Chapter 21 Hollis
Hollis
“Wait! No way!” I gasp, my face practically pressed against the window as Fletcher turns his truck onto the long dirt road that welcomes us to the Wright Way Ranch. “You can’t be serious!”
This place has been a Texas staple for travelers for years, but it really blew up after the family became overnight reality tv star sensations. People instantly fell in love with their cowboy-meets-luxury aesthetic and all the family drama that came along with it.
People were already willing to shell out good money to stay at the upscale dude ranch, but after the show took off, it’s been pretty much impossible to get a reservation without booking more than a year in advance.
“So I take it you’re a fan of the surprise?” he asks, sneaking a glance from the driver’s seat.
I’m too distracted to respond, utterly transfixed as we drive under the iconic Wright Way Ranch steel entry sign—the very one I’ve seen flash across my tv screen multiple times per episode.
If only to make things even more surreal, we follow the winding road, passing the white picket fences until we’re pulling up in front of the incredibly iconic three-story ranch house.
It’s somehow even bigger in person, with its wraparound porch, and huge balconies that overflow with fresh flower boxes. It’s almost too much to comprehend, especially with this place feeling so familiar despite never having actually set foot on the property before.
“Wait, what did you say?” I finally ask, placing my hand on the window.
“Nothing,” he says with a low chuckle. “Just happy that you’re happy.”
I’d planned to show up today with a bad attitude. Arms crossed, walls up, and ready to roll my eyes at whatever grand idea he managed to scheme up, but how was I ever supposed to prepare for this?
Not that my plan probably would’ve succeeded. With my constantly evolving feelings, I’m pretty sure any attempt at avoiding fun with him around would be downright impossible. There’s just something about him I can’t resist—hence, us being on this date in the first place.
“How did you even make this happen?”
My eyes remain glued out the window as I drink in the sprawling stretch of open land.
There are the wide-open pastures rolling out into the distance, but I’m more taken in by the giant red barn that’s surrounded by well-kept riding arenas.
Then, of course there’s the small pond glittering in the sunlight that I know to be stocked with fish for the less adventurous types who wish to cast a line without having to truly work for it.
He shrugs with a casual confidence. “I might have a few connections.”
“Connections?” I prod, tearing my reluctant gaze from the view. Even my dad hasn’t been able to get us reservations here, which makes me rather curious. “What kind of connections?”
“Theo,” he spills with a sheepish grin.
“Really?” I ask, my smile widening as I realize he’s talking about Theo Martinez, the second baseman for the Rowdy Rattlers.
“Yeah. Turns out he grew up with Boone Wright.”
“Oh my God!” I squeal. “How did I not know this?”
Like most reality show junkies, I’m obsessed with Boone.
He’s beyond lovable with his southern charm, and his strong work ethic.
While he may be the one who usually takes the lead on the big projects at the ranch, from what I’ve seen, he’s incredibly down to earth and absolutely hilarious.
It also helps that he’s easily one of the most classically good-looking men I’ve ever seen.
We’re talking Brad Pitt in his glory days level of good looking.
“Alright, simmer down,” he cuts in, undoing his seat belt and angling his body toward mine. “Don’t forget it’s me you’re on a date with today, even if we do run into the guy.”
“No promises. I mean, you really should know better than to introduce your date to her celebrity crush.”
“Eh,” he cooly answers, his face close to mine as he unclicks my belt. “Even with him being your celebrity crush, I’m confident that by the end of the night, it’ll be me you want wrangling you in close.”
“Mmm, I don’t know. A real cowboy opposed to a baseball player dressing up as one is pretty tempting,” I tease, tapping his nose before turning and opening the truck door. “It’s hard to say who I’ll want.”
“Playing dress-up?” He scoffs, hopping out just as quickly.
He catches up to me as we make our way toward the front of the truck.
“I’ll have you know my grandparents own a farm in Iowa.
I spent every summer there since I was a kid helping out.
I know my shit, and can assure you I don’t just play one for the cameras.
I can ride, wrangle, and work the land with the best of ‘em.”
What is it about seeing this man get so defensive that I find so attractive?
My smirk only widens. “Oh, so what you’re really saying is you’re good with your hands?”
“Pfft,” he scoffs. “Like you don’t already know.”
Oh, I know, and my cheeks immediately warm at the thought.
“What I’m really saying here,” he continues, “is that I could out-cowboy this Boone guy any day of the week.”
“Uh huh. Sure,” I tease, before growing serious. “But honestly, I didn’t know that about you. That’s actually kind of cool.”
Okay, so maybe that’s on me. I’ve never really given him the chance to open up, but at least we’re getting there now.
“I know it might be hard to believe since most people just assume I came out of the womb catching baseballs,” he jokes, “but there is in fact more to me than my job. Actually, if baseball hadn’t worked out, I’m pretty sure I’d have joined my grandpa and helped take over the family business.”
“Oh, wow,” I say, somehow even more surprised than before. “And you would’ve been happy with that?”
“I don’t know,” he admits, leaning against the front of his truck.
“I think it would’ve been a good life, but something obviously would’ve been missing.
The first time I held a bat everything seemed to change,” he muses, glancing down at his hands.
“Playing baseball wasn’t just something I wanted to do; it became a part of me.
