23. Brandy

23

Brandy

T wo days after my outburst with Reed, I shoved the sleeve of my sweatshirt up my arm before reaching over to the passenger seat to grab my phone.

Is he there?

I hadn’t gone to my mom’s house the last couple days because when I’d texted the same thing, I’d received a simple yes . I’d ask every damn day until the asshole disappeared again, but something told me he wasn’t leaving anytime soon.

I couldn’t bear the thought of him sticking around, intimidating my mother and keeping us apart. But what the fuck was I supposed to do? Show up there and act like he didn’t exist? He’d only prove that he did, that I couldn’t avoid him forever.

He’d make it his damn life’s mission if he had to.

Controlling women was his favorite activity.

My hands twisted on the steering wheel, the early morning fog making visibility shitty, but it was nothing compared to the rage that filled me at the thought of him hurting her.

The buzz of an incoming text pulled my attention, and I positioned one hand on the middle of the steering wheel to keep it steady while I read it.

Mom He’s going to be here for a while, honey

My eyes narrowed on the words, as if the text would shift at any moment and turn into something that actually made fucking sense. Why was she so okay with him treating her this way? To leave for years and come back as if nothing ever happened? Had he instantly resorted back to his old ways or was he claiming he’d changed?

A blaring horn yanked me from my phone, and I threw the device in time to pull the wheel, swerving me back into my lane. I overcorrected, my tires catching on the dirt. My foot slammed on the brake, jerking my car to a stop on the side of the road.

I let out a frustrated groan, dropping my hands from the wheel as I tipped my head back against the headrest, my foot still planted on the pedal. I pulled in deep breaths, calming the racing of my heart and the pounding of my head. I was getting careless, letting my anger take over. This was the second time I’d been lost in my phone, stupid enough to lose focus while driving.

But I wouldn’t let my outrage take over. Not like he did.

Forcing my neck straight, I stared out at the fog-covered field beside me, my teeth digging into my bottom lip. I didn’t want to do shit today, put effort into anything, and most of all, deal with stubborn horses. I needed to do something for me, alone.

And I had the perfect idea of what that’d be.

***

By the time I made it to the Bronsons’ ranch, the fog had lifted, but an overcast sky remained in its wake. The property was as empty as it’d ever been, every one of them gone helping the neighbors move their cattle. Lettie had texted me this morning to ask if I wanted to join, but I’d declined with the hope I’d see my mom today. That, and she was supposed to be enjoying her time with her husband. The girl couldn’t sit still for long, that much was certain. And as seeing my mom wasn’t happening today, I had all the time to do whatever the fuck I wanted. And this was on the top of my list.

Leaving my Bronco parked in the driveway, I headed for the barn to tack up the only horse I knew wouldn’t give a shit to stand still for hours—Dessie. She was a palomino paint, my go-to if I wanted to lead a yearling around or do much of anything with the green horses. She was calmer than calm, never fighting me on anything, which meant she’d be perfectly fine with this idea.

I opted for a bosal rather than a bridle, leaving the rest of her bare. Leading her out to my car, I slipped off my boots to pull off my leggings and sweatshirt, leaving me in a bright pink lingerie set. After tugging my boots back on and grabbing my phone, I led Dessie over to the pasture fence. With one hand on the reins, I climbed the metal rungs and swung a leg over her back, situating myself on her bareback.

Once I was comfortable, I reached down to open the gate, slipping through and closing it behind us. Then we took off at a trot, aiming for the patch of tree sitting off to the side. I had Lettie’s location, so I’d know if she was on her way back, but the trees would offer enough cover if I needed them.

We made it to the foliage in a few minutes, slowing to a walk as we neared. I led her over to one of the low-hanging branches, then situated my phone against a cluster of twigs and turned on the camera, setting it on the burst feature.

Then, I lay along Dessie’s back, staring up at the leaves as they blew in the breeze, and smiled.