by Amelia Shea
Grey arched his neck past his father and glared at Tripp, who remained by the door like a scared little shit. Grey moved forward. “I’m going to make you feel the same pain she just felt when I get my hands on you, Tripp.”
“Don’t put this all on me. You guys were laughing with me.” It was a typical Tripp move to not man up and take the blame, which fell solely on him.
“We were laughing at you, asshole, and you damn well know it.”
Joanne patted Tripp on the back and stepped forward. Her saccharine smile had Grey wanting to make her the exception to his rule of never hitting a woman. She played some kind of part in this, he knew it.
“If I may…”
Mr. Fords interrupted. “No, you may not. I suggest you leave, Joanne.”
Her mouth opened and closed in sheer surprise. If he wasn’t so furious, it would have been amusing. She quietly stepped back and walked into the house. Grey’s eyes landed back on Tripp, sending him into a fiery rage.
“I didn’t know she was there, Grey.” Tripp had the decency to appear regretful.
Grey threw his hands up in frustration. “It doesn’t matter, she heard you and took it to mean I played a part in this.”
Tripp shrugged. “But you kind of did.” Any redemption he may have gained from seeming regretful seconds ago was lost on Grey. He was going to beat the piss out of his little brother. It was a long time coming.
Jasper reached out, stopping Grey from getting to Tripp. “Dad, it wasn’t how Tripp said. Tripp was the one to bring it up. It was the night of the walk-through at Gracie Point when she changed her mind. It’s true, Grey and I laughed about it, but neither one of us ever had any intent of going along with it. Only one other time it was brought up by Tripp and Grey shut him down. It was a joke.”
“Britt didn’t seem to find it funny,” he sneered. “And neither do I. The idea my sons could even jest about such a disgusting ploy sickens me.”
Grey tried to move around his father, but Mr. Fords matched his step. “You will let her go.”
“Like hell, I will. She’s mine, and not you or anyone else is going to stop me from making this right with her.” He was prepared to go head to head with his dad. He would not let Britt leave without giving her the full story. He stepped around his dad but stopped when he heard a car door slam.
“Shit.” He ran around the house to the front yard.
Grey watched her tail lights fade fast down the driveway.
“Britt!” he screamed. “Fuck.” He ran toward his house up the path. After he made things right with her, he would come back to kill Tripp, that little fucker. His long strides had him midway to his truck.
Jasper cut him off, grabbing his arm. Grey swung back, pushing Jasper out of the way. His brother nearly fell to the ground. Grey could not contain his rage from this situation. Britt was the only one who mattered to him, and he needed to get to her to make this right. He stalked to his truck.
“Don’t do this, Grey. Give her some time.” Jasper was on Grey’s heels.
Grey halted and spun around. “Fuck off, I’m going after her.”
Jasper held up his hand. “Grey, listen to me, you gotta give her time to cool off. You saw her face. She isn’t gonna listen to anything you say right now. You going up there is only going to make this worse.”
What Jasper was saying was probably true, but he couldn’t let her think what Tripp said was the truth. Yes, they had joked about a plan over whiskey, but no one except Tripp took it to heart. It was angry bullshit.
“I’m not just gonna let her stew in thinking what we had wasn’t real.”
“But she’s not going to listen now, Grey. She’s hurt, she feels betrayed. You need to give her time, just a few hours, let her cool down. You go up there now, she might just pull a shotgun out and shoot you.” Jasper stared at him. “You know I’m right.”
Grey stopped and stared at his truck, only a foot away. He knew Jasper was right. She wouldn’t listen, she was too angry. She needed time, and as much as he hated it, he’d give it to her. Anything she needed to make this right, he’d do it. He’d give her until morning to cool down. Then explain the misunderstanding. She’d forgive him. She had to, he couldn’t lose her. He loved her. For the first time in his life, he found someone who made him breathe easy, someone who made him laugh and showed him more love than he probably deserved. Just the thought of never hearing her giggle, never seeing her sweet smile aimed at him or feeling her warm body snuggled up next to him was breaking him.
