Callie: Looks like someone wants to sleep on the couch with Atticus tonight.
Olivia: Angie? Girls night?
Wife: Count me in.
I leadthe way down our usual trail outside the west pasture with Ruby on my heels, followed by Wilder, and Jaxon bringing up the rear. Knowing Angie is just up the road at Wilder’s place has me keyed up. It’s taking every bit of my self-control to stay on the trail rather than divert my path to get to her instead.
There’s a reason I wanted to get out tonight, and racing to Angie’s side would be counterproductive. I still haven’t wrapped my head around what Wilder said about the phone number. Then there’s the annulment papers.
She didn’t seem at all fazed when she slid them across the desk, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t sting. Could it be that she’s finally realized it was all a mistake on her part? Did she only marry me as some way to get back at Tyler?
Ruby pulls up alongside me on Buttercup. “Ok, spill. You’re being way too quiet.”
I glance at my sister out of the corner of my eye. She looks lighter these days, happier. It probably has something to do with that giant ruby on her ring finger and the man who put it there.
“I’m just processing this whole marriage thing.”
“Don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts.”
I almost forgot Ruby wasn’t at the bonfire the other night, so she might not know what went down between Angie and me. “Fuck no. It’s just… I’ve been sitting on some new information, and I’m not sure how to bring it up.”
Buttercup snorts, and Ruby gives her a gentle pat. “I’m gonna need way more details to go off of if I’m gonna give you my sisterly advice, Griff.”
“Surprised Olivia hasn’t already filled you in.”
“I’ve been busy,” she says. “Get on with it.”
I let out a ragged sigh. “Five years ago, Angie and I had a weekend fling. She gave me her number, and when I left, I texted. That’s when I found out it wasn’t actually her number.”
Ruby laughs. It goes on for far too long, and irritation prickles under my skin. “Oldest trick in the book.”
I shake my head. “It was a mistake. She thinks I ghosted her.”
“And the dipshit didn’t think to fucking ask,” Wilder chimes in from behind me.
“You could’ve fucking said something,” I say defensively.
Ruby interjects. “Ok… so you’re all a bunch of dumbasses. Tell me something I didn’t already know. You haven’t talked to Angie about it?”
I tighten my grip on the reins, knuckles blanching. “No. I don’t want to risk losing her.”
“You’re just gonna have to rip off the band-aid. Communication is important in a marriage, and if you’re going to stay together, you need to get it all out in the open. I’m honestly surprised she married your dumb ass if she thinks you ghosted her.”
“In her defense, she was pretty tipsy when she proposed. It probably could’ve been anyone.” The words taste like acid on my tongue.
The thought of Angie marrying someone else that night sets my teeth on edge.
“Please tell me you didn’t take advantage of her.”
“Hell no. If anything, she took advantage of me. I was defenseless against her charms.”
Ruby snorts. “Hercharms.Sure. It definitely had nothing to do with the fact that she’s fucking gorgeous.”
“Gorgeous, smart as hell, and way too fucking good for the likes of me. I’m surprised to hear you, of all people, reducing her to her appearance.”
“Not at all. I just assumed you were thinking with your dick. Thanks for proving me wrong.”
The path widens, and Jaxon and Wilder pull up beside us. “Look, we can’t afford to get on the bad side of the only vet in town, so you’re gonna have to make it work,” Jaxon says.
