He kisses my cheek before sitting back in his seat. “He’s doing okay. Squeezed my hand when I told him we were still here.”
I feel every muscle in my body noticeably relax as more relief rushes through me. That has to be good news. I feel okay about leaving to clear my head. And I can’t miss my shift at the ranch. Especially not now. At least I know he won’t be alone. He’ll have River here with him.
“That’s so good. Better than okay.” I place my hand on his thigh and give it a squeeze. “What do you want for breakfast? I have time to grab something before I head to the ranch.”
Tate is quiet as he studies me. His eyes are serious, but he gives nothing away even as he hesitates to respond. “I’m not really hungry, but I’ll eat whatever you want to bring me. Thank you.”
I squeeze his hand before I stand to leave because I still have no idea how to not be awkward. Fortunately, he doesn’t seem to notice with all his attention on his brother. Meanwhile, I’m silently dying. I feel like I’m supposed to be with Tate. Even after telling him it wasn’t going to work if he’s my boss, I didn’t think twice about driving him to the hospital or sitting with him while we all wait for Grayson to wake up. Even now, I hate the thought of leaving him. I’ve already decided that after my shift at the ranch, I’m going to shower, change, and come right back here.
Chapter 21
Tate
Reliefhitsmelikea tidal wave. After focusing on the sound of River’s retreating steps, I finally allow myself to take my first deep breath since seeing Gray on the ground. My lungs expand with much-needed air, and I finish with a cough when my breath catches. He’s awake. And he’s talking. I held my breath for what felt like the entire time he spoke to River before she left to give us some time. He’s still tired, but he’s finally making purposeful responses. He’s okay.
“Jesus Christ, Gray,” I rasp before closing my eyes and starting again. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
He holds my gaze for a long moment before he blinks and looks away. I watch as I can only assume the moments leading up to his trip to the hospital replay in his mind. His expression goes from groggy, to angry, and finally shaken up before he forces it back to neutral. He’s always trying to prove something. He should be shaken up.I’mshaken up and I didn’t even see it happen.
“Yeah, it would be a real waste to buy the Millers out and not have a chance to rub it in my face.”
For a moment I’m glad he’s in a hospital bed recovering from a terrible injury. It’s the only thing keeping me from laying his ass out. He loves to paint me as the bad guy. And I prove him right every goddamn time.
“Grayson, not every fucking thing is about you. Do you really think I live my life just to find ways to piss you off? Gary came to me, and I couldn’t say no. The ranch is one of the few things life hasn’t ruined for us. I couldn’t risk someone else buying it with no interest in keeping it going,” I say, before finally uttering the words I should have years ago. “You’re all I’ve got, Gray. I’m not trying to be an asshole all the time; I just want what’s best for you.”
His eyes remain focused on mine before he swallows hard and looks away. His slow nod tells me he heard what I said, but the conversation is over. The last thing I want to do is leave things like this, but in the hospital moments after he woke up from a head injury probably isn’t the best time to push. He’s always pissed at me, anyway. It can wait till he’s out of here.
“We can talk about it later. Anyway, I’ll send River back in here. I’ll check back.”
Standing, I pat his shoulder before walking out. It doesn’t help that all this happened the one time I didn’t get back to see him before his ride. All I could think was that he had to wake up so I could tell him I bought Boulder Ranch forus.
I don’t get far before I run into Joy. Her arms are full, with a tray of coffee in one hand and paper bags in the other. Looks to be the same items as yesterday. She looks beautiful, not like a woman who spent the night in an uncomfortable hospital chair only to go directly to work at the crack of dawn and then repeat the cycle all over again the following day. She only left last night because I demanded she go get some rest. It was only fair after she insisted I take her car to go home for a nap and a shower while she sat with Grayson.
“Hey. Let me help carry something.”
She angles the coffee toward me and I take it before we step to the side. “Sorry, I’m late this morning. I couldn’t find parking at the cafe, then I forgot my purse and had to go back to my car.”
“Hey,” I say in a low voice, stepping closer. “Don’t apologize. You did something nice for me. I wasn’t timing you. Thank you.”
She takes a slow breath and then nods. “You’re welcome. Were you on your way out?”
“River is in there with him. I figured I’d give her some time since we were in there for an entire night before they even let her back. But I can wait if you want to see him. He’s awake.”
Her face lights up. It’s the first smile I’ve seen since I stopped by the barn before the opening ceremony that changed everything for us. Before she found out I was the person taking over the ranch. “Oh, that’s so good! I’ll just see him real quick when I bring River her breakfast. I’ll be right back.”
She rushes off toward Grayson’s room, and I rake a hand through my hair as I try to figure out what to say to her now that we know he’s going to be okay. Now that we can finally breathe. It’s awkward, and that’s my fault. I should have told her about the ranch. Not that it would change anything, but she didn’t deserve to be surprised right along with everyone else. So, I tell her as soon as she returns to my side.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I should have.”
She looks up at me, surprise written all over her face. “Yeah. You should have.”
Before I can say anything in response, she turns and starts walking. I follow her through the lobby and out the main entrance to the sidewalk where she stops. “My place or yours?”
I clear my throat in surprise. “I’m sorry, what?”
She tilts her head. “Your truck isn’t here and after being up most of the night worrying about you and Gray, I’m only driving one place. So, your place or mine?”
That’s right. She drove. I guess I would have figured it out once I reached the parking lot. She does look tired. Gorgeous, but tired. There’s a slightly purple hue below her eyes and her lips are curved into a frown. I’m feeling about the same way.
