Redemption Ridge Vol II

Chapter One

People who thought Disney World was the happiest place on Earth had never been to a celebration at Redemption Ridge.

Harry and Nick had converted the great room into party central to celebrate Cash’s fiftieth birthday, which also coincided with a new Taylor Swift album drop.

The music was louder than ever, and emotions soared as the crew danced joyfully on the makeshift dance floor.

Well, everyone except him. Tyler loved a good T.

Swift song as much as the next person, but he couldn’t seem to get his feet to move.

He stood frozen at the edge of the room like a weird-ass lurker, watching Owen dance with Keegan.

Every time he forced his gaze away, an invisible string kept pulling him back to them.

Owen had been his best friend for nearly seven years, and their inseparable bond was legendary on the ranch.

Where one went, the other followed, but apparently, that didn’t include the makeshift dance floor.

Hell, Tyler didn’t even know Owen could dance until Taylor’s version of “Shake It Off” came on and he pulled Keegan into the center of the room with the others.

Not Tyler, who knew him best, but the newest member on the ranch who knew Owen the least. He’d been too surprised to pout at first, but that hadn’t lasted long.

He mentally shook himself—Tyler’s version—and scanned the room for anything to distract himself from the pity party he had going on.

Why he decided to count the navy blue and gold balloons forming a massive “Happy Birthday” arch was beyond him, but he got to sixty-nine before his gaze homed in on Owen and Keegan again.

Was it his imagination, or had they moved closer together?

Their bodies weren’t touching, but they were close enough to make Tyler’s stomach cramp.

Their movements were fluid and perfectly in sync with one another and the fast-paced music.

Damn, they looked like they belonged together.

Tears stung the back of Tyler’s eyes and nose as unfamiliar and confusing feelings washed over him.

It felt a lot like grief, which made zero sense.

Owen hadn’t died; he just didn’t have as much time for Tyler anymore.

He honestly didn’t know what Keegan and Owen were to one another.

It was crystal clear that Owen had a soft spot for the guy, but you’d have to be a monster to feel nothing for someone who’d barely survived a conversion therapy on par with hell.

Tyler had learned firsthand in jail that Owen’s protective streak was a mile wide and as unyielding as a hurricane.

But no one else had triggered that reaction in his best friend since they met almost seven years ago, and Tyler selfishly realized he didn’t enjoy seeing the instinct displayed with anyone else.

He puffed out his cheeks and blew out a frustrated breath.

He was the worst kind of asshole to resent the time and attention Owen gave to Keegan.

The rented photo booth shook and distracted Tyler from his maudlin thoughts, and the husky laughter escaping the little structure made him smile.

He scanned the room to see who was missing and noticed all the ranch’s inhabitants and employees were dancing or milling near the food and drinks.

Then who was in the booth? Tyler got his answer a few seconds later when the door swung open to reveal Finley and Harry’s parents, Hope and Gary Newton.

Gary ran a hand through his silver hair to tidy it while Hope reapplied lip balm.

Ty averted his gaze before they caught him gawking, but it didn’t prevent a hot flush from creeping up his neck.

Extreme public displays of affection or uninhibited conversations about sex had that effect on him.

And since Hope enjoyed both those things, he avoided her whenever he could or resigned himself to a perpetual blush when he couldn’t.

Tyler needed a break from the lovefest going on at the party and the unwelcome resentment brewing in his gut.

He discreetly exited the great room and headed down the hallway toward the front door.

Tyler grabbed his coat off the rack, shoved his arms into the sleeves, and stepped onto the deck.

Freshly fallen snow blanketed the front yard, and the moonlight gave the top layer of ice crystals a diamond sheen.

Tyler tucked his hands in his pockets and looked toward the sky.

The midnight shade of blue was the same color as Owen’s eyes, and the peace he’d expected to find turned into a memory of meeting Owen’s gaze through a fog of withdrawal in a tiny jail cell.

Tyler had been scared to death and aching from head to toe, but something comforting sparked in the dark blue gaze.

Owen became an unyielding boulder Tyler clung to when addiction battered his body, mind, and soul.

