All I can do is stare at her in confusion. It’s clear she’s pissed, but she lost me with that statement.
“You didn’t tell me. You didn’t think I should know I was getting ready to have sex with myboss?”
My stomach drops. I didn’t even think of it like that. There’s no way I should have pursued her knowing she works at the ranch. When it comes to her, I seem to forget about a lot of things. The expression on her face reminds me why I’ve been happily avoiding relationships before now. Because the look on her face is causing the most painful ache in my chest, and I’m not sure I’ll be able to fix it.
“I swear I didn’t think about it like that. No one knew I was buying this place. I wasn’t specifically keeping you out of it. I was told not to talk about it until they made the announcement.”
“Yeah. But that doesn’t change the facts. I’m not sure I can do this.”
I stand momentarily frozen, her words landing like the strike of a hand. “What are you saying? Just because it changes things doesn’t mean they’ve changed for the worse.”
I don’t want to leave this barn until we get things figured out, but I hear them introduce Gray, and I didn’t get to see him before his ride like I always do. Another reminder of how much easier things were when I was alone. I allowed myself to get distracted, and I’m already letting things fall to the wayside.
“I just need some time to think. It was already complicated enough just with you being tied to the ranch as a bronc rider. But now you’re my boss. It’s a lot to take in,” she says with a sigh of defeat.
“Okay. But promise me we can talk about this. It doesn’t have to be now. Tomorrow?”
“I work at the doctor’s office tomorrow. And then I have to come in here for a few hours.”
I glance toward the arena to try and see if I have time. It looks like he’s about ready. “Okay, I’ll bring you lunch, and we can talk. I’ll be at our spot watching Gray and the rest of the bull riders if you change your mind and want to talk to me tonight. Or stand with me.”
I make it outside just as the gate swings open from the chute and Gray’s bull comes flying out with a purpose. Making my way to the gate, I stop when I hear my name. To my surprise, Joy is rushing after me. I thought, if anything, it would take her some time before she was ready to face me. She smiles hesitantly, but my attention is dragged away by the collective gasp from the crowd.
I turn to see my brother in a heap on the dirt, a bull fighter hovering over him protectively. The bull must have run after him once he’d been thrown off. But that’s not what’s concerning. What’s concerning is that the bull has been corralled, and my brother still isn’t moving. The crowd is silent as I hold my breath and wait. Joy’s arms snake around me in a comforting embrace, and just as I’m about to gently push her away so I can get to Grayson, I see him begin to stir.
Chapter 20
Joy
“CanIgetyouanything, Mrs. Garrison?”
It takes me a moment to realize the nurse is speaking to me. “Oh, no, thank you. I’m okay. I’ll probably go on a coffee run soon anyway.”
We’ve been at the hospital most of the night. When Gray didn’t get up after getting thrown off the bull, all hell broke loose. Tate refused to leave his brother’s side; I refused to leave Tate’s side. River stepped up and has been holding us all together, taking charge and making sure Gray received the proper care. Well, until we got to the hospital and this asshole doctor showed up. Now, I’m afraid to leave Tate’s side because I can tell he’s about to lose his shit.
“You can go for coffee,” Tate says softly. “I’m fine.”
He’s not fine. I doubt he even believes himself. I was hoping Tate would be less on edge once Gray returned to his room, but he’s still leaning forward in his chair with his elbows resting on his thighs as he stares at his brother. My heart feels like it’s been torn in two. One half goes to Tate and the other to River who is still in the waiting room. The only reason I’ve been allowed back is because Tate told the nurses that I’m his wife. When we told them that River is Gray’s wife, the nurse just gave a sad smile. Dr. Buckner had already made sure to tell the entire staff that River was not immediate family and not on his case.
“I’ll stay here with you until he wakes up. Or until they let River back here.”
A low, humorless laugh rumbles out of him. “You don’t have to babysit me. If I haven’t beat the shit out of that asshole doctor yet, I’m probably not going to.”
“That’s not—” I start to argue, but his stern gaze causes my lie to falter. “I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
I swallow hard as I look at him. He looks broken. Dark circles surround his eyes and his jaw is set. His lips form a grim line, and they barely twitch as I correct my lie. I do just want him to be okay. And part of being okay is not getting arrested for assault.
“Thank you,” he breathes before returning his gaze to the hospital bed.
I wish I knew what to say. Or what to do. The last thing I said to Tate before shit hit the fan was that I needed space to figure out if I could do this. I still need space, but I’m not leaving him here alone. Not like this. I place my hand on his back, preparing to rub it, but he instantly sits up and then leans his body toward me. Opening my arms in invitation, I wrap them around him when he leans his shoulder against mine and rests his head back against the wall. No, I definitely can’t leave him like this.
I must have fallen asleep, because next thing I know, Tate is kissing my forehead and giving my shoulder a gentle shake. The curtains are drawn, so it’s hard to tell how long I’ve been asleep or what time of day it is. Gray still appears to be sleeping.
“What’s wrong?”
Tate smiles and shakes his head. “Nothing is wrong. They are going to let River come back if you want to go on that coffee run. Or if you want to go home and get some sleep…”
“Oh,” I said, breathing a sigh of relief. “That’s good. How’s he doing? Did I miss anything while I was asleep?”
