Chapter 26 Clint
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Clint
“Marshall did a good job with Friendsgiving this year, don’t you think?” Red asks as he clinks his glass against mine, the sound sharp in the otherwise low murmur of the bar.
I glance around at the familiar faces and the flickering lights of the Silver Bit Tavern. It’s one of those places that feels homely.
“Yeah, he did,” I grunt, tapping my glass against his. “But there’s nothing better than a drink here at the end of the day. You’re right about that.”
Red laughs, that deep, gravelly chuckle that always shows me we’re on the same wavelength, even when we’re not saying much.
“Hell, you and me both. I’m telling you, Clint, there’s no better way to spend Thanksgiving than with a beer in your hand and the sound of the jukebox in the background. Just the way we like it, right?”
I nod, watching the low amber light from the hanging fixtures warm the dark wood of the bar. The place is cozy, familiar in all the best ways, but tonight feels… different.
Maybe it’s because I’ve got more on my mind than just the usual ranch business. My thoughts keep drifting to Dakota, and that unsettles me in a way I don’t know how to explain.
“I suppose,” I say, lifting my glass and taking another swig. The bitterness of the beer matches the knot tightening in my stomach. “Though I wouldn’t mind the quiet for once. No ranch, no cattle, no… just me.”
Red tilts his head, raising an eyebrow. “You’re talking like you’re trying to avoid something. What’s eatin’ you, Clint? You seem off tonight. Not like you.”
I let out a long breath, feeling his words land. Red’s not the type to let me wallow in silence, and honestly, I’m not sure I want him to.
It’s been long enough since I’ve really talked about it, and I’m not going to sugarcoat it now.
“I can’t stop thinking about her,” I admit, the words slipping out before I even realize it. Maybe I’ve had one too many to drink. “Dakota Fletcher. Someone I had a bit of a fling with forever ago, who now I can’t get off my mind.”
Red doesn’t speak right away, but his expression softens. He’s quiet for a beat too long, and when he does speak, it’s with that knowing, straightforward tone that always catches me off guard.
“You’ve always been a man of action, Clint. So stop overthinking it and go see her.”
I blink, trying to process what he’s saying. “What do you mean, ‘go see her’?”
“Go talk to her,” Red presses, leaning in slightly.
“You’ve been brooding over the same damn thing for weeks now.
You don’t even know if she feels the same way anymore, and you’re not gonna find out sitting here drowning in beers.
Either you go to her and find out, or you keep wondering ‘what if’ the rest of your damn life.
You know I’ve never seen you like this about anyone.
So stop pretending it’s not there. I’m your best friend, and you know I give the best advice. So my advice is to go for it.”
I stare at him for a long moment, and something in me stirs, just the slightest bit of hope.
“Red, I don’t even know where to start.”
“Well,” he says with a smirk, “start with ‘hi’ and see where it goes. You’ve spoken to a woman before, haven’t you?”
“Don’t be an idiot.”
Red grins, leaning back in his chair with that lazy confidence that comes from knowing he’s right. He tips his hat back just enough for the light to catch the silver strands in his hair, eyes glinting with mischief.
“You’re overcomplicating it, Parrish. Just go see her.”
I let out a low chuckle, shaking my head. “You make it sound so damn simple.”
“It is simple,” Red says, raising his glass and taking a long sip before setting it down with a quiet thunk. “You like her. She’s here. You’re here. And if you keep sittin’ on your hands much longer, someone else is gonna come along who isn’t afraid to knock on her door.”
That thought hits like a kick to the gut, sharp and unwanted. The image of Dakota smiling at someone else flashes in my head, and I swear I feel my jaw tighten.
Red notices. Of course he does.
“Ahh, so that’s what this is about,” he says, dragging the words out slow, savoring the realization. “You think you’ve got competition.”
“I didn’t say that,” I mutter, though it’s useless denying it.
He laughs again, low and teasing. “Didn’t have to. You wear it on your face, Clint. Hell, half the bar could read it. You’ve been staring into that beer like it’s got the answers. Trust me, it doesn’t.”
I exhale, rubbing a hand over my jaw. “She’s been through a lot, Red. I don’t want to make things harder for her.”
