“Olive was one month from turning eighteen when Meghan got pregnant.”
“Shit, J.” Dylan’s eyes fill with sympathy. “I wish I’d known…”
“She and I never talk about it to other people. I only told Colt, and she’s told only one person ever as well. If that.” Olivia never told me that she shared our story with Hayley, but from the way Hayley was eyeing the two of us, I’d bet a lot of money that she knows.
“You can trust us,” Dylan says. “Nothing said in here will ever leave this truck.”
Brayden adds, “Not to Cam or Ayden, either, in case you’re worried. It’s your story to tell, J—you’ll tell it when you’re ready.”
My grip on the wheel relaxes a touch, and I nod my thanks. But I need a subject change—fast. “So anyone else got news?”
Brayden lets out a long breath. “The ranch owners want to sell.”
I catch his gaze in the rearview mirror. “Whoa.”
Brayden’s been living on the same Montana ranch for years. Along with coaching high school football, it’s what he loves most.
Dylan jerks his head around to face Brayden. “What? You never said anything about it.”
“I know. I didn’t want to worry you.”
I get it. “So what are you going to do now?”
“Wait a minute.” Dylan’s now twisted completely around in his seat. “Does that mean you have to move?”
“Hopefully there’s another solution,” he says simply.
Brayden’s always been more private than the other Wilds. He’s someone you would trust with your life, and he’s always been able to see multiple angles of a situation. But he doesn’t share like the others do.
“Can I help?” Dylan presses. “I’m not asking to piss you off, Bray. I’m asking because I want to make sure you’re okay. You know I can help if you need some time to figure things out.”
“I know.” Brayden’s voice is quiet. “But I’m okay. I have some ideas I’m running over in my head but nothing I want to discuss yet. I just know it’s time I finally jump off the deep end and force myself to learn to swim.”
* * *
Olivia
I sit in a row with my family behind the looming podium where Dad will be speaking in a few minutes. I came straight from work and am still in my business suit.
The crowded town hall is buzzing with conversation between the residents chatting amongst each other as they sit in their metal chairs and wait for Dad to take the microphone.
Right now, he’s standing just out of view with Cindy and his assistant while they go over tonight’s agenda, which is really him making the official announcement that he’s not retiring from his mayoral post. Not this election.
My phone buzzes, and I pull it out of my purse.
Sorry about the bank fiasco. I’m almost to the town hall.
Didn’t bother me,I type back to him. I kept the seat on my right empty.
Daphne, who’s never on time to these things, rushes up to the stage. Before I can stop her, she drops into the seat on my right.
“Daph, I was saving that for…”
“Olive, no one needs this seat more than I do right now.” She gives me a pleading look, her eyes widening with emotion. “Please don’t make me go sit next to our brother. Sheldon will send me into tears as soon as he takes one look at me.”
Her hair is in braids, and her outfit consists of a pink blouse with a black A-line skirt that looks cute except…
“Is that spaghetti sauce?” I say as I point to the stain on her blouse collar.
