Page 79 of Home Is Where You Are

He eyed me questioningly before he spoke.

“I want you to be honest with me.”

If I was honest with him like he asked, I risked everything. My best friend. My place here at the ranch. The promotion I was vying for. Everything that meant the world to me and held me together these past four years could go up in smoke over my honesty.

Was she worth potentially losing it all?

Absolutely.

Even if she didn’t want me. Even if we never got back together. Ainsleigh Courtright was worth every ounce of heartache at even the chance to be with her.

“I love her,” I whispered as I looked away from him. I couldn’t see the disappointed expression that was likely to cross his face.

“We all know you love her, Gentry. That was never in question. The question is what are you going to do about it?” he countered.

That was the five-million-dollar question.

Should I risk my heart and my whole life at even the chance to be with her again?

“That’s up to Ainsleigh. She said we could only be friends. I’m leaving it up to her,” I responded.

“She still loves you, you know?” Holden said, shocking me.

I kept my expression neutral when mentally I high fived the air.

“She told you that?” I questioned. I hoped he’d give me something, any small morsel of hope that I could hold on to.

“Among other things,” he replied with a sly grin.

“That’s all you’re going to give me?”

“Absolutely. Y’all both need to get your heads out of your butts. Maybe me being elusive will help you get yours out long enough to do something about those feelings you’re still harboring over my baby sis.”

“You warned me against starting anything with her.”

I felt like I had to honor my best friend's wishes. I couldn’t lose him after everything else I’d lost.

“Yeah, well I’m man enough to admit maybe I was wrong,” he whispered so low I almost didn’t hear him.

“You, Holden Courtright, are admitting you’re wrong. I never thought I’d see the day.” I laughed.

“I’m getting wiser in my older age,” he said as he punched my arm.

“You’re like a year older than me. You’re calling us old now? We’re in our early twenties.”

“I didn’t say we were old. I just said I’m getting wiser. I’m man enough to admit when I’m wrong. You’re good for Ainsleigh. Everyone knows that. I just didn’t want her to leave again.”

“Do you know something I don’t?”

Holden had a sly grin on his face as he shrugged. Oh, he knew something alright. He just wasn’t forthcoming with that information.

“You’ll find out when the time is right,” he replied.

I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.

Pulling my phone out, I checked my notifications and saw a text.

The only people who would message me were in this room. Glancing around, I didn’t see anyone with their phones in their hands.