His whole life had been wrapped up in the ranch. There was no person or thing more important, until Britt. If she walked away from him, she’d be taking everything with her. He couldn’t see a future without her. She had ruined him for any other woman. Britt owned his heart. Everything he worked for, everything he thought he held dear to him, he’d give it all up. For her.
He bit down on his lip in frustration. “Did you see her face, Jas?”
“Yeah, I saw her.”
“I broke her fucking heart.” His own heart had a shot of pain. The look on her face, he’d never get that look out of his head. He hung his head low and felt his brother’s hand rest on his shoulder.
I can’t lose her.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Britt was curled up in the chair in the living room. She’d never left the spot since she got home last night. Lucas was waiting for her when she arrived. Sarah must have called him. She wasn’t sure if he knew the whole story but he never asked. He just told her he was staying in the barn to watch the horses and to holler if she needed anything.
All she needed was a comforting spot and a few bottles of wine to drown her sorrows. It was cliché—she knew it, she didn’t care. Her heart had just been ripped out of her chest, stomped on, and left for dead. Fuck clichés. She was surprised when she woke up that she’d even fallen asleep.
She heard the truck barrel up the driveway. Of course, he’d come after her. He probably had a speech made up weeks ago. His plan B, if the truth ever came out. Tears poured down her face. She used her sleeve to swipe them but not fast enough. She was pretty sure she’d never felt heartbreak like this. The curtains were drawn, leaving the living room in darkness. The sound of yelling beckoned her up from the chair and to the hall.
She couldn’t make out what they were saying until she got closer to the door, but she knew it was Lucas and Grey.
“Britt!” He shouted from the front porch while banging on the door. She stood in the hallway not moving. She refused to see him.
She thought about opening the door and screaming at him, even punching him. Making him hurt. Make him feel even an ounce of the pain she was feeling right now. Seeing him would allow him to see her. There was no hiding her pain and he wouldn’t get to see what he’d done. She couldn’t let him see how he broke her, ruined her. She’d never give him the satisfaction. Lying prick bastard.
She stared at the door, watching it shake from the pounding.
“Britt!” he shouted again.
“She’s gone, Grey,” Lucas said evenly with no emotion.
“What? What do you mean she’s gone?” Grey was shouting but there was something in his voice, disbelief maybe, or fear? Did he really think she wouldn’t leave? The fear she heard, understood. He was afraid he’d lost his chance at her land.
“Gone, I mean she’s gone. Left early this morning, drove her to the airport myself. Didn’t say where. Why would she stay? A person can only take so much humiliation, you know. She’s gone, and you ain’t stupid, you gotta know there’s no way in hell she’d sell the land to you. Just leave.”
“Fuck the land, I don’t give a shit about the land. I want to know where Britt went, Lucas.” His tone was frightening, and Britt backed two steps away from the door.
Lucas snorted. “Fuck the land? Yeah right, you expect me to believe you don’t care about the land. After the shit you pulled, this elaborate scheme you and your family came up with? Even for the Fords, it was low.” Lucas release
d a cruel laugh. “Gotta hand it to ya though. You breaking in the horse, coming around and helping her, making a show of being with her. Ya even had me fooled, thought you really felt something for her. Looks like we all fell for your bullshit. Now you come here, demanding to see her, making it like you’re sorry? You expect me to believe all that no longer matters, and all you want is Britt? Go home, Grey.”
“I don’t care what the hell you think. Tell me where she is, Lucas.” Grey’s voice was hard and loud, sending a shiver down her back. She’d never heard such anger come from him.
The silence had Britt watching the door, tempted to peek out the window, but she remained still in her spot.
A loud breath heaved and she heard Grey’s pleading. “I gotta explain things. It not what it seems, what she thinks. The shit back there…it’s not what it looks like.”
“It’s exactly the way it looks like. The only part of the plan you didn’t expect was her finding out. You and your family have done enough damage, Grey. Let it go, if you care even an ounce for Britt, you’ll let her go.”
