up for me, even if she was, easily, the most attractive thing on two legs I'd ever laid eyes on.

Feeling apparently satisfied, Jazz turned and walked off toward the wagon for more water, though I wasn't alone for long. I found Edward pulling up a patch of grass next to me, mopping his shaggy bronze hair with a white rag. He had a smirk on his face, like someone had just told the funniest joke ever.

"So, what'd you think of Rose?" He asked, his eyes tracking Bella as she tended to her horse.

I snorted, shaking my head. "Sounds like she's a real piece of work. What's the story there?"

He laughed, but it sounded dark and mirthless. "Daddy issues is putting it lightly. Ted's had her in prep school and debutante shit since she could walk, basically. She graduated high school at like, 16. Got a full ride to Auburn for ag-science, and just got her degree this spring. At some point she realized she preferred chaps over ballgowns but Ted's old school and won't have it."

"What about her mom? I can't see Cathy being thrilled with a tom-boy." I remarked, grabbing a bottle of water Edward offered me and taking a huge drink.

He shook his head, the look in his eyes becoming sad. "Cathy fought it for a while, but... well, they don't talk about what happened. All I know is something changed, and Cathy doesn't really say much about it to her. I know she doesn't like it, but she doesn't harp her like Ted does."

I only hummed in response, watching as Ted and Luke moved through the herd; the dogs, Rip and Beth - a pair of Texas Heelers - were zipping around, yipping and nipping at the steady stream of lowing cattle.

Edward stood as Bella began to walk toward us, Meadow in tow as Bella clasped her reins in one hand. The other wound around Edward's waist as he got nearer, and their mouths connected in a disgustingly public show of affection.

Right then and there I resolved to myself that I didn't need that kind of ball and chain on my leg; I'd already had the literal kind. Having someone to constantly have to watch out for, worrying if their feelings were getting hurt, trying to deconstruct the complicated riddles women seemed overly fond of? No fuckin' thanks.