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“Yeah, well, I think I would, too, if I were in his shoes. Thanks for taking him on, man. He’s not a bad kid; he’s just been dealt a shitty hand.”
Ryan nods again, and then there’s loud laughter, and we look over in time to see Will stand, holding his hands up like he’s holding an imaginary football and he’s going to make a pass.
“I knew he was open,” Will says loudly. “And I was going to land that pass, but suddenly, a fucking elephant plowed me down, and I saw stars.”
“You lost me fifty bucks on that game,” someone yells out, and Will laughs. “Yeah, well, I’m sure you’re not alone there.”
“Is it fucking crazy that Rem’s father-in-law is a goddamn Hall of Fame football player?” Ryan asks me.
“A little bit. But it’s also fucking crazy that you’ve managed to make a billion dollars before you’re thirty-five.”
“I’m telling you, let me help you with your investments, and I’ll make you a rich man.”
“I don’t need to be rich.” I shrug, and Ryan snorts.
“Come on, man.”
“I don’t. I do just fine.”
“If you change your mind…”
“I’ll let you know. Yeah, I get it. I’m not trying to be an asshole when I turn you down. I love you, and I’m damn proud of what you’ve built. I just don’t need the same things.”
He nods, thinking it over. “Yeah, I get it. I don’t think you’re trying to be an ass, Chase. It’s not really about the money for me.”
I lift my eyebrow at him and take a sip of my beer.
“Okay, the money is part of it. I like the wealth. I also give a shit ton of money away.”
“I know.” Ryan donates more money than any of us will ever know.
“It’s the game of it. The puzzle. It’s exhilarating, and I do really well at it. I know it’s a far cry from this life here on the ranch, but that doesn’t mean that it was wrong of me to go after it.”
I glance over at Remington, who’s chatting with Brooks and smiling.
“Rem doesn’t think it was wrong.”
“Yeah, he does.” Ryan swallows the last of his beer and shakes his head. “I worked fucking hard to make a name for myself in the world of business, and now that I have, I can be here in Bitterroot Valley. I can work from home, and I do, sometimes eighteen hours a day.”
“Technology is a beautiful thing.”
“You said it.”
“But are you happy here, Ry?”
“Yeah. I am.” He looks over at me, his gaze serious. “Happier than anywhere else in the world, and I’ve been just about everywhere.”
“Then that’s all that matters.” I slap him on the shoulder and stand. “Now, let’s go tell some of our stories after all and embarrass the fuck out of Rem.”
Ryan smiles slyly. “Fuck yeah, let’s do it.”
“I can still outshoot you,” Remington says with a satisfied grin as we both take off our ear and eye protection. All the guys stayed out on the ranch today to hike, have target practice, or just hang, taking in the fresh air.
“Maybe I’m drunk.” I smirk at him.
“You haven’t had a drink all day,” he reminds me.
“Maybe I let you win since it’s your party.”