“Please, just tell me…”
“Even if I knew where she was, which I don’t, I wouldn’t tell you.” There was silence between them. “Go home, Grey.”
Britt backed away from the hall, her mind wandering to what Grey said. I gotta explain things. It not what it seems, what she thinks. The shit back there…it’s not what it looks like. She was torn, her heart screaming to run out there and let him explain, her head shouting anything he said would be lies.
Her tears falling again, her shoulders sagged. She turned to the stairs. Her brain and heart both needed rest. It was time to shut down for the day, and it was only nine o’clock in the morning.
»»•««
Grey’s truck barreled up the long drive to the Triple R ranch. He never should have listened to Jasper. He should have followed her home, and maybe she would have listened. At least he would have had a fighting chance to see her. Now, she was gone.
His mind was reeling. He had to get her back.
Coming around the back of the barn, he slammed on his brakes. He barely put the truck in park before he stalked to the barn. It was a long shot that Tripp even showed up for his chores, but if he wasn’t here, Grey would find him. His little brother had gone too far, and he was going to experience the same pain Grey was feeling, courtesy of his fist in Tripp’s face.
Through the years, Tripp had pissed Grey off, angered and annoyed him. The past had been no comparison to the rage he was feeling now.
Throwing open the barn doors, all the ranch hands froze. Grey knew what he was feeling, the fury and anger seeping out of him. From the looks on the workers’ faces, they saw it, too. He scanned the barn with no sign of his asshole brother.
“Where’s Tripp?” he snapped.
“Grey?” Jasper came out from one of the stalls.
“Where is he?”
Jasper came toward him, his face showing concern, his hands spreading in front of him. “What happened?”
“Where the fuck is he?” Grey’s voice vibrated through the barn so loud a few of the wide-eyed men jumped back in shock. It could have also been fear.
“Need you to calm down.”
Grey stared back at Jasper. He must have known where Tripp was hiding out. He didn’t want to hurt his middle brother, but he would if he had to.
“Where. Is. He?” He clenched his jaw.
“I’m here.”
Grey’s eyes looked over Jasper’s shoulder to see Tripp coming out of the same stall. His face looked distraught, bags under his eyes. His shoulders were slumped, and his face showed a canvas of remorse.
Too fucking late, little brother.
Grey stormed past Jasper, too fast for him to grab at Grey’s arms. Tripp didn’t move as Grey came up on him, grabbing the collar of his shirt with both hands and throwing him up against the wall of the barn. The wood crackled and the animals rustled and started to make noise.
Grey’s face was only inches away from Tripp’s. “She’s gone.”
Grey could feel Jasper’s hands grip his arms, but he refused to let Tripp go from his hold, which had him suspended in the air against the wall. He slammed him against the wall again. Tripp flinched from his head banging, but he didn’t fight back.
“She’s gone, asshole. All because of the bullshit you spewed. She’s gone and she’s never coming back. I didn’t even get the chance to talk to her. She left thinking everything we had was a lie, it was all for the fucking land.”
“Let him go, Grey!” Jasper pulled hard at his arm, but Grey only tightened his grasp on Tripp.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know she was in the room. I’m just as mad at myself, Grey.”
“Are you? And why is that?” Grey growled, firming his grip tighter.
“She left. Now we’ll never get the land back.”
Grey saw red, and his whole body tensed. Pulling Tripp away from the wall, he reached one arm back and swung, clocking Tripp across the mouth so hard his head whipped back and blood immediately rushed out.
Tripp belted out a yelp before Grey struck again across his jaw, releasing Tripp this time and watching him fall to the ground in a balled heap.
Jasper shouted, “What the hell are you doing?”
Grey started forward but Jasper blocked him, pushing at his chest. Jasper was built similarly to him, but Grey was stronger and two inches taller. Grey scowled. It would be a fair fight between him and Jasper, but with the fire raging through Grey, he could guarantee a win.
“I’m giving him exactly what he deserves.”
