Page 96 of One Reckless Moment

“I think I’m ready to tell you guys the whole story,” I said, still looking out over the cascading mountain ranges.

Buck and Tweety sat on the loveseat on the front porch as I turned to face them.

“It all started when I was eighteen. I found an annoyingly beautiful girl lying in hay, talking to her horse…”

43

CREEK BOTTOM SHOTS AND TIPSY ADMISSIONS

CASH

ONE MONTH LATER

We pulled into the driveway at Brooks Valley Ranch and the warm, homey feeling I should’ve felt was replaced by a numbness I hadn’t been able to shake since the day Paige walked out of my life.

I missed her.

So much had changed since the day Paige and I got married—hell, since the day she climbed into my truck and started this adventure with me. It didn’t feel right ending it without her.

The last few weeks on the road felt lonely and empty. The excitement had died down and a somber sadness filled the house without Paige’s constant light.

We pulled into the garage and emptied the truck in somber silence. I found Axle, Reid, and Walker waiting for me in the rec room with a banner that read Welcome Home, Dickhead in sloppy handwriting. I cracked a smile, attempting to be my charming self that everyone expected.

“It’s good to be home, boys.”

Reid ran up to me and wrapped his arms around me. “I missed you.”

I clapped him on the back before shoving him off me. Everyone laughed as I adjusted the bag on my shoulder.

Quickly, the room fell into an awkward silence.

“Ask what you want to ask,” I blurted out. This was an uncomfortable situation, but I refused to walk on eggshells around my own family.

As far as I was aware, only Lottie knew the whole truth. If the boys did, they hadn’t mentioned it and I’d like to go as long as possible before admitting that I married their sister during a drunken night in Vegas.

“How are you?” Axle asked since his brothers remained quiet.

“Just peachy,” I deadpanned.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Reid asked hopefully.

“No.”

“You can talk to us,” Reid pushed, but I didn’t break my mask of indifference.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” I turned to head outside. I just wanted to lay in bed and ignore the ache in my bones.

“We’re going out tonight!” Reid shouted after me as I created distance from the main house.

The moment Paige’s apartment came into view my breaths came faster. I wanted to go up there and find her waiting for me in bed. Maybe if I just spent some time in her space, I would wake up from this nightmare.

I passed the apartment and headed down the hill to The Village. I opened the door to my room and dropped my bag before crawling into bed. The only night I’d spent here since the spring was the one where Paige crawled into bed with me. It didn’t feel like mine anymore.

Honestly, nowhere felt right these days. The only place I truly felt at home was when I was with Paige.

I heard a knock on my door and I rolled over to see Walker standing in my doorway.

“Get the fuck out of bed. We’re going to the Saloon.”