Lane
Even cruising ten under the limit, I can’t seem to slow down time.
Every second with Sadie feels like it’s slipping through my fingers, and I’m not ready to let it go yet.
She’s curled up in the passenger seat, legs tucked under her, cheeks pink, hair a little wild from my hands. She is like sunlight after a storm: warm and blinding in the best way, impossible not to look at, but—best of all—mine.
At least, for tonight.
I went into this without any expectations. Not the laughter over dinner. Not the way she looked at me like I was the only man in the room. Definitely not what happened in the truck.
She caught me off guard in every possible way, and I have a feeling I’ll never fully recover from it.
I thought being honest and opening up about my dad would scare her off. I thought the truth would ruin whatever this was before it started. I wouldn’t have blamed her, either.
She’s young—and young people like to go out and drink and have a good time. She should be doing that. Having fun. Not worrying about a guy who morphs into a monster, turning into someone unrecognizable when he drinks.
But I’m not that guy anymore. I will never be that guy again. Not since that night.
Heath was the first person to see that, see me, and give me a chance. Once I’d gotten settled in the bunkhouse, he invited me out on a trail ride, claiming the land was best viewed on horseback. I wasn’t about to argue with a man offering me a second chance.
On the way back, he led us through the wildflowers.
I’d thought the name of the ranch was kind of unoriginal—but later, I’d overheard the story.
Heath’s late wife fell in love with this land because of those flowers, and she named the ranch.
After that, I never thought about it the same way, and I sure as shit wasn’t going to insult him and disrespect his dead wife.
He silently stared out into the field and I had no idea what to say. I’m not always good at communication, especially when it comes to emotions and feelings, so I just sat there quietly beside him.
Eventually, he exhaled a deep breath and asked me the real reason I was here.
I hesitated, unsure how honest he wanted me to be.
How honest I should be. I was worried the truth would ruin my opportunity before it even started.
But there was something in his eyes and demeanor that made me feel like no matter what I’d done, he understood and he wasn’t going to hold it against me.
So, I told him everything.
I told him my biggest fears. How I was worried I was just like my dad. I confessed to every ugly and horrid detail of what happened that night.
When I finally stopped talking, he looked at me for a long time before asking, “Do you still feel the urge to drink?”
I answered truthfully. “No, sir.”
He nodded slowly and smiled. Told me that he believed in second chances, and if I wanted to stay, the job was mine.
It’s been almost a year, and I’ve really grown to love the life I’ve made here so far. It’s something I will never take for granted.
Sadie showing up this summer has been the best surprise yet. Like the universe reminding me that good things still exist.
Like I told her at dinner, I believe in fate. That the universe has a plan and things happen for a reason. Sometimes we’re led down dark paths, but it’s to teach us, to challenge us, and we come out stronger for it. And sometimes, it leads us to find something we didn’t know was missing.
I think fate brought me here. To find her. She makes everything make sense. I’d go through everything tenfold if it meant that in the end, it would lead me to her.
She is the light. She knows the darkest part of me and chose to stay.
And now?
I can’t stop replaying it—the way she moved against me, the way her breath hitched when I touched her. The tremor in her body, the sound she made when she fell apart in my lap. It’s burned into me. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it, even if I tried.
I pull in front of the main house next to Emmett’s truck, the gravel crunching beneath the tires. The porch light glows faintly through the dark, but I don’t move right away. I just watch her.
She’s still looking at me, her eyes heavy and full of heat, like she’s thinking about climbing back into my lap. If I didn’t think we’d get caught, I’d pull her here myself.
Instead, I shift into park, shoot her a wink, and jog around the truck to open her door.
Dinner might be over, but our night isn’t.
She takes my hand and slowly slides out. My flannel is still hanging off her shoulders and her dress is hitched high on her thighs. Her lips are kiss-swollen, her cheeks flushed, and every rational thought I’ve ever had is begging for mercy.
I loop my arms around her waist and kiss her like I don’t know how to stop. Her sigh melts into my mouth, and for a second, I swear the world stops turning.
I force myself to pull back and dip my head, lips brushing against her ear. “Don’t change out of that dress.”
She laughs softly, breathless and shy, and I can’t help but grin. All I want is to scoop her up into my arms and carry her straight to my bed. But I know Lydia would have it out for me. I’m halfway to losing my mind when—
Speak of the devil.
Lydia bursts through the screen door, letting it slam into Emmett, who’s trailing close behind her. “The lovebirds are back!” she sing songs as she barrels down the steps.
Sadie jolts, pulling away just enough to put noticeable space between us. I smirk, trying not to laugh.
“Lydia,” Heath calls from inside, his voice firm. He’s got a thing about slamming doors.
“Sorry, Mr. Morrow! It was an accident, I swear!” she chirps without missing a beat.
“Uh-huh. Sure,” Emmett mutters under his breath.
