She pulled away from me, her hair bouncing as she ran up to Jesse, wrapping her arms around him tightly while he spun her around and kissed her.

Barbara.

It felt like a slap in the face.

She told me she ran with the Seven River Gang, a band of outlaws just trying to get by in Lincoln County. After nursing me back to health from heat exhaustion, Barbara and I had spent all week together while Jesse and the gang were away. Things had started out friendly, but quickly escalated.

I didn’t know she was with Jesse.

She had made me look like a fool.

I watched as she showered Jesse in endless kisses, welcoming him home after a week away. Just this morning she had given me the same affection— and now here I stood, dumbfounded and embarrassed.

Confusion, anger, sadness… envy. An overwhelming wave of jealousy.

I had to force a straight face, struggling to keep from scowling. In my stupor, I had hardly noticed a younger girl also running up to greet Barbara with the same warm embrace.

From their interaction and looks alone, I eventually put it together that they were sisters.

Barbara’s younger sister.

It was almost too perfect.

I suddenly felt extremely bitter. Before I could even stop myself, my mind was working ahead.

I wanted Barbara to regret ever toying with my emotions. If I could just somehow get to her sister…

After hollow welcoming exchanges upon Jesse and the gang’s return, dinner quickly arrived. The group of outlaws had gathered around a large table in the backyard, plates of food and bottles of beer littering the surface underneath the setting sun.

Drunken chatter and obnoxious laughter filled the scene, but my focus was solely on her.

I had purposefully chosen to sit across from her, pretending to pay no mind. As the sky darkened, the alcohol poured more frequently, I cleared my throat to get her attention.

“I don’t believe I know you.”

I gestured toward a half-empty bottle of whiskey, speaking in a casual, friendly tone as our eyes met.

“You mind passing that over?”