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Back in our high school days, Jenna and I might not have been close, but I always had a crush on her. In those days, I was way too nervous to ever make a move on someone as confident as her. She was way out of my league, and I didn’t tell anyone that I was crazy about her.
Instead, I just tried to forget about her when she moved away. She had her own life and was off doing big things with it, and I was just the small-town boy with small-town dreams.
Who am I kidding? That’s still who I am.
And that thought makes me put my phone down and stop looking at her pictures. Because although I don’t know what’s going on with Jenna, I do know that I’m probably way too small-town for a girl like her.
Chapter Six
Jenna
My eyes grow heavy as Jessie and I cross the home stretch driving back to Grady. Due to an accident on the highway, this trip has taken two hours longer than it should have.
“Shit!” I exclaim, just realizing something. “Jessie, you were supposed to be home to be with Nora since Tracy had to work!”
“I called Momma when we stopped at that gas station. She’s got Nora until I get home.”
“I’m so sorry, Jess. This broken leg has made me a burden on everyone.”
He points at me. “You aren’t a burden on anyone. You got dealt a shit hand, but you know all of us will be here to help however we can.”
Avoiding eye contact, I say, “I know. But you know I hate asking for help.”
“I know. You’re stubborn as a mule.” He lets out a soft chuckle.“So, I guess it’s a good thing that you have three big brothers and a super intrusive mother to look out for you.”
I can’t help but smile. “Very true. Speaking of Momma, I’m sure I’m in for a world of hurt when I get home. I haven’t exactly kept her apprised of what’s going on. Living with her is going to be insufferable.”
“I don’t know why you two go toe-to-toe like you do. None of us boys butt heads with her like you do.”
I groan. “She’s always just invaded my privacy and never left me alone.”
He gasps. “Oh my goodness! It’s like she’s your…mother!”
My eyes roll at his sarcasm. “She never wormed her way into your life like she did mine. I had to go to college just to escape her.”
“Jenna, look who you’re talking to. I ran away to Nashville, remember?”
I nod, remembering Jessie moving and getting into all sorts of trouble back in the day.
When I don’t respond, he says, “Cut her some slack. You’re her last baby, not to mention her only little girl. It’s normal for her to worry about you.”
“I know,” I mutter. “Doesn’t make it any less annoying.”
I do know that Momma cares. She cares about her babies and grandbabies more than anything in the world, which sometimes makes her a little suffocating.
I let out a loud sigh. “Why do you care so much? I’m sure she and I will have loads of bonding time since we will be living together again.”
“Well, you’re half right.”
I look over at him. “What do you mean?”
“I talked to Jonas, and he said that you can stay in the guest house on the ranch for as long as you need to.”
“Really?” I smile.
“Yep. But there’s a condition.”
“Oh, boy. What’s the condition?”
