“So,” Grave says, lifting his beer slightly, “we’re on the same page?”
I nod. “Okay.”
I hesitate, then ask the question that’s been sitting heavy in my chest, but I need to know. “Have you heard from Sully?”
The air changes. Ollie goes still beside me. Jonesy looks down at his bottle. Grave clears his throat.
“He’s working out of state,” Grave says. “And he knows he’s not to come to Bridger Falls under any circumstances.”
I nod, relieved.
“He’ll be paying you back for a long time,” Grave says evenly. “He won’t be bothering you anymore.”
I nod, swallowing hard. “But he’s safe?”
Grave meets my eyes. “He’s alive.”
I study his face, searching for anything that tells me otherwise. I don’t find it.
“This club runs differently now,” he continues. “And I mean that.”
Silence settles again, thicker this time.
Grave leans back in his chair. “Sometimes we get a shit hand when it comes to parents. That doesn’t define us or reflect on who we are as people.”
My throat tightens.
“But when you have the opportunity to break a generational curse,” he says, voice steady and sure, “that’s what you do.”
He looks at me, really looks at me. “And that’s exactly what you’re doing with your brother.”
Something in my chest cracks open. I blink hard, refusing to let the tears fall in front of them. Ollie’s hand slides into mine, our fingers lacing together.
“Thanks,” I say quietly.
Jonesy nods at me, expression soft. “You’re doing good, kid.”
I stand, pushing my chair back. “I appreciate that.”
Grave stands too.
I walk toward the door, my boots echoing against the concrete floor. Before I step outside, I glanceback once. Ollie’s watching me with that look he gets when he’s proud and worried and in love all at once.
I give him a small smile.
Then I head out into the afternoon light, the shop door swinging shut behind me, feeling lighter than I have in a long time.
Chapter 36
Ollie
Holy Smokes by Bailey Zimmerman
I’ve been summoned to the Wilder Ranch by Cami and Jack. I don’t know what they need my help with, but they know they’ve got it. Jack’s truck is parked by the barn, and the side-by-side is parked beside it. It’s cold today, so whatever it is, I hope we take the truck with the heat on full blast.
I kill the engine to my truck and climb out, shoving my hands deep into my coat pockets. I’m expecting Jack to have a fence down, cows loose, a horse acting stupid, or a tractor that probably needs Poppy more than it needs me. But Poppy’s working today, and Maggie’s got Ellie and Owen. Jack told me to come out alone. So, yeah. I’m curious as to what they want.
I look around, and Cami steps out of the barn and smiles like she has a secret and is about to spill. Jack follows behind her, one hand on her lower back, the other holding a thermos like he’s trying to keep this casual. Like, he didn’t summon me out here, being ominous.
