“I’m thinking I’m going to quit.”
“Quit? Don’t say that. You’ve never been a quitter in your life.” She never thought she’d hear those words come from his lips. It made her ache to hear him say it.
Carrie Anne relayed that Wyatt had been hurt, but she’d never told Gabby how badly. She had figured Lori was by his side. Only, she hadn’t been. He’d had his family, sure, but Gabby should have been there for him. It shouldn’t have mattered how hard it would have been. He’d needed her, and she’d let him down.
He lifted his gaze to hers. “What else is there to do? If I can’t stay on the bull, what’s the point?”
“You keep fighting until you can.”
“I know everyone thinks I’m stupid—“
“No, they don’t. Wyatt, you aren’t stupid.”
He leveled his gaze at her. “Gabby, come on. I’m the thick-headed doofus of the family. Bear bought this place. Hunter flips houses. Josiah sells commercial real estate. And then there’s me. Too dumb to really do anything with his life, so he rides bulls.”
She’d never heard him talk like this before. All this time, she’d been thinking she was the only one who’d grown up while she was gone. “It takes skill to ride a bull. It’s not something everyone can do. Granted, there’s a two-ton animal bent on goring you to death, and that can be a little off-putting, but it does take a level of talent and courage most don’t possess.”
He pulled his Stetson off and set it in his lap. “I guess so,” he said, but he didn’t sound convinced.
She’d never seen this side of him. The one that was vulnerable and unsure. She’d always seen him as the smiling easygoing guy. Maybe she needed to treat him the same way she wanted to be treated. Not as a boulder but rather as river rocks being continually polished by the water flow.
She slipped her arms around his neck. “I’m so sorry you’ve been hurting.”
His arms circled around her as he returned the hug, burying his face in her neck. “It’s okay.” He paused a few breaths before leaning back and said, “Honestly, I think I’ve wanted out for a while. I just haven’t been willing to admit it.”
“Why?”
“I want more out of life than being on the road or riding a bull.” He held her gaze. “I’m starting to think I might have something better to do. Something I want more.”
His lips were so close. How many times had she dreamed of him kissing her? She’d pictured moments like this where he was holding her. He’d bend down and press his lips to hers. But it was a foolish fantasy that had nothing to do with reality.
She started to pull away, but he held her. “Gabby…”
The words trailed off as he brought his lips down to hers. Warm, soft, and better than any dream or fantasy she’d ever had. He pulled back, his breath mingling with hers, and their gazes locked. It seemed as though a war was waging in him.
Just when she thought that was the only kiss she’d ever have with him, he lowered his lips to hers again. The icy air had chilled her only seconds before, but now she was on fire. It touched every inch of her skin down to her nerves.
Light kisses turned ardent and hard as the fire in her stomach raged. Her lips parted with the last brush of his lips, and he deepened the kiss as he tightened his hold on her, pressing her body into his. It was everything she’d ever wanted and more. It was her Wyatt, kissing her like he belonged to her. And, oh, how she’d wished with every fiber in her being that he’d belong to her one day.
Suddenly, he pulled back and pushed away, staring at her wide-eyed. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. I was caught up in the moment. It’s not right to do this to Bandit.”
Bandit? “Wyatt…”
He held up a hand. “No. You’re dating him, and I’m not that kind of guy. It was a mistake to kiss you.” He gulped. “We’re friends. We’ve always been friends—family—and that’s a good place to stay.”
Her breath caught with the last sentence as tears stung her eyes. Friends. There was that word again, even after sharing a kiss like that? She was the only one to feel the connection? How right it felt? She turned from him and quickly wiped her eyes. “Yeah, you’re right. We’ve been friends a long time. No sense in messing that up.”
“Exactly.” He shifted the truck into drive. “We should get back to the house. It’s only going to get colder out here.”
Oh, she was cold. All the way to her core. So frosty it would take a direct dip in the sun to warm her. They were friends, and whatever silly fantasy she had was gone. Carrie Anne was wrong. Wyatt would never want Gabby as more.
