The alarm went off way too early, the sound cutting through my heavy sleep like a dull knife. I dragged myself through my morning routine, my muscles screaming in protest from yesterday's marathon. Before the sun was even up, I checked the cattle in the holding pens and then ducked into the hay barn. It was quiet, smelling of dust and dried grass. I found a secluded corner, set an alarm for thirty minutes, and pulled my hat over my eyes for a desperate power nap.
I woke up just as the vet's truck crunched gravel near the chutes. I saddled Twist and tied him to the rail, my hands moving on autopilot as I started lining up the cattle.
The vet was thorough, checking every cow as I ran them through the squeeze. By noon, the rest of the crew was up and rowdy, but I kept my head down. I worked the chute, pushing through the fog of exhaustion. I knew being out in the open with Axel and his buddies was a gamble, but I pulled my weight until nightfall.
When Grandpa finally gave me the nod to head to the house, I could have cried with relief. I tucked Twist away, showered, and was just about to dive into my supper when a soft knock sounded at my door.
I hid my plate, wary of who might be on the other side. When I opened it, both twins were standing there.
"Would it be alright if we used your shower, sweetheart?" one asked. I stood frozen for a second before they added a quiet, "Please?"
I stepped back, opening the door wider. One slipped into the bathroom while the other stayed back, closing my bedroom door softly.
"Sorry for the intrusion," he said, watching me as I sat on the edge of my bed. "Axel and the rest of them took all the hot water. They're out on the porch drinking and... well, who knows what else. My brother and I don't exactly like to drink. Especially not when there are women around."
I nodded, my voice still lost in my throat.
"Don't worry about us," he added gently. "We won't do anything to hurt you. I can promise you that."
When they were both finished, they didn't rush out. They hung around, their presence filling my small room in a way that felt surprisingly protective.
"So, the entire time he's here, you'd rather hole up in your room than be out in the open?" the deeper-voiced one asked. I nodded again.
"We know you can talk, honey," the other said. "There's no need to be silent around us. Truth is, we'd rather hear you talk than be down there with those rowdy good-for-nothings."
They shared a look, a silent twin communication I couldn't decode. "I'll be the first to admit it," the second one continued. "Your brother is... well, he's something we won't say in front of you. He doesn't deserve a sister who works this hard to keep up, especially when she's been on her feet for twenty hours."
The larger twin moved toward the bed, and I instinctively shifted back.
"Do you have anything to do tomorrow?" he asked, his head resting near my lap as he sat on the floor.
"No," I whispered.
"Well, your grandfather asked us to keep an eye on you for the rest of the week, if that's alright with you."
"I don't know if that's a good idea," I said, thinking of Axel's temper.
He gave me a small, lopsided smile. "Axel will just have to get over himself. Especially since your grandfather saw how you're talking to us and none of his other buddies."
"I guess that means you're going to have to figure out who is who," the one on the floor said.
"I don't even know your names," I admitted.
"I'm Colt," the one on the floor said.
"No, I'm Cash. He's Colt," the one standing said.
The one by my bed chuckled, shaking his head. "Always getting me, brother. I am Colt. He's Cash."
"So you're Colt," I pointed to the floor, "and that's Cash?"
"Yup," they said in unison.
"Now I know," I said, a tiny smile tugging at my lips.
"You sure we're not lying?" Cash teased.
"I may need to see some ID to be sure," I joked back. Colt actually reached for his wallet, chuckling, when a heavy bang rattled the door.
"I know you two are in there with my sister! Open up!" Axel's voice roared from the hallway.
"Like I said," Colt muttered quietly, "he's something we don't want to say."
I stood up as Colt moved away from the bed to give me space. I unlocked the door just enough to peer out at my brother's flushed face.
"What do you want?"
"My buddies. Let me in."
"No," I said firmly, and slammed the door in his face.
I'd inherited the same fire he had, but I had twice the stubbornness. He hammered on the wood again, the sound of a splinter cracking echoing through the room.
"I'm not opening it! I've cut you out, Axel, so stay out!" I yelled through the woods.
But as I stood there, heart racing, I knew it was a lie. I needed my older brother. I needed the version of him that used to chase guys away, the one who actually cared. I didn't know if that version of Axel even existed anymore, or if the rodeo had swallowed him whole.