Page 147 of Lost Trust

My blood runs cold. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“If you don’t tell me, I will!” He’s screaming now.

I close my eyes. “We’re in Wyoming.”

A beat of silence.

“Wyoming? You left Texas?”

“Yeah. We left Texas. I’m working for Bryce Raintree. Teaching at his rodeo school in Wyoming.”

“Bryce Raintree.” He says the name slowly.

Bryce is someone he once considered a friend and a mentor.

“You don’t think you should’ve asked me for permission before moving out of state with Ryder?”

A disbelieving laugh bursts out of me. “No. No, I don’t think I need to ask your permission for anything.”

“Marina—”

“Why do you care where we go? We’ve been gone for a month, and you didn’t even notice. And if it hadn’t been for the nosy-ass HOA, you still wouldn’t have known.”

“This is about Francey.”

My eyes narrow even though he can’t see me.

“You jealous of her and want to punish me?”

I bark out a laugh. “Jealous of what?”

“Her career. Me choosing her.”

“I’m not jealous of her, Blaze.” My voice drops. “If anything, I feel sorry for her.”

He exhales sharply. “This didn’t have to be bitter, you know. I still love you and Ryder.”

My chest tightens.

“I don’t care what you feel about me. But if you do love your son, start acting like it.”

There’s silence on the other end.

“Now, I’m tired, and I want to get home to my baby. You can call him tomorrow if you want to talk to him, but I’m done.”

“Marina—”

I hang up before he can say anything else.

For a moment, I just stand there with the phone pressed against my palm.

My heart is pounding. Maybe I should’ve consulted with him before moving, but I was drowning, and Bryce offered me and Ryder a lifeline. I took it. And I didn’t stop to think about Blaze.

Because why would I?

He certainly hadn’t stopped to think about us.

Royce