Now, she was left to stitch up her heart again. If she could just function until Carrie Anne’s wedding, maybe he’d leave for the rodeo and stay gone long enough for her to get over him. If she couldn’t…she wasn’t sure what she’d do.
Chapter 12
He’d kissed her. Kissed her. Wyatt couldn’t believe he’d made such a horrible mistake. He’d never been the kind of man to go after another man’s girl. It was against every code he lived by. And he’d done it to Bandit, of all people.
The drive from the orchard to the ranch house had been quiet, tense, and awkward. As soon as the pickup had pulled to a stop, Gabby had bolted from the cab and run into the house. Instead of following her inside, Wyatt had gone to the barn to figure out why he’d kissed her. He’d never thought of her that way, but, by golly, he’d sure enjoyed it.
Everything had been fine until he’d hugged her. Whatever perfume she’d worn was a ring in a bull’s nose. He’d buried his face in her neck, inhaled, and Love Potion No. 9 had hit out of nowhere. He’d leaned back, and those dark eyes of hers were staring at him, those lips looking so soft, begging to be kissed. They’d held out a “help wanted” sign, and he’d gladly accepted the job.
What was he thinking? He’d tried to stop himself. Lord knows he’d tried. He’d thought kissing her the first time would be stale and bland because it was Gabby. Not that she wasn’t wonderful, but she was his little sister’s best friend, not the kissing kind. But that one kiss had blurred his vision, fritzed his brain, and the next thing he knew, he was giving eight seconds a run for, and he wasn’t even on a bull.
How was he ever going to apologize to Bandit? Even the accident, as bad as it was, didn’t have him this miserable.
The barn door opened, and he looked up from the upturned bucket he sat on.
Hunter closed the door and rubbed his hands together. As he approached Wyatt, he shivered and stuffed them in his coat pockets. “Man, it’s cold out there. Snow’s starting to come down.”
“Why are you out in it, then?” Wyatt asked.
Hunter stopped a few feet away and leaned his shoulder against the wall. “Gabby ran inside, tears gushing, with Carrie Anne running after her, and I just so happened to see you slink in here. What did you do?”
Groaning, Wyatt hung his head. Did he really want to tell Hunter what had happened? That he was a lousy human being and deserved to have his lights knocked out?
Hunter let out a whistle. “It’s got to be bad with the way your acting.”
“I…I kissed her.” He groaned. “And then told her it was a mistake.”
When Hunter didn’t respond, Wyatt looked up and found Hunter with his mouth hanging open.
“I didn’t mean to. I know she’s with Bandit. It was wrong. Horrible and wrong, and I feel awful.”
Wyatt’s brother looked at him, puzzled. “Wait. Bandit is dating Gabby?”
“It seems so, but that’s not the issue. How am I supposed to tell Bandit what I did?”
“Did she kiss you back?”
Did she ever. For a woman dating another man, she’d given as much as Wyatt had. Her arms had tightened around his neck, and she’d pulled ever so slightly toward him, pressing her body against his. Mercy, it was a fantastic kiss.
When he didn’t respond, Hunter said, “If she did, then maybe she’s not dating Bandit as much as you think. Gabby’s not that kind of girl.
She doesn’t cheat. Or, I wouldn’t think so. Come to think of it, you ever remember her dating anyone?”
“No, I sure don’t.” In fact, Wyatt didn’t remember her even talking about guys when they were younger. “Now I feel even worse. The first guy she dates, and I go and kiss her.”
“Did she tell you they were dating? Like, outright?”
“Well, Carrie Anne kinda said they were, but when I asked Gabby, all she said was that they’d just started talking.”
Hunter took his hat off and scratched his head. “That’s it? They haven’t even been on a date? A real date?”
“Not that I know of.” And the way Gabby told it, it was just them talking at this point. Did Bandit even consider that dating? Wouldn’t he need to ask her out on a real date for it to count?
He didn’t know what he should do. Should he ask Bandit if he was dating Gabby? Or did he just let it die? Avoiding it seemed a cowardly way out, but never kissing her again? Every time the thought came to mind, Wyatt’s stomach twisted.
The battle going on inside him was enough to make him want to scream, and he was going to spend the next month with Gabby. How was he going to manage that?
