by Kate Pearce
Ry stood as well. It felt like his heart was actually trying to punch its way out of his chest. “Maybe I just want different things in my life right now.”
“Because you’re not good enough to have what I have?” There was a combative note in HW’s voice Ry had learned to dread.
“I’m not as good a rider as you are. I never will be.”
“True, but only because you won’t take it seriously.”
“Which is the whole point, HW. Can’t you at least see that? I don’t care about winning as much as you do. I just don’t.”
“Because you know you can’t beat me.” HW came closer. “Admit it.”
“Sure, if it makes you happy.” Ry shrugged. He really didn’t need to argue about something that meant so little to him. They weren’t in high school anymore. Sometimes HW seemed to forget that. “It doesn’t change the fact that I’m leaving.”
“Abandoning me right when I need you most.”
Ry blinked. “What?”
“That’s why you’re doing it now, isn’t it?” HW nodded. “Yeah, you’re probably hoping I’ll fail when you aren’t around.”
His twin was probably the only person on earth who knew Ry had a temper and exactly how to make him lose it.
“That’s utter bullshit, and you know it. I’m leaving because you have surrounded yourself with a group of people I despise, okay? Is that straight enough talk for you?”
HW swung around and poked a finger way too close to Ry’s face. “Those people are looking out for me and my career. They care about me. You’re just pulling this stunt because you’re jealous.”
“You’ve been talking to Lally too much. You’re my twin. I’ve spent my whole life supporting you. Trouble is, you’re not interested in what I have to say anymore, and that’s fine because, trust me, I’m sick and tired of saying it.”
HW took a step back and a deep shuddering breath. “Look. At least stay until I find out whether I qualify or not.”
“I can’t. I promised Chase I’d be back this week.”
“You promised Mom you’d always be there for me.”
Ry met his twin’s gaze head-on. “How about just for once, you let something be about me?”
HW looked down at his feet. “Do you need money? Can I pay you to stay?”
Ry marched over to the door. “Get out.”
“What the hell’s wrong now?”
“If that’s what you’ve become—if that’s how you think you keep a man’s loyalty, then go back to that bunch of losers you surround yourself with, and see what happens when you can’t pay them anymore.”
“Screw you.” HW walked out.
“Right back at you, bro,” Ry muttered under his breath, and then turned to survey his pile of boxes.
He’d said things he hadn’t meant to say out loud, and HW had . . . changed beyond recognition. His brother was still caught up in being a rising star, and the better he did, the more hangers-on he’d acquire. He didn’t need Ry. That was certain, but it still hurt.
They’d never spent more than a month apart in their entire lives, and now HW would be off competing in Texas next week and he’d be back on the ranch working with Roy. Unless HW followed through on his promise to attend Chase and January’s wedding in a couple of months, he might never see his twin again.
He couldn’t let himself think like that or he’d be chasing after his brother, begging to tag along for another few months. It was up to HW to get his shit together. He was not Ry’s responsibility.
“Yeah, right. Thanks for loading that on me, Mom.” He checked all the drawers, picked up his hat, and propped open the bedroom door with his backpack. There was no sound of HW or his girlfriend in the apartment. HW tended to storm out when he lost an argument, so there was no surprise there. He hadn’t even had a chance to tell his twin that their mom and baby sister might still be alive twenty years after disappearing from the ranch.
Ry picked up a stack of boxes, set off for the front door, leaving that ajar as well, and used his elbow to call the elevator. It wasn’t too busy in the complex during the day, as most people worked, so he had no trouble getting the boxes and bags down to his truck.
On his last trip upstairs he paused in the kitchen to grab a couple of cold water bottles from the refrigerator and contemplated the silence. Neither Lally nor HW had made any effort to clean up yet. They were probably too used to him doing it. Not anymore. He checked his room again, making sure he hadn’t forgotten anything, and then sat at the kitchen table to write HW a note.
Rent is paid until the end of the lease, which is up next month. I’ve contacted the leasing company about taking my name off, so I’m sure you’ll be hearing from them when you renegotiate.
Ry sat back and contemplated what to say next. He wasn’t going to drop the bombshell about their mom in a letter. That was something HW needed to hear in person. Ry still couldn’t believe it himself.
Good luck in the saddle bronc events, and hope you make it to the finals in Vegas. Call me when you get a chance—you know where I am. Ry
He anchored the note under the salt and pepper shakers and slowly stood up. There was so much he wanted to say, and so little his twin currently wanted to hear . . . He had to remember that inside HW there was a good, kind, and amazing guy—the guy he’d grown up with and loved with all his heart. Someday that HW would resurface, Ry had to believe that.
He unhooked his front door key from his chain, laid it on top of the letter, and walked out, his throat tight and his emotions all over the place. Part of him felt like he was abandoning his twin, but the rest of him?
Suddenly felt free.
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