Red nods, his teasing easing up just a notch. “That’s fair. But I’ll tell you what’s harder… regrettin’ the things you didn’t do. Life doesn’t give you many chances to get it right. And if you are feelin’ something for this Dakota? That’s something worth fightin’ for.”
His words hang between us for a long beat. The jukebox shifts songs, some slow, easy tune about home and second chances, and it seems the whole place is leaning in, waiting to see what I’ll do.
Red finally stands, tossing a few bills on the bar. “Come on, cowboy.”
I frown. “Where the hell are we going?”
He grins, that familiar spark back in his eyes. “To get your stubborn ass out of here before you talk yourself out of it. I’ll drive. You can figure out what you’re gonna say on the way.”
“Red, it’s late,” I protest weakly, though even I can hear how half-hearted it sounds.
He claps a hand on my shoulder. “So what? You think love waits for daylight?”
I groan, but there’s no stopping him once he’s decided something. “You’re out of your damn mind.”
“Maybe,” Red says, already heading for the door. “But if I were you, I’d rather be crazy than cowardly. Now, get your hat. We’ve got a girl to go see.”
I stare at the half-empty glass in front of me, the condensation running down the sides. Then I push it aside, grab my hat, and follow him out into the cold night.
The drive to Dakota’s house feels longer than it should. The cold wind whips through the cracked window, and the headlights of Red’s truck slice through the darkness.
The only sounds are the hum of the engine and the occasional rustling of Red tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. The tension in my chest doesn’t let up for a second.
I should’ve come here sooner. I should’ve said something, anything, to make things right. Even when I finally found the courage to kiss her, I backed down again. Doubt and fear have been holding me back for far too long.
“Do you ever stop talking?” I mutter, glancing over at Red.
He’s been giving me this damn pep talk the entire drive.
“Hey, you need what I’m giving you,” Red says, glancing at me with a grin that’s just too damn satisfied for this moment.
I roll my eyes. “You don’t need to be a damn life coach, Red. I’m not one of your projects.”
“You’re welcome, by the way,” he says, a little too smug for my liking. “Now get your ass together. We’re here.”
The truck pulls up in front of the house. My stomach tightens, and I’m sure I might choke. The house looks quiet, peaceful, just as I remember it. But everything inside me feels anything but peaceful.
I hesitate when I step out of the truck, my boots crunching the gravel beneath me. I stand there, feeling foolish, wondering if this was a huge mistake. What the hell am I even going to say to her?
Before I can overthink it too much, Red shoves me forward with a hand on my back. “Go on, cowboy. You’ll figure it out.”
I grunt, but I don’t fight him. I’m already halfway to the porch before I can even decide if I’m ready. I lift my hand to knock, but then I freeze.
From inside the house, I can hear voices. Not just Dakota’s.
There are two men’s voices, raised a little in argument, but still… tense. It takes a beat for my mind to process what that means. Reid and Sawyer.
Why the hell are they here?
And am I going to let that stop me?
I stand there, my hand still hovering above the door, frozen in place. Should I turn around? Should I walk away?
I knock, before I can second-guess myself any longer, and the door swings open.
There she is.
Dakota.
Her hair falls in soft waves around her face, and I lose track of everything else. All the words I’ve been rehearsing in my head dissolve. There’s only her, standing there in front of me, looking so damn beautiful that it hurts.
But something in her expression falters when she sees the tension in my face. Her eyes dart over my shoulder, noticing Red standing there, and then the two men just behind her in the entryway.
Sawyer and Reid both stand there, arms crossed, both looking at me with that mix of suspicion and wariness that immediately puts me on edge.
Dakota steps back instinctively, and I follow, the door clicking shut behind me.
“Clint,” Dakota says. “What’s going on?”
I swallow hard, trying to get my bearings. The last thing I expected was to walk into a damn standoff between the three of us.
Reid’s and Sawyer’s stares are sharp, almost as if they’re sizing me up. The way they’re standing, blocking the doorway, it’s clear this isn’t some casual visit.
“Is everything okay?” I ask, forcing myself to stay calm.
But the second the words leave my mouth, the atmosphere shifts, and it’s not just the cold from outside. Sawyer clears his throat, stepping forward a little.
“We were just talking,” he says. “About what’s going on between all of us.”
He looks from me to Reid, then to Dakota. Reid crosses his arms, a slight frown pulling at his lips. There’s a flicker in his eyes. Something almost competitive.