Wyatt’s brother straightened. “Then I wouldn’t sweat it. I mean, just talk to Bandit. Ask him if they’re dating. Women are weird. I mean, you ever known a woman to be simple?”
Chuckling, Wyatt shook his head. “No, they’re as complicated as all get-out. I’ve yet to figure them out.”
“You’re telling me,” Hunter said, casting his gaze to the floor. “They can mix a man up something fierce.”
Wyatt stood. “What about you? You dating anyone?”
“Nope, much to Mom’s dismay.” Hunter rolled his eyes.
“She’s been on you about grandkids?”
Hunter grunted a laugh. “Yeah, it was my turn. Bear said she’d chewed on him the last couple of months. He was glad when she set her laser beams on me.”
It was no secret that Caroline West wanted grandkids. She’d spent a few months on each of them, telling them they needed to settle down. With Carrie Anne’s engagement, hopefully, it’d give them a reprieve for a while. Although, if Mom had it her way, she’d have a house full of grandchildren running around.
“I’m with Bear. After my accident, it was months of...when are you going to quit putting yourself in danger, settle down, and give me grandbabies? Boy, she was on my tail about it.”
Wyatt’s brother looked up and smiled. “No joke. Her thing with me was, you need to at least date if you’re ever going to find someone.”
“Is there another reason you decided to slink into the barn too?”
Hunter straightened and rubbed his knuckles along his jawline. “Nah, I just thought I’d check on you after the scene in the house. I didn’t realize you’d kissed someone else’s girlfriend.”
Wyatt socked him in the bicep. “Shut up. I already said I didn’t mean to, and like you said, I’m not even sure they’re really dating.”
Rubbing his arm, Hunter eyed him. “And if they are?”
“I’ll jump that ravine when I get to it. Until then, I’m keeping my lips to myself. Gabby’s just a friend anyway. It was a weird moment that probably won’t ever happen again.”
That idea didn’t sit right with Wyatt at all. Never kissing Gabby again? After that five-alarm kiss? That would take some strength Wyatt wasn’t sure he possessed.
The barn door creaked open again, and their dad walked in. “Hey,” he said.
“Hey,” Hunter said.
“Did you just get back from riding around with Bear?” Wyatt asked.
His dad nodded. “Yeah. We were just putting up the ATVs when I saw you two slip in here. I told Amos and Bear to go on and I’d be along in a minute.”
“Did you get anything figured out?”
“I think so. Bear wants to run cattle and buffalo. We’ve got some work cut out for us first. Can’t just turn cattle out. We’re going to start inspecting the fence next week. It’ll give us something to do while your sister picks out dresses and all that stuff.”
Wyatt stuffed his hands in his coat pockets and leaned his shoulder against the wall. “Sounds like a good start.”
His dad crossed his arms over his chest. “What are you two doing out here?”
Wyatt shrugged and glanced at Hunter. “Just talking about a bunch of different things.”
“Uh-huh.” His dad narrowed his eyes and looked between his boys. “Like what?”
Hunter shifted uneasily. “Uh, I think I’ll head back inside so you two can talk. My feet are frozen. See ya in a bit.” He smirked, and as he headed for the door, a strong wind rattled the roof of the barn. “I think that storm might be here,” he said, lifting his gaze to the ceiling. “Better not stay out in the barn too long.” He shut the door behind him.
Figured that Hunter would bail on him.
His dad raised an eyebrow. “What’s going on?”
Life? But that was a bit of a broad subject. Wyatt definitely wasn’t up for another conversation about Gabby, but he was curious to know what his dad thought about Wyatt’s future. “Wondering if Bear still wants someone to go in with him on the ranch. Gabby and I checked out the orchard today.”
His dad’s eyebrows raised. “I see. What about the rodeo?”
”I don’t know.” Wyatt pushed off the wall, walked to one of the stalls, and looked over the door. “Can’t stay with the rodeo forever. You’re the one who taught me I need to think long term. This old barn needs work, but I bet it could be turned into a real nice stable.”
His dad remained quiet a little too long, so Wyatt faced him.
