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A genuine laugh escapes at her expression. “You are a squirt. And you used to love that nickname.”
“I never loved it,” she insists. “But Stone was like an older brother, and it felt like a sign of affection back then.”
“And now?”
She shrugs. “Now it’s a reminder that he still sees me as a kid.”
Now my brows scrunch up. “Do you want him to see you as more than a kid?”
“Ugh, Ivy.” She tosses her hands up in annoyance like she did as a girl when I wouldn’t let her do something too grownup for her age. “No, I don’t want Stone in particular to see me as more than a kid. I just want to be seen as more than just a kid.” Her expression softens. “But it felt good hearing him call me that, even though he ruffled my damn hair.” Sage flicks her thick black hair off her shoulder to punctuate her annoyance.
“Good. I’m glad there are parts of him that are still the guy we remember. I was worried he might have, I don’t know, hardened or something after everything that happened.”
Sage’s expression turns serious as she fixes me with a pointed look. “Ivy. It. Wasn’t. Your. Fault. Get that through your thick skull, okay? And if you still think so, talk to Stone about it. He seemed pretty happy to see you.”
I think about the way Stone had wrapped me in his arms, the familiar warmth and comfort of his embrace. The best friend hugs, I remind myself, because that’s what we are—friends. Gray is my boyfriend, and we’re solid. Predictable. Just what I need right now.
“You’re right,” I concede with a sigh. “I’ll talk to him, I promise. But for now, let’s focus on something more fun, huh? Like how I’m gonna kick your butt at Mario Kart later.”
Sage grins, the tension dissipating. “You’re on, Sis. Prepare to eat my dust!”
CHAPTER NINE
Stone
Damn, my head hurts. Sitting at the table with a big country-style breakfast is just what I need. “Ma, you’re staring.”
She flashes a smile and stabs a forkful of eggs on her plate. “I know, but I’m just so damn happy you’re home. I promise this will only last a day or two. A week tops.”
Dad laughs, shaking his head as he enters the kitchen and kisses Ma’s temple. It’s cool as fuck how my parents still dig each other after all these years. As a kid, though, it made me sick. “She’s lying, son. She’ll be staring at you creepily for at least a month.”
Ma looks at me and laughs. “Lies! Don’t believe a word he says.” Her smile is big and bright, soft with affection. “You hungover?”
“Nope. I’m a pro.” I flash a smile and pile more bacon and toast on my plate. “I appreciate the big breakfast. Who’s the new cook?”
“Her name is Patty, and she grew up on a ranch in Wyoming. Cooks breakfast here and uses the kitchen in the bunkhouse for lunch and dinner.”
Dad eats quickly, as he always does, pushing away from the table with a grunt. This could be any moment in my life, all of us sitting around the table and giving each other shit. “Come with me, son.”
Yep, any moment in time. I haven’t been back long enough to be in the shit house, yet that’s exactly how I feel hearing my dad’s tone. “What’s up?”
His brows dip into a frown, probably because I know better than to question him, but I do it anyway. “Come find out.”
I turn the toast and bacon into an oversized sandwich, get up and follow my dad out the door, Ma taking up the rear. We hustle through the mudroom until we’re outside, where the remnants of last night’s party still sit. “Am I on clean up duty?” I joke.
“Maybe later,” Ma answers before wrapping an arm around my waist. “We have a surprise for you.”
“Oh. Okay.” Not in trouble. Old habits die hard, and getting used to the new dynamic will take some time. “Where is it?”
Dad grunts, rolling his eyes. “Wait here.”
“Any hints?” I whisper out of the side of my mouth to Ma.
“Nope. It’s called a surprise for a reason.” She grips my arm, giving it an excited shake.
“It must be a good surprise,” I laugh. “Is it a woman?”
“With that face, you’ll have more women than you can handle.”