I glance back at Dakota. She looks exhausted, but there’s a flicker of more in her eyes, a mix of confusion and concern. She’s caught between us, and I know damn well that’s not fair to her.
“Guys, what the hell is going on?” I finally demand, frustration creeping into my voice.
This is not how I wanted to do this. Not like this, with them already on edge, acting as damn wolves circling the same piece of meat. I’m no saint, but I don’t need to be drawn into some silent war over Dakota.
“Dakota,” Reid starts. “I care about you.”
The words hang in the air, and the silence stretches too long.
“I care about you, too,” Sawyer adds quietly, his usual calm demeanor shaken.
Dakota’s eyes flick from me to them, her brow furrowing, as if she’s just now realizing what they’re admitting. Her breath catches, and I see it all settle in on her shoulders.
“You…” She cuts herself off, taking a step back, holding up a hand. “Stop,” she says, trembling just slightly. “This isn’t… I didn’t ask for this.”
But there’s no denying it now. Both of them have made their feelings known, and I know, deep down, that I’m in this.
I always have been, even if I’ve been running from it.
I take a deep breath, feeling it all in my chest. This isn’t about pride anymore. This isn’t about being too stubborn or holding back.
I can see it in the way she’s standing. Nervous, unsure of where to go next. She’s not just caught between the three of us—she’s unsure of what this means for her, too.
And I get it.
“I care about you, too, Dakota,” I say. I meet her gaze and hold it, trying to let her see just how much those words mean.
“And I’m not going to pretend I don’t. I should’ve said something sooner, but I’ve been afraid.
Afraid of pushing you too hard when you’ve been through so much. But I’m not backing down now.”
There’s a moment of silence before Reid speaks up. “So, what? Now we just… act like it’s all fine and dandy?”
I turn toward him, meeting his gaze head on. “No. But we stop pretending it’s not there, either.”
Reid’s eyes lock on mine, his jaw tight. He’s just as aware of the undercurrent between us as I am.
“Yeah, we need to stop pretending,” he mutters. “We’ve been circling this long enough.”
Sawyer shifts beside him, his gaze moving slowly over Dakota, trying to figure out where this could go, where they could go.
There’s something about the way he watches her, intense but soft. That quiet longing I can see in the curve of his lips.
And then, we’re all pulling toward her. This pull that’s magnetic, undeniable.
“Dakota,” I growl, taking a step closer. “I’m not backing down from this. Not anymore. Not after everything that’s happened. But just so you know, this isn’t something you have to choose. You could have all three of us.”
I see the glint in Reid’s eyes. It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve shared a woman like this, although it’s always been a physical thing before.
This definitely feels like more emotions are on the line, but why should that stop us?
I lean in, and this time, it’s not just about words. My lips find hers, and it’s an explosion. Hot, fierce, needy. She doesn’t fight it.
Her hands tangle in my hair, pulling me closer as if trying to meld us together, body and soul. It’s not just a kiss, it’s a claim. It’s everything I’ve been holding back for too damn long.
Reid reaches for her, too. His kiss makes her sigh—a soft, breathless sound that makes every nerve in my body light up. The tension between us is a fire now, and every kiss, every touch, fans it higher.
Sawyer moves in as well, his hands sliding over her shoulders, down her arms, pulling her into him with a slow, possessive kiss.
His lips are insistent, a contrast to Reid’s heated intensity, and it leaves Dakota breathless, caught between the three of us.
She pulls away for just a moment, gasping for breath, eyes wide and wild with the need for something she’s been denying for too long.
Her chest rises and falls with every breath, and I can see it. The way she’s unraveling, letting go of the control she’s clung to for so long.
“I… I want this,” she breathes, barely above a whisper, but it’s everything. It’s all we need to hear.
Reid grins, his lips curving in that signature half-smirk. “Then let’s not waste any more time.”
His hands move down to her waist, pulling her closer, and Sawyer’s fingers skim the hem of her shirt, lifting it over her head in one smooth motion. I follow, the need to feel her skin under my palms almost overwhelming.
She gasps, caught between us as we press in, each of us carving a path closer to her, showing her without words what we want.
No more hesitation. No more secrets.
We want her. All of her.