Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 115683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
I chuckle despite the swell of emotion that blocks my throat. “You believe in second chances?”
Beck thinks on this for a minute as he wraps the barbed wire around the post. “I do.”
“Interesting you say that just when Posey appears.”
Beck doesn’t take the bait. Means something is going down, but he’s not ready to talk about it.
I know better than to push him. He’ll spill the beans when he’s ready.
We’re finishing up, loading our supplies back onto the horses, when Beck puts a hand on my shoulder.
“I’m here, you know. We all are. To fill in if you need to, I don’t know, show up even later than normal—”
“Fuck you.” I smile.
“Fuck you right back. But seriously, we’re here to support you if you wanna make this happen. Do it right. The ranch isn’t gonna fall apart if you take a day off. Even a week.”
“A week?” I stare at him, even as a feeling of warmth spreads its wings inside my chest. “Where the hell would I go for a week?”
He looks at me like the answer’s obvious. “You go down on Lainey. Not, like, for the whole week, obviously. Just for most of it. If that doesn’t convince her to stay, then I’m out of ideas.”
“That’s”—scoffing, I put my hands on my hips—“out of line.”
“Exactly why you gotta do it.”
“And here I thought I was the one who needed to get laid.”
Beck puts his hands on his saddle. “Everybody needs to get laid, if you’re any indication. When was the last time you grunted as a response to someone?”
I actually have to think about that for a minute. “I…don’t remember.”
“Hm.” He climbs onto his horse. “The last time you had an angry outburst?”
I climb into the saddle too, taking the reins. “With Billie and Ryder.” Weeks ago.
“You’re gonna make that right, though? Because you’re a changed man now that Miss Lainey Brown’s worked her way into your tiny black heart?”
“Matter of fact, yes.”
Beck blinks, like he wasn’t expecting me to actually agree with him. “Gotta feel pretty dang good, not being grunt-y and angry anymore.”
Feels fucking fantastic.
I just hope I can hold on to that feeling for a little longer.
If I’m lucky, I’d like to hold on to it forever.
CHAPTER 27
Caught in the Act
LAINEY
“So what you’re saying is you’re not coming home for the holidays.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose and count backward from ten. “I’m not saying that. I’m saying I’m swamped trying to wrap up this project, and it’d save me a lot of time if—”
“You are having Thanksgiving without us.” Mom pauses.
I hear Dad in the background. “That’s bullshit!”
Tears prick my eyes. The other night at the Wallaces’, I felt so good. The tension between Colt, Billie, and Ryder was still there, but it’s definitely mellowed some.
Then I got on the phone with Mom, and it’s easy to forget all that. I’m back in the vortex of her hurt and my shame. I hate it.
I don’t want to deal with it anymore. Yes, I’m excited to spend Thanksgiving with the Wallaces, but honestly, I’m just as excited not to have to deal with my parents’ bullshit.
Still sucks knowing I’m hurting them by staying on the ranch.
“Yes, I’ll be here for Thanksgiving. But I’ll be with y’all for Christmas, I promise. Please try to understand.” I’m fighting tears because I don’t want to cry. I want to have this conversation and move on. “You told me I need to work hard and get a real job, and that’s what I’m trying to do here. If I knock this project out of the park, who knows what doors it’ll open for me?”
Mom sighs. “If you say so. We’re just disappointed. It’s been weeks since we’ve seen you, and we were looking forward to having the family together.”
What she doesn’t say? She was also looking forward to having my help. The hurt in my own chest morphs to anger. I’m so, so sick of being the fill-in for the partner my dad is supposed to be.
“I don’t mean to disappoint you.” I manage to keep my tone even. “Like I said, I’ll be back for Christmas with bells on, all right?”
Another sigh. “Fine. We’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too.”
“Good luck, Lainey.” And then Mom hangs up.
Staring at my phone, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Turns out I made the right call: Thanksgiving at the Wallaces’ is a fucking delight. Beck’s tenderloin might have been one of the best things I’ve ever eaten (pun not intended). Colt still hasn’t forgiven his sister, but they were cordial enough. And everyone was in a festive mood. We drank excellent whiskey and wine. Had a dance party in the kitchen, led by Dean.
Best of all, Colt yanked me into the powder room for a stolen quickie. I don’t think either of us is ready to tell his family about our relationship, although I’m sure some of his siblings (Beck, mostly) have picked up on the fact that something’s up between us.