Then he was the beacon who guided Tyler’s way just like the twinkling stars overhead had navigated weary travelers for centuries.

The front door opened behind him, and Tyler braced himself for an awkward conversation where one of his friends asked him a question he couldn’t answer.

He didn’t know what was wrong with him. Well, yes, he did, but he couldn’t admit to being a selfish asshole.

Tyler instinctively knew Owen hadn’t followed him outside because the air lacked the familiar charge that signaled his best friend was nearby.

He breathed a little easier until Hope softly called his name.

“Are you okay, honey?” she asked.

Ty forced a smile on his face as he turned to face her. Several rote responses came to mind, but none of them stumbled off his tongue. He was too damn tired of pretending. “Not really.”

Hope stopped in front of him, took his hands, and stared into his eyes.

Tyler had a feeling she could see into his soul, and it made him want to shiver.

He fought back the reaction because she was an incredible woman, and he didn’t want Hope to think she revolted him.

Tyler just wasn’t used to anyone being as overt about…

anything. He’d grown up with women who were more circumspect when sharing their feelings about any subject.

Sex and intimate situations were rarely discussed in private and never in public.

Hope Newton would compare lubrications and the best sex positions for optimal orgasm with anyone, anywhere, and at any time.

Tyler didn’t think her approach was wrong, but he had a difficult time letting go of the etiquette ingrained in him since birth.

Hope narrowed her eyes, pursed her lips, and nodded. “I see.”

Tyler snorted and retracted his hands because he didn’t enjoy feeling vulnerable. To soften his reaction, he forced a dry chuckle and said, “You do? Maybe you could enlighten me.”

Hope tilted her head slightly to the right. “I can’t tell if you seriously don’t know or if you just haven’t admitted the truth to yourself.”

Tyler’s chuckle was as dry as autumn leaves. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

She smiled softly and rubbed his upper arm. “Honey, there’s not a single thing wrong with you. I know my bold personality makes you uncomfortable, and you’re not always sure what to do with me, but I’m a great listener. I will never judge you or betray a confidence.”

Tyler offered her a genuine smile. “I never know what to do with you, Miss Hope. I’ve never met anyone like you.”

She laughed and patted his arm before lowering her hand. “Now we’re getting somewhere. At least you admit that much.”

“But I wouldn’t change a thing about you.

” And he meant it. “You’re kind, honest, and sincere.

” She’d fight to the bitter end to protect her kids and the guys on the ranch she’d claimed as her own.

“I’m still awkward about certain things, even at twenty-seven years old, but you shouldn’t have to dim your sparkle on my account. I’m the one who needs to lighten up.”

“Your mama and daddy raised a real sweetheart,” Hope said.

“Thank you for saying so. Unfortunately, I’m not so good at self-analysis.”

“You probably just need an objective person to help you work through things,” Hope replied. “People who think they can solve their own problems make themselves and everyone around them miserable.”

Tyler laughed and said, “I definitely don’t want to do that.” He hesitated before speaking for a few moments. “How do I tell you what’s wrong when I can’t quite put my finger on it? Everything feels so tangled in my brain.”

“Something drove you out here in the cold when everyone you love is inside celebrating. What’s the first thing that comes to mind? Grab that thought, and we’ll start there.”

Tyler followed her guidance and verbally shot from the hip. “Things are changing, and even though I’m holding on with both hands, I can feel him slipping away from me.” The truth stole his breath and left him dizzy.

“Owen?” Hope asked.

“Yeah.” Tyler swallowed hard and took a shaky breath to regain his equilibrium. “And I should want him to be happy. And I do,” he corrected. “I just didn’t expect the other confusing emotions.”

“I’ve only known you guys as a package deal,” Hope said with an easy smile. “You rarely see one of you without the other, but I don’t know much about either of you before you arrived here four years ago. Did you guys know each other before you came to the ranch?”

“We were cellmates at Arrowhead Correctional Center,” Tyler replied.

“Owen saved me in so many ways. He protected me from myself and any potential harm from other inmates. He even finagled his way into every job I had at the facility, even though his time served made him eligible for better positions.”

Hope smiled kindly. “That’s so sweet. I assume one of the jobs is how you met Cash?”