“What?” Wyatt asked.
“This isn’t like you.” He straightened and rubbed his chin. “You’ve loved the rodeo since the second you sat on the back of a sheep, mutton busting. You said you’d die a clown before you quit.”
Wyatt scraped at a board with the tip of his boot. “I’m getting old. Aging out. It was a good dream.”
“Yeah, it was.” He lifted his gaze to Wyatt’s, holding it a breath before adding, “That accident spooked you. Getting hurt, that wasn’t easy. Not on the family, and certainly not on you.”
Turning away from his dad, he scoffed. “What are you talking about? I’m not spooked. I ride just fine.”
The sound of his dad chuckling made Wyatt face him again. An amused look greeted him. “You can shovel that somewhere else. What’s keeping you from moving forward? Be honest.”
Shrugging, Wyatt’s gaze dropped to the barn floor. “I don’t know. I get on the bull, and all I can think about is waking up in the hospital. I don’t know what to do.”
That ride constantly played in his mind. He’d wrapped his hand in the rope to hold on, the bull was perfect, and he knew he’d get a lot of points. When the gate opened, everything was going great, and not a second later, he was getting rammed against the wall. It had caught him off guard, and he’d tried to get off the bull. His hand got tangled. After that, he couldn’t remember. Only waking up in the hospital, wondering if he’d ever ride again.
“Well, at least you got back on one. That’s a start.”
“Yeah, but, Dad, what good is it if I can’t finish an eight-second ride. I’m jumping off one or two seconds early.”
Closing the distance between them, his dad stopped a few inches away and placed his hands on Wyatt’s shoulders. “You went through something none of us will ever understand, but I want you to know that we are all proud of you. All of us. Your momma, me, the whole family. We’ll support whatever decision you make.”
Wyatt’s chest tightened. Proud of him for what? Becoming a loser? “Nothing to be proud of. I can’t seem to get back what I had.”
His dad gripped his shoulders tighter. “Son, I’m not proud of you because you win a ride on a bull or get belts or make money. I’m proud of you because of the man you’ve become. I’m proud of you for not quitting. Take a step back while you’re here. Whatever it is that’s missin
g, you’ll find it. It might be right smack-dab in your face, and you don’t even see it yet.”
It was just a split-second flash, but Wyatt pictured Gabby. Their kiss. It had caught him off guard. He’d never thought of her like that before this weekend. What kept him from even trying was the thought of their families. If she and Bandit stopped dating and if something happened between them and it didn’t work out, their families could be affected. Wyatt didn’t want that.
Why was it even coming to mind? It was little Gabby. But she wasn’t so little anymore. She’d filled out in all the right ways, and just thinking about her made his pulse race.
He shut the thoughts down, setting an iron steak press on them. They needed to stay down this time.
“I hear ya, Dad. Maybe you’re right. I’ll stop thinking about the rodeo and just relax while I’m here. There’s a chance I could have an epiphany and go back with my head in the game and my heart all in.”
His dad dropped his hand. “That’s the right attitude.” He slapped him on the back. “Now, let’s get inside. My earlobes are about to freeze off.”
Wyatt laughed. “Yeah, now that you said it, I’m cold too.”
They quickly walked to the house and stopped in the foyer to shake off the cold. “Whew, I think it’s gonna snow,” Wyatt said, cupping his hands to his mouth and blowing on them.
“Yeah, that’s what the radar is showing too,” Hunter said, coming into view from the back of the house. “There’s coffee ready if you want to warm up.”
“Come have some with me and Wyatt. We’re going to talk about that old barn out there. Wyatt’s got some ideas.”
King nodded his head toward the kitchen. “Come on. We’ll hash it out, and then we’ll talk to Bear and see what he thinks.”
Wyatt and Hunter grinned and followed their dad. This was what Wyatt needed. Sitting at a table, talking plans with his dad. That’s what had made buying the lottery tickets so fun: talking about all the ideas they had. Not the money. The last year on the road had drained him. He needed his cup filled, and being home would do that. At least, he sure hoped so.
The Best Friend's Billionaire Brother (Caprock Canyon Romance Book 1) Page 9
