“If it’s not going to be me you talk to, find someone. There’s no shortage of people who love you. Even my half-wit brother—either of them.”
We get to the house, and I climb off his back. “I don’t think Zach and I will be talking any time soon.”
He looks up and smiles. “Don’t be so sure of that, darlin’.”
I turn and find Zach sitting on the step. His hat covers his face and it’s clear he’s asleep. Son of a bitch. “Why?” I ask the sky. “Why do you torture me?”
Wyatt kisses my cheek before pushing me toward him. “Either you wake him or I do.”
“I’m going inside. Let him know I have nothing to say to him.”
I’m not dealing with him. That kiss was two weeks ago, and he’s been radio silent since. And there’s no gossip about him and the evil bitch breaking up. So it’s clear that once again, Zach chose something else. I shouldn’t be surprised. I shouldn’t be hurt. I’m nothing to him. Hell, I’d be the homewrecker in this situation. Well, if I had instigated it.
Whatever, it doesn’t matter. I don’t want to talk to him, and I don’t have to.
“I swear,” Wyatt mutters as I walk around to the front of the house. I don’t care if he thinks I’m being a child. I wonder if he knows what his brother did on the ride he manipulated to happen. I would’ve loved to have seen that, then I could’ve had the pleasure of watching him kick Zach’s ass.
I gasp as I sit up in my bed. The clock reads twelve o’clock in the afternoon. I don’t remember going to sleep, but I clearly did.
Quickly I get dressed and head downstairs. “Hello there, sugar,” Mama says as she peels potatoes. “I was wondering when you were going to join us.”
“Sorry, Mama. I must’ve fallen back asleep.”
She smiles and goes back to cooking. “You haven’t been sleeping. I figured you could use the rest.”
My eyes snap up at her words. I thought I’d been hiding it well. Apparently not. “My mind never stops.”
She puts the knife on the board, wipes her hands, and comes around the counter. “You could take today and go into town. Maybe get your hair done?”
I fight back the groan. Going to the beauty shop here is like stepping back into 1980. And not just because they haven’t remodeled since then, the hair styles seem to have been stuck there as well. The thing is, I can’t keep hiding out. “Maybe I’ll head to Nashville,” I say casually.
She scoffs. “I think you get much better service in town. I’ll call over and see if Victoria has any openings.”
Mama doesn’t waste any time as she heads over to the phone. “Mornin’,” Daddy says as he walks in.
My mother yaps on the phone as Daddy flashes a grin. “Save me, Daddy.”
He laughs and kisses my cheek. “Oh, baby girl, there’s no saving you when she gets her mind set. The boys are planning to help Cooper with baling hay later if you want to help.”
“My most dreaded chore.”
“They seem to like it here.” He tosses his hat on the table.
I sit and grab a muffin.
As much as I subconsciously wanted them to hate it here, I’m glad they’re fitting in. They’ve had as much change and hard times as I have. I’m grateful for my brother, Wyatt, and my father being here to help guide them.
“They’re trying. I think it’s hard going from the city to here.”
“It’s been great watching them with the horses. They’re naturals. They didn’t even hesitate with helping Zachary.”
The muffin falls to the floor. “What?” I almost scream. “What do you mean helping him?”
I stand and try to calm myself, but every muscle in my body is tight.
“Zach brought the horses that you refused to go get. If you would stop being so damn obstinate, he wouldn’t have had to come all this way.”
I scoff. “All this way?” Please. It’s less than a mile and he used to walk it every day. “When did he leave?”
Daddy stands, puts his hat back on, and lets out a long breath. “He’s with the boys now.”
I don’t say a word. I leave and head right out the door. He’s not allowed near my kids. I don’t want him anywhere around us. If they were to ever find out the truth about Zach and me, it would drum up too many questions. Plus, I don’t want them to like him.
I get out to the corral where the boys are sitting on the fence. Their feet dangle and they both lean forward. Zach stands in front of them with a horse, and I hear their laughter. It stops me in my tracks. Both boys are laughing. I’ve missed that sound so much. A tear falls as I clutch my chest. It’s been so long since any of us have been happy. So many months of feeling nothing.
Zach’s eyes raise and lock with mine.
As angry as I was a few minutes ago, right now I can’t find that feeling. Cayden and Logan have been sad or entirely vacant with me, and here they are, once again, seemingly whole.
“He’s not always a dipshit.” Wyatt nudges me as he sees what I’m looking at.
“Debatable.”
Zach and the boys start laughing again. He gives the boys the reins, and I watch them walk around with huge smiles.
“When are you going to wake up, Pres?”
I look over at him with frustration. I’m so tired of him pushing. “Don’t.”
He raises his hands in surrender. “I’m not saying a word.” He stops talking for only a second before opening his mouth again. “But I will say this . . .”
“You can’t help yourself.”
“I think those boys need to see their mama smile and laugh. They need to see that it’s okay to be happy.”
Wyatt’s arm wraps around my waist. He holds me against him and Zach’s eyes find mine again. “They love you, Presley. They see you and watch how you’re barely holding on. It’s hard for kids to see their mama like that. So, go show them you’re happy they’re allowed to be.”
He’s probably right. I don’t want them to think it’s not okay to live. I want happiness for them. Hell, I want it for me too. I want to stop seeing that night. It’s killing me. I have dark circles under my eyes, my clothes are loose, and I’m so damn tired.