5. Chapter 5
Chapter five
Parker
The smell of fresh hay invades my senses the second I step foot outside the loft door. It’s a comfort you don’t realize you miss until the reminder is hurled at your chest. Then you find yourself wondering why you ever left.
Stretching my neck, my boots carry me down the dusty staircase until I hit the barn. The sun is already up, and if I know Cooper, he’s made a full breakfast and probably mucked out all seven stalls.
I round the corner, my eyes catching on Buster, Cooper’s horse, as he snorts a huff of air out of his nose in greeting.
“Buster Boy.” I reach a hand through the rail and give his neck a pat before I head toward Cooper’s office.
Voices filter out of the open door, then a bellow of laughter reaches my ears. I halt in the doorway, my gaze landing on Ryder. My other cousin, who’s typically MIA.
“I’ll be damned,” Ryder mutters. “Thought you bit the dust.”
I chuckle, reaching out a hand to him. He shakes it, then settles back on the small file cabinet he’s leaning up against.
“Same. That hit looked painful.” This comes from Maddox.
He grabs my hand next, giving a firm shake, and slaps me on the back.
“It was.” I release him. “Getting too old for that shit.”
“How long you here?” he asks.
Maddox and I were always cool. If he knew anything about me and Laiken, he never voiced it. Given how things played out, I take it he’s still in the dark.
Honestly, it doesn’t surprise me Laiken never said anything. From what I can tell, she never told a soul about us. I’m not really sure how to feel about that.
“At least six weeks.” I run a hand over my shoulder on instinct. “Probably longer.”
Ryder lifts a brow. “You moving back?”
“We’ll see.”
Cooper studies me as Maddox waves a hand. “I gotta head out. Let’s grab a beer soon.”
I lift my chin to him, then cross my arms.
“We’ll see?” Cooper mimics. “I’ve never known you to not know where you’re going next.”
He’s right. I always knew. And I always knew when that contract with Jet reached its end, I was coming right back here. Back to where she is. I have plans all right, and as much as I respect my cousins, I’m not sharing anything yet. Not until Laiken knows my intentions.
“I’m running to town later. Y’all need anything?” I ask, ignoring his comment.
Ryder shakes his head. “Nah. If you need me today, I’ll be checking the fence.”
He shoves his worn cowboy hat on his head and slips out into the barn.
Copper stands, a smirk on his face.
“What are you so chipper about?”
“This is about Laiken,” he states with confidence.
It slightly annoys me.
I straighten, dropping my arms to my sides.
“What happened yesterday?” He presses.
“Nothing. Just business.”
“Parker. It’s me.” He rounds the desk and levels me with a look. A serious one.
“She’s doing my PT for the next six weeks. Have a home health agreement with the doctor.”
His brows lift in surprise. “And I’m assuming Laiken is thrilled.”
“I wouldn’t use the word thrilled.”
Pissed.
Angry.
Furious.
“You ever going to tell me what went down with you two?” he asks.
I shift in my boots. “Not a lot to tell.” I pause, finally giving a portion of the truth. “I hurt her, Coop. I’ve spent seven years trying to forgive myself.”
Understanding flashes in his eyes. “And now you need her to forgive you.”
“That’s the goal.”
Cooper reaches out to squeeze my uninjured shoulder. “I know you, Parker. You’d never intentionally hurt anyone. But it’s complicated now. She has Trace.”
Trace. Her son. My chest pinches. Again. The fact she had a child with someone else. Someone that isn’t me.
“Make it right.” He steps away from me. “But if you aren’t all in, don’t waste her time. She deserves better than two weeks of your attention when you’re passing through.”
His words hurt.
Only because they’re true.
She deserves the fucking world. And I am here to give it to her. Trace too.
I dip my chin. “I’m all in.”
Now I just have to convince her to give me a chance to prove it.