17. Reed

17

Reed

B randy had woken up before dawn, despite knowing the tire shop didn’t open until eight. She’d barely spoken a word to me this morning, and not an hour after we got on the road, she’d fallen asleep in the passenger seat. I let her rest, preferring it over the bickering. I was tired, her presence all too apparent as we slept beside each other last night, making it nearly impossible to fall into a deep sleep.

All I wanted was to be home and away from her. I’d had enough Brandy to last a lifetime, but unfortunately, I only got a day break before I had to see her again.

A few quiet hours later, I pulled up to her house and put the truck in park. I looked over at her, her chest rising and falling with her even breaths as the side of her forehead rested on the window. Giving myself a minute before I woke her, I turned my focus on her house and the rose bushes lining the yard.

I thought Brandy and I might have been making progress on this trip, but one line, and I ruined everything. So much like that night that clearly still haunted her. How she could blame me for the whole thing was beyond me. I was the only good in her life that day, and this was what I got in return. Seven years of bullshit.

To my right, Brandy stirred, pulling my attention to her. Her eyes fluttered as they opened, and she straightened in the seat when she realized the truck was parked.

“We’re here,” I said, interrupting the silence.

Without a word, she unbuckled and got out, grabbing her bag from the back. She closed both doors to the truck, and I watched as she walked to her door, unlocked it, and went inside. With a shake of my head, I shifted into drive and headed toward my parents’ ranch. Bailey had texted me earlier to let me know he’d be there all day, so I could leave the tux with him and head home.

I pulled up to the ranch, put the truck in park, and pulled the key from the ignition before getting out. Bailey approached the vehicle, a big grin pasted on his smug face.

“How was the trip?” Bailey asked, stopping beside me.

I opened the rear driver door. “How do you think?”

“I know the feeling. I was once forced to go on a trip with someone’s little sister who wasn’t quite fond of me at the time, too,” he said, setting a hand on the door.

I shook my head, pulling the tux out of the back by the hanger. “There’s a difference. Lettie didn’t want you dead.”

Bailey shrugged. “She probably did. Just didn’t get around to it after—”

I shoved the garment bag at his chest. “I’m gonna cut you off right there.”

His grin only widened, but movement in my peripheral drew my attention away as he grabbed the hanger from me. Beckham crossed the driveway, a thermos in his hand, despite the seventy-degree day.

“Surprised he’s out of the house,” I muttered.

Bailey turned to find Beckham getting in his truck. “He’s just adjusting to home life again, is all. This is good for him.”

I shut the rear door, leaning a shoulder up against it. “Shaving that five o’clock shadow would be good for him.”

Bailey’s brows shot up. “You’re grumpier than usual.”

“Two days with your fiancé’s best friend, and you expect me not to be?”

“Good point.”

“You excited for the wedding?” I asked.

His brows raised higher. “Did you just use the word ‘excited’?”

I rolled my lips together, giving him a blank stare.

“Hell yeah, I’m fucking excited,” he continued, turning to look out at the ranch. “Feels like I’ve been waiting forever for this.”

I crossed my arms, following his line of sight. “Probably because you have.”

He looked over at me, leaning back against my truck. “You’re gonna be on your best behavior, right?”

I gave him a sidelong glance before turning my attention back to the horses in the pasture. “It’s not me you have to worry about.”

His silence made me do a double take.

“I wouldn’t ruin your wedding, Cooper,” I said.

“Mhmm. I’ll believe it when I see it.”

“Just no more wedding errands, or I’ll make it a personal goal to sabotage the ceremony.”

He placed a dramatic hand to his heart. “Holy shit. I think Reed Bronson just teased me? Are these butterflies I’m feeling? Are you flirting with me?”

I rolled my eyes with a shake of my head. “You’re fucking ridiculous.”

“Is that a smile I see?” he asked, leaning into my space with his focus glued to my mouth.

I shoved at his shoulder. “Don’t you have work to do, asshole?”

He pushed off the truck, grabbing his gloves from the back pocket of his jeans. “Yep.” He took a few steps in the direction of the barn before turning around, walking backwards. “Make sure to floss.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want your breath stinkin’ when I kiss you at the altar.”

At the gate to the pasture, my dad’s head popped up. “The fuck did you just say, Cooper?”

Bailey turned his gleaming grin on his soon-to-be father-in-law. “I’m marrying your offspring, Trav.”

“Wrong fucking one,” my dad grumbled.

Bailey shrugged. “I ain’t picky.” He shot me a wink before turning and disappearing into the barn.

I found my dad’s scowl and couldn’t help the twitch of my lips.

Poor guy was always getting the ring around ‘round here. I knew exactly how he felt.