Wiping my brow with the back of my hand, I chuck the post driver on the ground and walk back to the ATV. I roll my shoulders, trying to ease some of the tension that’s been building in them as I’ve worked. It doesn’t help; if anything, the small reprieve in work is only bringing Avery to the forefront of my mind. I wish she’d leave so that I could go back to how my life was, where the memory of her would only show up occasionally.
I grunt as I slide the next heavy wooden post from the bed of the ATV and lift it onto my bare shoulder. I’ll probably end up littered with splinters by the end of the day, but I don’t care. It’ll give me something else to think about besides her.
With the beam balanced, I walk over to the hole I’ve shoveled and drop it in. I’m building a new fence line in preparation for when we bring the cattle up I purchased from a ranch two towns over. They’ve had to sell off stock after the death of their father, and it came out that he’d had a gambling addiction.
I wiggle the beam into place before stepping back to pick up the heavy metal post driver. Normally, I’d have help with work like this, but after a fitful sleep, I set off before anyone else was up this morning, and I didn’t have the heart to wake them.
It’s no more than thirty minutes later that the rumble of an approaching engine gives me pause. In the distance, coming down the track, I spot one of the ranch ATVs. I lean against the post driver as it approaches.
“Gross, put some clothes on, Gray,” Kade teases from the passenger seat as the ATV skids to a halt next to mine.
Great, just what I need. These two slackers pulling up and not doing any work.
Grumbling under my breath, I fit the driver onto the post and get into position, turning my back to Wy and Kade. My shoulders and arms strain under the weight as I slam it onto the wood. Dust rises before falling to the ground, and I prepare myself to go again. It’s tiring work, but great for getting out my frustrations.
“Mom said to bring you food, as you missed breakfast. She said you probably didn’t bring enough water either.” Wyatt holds up a canteen as he comes to stand in front of me.
I grunt in reply, because, of course, she’s right.
“She also said we should help,” Kade adds, walking past us and carrying a post to the next hole.
“I don’t need your help,” I rumble.
After a few more strikes, I remove the driver, checking that the beam is firmly in the hole before packing it in with some loose gravel. I’ll fill them all in with concrete when I’m done setting the posts in place.
As I straighten, Wyatt hands me the bottle of water, and I sigh heavily, my arms more tired than I realized. He follows me to the ATVs, and we sit on the open bed of one of the four-wheelers, watching as Kade hammers in the next post.
“His form’s all off,” I declare.
“Don’t look at me.” Wy holds his hands up, his brows raised. “I swear that kid does shit wrong on purpose just to get out of doing things he doesn’t like. What’s that called?” He pauses, tapping his hand on his denim-covered thigh. “Ah, yes, weaponized incompetence.”
“I know you didn’t figure that out for yourself. But he’ll end up hurting himself if you don’t show him how to do it properly.”
Wyatt moves to stand in front of me, blocking Kade from view and casting a shadow over me. I stare up at him, sipping on the cool water as I wait for him to speak.
“Look, about last night?—”
Frustrated, I stand, and he shifts back. “I don’t want to talk about it, Wyatt.” I’m so over him and his insistence that I find a woman and settle down. Why doesn’t he give it a try himself?
Shoving at my shoulder, he forces me to sit back down. “Well, tough shit. You’re gonna have to talk about it because we’re sick and tired of seeing you moping around.”
I rear back as if he’s struck me. “Moping around?”
Wy tugs off his Stetson at the pinch, squeezing it between his fingers as he looks down at the floor. He blows out a breath before bringing his attention back to me. “Yeah, man. You’ve lost your light, and we just want you to get it back. Stop working yourself into the ground.” He waves his arm behind him at the fence posts lining the pasture. “Hell, date someone. It doesn’t have to be long term, but you need to put yourself back out there.”
Affronted, I push him out of the way and head in the direction of Kade before circling back and pointing my finger in Wyatt’s face, seething. “You of all people know why I am the way I am. You know what her leaving did to me. I’m fine living my life the way I am and building a legacy for our family, Wyatt. Stop trying to fix me because I’m beyond repair. I don’t need to ‘find someone,’ and I especially don’t need her.”
This time, when I walk away, I don’t turn back. I push Kade out of the way, wrapping my hands around the handles of the driver, lifting and hammering it down in anger. I’ve told Wyatt time and time again that I’m fine. Why can’t he just leave me be?
“Gray,” Kade murmurs, his voice soft like he’s trying to cajole a frightened mare.
I ignore him, focusing on the fence post.
“Grayson,” Wyatt shouts, and this time I do stop, hoping the scowl on my face is enough to convey my annoyance with him. His features soften as he moves toward me. “We’re sorry, okay? We didn’t mean for it to feel like we were meddling. You’ve done so much for all of us, so it’s only fair that you get some enjoyment out of life.”
Removing the driver, I throw it onto the ground and rest my hands on my hips. A bead of sweat trickles down my face and into my eye. The sting is a welcome distraction, and I wipe my brow before fixing my hat back in place.
“I know you didn’t mean it, but that’s exactly what you’ve done. You need to believe me when I tell you that I’m fine. I am happy. I don’t need any more than what I have.”