It’s in my blood and I’m always going to need it in my life in some capacity”
I nod, stepping up beside him, leaning my shoulder against his. “I’m a little jealous.”
“Of me playing baseball?”
I roll my eyes and fight off a smile.
“No, of you always knowing what you wanted to do. I mean, I know what I’m good at, but it’s not like I grew up dreaming of one day becoming a social media marketing manager.
” I sigh and let out a breath before continuing.
“If anything, the only thing I did know was that I refused to spend my whole life living in my parents' shadow. I needed to be known for more than just being their daughter.”
“If it makes you feel any better,” he says, wrapping his strong arm around my shoulder. “I don’t just want you because of who your parents are. If anything, that should be a deterrent—but don’t worry, any trouble that I could get into from being with you is totally worth it."
He presses a kiss to my temple before his hand drops into mine, finally leading me toward the large house.
I sigh, letting myself melt into the warmth from his lips, even if it only lasted for a short second. “Good to know. I’ve unfortunately had to deal with one too many guys only pretending to be into me just so they could have an in with my dad.”
“Are you serious?” he asks, stopping mid-stride, turning toward me with a look that’s half disbelief, half outrage. “That’s bullshit.”
“Yeah, well,” I shrug. “That’s my life, and at this point, I’m unfortunately used to it.”
It had never been fun finding out yet another “boyfriend” had only dated me for nothing more than bragging rights with their friends. Thankfully, over time, I’d gotten better at spotting who was genuine and who only wanted me for my last name.
And yes, I’m fully aware of that being part of the reason it’s taken me so long to let Fletch in. With baseball being his life, it’d be reckless of me to ignore that he too could be attracted to the connection to my dad that comes along with dating his daughter.
Luckily I’m saved from having to go any further down that emotional rabbit hole as the one and only Boone Wright strides through the front door of the giant house.
“Hey, Fletcher. Welcome to The Wright Way Ranch,” he beams, heading down the stairs to greet us.
And damn! He’s somehow even better-looking up close. Between his broad shoulders and sun-kissed skin, I’m practically speechless.
I'm allowed a moment to gawk as Boone heads for Fletcher first.
Fletch drops my hand and meets him halfway. The two exchange one of those classic manly greetings. No simple handshake here. Iinstead it’s the kind with maximum testosterone as they pull each other in and finish it off with a dramatic back slap.
“I’ve heard only amazing things about you,” Boone gushes as he pulls away from their embrace.
“Same here,” Fletcher smiles, an appreciative gleam in his eyes that lets me know I’m not the only one fangirling right now. “And from what Theo’s told me about all the trouble you two used to get into, I’m going to assume we’re going to get along just as well.”
“I’m not sure if I should take that as a compliment or a warning,” Boone chuckles, before his gaze lands on me. “I take it you’re the special date I was told about.”
“That would be me. I’m Hollis” I say, attempting to play it cool as I step forward and offer my hand. He takes it, giving it a sturdy shake. “Although... you should probably know, I was forced into this, so I’d use that term lightly,” I tease, glancing toward Fletch.
“If this is your way of dropping hints to Boone that you’re still available,” Fletch says, possessively sliding in next to me. “You might want to rethink your strategy, because there’s no way this date is ending without you falling at least a little bit in love with me.”
“I can assure you, I wasn’t hinting at anything,” I laugh, a blush creeping up my cheeks as my eyes dart from Boone back to Fletch. “If anything, it’s you who might need to do some rethinking, because I’m not planning on falling in love with anyone anytime soon.”
He leans in, lowering his voice, even if it’s still loud enough for Boone to hear. “You say that now, but give it a few hours.”
“Well, Fletch, if it makes you feel any better, I’m pretty sure I’m already halfway there,” Boone cuts in before I even have the chance to come up with some kind of comeback. “I saw some of your highlights from last night’s game. You’re a total badass.”
“Eh, it was nothing.” Fletcher pretends to brush off the compliment with a wave, but the smug grin gives him away.
“Uh huh,” I call him out, my voice dripping in sarcasm. Can’t have his head get too big on me, especially if I expect to come out of this date unscathed. “You always get that many trick plays and home runs.”
“Just another day at the office,” he jokes back and winks before reaching for my hand again as his fingers slide over mine.
“So, you two ready to have some fun?” Boone asks, clapping his hands together.
“That depends.” My eyes flick between the two men, who both seem to look a little too pleased with themselves. “What exactly do we have planned for the day?”
When Fletcher told me to get ready for our date, all I’d been told was to wear a pair of jeans and some cowboy boots. Luckily for him, I’m a born and bred Texan, which means my closet has more pairs of boots than heels. You can take the girl out of Texas, but you can’t take Texas out of the girl.
“Can’t tell you. It’s a surprise,” Fletcher cuts in before Boone can spill any secrets. “Just know that Boone and I have planned the perfect day.”
Boone nods in agreement.
“Alright. Well then, let's do this.” I exhale and roll back my shoulders.
I’m tired of the constant overthinking and guarding my heart like it’s made of glass.
I’ve dreamt about coming here for years, and something tells me that with Fletch by my side, it’s somehow going to be better than I ever could’ve imagined.
So for once, I stop fighting and let go.