Via shakes her head and scoffs. “There isn’t. They already have a buyer lined up. Someone looking to turn it into a fucking neighborhood.”
She’s clearly annoyed, and her anger seems directed at me. “What’s onyourmind, Via?”
She glances at the water across from us, briefly refusing to look at me.
“Do you want my truth on how I feel, Izzy? The same truth you would give to me if the roles were reversed?”
“What the fuck makes you think I need any truth?” I ask on a huff.
“Because, damnit, you do!”
Shit, Via raised her voice at me. She never raises her voice. So, for once in my life, I back down, shut my mouth, and listen.
She continues, “That man is struggling just as you are. Yes, he kept something big from you that cost so much, but do you honestly think that was his plan? You aren’t one to judge for keeping secrets for the betterment of others, Iz. He did what he thought he had to do. Just don’t forget, before everything went up into fucking flames, you chose him. You were ready to take a chance on him. After all this time, you were taking a chance on your heart.” She sighs, letting her shoulders droop forward.
I don’t speak. Instead, I allow her words to sink in.
After the silence sits between us for a bit, I finally speak, “I don’t know what you want from me. I’m fucking angry.”
“I know you’re angry, but please don’t run from what your heart needs. Don’t be like me, Izzy. Don’t be stubborn and throw it all away. I see you. You’ve always been the savior—putting your own needs aside to be my biggest cheerleader and give me a push when I needed one. It’s my turn to push you. You’ve done so much for me, Izzy. It’s time for you to live for yourself.”
With that, our eyes meet, and something washes over me.
Maverick gave his life for mine. And Jett—Jett also gave up his life as he knows it in order to protect me. How was I blessed with two men who would go past what’s reasonable just for the sake of my safety?
Via is right. Although I hate to admit it, because that means I’m in the wrong.
I am no one to judge about keeping secrets.
Secrets.
Once again, it all boils down to our secrets.
What started off as omissions we both kept in order to protect one another from hard truths is the very thing that’s torn us apart.
I’m sick of being severed by hidden realities.
It’s time to face it all head-on.
My heart craves Jett. I’ve always wanted him.
I can’t keep running.
Then stop running, Izzy.Maverick’s words echo in my mind, and it’s then I know what I have to do.
If I stop running, so does Jett—I won’t let him give up everything. The ranch is all he’s ever known. It’s his safe place.
And it’s a place Maverick loved.
This may be crazy, especially since I don’t know what the future holds for us, but I know in my heart it’s what I want to do. It’s what Maverick would want me to do—to be happy.
Clutching the engagement ring strung around my neck, I don’t waste another second. “Is Ander inside?” I ask Via.
“Yeah, he—”
I don’t listen any further—just take off running toward the house.
“Ander!” I shout, walking through the front door with Via hot on my heels.