Lydia is halfway to us before she gasps and grabs Sadie’s hand, spinning her in a slow circle. “Holy shit! I keep forgetting what a killer body you’re hiding under those baggy-ass shirts.” Her eyes narrow. “Wait—weren’t you wearing tights earlier?”
Sadie gives a sheepish shrug, cheeks flushing. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from grinning, because I know exactly what happened to those tights. I know I’m the one who touched her—who made her come.
“You need to change before we leave?” Lydia asks.
Sadie glances at me, then shakes her head with a small smile. “Nope.”
Lydia narrows her eyes, reading way more than she’s saying. “Okay, let’s go, weirdos. Emmett said he’ll drive.” She drags Sadie toward his truck, tossing a smirk over her shoulder at me. “Laney, you can come too. Wouldn’t want you to feel left out.”
I’d rather drive my own truck. Being the designated driver is a good excuse for why I’m not drinking, and I’d like to keep Sadie to myself a little longer. But arguing with Lydia is a waste of breath, so I slide into the back seat beside the girl who is turning my world upside down.
We’re not subtle. I know it. She knows it. It’s only a matter of time before everyone else picks up on it. Maybe it’s my fault. I want them to know. I want everyone to know.
Sadie’s shoulder brushes against mine and I lean into it, hungry for every inch of contact with her.
Lydia is arguing with Emmett, claiming she called shotgun, even though we’ve told her too many times that it doesn’t count if you call it while you’re still inside.
Sadie shifts a little bit closer. I know I should pull away. I should at least try not to be so obvious, but it feels too good being this close to her. I rest my arm along the back of the seat, fingers grazing her shoulder.
“Is Landon coming?” Sadie asks, glancing at the empty spot beside her.
“He’s stuck finishing up some favor he’s helping Wes with. He’ll meet us there,” Lydia calls from the front.
Emmett turns up the music and lets the truck idle. I’m about to ask what we’re waiting for when the door next to Sadie opens and Wesley climbs in.
He levels me with a cold stare that says everything he won’t, and Sadie tenses immediately.
I lean close, my voice low. “You okay?”
She gives a tight nod, but I know it’s a lie.
I glance back at Wesley. His eyes are still locked on me—tight and bitter, like I’ve crossed a line only he can see. I nod, calm and controlled, then look out the window.
He’s never really liked me, but lately it’s more than that. He’s been colder. Harsher. Right around the time Sadie and I started hanging out more. Which makes sense, I guess. He’s not subtle, and I’m not blind.
From what I’ve heard, he had his shot. And he blew it. I wasn’t going to make the same mistake. But that doesn’t explain why he’s been a dick to her since she got here.
The crew talks. It’s not a secret that he’s always pissed off after being around her. But him being an asshole to her for no reason? Yeah, that’s gonna end now. I’ll be damned if anyone thinks they’re gonna treat my girl like that and get away with it.
My girl.
I pull her in tighter, daring him to say something. Her cheek rests against my chest and I breathe her in.
She’s mine. We haven’t said the words yet, but after tonight, after everything, I think we both know.
Emmett and Lydia spend the entire drive arguing over who gets to pick the music. The sexual tension between them is ridiculous. I don’t know how I’m the only one who seems to pick up on it.
When we get to Lucky’s, we all head straight for the bar, my hand resting on the small of Sadie’s back the entire way. Lydia sweet-talks Brantley into letting her order a round of tequila shots for everyone.
“You sure that’s a good idea?” Emmett mutters. “Remember what happened last time?”
She rolls her eyes. “As long as you keep the elitist dickheads away from me, everything will be fine.”
Brantley lines up five shots. I count them twice, my heart sinking a little realizing she ordered one for me.
Not her fault. Nobody here knows—except Sadie now. Her gaze flicks to mine, worry written all over her face. I shake my head, mouthing it’s okay.
But she doesn’t look convinced.
Lydia slides a shot toward Sadie as she glares at Brantley over her shoulder. “Ugh, you forgot the limes! That’s one-star-review behavior, Brant,” she shouts over the music.
“My mom said to stop serving you until you pay your tab, Lyd. Be grateful for what I gave you. Limes are reserved for respectful and paying customers only.”
Lydia motions zipping her lips and nudges the final shot into my hand. I keep it there, holding my hand steady.
“I’m the DD tonight,” I say easily.
She frowns. “Come on, big guy. One won’t kill you.”
I shake my head. “I’m good. Thanks.”
“It’s one little baby shooter. Don’t be a pus—”
Sadie snatches the shot out of my hand and throws it back like a champ.
“Yummy,” she says, grimacing before she slams it down beside hers and turns to me with a grin. “Well?” she asks playfully. “You gonna ask me to dance?”
God help me, I think I might love her.
I hold out my hand. “May I have this dance, love?”
Her smile is going to get me in trouble.
And when she takes my hand, when I lead her into the dark and the music swells around us, I know one thing with absolute certainty: however long I get to have her, it’ll never be long enough.