The words hit like a gut punch.
Kade steps forward, resting a hand on Wyatt’s shoulder. “We want to be out working the land with you, Gray. You keep pushing us to chase our dreams, but you’re the one holding the gate closed.”
The urge to argue flares in my chest, mingling with the sting of his words. But what would I say? He’s right. I have been pushing them, but clearly, I haven’t been listening.
“I’m not trying to hold anyone back. I’ve been nothing but encouraging.”
Kade and Wyatt exchange a look, and Autumn comes up behind me, squeezing my arm. Her voice is soft when she speaks. “Nobody is saying that you’re trying to hold them back. Kade didn’t use the right words, but what I think they’re trying to say is that they share the same dream as you, so let them help.”
I stumble back, pacing in the small room and running my fingers through my hair before turning to Wyatt and Kade. “You really feel like this?”
Anguish pulls Kade’s features tight. “Yeah. Working the ranch is all we’ve ever wanted, and you keep carrying the weight of all, but we’re here and ready to pick up the slack.”
Facing Autumn, I study her features and the understanding shining in her eyes. I exhale, long and slow, my chest tightening with the weight of everything I’ve not said. Giving my brothers more responsibility is the easy part, but what comes next with Avery terrifies me.
Still, I find myself asking, “You really think I should ask her out?”
She doesn’t say anything, the corner of her mouth kicking up all the confirmation I need.
I nod, not at her but more to myself. The version of me that’s been buried under duty for too damn long. The one that still wants Avery, aches for her and hopes that one day he’ll get to have her.
Maybe it’s time I finally let him have a say.
19
GRAYSON
The sun sits high in the sky as I navigate my truck down Main Street. It’s early, and the only people around are those getting a head start on the day. A nervous excitement flutters in my stomach as the truck closes the distance to Avery’s parents’ place. It’s a welcome change from the anger I’ve been carrying around for far too long.
It’s been several days since the rodeo. Since I told Avery that neither of us were running from whatever is going on between us. Since I last spoke to her. I know I should have reached out, but I was too busy being badgered into going into the office—although it’s on the ranch, it’s not close to the main house—and between the meetings and fixing up her place, time got away from me.
But not today.
In the time since I last saw her, I’ve realized that I can’t keep wallowing in my pain. Eventually, I have to let it go. That’s not to say it won’t linger, but it’s certainly not getting me anywhere. Hell, Kade and Wyatt have been more than willing to tell me that. But for the first time in a long time, I’m coming to that conclusion myself.
As hard as it is to loosen the reins, I’ve left Wyatt in charge of the ranch along with Beau, a ranch hand who’s been with us for decades. Beau’s been given strict instructions to call me should Wy get into any shit. Today, Avery is going to have all of my focus, just like she should have since she walked back into my life.
The route to Avery’s is ingrained in my memory, and it doesn’t take long for her parents’ house to come into view. Not much has changed; it’s a little more worn than the last time I was here. I’m almost ashamed to admit that I’ve avoided coming to this side of town for the last few years, just so I don’t run into Luke or Daisy—her parents.
I pull up to the curb, and the engine ticks as I kill it. My pulse pounds in my ears, but my heart is steady and sure. Tapping my fingers on the steering wheel, I look up at the front porch, half-expecting to see Avery waiting for me.
A flash of memory flits through my mind, and my lips twitch. Once upon a time, she was waiting on the front porch for me, her arms folded and her lips tight. I was late, caught up with watching my dad talk business with the livestock commissioner, leaving too late to ever make it on time. She’d stomped to my truck as I raced around to open the door for her, a bunch of roses I’d stopped to pick up resting on her seat. It’s safe to say I was forgiven for my tardiness that night, but it took a lot of apologies to earn it.
A screen door slams, bringing me back to the present. Avery comes to a stop on the steps, adjusting the box in her grip as she tilts her head and stares at me, her brow furrowed. She’s wearing cutoff denim shorts, a white tank top, and has her blonde hair piled on top of her head. The sight leaves me breathless.
Here goes nothing.
Climbing from the truck cab, I give myself a pep talk as I head toward her. “Hey. Morning.”
“Hi.” She draws the word out, her confusion at my presence lacing the word and settling in my stomach. “I… uh… I thought Autumn was coming.”
Tugging off my baseball cap, I run my fingers through my hair and squeeze the back of my neck with one hand, while the other flexes around the bill of my hat. “She was, but I told her I’d help you move. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Oh.” Avery shakes her head, and her features soften. “Okay. I don’t mind at all.”
I rock back on my heels as an awkwardness settles between us for a moment.
Oh, shit.
