Page 56 of Boss and Brat

Carter looked down at his hands. “Yeah. Me either.”

The words hung there between them, heavy and honest.

Carter cleared his throat again, trying to pull himself together. “Still. You can’t stay in my bed.”

“I know,” Ethan said. “But… thanks for letting me. Even for one night.”

Carter picked up his fork and took a bite, like the conversation had drained him but also relieved him somehow. He was trying so hard to draw lines. And failing. And Ethan wasn’t sure he wanted him to succeed. Carter sitting across from him,not pushing him away, was enough. And Ethan wasn’t going anywhere.

Chapter Twenty-One

Carter felt lighter than he had in days. Breakfast had gone smoother than he expected; Ethan looked calmer, and for once the cabin didn’t feel like it was holding its breath. Saturday meant no ranch duties unless something was on fire, and Carter figured they both needed a break from the week’s bullshit.

He leaned back in his chair, stretching. “We’re taking the day off.”

Ethan looked up from rinsing his plate. “We are?”

“Yeah,” Carter said. “It’s Saturday. And after the crap we dealt with yesterday, we deserve it.”

Ethan acted like he was unsure he’d heard right. “Are we doing something together or do you need a break from me?”

“I want to spend the day with you.”

“Is that because you don’t trust me?”

“Trust is a two-way street.” He paused. “But I don’t spend my free time with just anyone. And my decision has nothing to do with trust or not.”

The grin across the kid’s face made it all worth it.

“What are we going to do?”

Carter grinned. “Motorcross bikes.”

Ethan’s entire face lit up. “Seriously?”

“Seriously. I’ve got two in the shed. We’ll take the trails behind the ridge. Blow off some steam.”

“Where did they come from?”

“Texas. I did a lot of riding back in the day.”

Ethan nodded fast, excitement flickering through him like a spark catching dry grass. Something warm settled in his chest at the sight. The kid needed this. Hell, he needed this.

They grabbed jackets, boots, and helmets. Carter was halfway to the door when his phone rang. He checked the screen and groaned.

Mr. Evans.

Of course.

He answered. “Yeah?”

“What the hell is going on?” Mr. Evans snapped. “Why was Officer Duarte at your cabin last night looking for Ethan?”

Carter closed his eyes, jaw tightening. So much for a peaceful Saturday.

Ethan froze beside him, shoulders tense as if he expected the world to collapse again.

Carter stepped outside onto the porch, keeping his voice even. “He wasn’t looking for Ethan. He came to issue a frivolous complaint Tomás made.”