AllFreeNovel
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“Not forever, no. But for a while.”
We share a laugh, which Sage interrupts by cracking a yawn. “Sorry, guys,” she says, her eyes sleepy.
“Don’t be.” I go to her and take her by the shoulders. “You need to go back to the house. Shower and nap, maybe put some food in you. I’ll stay with Gray for a little while.”
Her gaze flickers back to Gray, and her brows dip with concern. “You sure?”
“I am. Go. You’re no good to anybody if you’re dead on your feet, Sage.”
I know she’s dead-ass tired when she doesn’t argue with me, not even for sport. She nods, giving Gray’s hand a quick squeeze before she slips from the room.
I want to say something, to give him shit so badly, but I can’t. He’s healing, and I’m not that big of an asshole. “For real, how are you holding up?”
“I’m fine. Nova says it’s all good, and he’s only keeping me here to make sure I don’t show signs of infection. By tomorrow, I should be back at home.”
I smile. “Being smothered to death by Ella Mae. And Sage.”
He shrugs, taking the jab in stride. “What can I say? The ladies love me.” His smile fades slowly. “You don’t have to say anything. I already know.”
Relief courses through me, but I can’t let that be the whole fucking conversation. “Are you good?”
He shrugs. “I’m all right, man. I knew the moment you came back she was gone.”
I sigh and nod. “I’m sorry, man. I never meant to get between you two.”
He looks away, letting the words hang in the thick silence between us. “Her choice is her choice. All I can do is accept it.”
“Yeah, okay, but are we cool?” Accepting a breakup is one thing, but I’m talking about something else. “We’re not just friends, Gray. We’re brothers.” The MC is our life. It’s the way of life for both of us.
“Yeah, I know. And you saved my ass, killed for me when your life would’ve been easier to let them blow my fuckin’ brains out. We’re brothers, Stone, in all the ways that matter. No woman, not even one as incredible as Ivy, is gonna change that.”
I blink. “That’s really fucking mature, man.”
Gray laughs, wincing slightly. “Yeah, fucker. You’re not the only one who grew up in the past five years.”
“Yeah? I hadn’t noticed.”
Gray responds by flipping me off. “Look, Stone. We’re good, okay, man? But only if you take those goddamn Skull Crushers out. I mean, they fuckin’ shot me.”
“Maybe when you’re healed up, you should work on your ducking skills. We could probably set up an obstacle course on the ranch somewhere.”
“Fuck you,” he laughs. “Fuck ’em up, brother, and we’re good.”
“Oh, I plan to. You can believe that.”
“Kickin’ ass and takin’ names…” he trails off.
I nod. “It’s my specialty.”
“Then, we’re good. Be safe.”
“Always.” We sit and shoot the shit before Ella Mae arrives with more food than Gray and I could eat in two lifetimes. I know she’s happy to see her son, so I stand and give her my chair so she can smother her son in private.
I head back to the bunkhouse and slip on my don’t-fuck-with-me mask because I need to get off the ranch and handle some business.
Not just because I made a promise to Gray, but because it’s the right fucking thing to do. He and I might have our differences, but he’s my brother, and his bloodshed requires retaliation.
“That’s a mighty serious expression you’re wearing.” Ivy’s amused tone matches the slow smile spreading across her face. “Am I gonna like whatever it is you’re gearing up to tell me?”