“Calm the fuck down, Grey.” Jasper pushed harder into Grey’s chest, backing him up to the barn wall. Jasper’s arm rested hard against his chest, and Grey’s eyes focused on his brother. His anger left him out of control. He needed to pull it together, he told himself, breathing heavily, trying to relax.
“You gotta get control here, Grey. Calm down.” Jasper held his stare. “Just breathe, man.”
From the corner of his eye, he could see Tripp stagger up to stand. Wiping his mouth with his shirt, he spat out a wad of blood. He walked up to where Grey was being held back and glared.
“What the hell? I know I fucked up, but you coulda broke my jaw. Said I was sorry.”
Grey pushed Jasper, who stumbled. Grey stalked up to Tripp, who had the smarts to back away. He didn’t dare touch him this time. He wasn’t sure the next hit wouldn’t break Tripp’s jaw from the rage running through him.
“You’re sorry? Yeah, sorry the land won’t be ours? Here’s a little piece of info for you, little brother.” Grey got into his face and shouted, “It was never gonna be ours. It’s not our land, it’s hers. My plan? You want to know what my plan was? To be with her, to love her, marry her, and have her bear my fucking kids. Never, in my plan, did I think I would take her land. I wanted her, not the ranch.” Grey snorted in disgust. “My plan is fucked, it’s over and done, you made sure of it, didn’t you, brother?”
Grey stared at Tripp’s stunned face. The little prick really did believe he was only with her to get back the land. Tripp opened his mouth, but Grey didn’t want to hear anything he had to say. He turned fast, knocking into Jasper. Not breaking stride, he went to his truck.
He headed toward his house. There was a bottle of bourbon with his name on it and it would be a long night. He had a new plan to come up with because there was no way he was letting go of Britt. Not without a fight.
»»•««
It had been a long day. She was so confused. The only thing she was certain of was it was time to go. She didn’t belong here, she needed to get back to her people. People she could trust, like Darcy and Leona.
She spent the day slowly packing. Hopefully, Lucas would be on board with running the ranch until she could figure out what she wanted to do with it. The idea of selling Cal’s dream and the place she’d come to love herself gutted her, but she couldn’t stay here.
The door from the mudroom opened a
nd she flinched out of her daze. Looking to her right, she saw Lucas with a sad smile on his face. Pity was the worst look any person could give to another.
“I’m fine, I swear.” Britt tried to sound okay.
“Good to hear.” He took off his hat, shifting from leg to leg, appearing nervous. He was probably afraid she’d burst into hysterics. Again. She’d never gotten close to a guy just as friends. She didn’t think it was even possible, but her friendship with Lucas proved her wrong. He’d dealt with Grey, checked on her during the day, and even awkwardly wrapped his arm around her shoulder when she lost it and started crying for the hundredth time.
She was really going to miss him.
“I got your car out back in the vacant barn. Figured you’d want to lay low for the next couple days. Especially seeing as how I told him you were gone.” A sheepish smile played on his lips.
“Well, I’m probably going to be gone by tonight. Called the airline, I’m on standby.” She looked around the kitchen. “Have you seen my laptop?”
Her eyes scanned the counter where she had piled up mail. Realizing she never got a response, she turned to Lucas. His eyes were hard, and his lips turned downward. A deep crease at his brows showed his emotion. He was not happy.
“You leavin’?”
Staring at him, she scoffed. “Of course I’m not gonna stay here.” His frown grew deeper and Britt sighed. “Lucas, I don’t belong here. The Fords know it, you know it, hell, even I know it. This ranch, this was Cal’s dream, not mine.”
“Bullshit.”
Her eyes widened. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. Bullshit!”
Britt held up her hand. “Lucas, please…stop.”
“No, you stop, Britt. You’re just gonna leave? Leave the ranch, Cloves County, me and the guys?”
“I don’t belong here.”
Lucas shook his head in disappointment. “This is exactly where you belong but your broken heart is fogging up your mind. You belong here just as much as anyone, me included.”
Her tears streamed down her face. She really didn’t want to leave. She’d grown to love it here. It had become home. Lucas was proving again to be a good friend by calling her out.
