“But shehasbeen texting.”
Heat crawls up my neck.
As a matter of fact, Billie and I have been texting a little all weekend. Not a lot. But more than we typically would.
I’m trying to keep boundaries in place. But it was the polite thing to do, right, to check in on her? And that text turned into a dozen, and then a dozen more today, and I only ended the conversation an hour later when I had to head to the kitchen.
We didn’t talk about anything, really. She said she was fine, that her arm was okay, and that she was tired but not hungover. She asked me how I was.
I didn’t get into too much detail. But not gonna lie, felt nice knowing that she was thinking of me.
And now I’m thinking of her.Again. I’ve thought a lot about just showing up at her place. I’ve thought even more about asking her to come over to mine.
Would that be the right move? The wrong one? I don’t know.
All I know is, she’s helped me change how I’m living my life so I can thrive. How great would life be if we could thrive together? I really have to float that animal therapy idea—bet she’d be into it. At the very least, it might be a jumping-off point. She can’t be chained to that desk for the rest of her life, or she’s gonna shrivel up and die.
Not on my watch.
“You know, tonight was the first time you’ve talked openly about Mom and Dad in a while. Really, ever.” Duke’s voice is quiet. Kind. “I feel like I’m finally getting my brother back.”
I blink. “What? I didn’t go anywhere.”
“But you did. The real you disappeared for a while. I knew it was part of your process, so I never wanted to push you. We all gotta grieve in our own way.” He takes a breath. Lets it out. “Billie, though—she pushed you just when you needed it, huh?”
Goddamn you.
“She don’t take no for an answer, that’s for sure,” I manage around the tightness in my throat.
He puts a hand on my shoulder. “I don’t need to tell you that you’d be an idiot to let a girl like that slip through your fingers, right? Because only idiots and bull riders would make that mistake.”
“Bull ridersareidiots.”
Duke meets my eyes. “Don’t be like them, then.”
“Not all of us move fast, you know.” I swallow hard. “I think I need a little time.”
“Perfect! Because you know what takes time? Dating someone. Getting to know them. Figuring out how y’all are going to fit into each other’s lives.”
I roll my eyes. “We get it. You’re obsessed with Wheeler, and you want her to have your babies. Which is why sheishaving your babies.”
“Pretty sweet, ain’t it?” His eyes crinkle as he smiles. “You could be next.”
“I don’t know if I even want kids.”
Duke shrugs. “Then go figure it out. Life’s out here, waitin’ for you to stop playing it safe.”
I know.
God, do I know.
Just wish my heart would get the memo.
CHAPTER 18
New Faces
BILLIE
