CHAPTER 30
CLAYTON
Clayton stood in his kitchen, arms crossed, watching the clock as if it might suddenly tick backward. It didn’t. Each tick deepened his worry that Jamie might pack up and head back home if nothing changed soon, leaving him behind. He longed to rewind to just an hour ago, before she left the ranch.
Nolan walked in, grabbed an apple from the counter, and took a bite while eyeing Clayton. “You good?”
“Fine,” Clayton drawled, though even he wasn’t convinced.
“You don’t look fine,” Nolan observed, leaning against the counter. “You look like a man trying hard to convince himself he’s not miserable.”
“Why don’t you head on back to your own dang house? Ruth’s waiting on you,” Clayton shot back.
“Momma didn’t stock my fridge—she stocked yours.”
Clayton let out a heavy sigh. “Already miss her something fierce, Nolan.”
“Jamie?” Nolan raised an eyebrow.
“No, I’m talkin’ about the doggone Tooth Fairy,” Clayton snapped .
Nolan smirked. “All right, touchy. So she left, and now you’re just sulking?”
“I’m not sulking,” Clayton protested, though his tone betrayed him.
“Really? Because from where I’m standing it sure looks like it.” Nolan tossed the apple core in the trash and wiped his hands on his jeans. “You spent the whole tour bickering, pushing each other’s buttons, acting like children.”
Clayton opened his mouth to speak but fell silent. She’d once been everywhere—by his side, trailing behind him, even in his direct path. Every moment had been an opportunity to bridge the distance between them. Now, with the looming possibility of her returning to LA, she was nowhere to be found.
Exhaling sharply, Clayton rubbed his face. “I don’t know what to do, man,” he admitted, the urgency in his voice unmistakable.
Nolan grinned. “That’s cute.”
“Shut it,” Clayton grunted.
“It’s cute watching you realize you’re completely screwed,” Nolan said, clapping him on the back. “Don’t worry, though. She’s probably sitting at Shorty’s right now telling herself she doesn’t miss you either.”
Clayton swallowed hard and glanced at the clock again. Each tick was a countdown, reminding him that time was running out—and with it his chance to win Jamie’s heart before she left Nashville.