I nod back, still trying to fight back the lump I have in my throat. I take the sleeve of my cardigan and use it to wipe away a tear that escapes.
“I have to go out with him and the herd tomorrow, I promised Ellie.” I start.
“Hey-” He stops me, and I look up at him. “This is your ranch; you will hold your head up high and have fun with your daughter,” Jake says as he leans forward. “I’ll have a word with him,” he finishes.
“You haven’t spoken to him?” I look at him confused as to why he hasn’t seen him.
“Honey, last time I saw him was Friday when I left thebar, only just found out from your brother, I came straight over here.” He lifts his hands up, glass still in his right.
I know Jake works long hours at the Bennett’s. Only time he manages to escape is on Friday’s or when he makes it over here. I pull my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around them.
“He spoke to Ellie.” I look back at Jake, and his eyes shoot straight in my direction. “And?” he asks.
I explain to Jake what I saw yesterday after Maverick had been in the office and as I came out to leave founding him on eye level with my daughter.
“I never told him anything about you,” Jake says after I finish explaining.
“I know, sugar, thank you.” I offer him a warm smile before taking another gulp of wine.
“He always ask’s though.” his eyes meet mine.
Did that surprise me that he asks about me? Yes and no. Yes, because of the obviously and no, because I guess I hoped he did think about me, about us and what should have been.
“What did you say?” I ask.
“Same as always; ‘Leave it be’.”
It’s been a while since I confided in Jake about his brother. There was no need anymore, that wasup until two days ago when he showed up at my door.
“Do you want me out with you tomorrow?” He asks and my face melts at his offer. This is why I love Jake, always thinking of others.
“No, sugar, you have your own work to be getting on with. Besides like you say, I’ll have fun with my daughter.”
That’s if I don’t murder my brother or Maverick first.
“Anyway, me and Ellie are riding in later, so we can leave whenever we like. Now Colter has his best buddy back, he won’t need us.” Jake looks at me with an eyebrow raised as I spit my childish venom in the hopes it’ll help make me feel better.
It doesn’t.
“Sorry,” I say. I don’t mean to put Jake in this position.
He laughs. “Hey, no judgement from me. They’re both dicks in my book.” I love it when he agrees with me to make me feel better.
I finish my glass of wine and wipe my mouth with the same patch of my cardigan. Clever enough to bring the bottle out with me to pour another.
Jake looksat me like he doesn’t know what to say to me.
“I’ll be fine, honey, got to woman up!” I exclaim. He gives me the side eye. “It’s man up-” he corrects.
“I say woman up, men cry when they have the flu,” I laugh, pulling my glass to my lips.
“Hey, man-flu is a real thing!” He looks offended at my comment.
“Uh, huh, sure thing, honey. You keep telling yourself that.” I take a sip. He laughs at me.
“Thank you.” I smile at him, looking towards my thumbs held tight on the stem.
“What for?” He asks and I look up to him. “Being there, even though it’s your brother we talk about.” I sip my wine, once again.
