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I need you.
I kick the dirt under my boot back and forth, then turn my head around to see the outline of Blythe’s figure in the truck. By now, the sun’s about to set and it’s just a warm glow of orange lighting up the lowest parts of the sky, so I can’t read her expression.
I look up to the clouds, blow out a heavy breath, and try to fight the inevitable. Reluctantly, I grab the burner phone and shove it in my back pocket.
“Stay away from this ranch. And stay away from her.” I subtly nod towards Blythe. I don’t know that I’ve ever been more serious in my life than growling those words. My warning tone is firm and final. If he chooses not to listen, there’ll be hell to pay and he knows it.
He nods once with his jaw clamped down and his hands in tight fists at his sides.
I’m not happy about this, and that’s putting it lightly. But there’s a lingering spark of obligation to my brother that never fully burned out. I could haveforcedhim to come with me when I left. Taken him under my wing and got him out. I tried, but not hard enough.
Now, seeing him here in front of me with that fucking look on his face? It’s the only reason I walk back to the truck knowing I’ll be calling him to get to the bottom of this within minutes of dropping off Blythe.
I buried my old life long ago.
Now I’m about to pick up the shovel and dig the grave right back up.
I brace for the barrage of questions from Blythe as soon as I close the door to the truck and watch as Bash pulls away in the SUV.
The questions don’t come. Her hand delicately wraps around mine. I pull her across the bench seat and still without saying anything, she lets me tuck her under my arm.
When all I can see on the road is the glow of his disappearing tail lights, I push the button on my visor that opens the front gate. I know Blythe is waiting for me to offer up whatever information I’m willing to give. I’m just not sure what that is yet.
I do know once I tell her, there’s a good chance I’ll lose whatever small part of her that was ever mine.
I park on the side of the bunkhouse where I usually do, on the far left side of Tripp, Heston, and Warren’s trucks. We used to make fun of Tripp for always being the first one done for the day. Warren wanders in a bit later. Then, Heston and finally me once the sun goes down. Our trucks end up parked in the same spot in the same order at the end of the day. You can say a lot of things about our wild bunch, but at least we’re predictable.
They’re going to lose their shit when they hear about this too, not just Blythe.
It’s possible that I won’t have to tell them anything at all, and this whole ordeal with Bash is a lot less serious than it seems. That’d be ideal. But the likelihood of that is pretty low. He wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t bad.
At that moment, I decide to control the fire instead of completely putting it out.
“Gage?”
“Yeah?” My hold on her tightens and I rest my chin on the top of her head.
She melts further into my side and I squeeze. We’ve been parked for at least a few minutes, but haven’t made a move to get out of the truck yet. If this is the last time I get to hold her, I’m not moving a fucking inch until she does.
Looking up at me, she whispers. “Is everything alright?”
I bring my hand up behind her head and fuck if I don’t want to lean down and kiss her like it’s my last chance.
“We’re going to be just fine.”
Going to be.
It’s a cryptic promise to her. No, everything is not alright. Judging by her tone, I think she already knows that. I take a deep breath and let go of her head before I change my mind about going to meet with Bash and just put this thing in reverse. Maybe I should. Run away from here. With her.
I’ve been doing that very thing my whole adult life though, and I don’t think there’s much left in me that wants to keep running.
“I need you to do something for me,” I say.
She sits up a little bit and eagerly awaits what I’m about to say.
“I have something to take care of. Don’t tell anyone what you just saw, okay? I am going to come back as soon as I can and I’ll explain everything.”
“You’re leaving me here,” she huffs, unimpressed.
