38. Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Grayson
Knox skids to a halt right beside the gate to the paddock. I come up behind him, Cole trailing after me. We stop in a row. Bikes revving louder, I look between them before we chuckle and continue through the property like the menaces we are.
Reid and Macie sit on Whiskey and Cinnamon, talking together as we ride past towards the old machinery shed down by the smaller dam.
Skidding in the mud, I’m the first one to reach the metal shed, followed by Cole and then Knox, who almost falls over the handlebars when he stops so abruptly at the mud kickback.
I laugh and flick the visor up on my helmet. “Almost lost it at the end.”
“Wasn’t expecting it to brake that suddenly,” he admits.
Cole adds smartly, “You’re the one in control of them, so you should be able to stop it without being thrown off.”
Knox flicks his visor up and sticks his tongue out at Cole, who mimics the action.
I just shake my head and mumble how immature they are.
“You’re already changing into dad mood,” Cole sighs.
Staring at him, I flick down the stand and get off the bike. “Dad mood?” I repeat, lifting a brow.
“Yeah, like Holden. As soon as you enter parenthood, all immaturity seeps away, and you become this grumpy, overprotective man.”
I shrug. “What’s wrong with that? I’ll have a tiny baby to look after. That’s worth having a dad mood.”
“Yeah, but you’ll be less fun.”
I yank my glove off and throw it at his face. Knox chuckles. Cole shoots him a glare, but it doesn’t stop him.
“Don’t you worry, I’ll still do stupid things with you, Cole,” I tell him.
“You better,” he chides. “Otherwise I’ll only have Sawyer left, and he’s not even here most of the time.”
“You can always hang out with Knox.” I offer, nodding towards the teenager smiling like an absolute goof.
Cole narrows his eyes for a long second before grinning. “As long as you’re not a sore loser like your sister, then sure we can.”
Knox scoffs, “She’s not a sore loser.”
“Please. Paisley whines every time I beat her,” Cole adds with a proud grin.
“All right. You’re on then,” Knox argues, nodding his head towards the house. “Let’s go right now.”
Cole’s brows flick when I hold my hand on his chest, halting him. “No need to get feisty.” Cole’s eyes roll. “Go in and set it up. I need to talk with Knox for a few minutes.”
“All right, bet.”
Cole rushes towards the main house as I snicker, amused. Unlocking the shed, I push the door open and wheel our bikes in as Knox hangs up our helmets and gloves.
“All right, what did you want to talk about?” Knox asks, cutting straight to the chase.
“I just had a thought,” I say, flicking down the stands and throwing a sheet over the bikes to keep them from getting dusty between rides.
“Spill the beans, Lawson.”
A laugh escapes my throat. This kid has too much confidence for his age and height. Leaning against the wall, my arms fold in front of my chest as Knox waits for me to explain. “Reid and I discussed your mum’s predicament with the bookstore.”
His face falters slightly, a shadow passing over his eyes as he lets out a sigh. “I hope she can get it in the next few years. She deserves it after everything she’s been through. Did you know Dad took all their money when he left? Moved it into a new account and cut Mum off.”
I rub my forehead. I did not know that. “I’m sorry, man. That’s a crappy move.”
He shrugs again. “Is what it is.”
“Well…” I cross my ankles casually. “What if the ranch helped her out? Paid for the renovations and helped remodel after she purchases the building?”
His eyes light up, pushing himself off the shelf where he’s perched. “You would do that for my mum?”
“Absolutely. We want to help local businesses, and if we can help your mum…”
“Does Cole know?”
I laugh. “No.”
Knox grimaces. “Maybe don’t tell him.”
My eyes roll. “He’d help out if we told him too.”
“Yeah, but he might go at Paisley in the process. Can you picture the two of them trying to paint a wall together?” his eyebrows rising to his hairline.
I shake my head, trying not to laugh at the image of them yelling at each other like toddlers. “You’re right. We’ll separate them for their sake, and ours.”
Knox considers it for a second before pumping his fist in the air. “I can’t wait to tell Mum. Wait, should I leave that for you and Reid to do? Or should I tell her when she picks me up later?”
“I don’t mind. You can tell her if you want.”
“Awesome. I can’t wait to see the look on her face. I’m sure she will be surprised. It’s about time something has gone in her favour.”
Smiling, I clasp his shoulder firmly.
I hear someone yelling, and quickly realise it’s Cole calling for Knox. Snickering, I nod to Knox who is still in a bit of a daze over the news. “You should go show him how it feels to be a loser now.”
