“I want this,” Stone said. “To be with them. I’ve never wanted anything this fuckin’ much.”
“Not even to own a ranch?”
His brother was quiet momentarily, his gaze lingering on the beer bottle. When he looked up, Donovan knew what he was about to say was the honest-to-God truth.
“I’d give up everything just to have them in my life.”
Donovan understood that all too well. He felt the same about Tate. And it had hit him like a wrecking ball. Hard and fast. When he realized he was in love with Tate, nothing had been the same. His entire existence had shifted as though it was now taking place on a different plane.
And no amount of money, success, or anything else could make him want to go back.
Thirty-One
Friday, February 9, 2024
—Would y’all be up to letting mecook you dinner tonight?
—Nico will be there, but I’ve got plans with my dad. Y’all have fun, though.
—I’m not a sure thing yet. Depends on what you’re making me.
—Chicken or steak. Your choice.
—I’ll always choose steak.
—Steak, it is. Baked potato?
—Definitely.
—Wine?
—Leave the drink to me.
—You sure you won’t join us, Stevie?
—I think you boys need a night alone together.
—If you say so.
Several hours later…
Stone stood in the kitchen, staring at the closed lid of the countertop grill that had become his best friend over the years. He loved this damn thing. It had been a while since he’d had a reason to use it. While on the Double J, most of his meals had been consumed at the Johnsons’ main house because Leah had insisted on it. Since it kept him from having to spend money on groceries, Stone hadn’t objected.
Had the weather been better, he would’ve borrowed his dad’s fancy Traeger grill he was so proud of, but it was sleeting, and his father would’ve shit monkeys at even the suggestion of that grill getting wet.
So here he was, flipping ribeyes in the kitchen. Baked potatoes were in the oven, and plates were waiting for both on the counter. The only thing he was missing was the wine or whatever drink Nico chose. Oh and Nico. He wasn’t there yet.
Although Stone called Stevie an hour after that text exchange in an attempt to change her mind, she stuck to her guns, insisting she really did want to talk to her father tonight over dinner. Plus, she insisted he and Nico deserved some alone time. He hadn’t argued because he was looking forward to spending time with Nico. He simply wished Stevie was coming, too.
Stone did his best not to look at the clock. It was almost seven thirty, which meant Nico was more than fashionably late. There was a good chance he wasn’t coming, which was the only reason Stone had started cooking. At the very least, the food wouldn’t go to waste. He could heat it up for lunch tomorrow.
As the thought flittered in his mind, headlights sliced through the darkness outside, blinding Stone momentarily as someone pulled up to the barn. He waited until the headlights turned off before looking out again. A sigh of relief escaped him when he saw it was Nico’s truck.
A minute later, he was opening the door as Nico stomped his boots on the mat before coming inside carrying Jäger in his arms.
“Sorry I’m late.”
“Jesus, you’re soakin’ wet.”
