CHAPTER 22

jackson

T here was gray in his beard. That was the odd thing I noticed as we sat in silence at the diner eating. Instead of trying to start a conversation, I just studied him and how life had changed him. Somehow, I got stuck on the faded grays tucked in his beard. It was easier to focus on that than the fact that he thought I was a fucking moron for suggesting that he stay with me.

Why the fuck had I said it?

I blamed Mickey for that shit. He’d put the idea in my head when we talked—that West and I had been robbed of a chance at something together. That there was something still there under all the anger and hurt.

I hadn’t planned on saying a goddamn thing, but my mouth ran away with me before I had a chance to stop myself. And of course, West thought I was fucking nuts. Couldn’t blame him for that one. I would think I was an idiot too if I were him.

It led to a silent meal and an awkward ride back. He didn’t say a fucking word, and I didn’t know how the hell to bridge the gap. So I didn’t. I just drove us back to the ranch. As soon as I turned the truck off, West climbed out with the envelope in hand.

“I’ll look these over,” he told me, his voice stiff, “and get them back to you.”

“Okay.” I nodded. There was an uncomfortable feeling in my chest at the idea of letting West go all over again—something I didn’t know how to explain. Though, I knew it was probably the best thing for him.

“Okay,” he echoed. Without another word, he started across my lawn back toward the main drive.

Fuck, he was going back to the stables. Which he’d been sleeping in. It wasn’t exactly like he had a house to go back to.

“Door is open if you need a place to stay,” I called gruffly over my shoulder. “Guest room is on the first floor. Tess won’t bite. She will steal the bed though, if you let her.”

West made a sound but said nothing. Not that I expected him to. He disappeared into the dark while I went inside. Tess bounced around, her tail banging on the wall as she danced in excitement. If only everyone got this damn excited when they saw me.

Her whining grew incessant while I took off my boots before giving her attention. If I started with her, I'd never leave the entryway.

She ran ahead as I followed her to the living room, bounding onto the couch. That happy smile of hers was almost enough to take away the crappy feeling settling inside me. I ran my fingers through her scruff and hit all the spots to make her wiggling increase.

“I did the right thing,” I told her softly—though, I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince her or myself. Either way, it had me feeling a hell of a lot more than I wanted to.