1. Chapter 1
Chapter one
Parker
“I’m reminding you again that your contract needs to be signed. It’s been two weeks, Stillwater.”
My agent, and the man who’s frankly made my life a living hell for the last seven years, reminds me again. “I need your signature as soon as possible.”
His tone leaves no room for negotiation. But Jet Jackson has a rude awakening on the horizon. One that involves me telling him I don’t give a damn about his contract or his manipulative work ethic that he disguises as professionalism.
“I’m aware, Jet,” I deadpan as I pass by the parking lot of the Mayson Jar. “And I believe I’ve already told you that I’m not sure I’m coming back. I have until the end of the month for my decision.”
A decision that’s already been made. He just doesn’t need to know that. Yet.
The old brick building I passed disappears in my rearview mirror.
My aunt Penelope has owned the Mayson Jar, a popular restaurant/bar in downtown Mayson Ridge since I was a kid, and it’s usually my first stop when I come to town.
But today I need to get to the ranch first. I was born in this small Texas town, but when my father, the other man who’s managed to royally fuck up my life, landed a job on an offshore drilling rig, we picked up and moved to an even smaller coastal town.
Still Texas but miles away. Wimberly Cove is what my address read, but my heart has always belonged in Mayson Ridge. For more than one reason.
As soon as school would let out, I’d spend the summer at the Mayson Ranch. The ranch was nestled between thousands of acres of raw land that my aunt Ruthie and uncle Emmett owned and operated.
“There’s no question, Parker. You’re in your prime. This is just a small setback. Six more weeks of rehab, then you’re back in the game. I’ve got more sponsors lined up.”
Of course he does.
I manage to keep my hands on the wheel instead of ending the call. Then he continues to hammer in another reason to throw in the towel.
“And just so we’re clear. I’m not sure why you insisted on rehabbing in the middle of bumfuck nowhere, but this better not affect Tori.”
Now he’s overstepping.
“And just so we’re clear,” I mock. “I already told you that’s over. I did as you asked.”
“I made you, Parker.” I can practically hear the grit of his fake white teeth through the phone. “And I have the power to ruin you. Don’t forget that.”
The line goes dead and I wait for his threat to hit. It doesn’t. I’m past the point of caring. Past the bullshit that comes along with my accomplishments. My being the keyword. Not his.
I take a second to let the guilt slip into place.
The guilt of my choices. The ones I thought were right at the time.
The ones that have haunted me every single day for the last seven years.
But as quickly as the feeling appears, it washes through me, leaving me with a steady numbness I’ve grown to prefer.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m pulling through the double gates of the Mayson Ranch.
The dusty drive brings a sense of peace as my wheels turn.
This place is more than just a ranch. It’s where I learned to ride a horse.
Learned the importance of hard work. Learned what it was like to lose an animal.
To lose a woman. This place taught me more about life than being on the road ever could.
Anytime shit went south, and I needed to find my footing, this slice of heaven was where I aimed my tires.
The grounds are quiet as I park my truck next to the horse barn. It’s Sunday, which means the majority of the ranch hands have the day off. I’m sure Ryder is out there somewhere. Work is all he seems to do.
After stepping out of the truck, I retrieve my duffle bag, then head to the office where Cooper usually spends his time when he’s not with his new bride. I’m still in shock that he’s married and has a teenager.
Entering the alleyway of the barn, I glance around before calling out, “Anyone here?”
Rustling from the office catches my attention, so I stride to the open doorway.
My eyebrows rise as Dakota, Cooper’s wife, slides off the desk while Cooper clearly tucks himself back inside his pants.
I suppress a laugh. “Did I interrupt?”
“Nope,” Dakota responds the same time Coop mutters a disgruntled, “Yes.”
His eyes dart to mine, a hint of aggravation at the activity I unknowingly disrupted.
“Figures.” I grunt under my breath as Dakota spins to face me.
“What brings you to Mayson Ridge?” she asks, her lips twitching with her usual mischief.
Cooper rounds the desk, his arms out for a brotherly hug since I haven’t seen him in months. I even missed their wedding, which I’m still pissed about.
“Sorry I couldn’t be at the wedding. Surgery was brutal.”
That isn’t a lie. I may have won the national championship at the finals, but before I could leave the arena, the bull managed to take down a bullfighter, then wrangle me to the ground.
I was hauled out with a concussion, four broken ribs, a ripped rotator cuff, and a slight jaw fracture. And in turn, a questionable career.
“It’s okay. Maybe you’ll be at our next one.” Cooper grins. “We’ve already had two.”
I chuckle as he motions to the duffle bag on my shoulder.
“You staying?”
His eyes narrow slightly, trying to figure out why I’m here and if the reasons I tell him are half-truths. Coop was always good at that. Seeing through my bullshit.
“Ruthie said the loft was open.” I shrug.
He holds my stare. “Just you?”
I give a curt nod. “Just me.”
“All right.” Cooper swipes his phone from his desk and shoves it in his pocket.
He strides back to me, then places a hand on Dakota’s back. “Let me get him settled, then we can finish our conversation.”
She smiles at him when he leans down to brush a kiss across her lips. A pinch stabs at my chest. Not jealousy. Maybe longing? Regret.
“Promise?” She muses.
He slaps an open palm across her ass. “Promise. Now get out of here.”
Dakota leaves the barn, allowing us to have a moment alone.
“Do we need to expect any drama coming this way?” He shuts the office door behind him.
We both know what he’s insinuating.
“Nah. That’s done,” I answer, shifting my bag to the other shoulder.
“About fucking time,” he mutters as we breach the opening of the barn.
I couldn’t agree more.
He motions to the stairwell. “It’s been empty for a bit. Might need some dusting off, but everything from when I lived here is still in place. Couch has seen better days.”
“Should I be concerned about the couch?” I arch a brow. “You and Dakota haven’t christened it yet?”
Cooper smirks. “More than once.”
“You dirty dog,” I mutter.
“Like you haven’t done worse on it,” he scoffs.
Ignoring the comment, I toss my bag at the foot of the stairs. “How’s everyone?”
“Mom and Dad are good. Finally back in the big house.”
The big house burned down last year in a fire that nearly destroyed the ranch, and even I was excited to see it rebuilt. From the drive in, it looked just as Ruthie has always dreamed.
“Ivy has taken over the office now,” he adds.
Ivy is Cooper’s baby sister, and it doesn’t surprise me she was hands on after being gone for so long.
“And Maddox? All good with them?”
“Yeah.” He steps into the yard. “You should see it. The poor sap is whipped.”
I snort. “And you ain’t?”
Before he can answer, an old but familiar SUV barrels up the drive, a tornado of dust in its path.
Excitement swirls low in my gut, a mixture of fear and determination.
She must have found out why I’m here.
Good.
I’m ready to pay my penance.