Grinning, Knox nods, stepping away before adding, “I won’t let you down.”
The door to my bedroom creaks open as I toss my clothes on the floor, adding to the already established pile. Spinning, Dad faces me, watching the pieces fall before meeting my gaze. “I won’t tell your mother you just did that.”
Grinning, he moves closer, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. I do the same, elbows resting on my knees when Dad starts. “You know, raising five boys is not an easy task.”
“You did all right, though.”
His eyes move sideways to mine. I snort a laugh. “Just all right?” His eyebrow arch with intrigue.
I shrug.
“You're wrong there, Gray. You boys turned out better than I expected. I mean, look at Sawyer and Cole. Both of them are athletes. Holden is a great dad and hard worker. Reid is becoming a leader, and he’s balancing the books better than I thought possible.”
He pauses. My hands rub together, tongue swiping my bottom lip when his hand is on my shoulder.
“You’re also doing great, Grayson.” My face lifts to his serious one.
“I know you’ve had your concerns and worries over the years, and I could have been more present for you when you were younger, but I am really proud of you, son. ”
My throat works loudly. “It wasn’t your fault, Dad. I know you were busy, and Mum needed your help with the twins, and then Cole when he was born.”
“Yeah, but that’s not really an excuse.”
I shake my head. “You don’t need to apologise. You’ve done so much for me. I mean, you gave Reid and I the ranch to look after. You kept all of this alive for us to enjoy.”
“I think every kid should grow up on a farm.”
My chin dips in agreement. “That’s why Laynie is thinking of living here with me. She said the exact same thing.”
Dad snaps his fingers, grin widening. “I knew there was a reason I liked that girl ever since you brought her home. She has good sense.”
My tongue pokes the inside of my cheek. She does.
“I’ll have a word with your mum about that. Anyway, the reason I came in was to tell you that I am proud of the man you’re becoming, Grayson. You’re really grown recently, and seeing you take on a fatherly role… It’s very mature and manly. You’ve become such a gentleman.”
“I’m just doing what I should have done when I first found out about Laynie.”
He shrugs. “Better late than never. I’m sure she appreciates it too. She’s been in love with you for years.” He stands to his feet.
I nod, smothering a grin. “I know. Mum told me. You could have mentioned it to me, you know. Would have saved Laynie and I a lot of hassle.”
Dad snorts a laugh as I stand. His hand is on my shoulder again, squeezing it. “But then I wouldn’t have another grandchild, and I love being a grandpa. It’s much easier than being a dad.”
“You’re saying that to someone who is about to be one, you know?”
His grin grows. I snicker. “Oh yes. But know this, I wouldn’t trade being a dad for anything else in the world. It’s the best thing. Well, second best. Being a grandpa means I can spoil my grandkids even more and get away with it.”
“I hope you know that you’re really great at pep talks.”
He flicks his eyebrows at me before heading to my bedroom door. “Yeah, well, it’s one of the things I’ve learnt to do over the years.” Pausing in the doorway, I watch him turn, a knowing smirk on his wrinkled face when he adds, “Also, Cole said you’re leaving in ten minutes.”
My eyes roll as I saunter after him into the hallway. “He’s one to talk. He’s always the one making the rest of us late.”
“You’re messy. Cole is time poor. We can’t have all the skills, now can we?”
My brows flick in acknowledgment.
His hand clasps my arm, adding, “You’re a good brother, Grayson. And a good man. Don’t ever forget that.”
My chin dips. “I won’t.”
Following him downstairs to the open living area, Cole, Reid, and Macie already have their shoes and coats on. Approaching them, I hear Aspen’s muffled voice from upstairs. Holden appears, trailing down to meet us at the door.
“Great. We’ll all fit in my car,” Reid says, flicking his keys around his finger as I slip on my boots.
“What if I want to drive?” Cole asks, brow arching.
Macie shakes her head. “I’ve been in the car enough times with you to see how you drive. Not every road is a race track.”
Cole smirks. “It makes the driving experience more thrilling.”
“We don’t need that sort of thrill,” Reid interjects, pushing open the front door. We wave to our parents before filing out onto the porch. Cold air sweeps past, and I zip up my jacket as we make our way over to Reid’s ute.
“Maybe you all need a bit of thrill in your life,” Cole suggests.
We pull out of the driveway onto the muddy road.
Cole, Holden, and I are crammed in the back seats, feeling like sardines.
Macie looks over her shoulder, smiling at the three of us touching shoulders.
She pulls her feet up on the dashboard as Reid drives, soft music filling the car as Cole watches videos on his phone.