32. Holden #3
“Moving forward is what’ll keep ranches alive.” The words come out rougher than I intend. “The world is changing. You think if we want to survive, we’re not going to have to change with it?”
He scoffs. “By turning it into a playground for rich city people?”
“No,” I shoot back. “By not sticking our heads in the sand. By adapting before we all go under.”
Sage keeps her voice even when she addresses Gage. “Guest ranches aren’t uncommon.”
“Some of us still have to make our money off cattle,” Levi interjects.
“Selling the life to city tourists while real ranchers fight for water’s a nice touch.” Resentment roughens Gage’s voice. “Though I guess you wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
The atmosphere shifts again, the air thick with animosity. Quinn and Chance have drawn in behind us, and River’s no longer lounging but standing at attention at my shoulder. “Careful,” he warns.
But Gage keeps looking at Sage, his lip curled, as if her presence has anything to do with his grievance with us. For the first time in weeks, she looks uncertain, as if she feels out of place.
I fucking hate it.
My hands clench. “Maybe your family could learn a lesson about adapting and moving forward instead of blaming others for your problems.”
River mutters “Jesus Christ” under his breath.
Because yeah. That landed badly.
Jaw locked, Gage steps closer to me—and to Sage. She stiffens, and I have one hand fisted in his shirt before he can make another move. It’s enough to change the temperature immediately.
Gage looks from me to Sage, understanding spreading across his face.
“You defending Wild Ember, McBride?” he drawls with a cocky smile. “Or your girl?”
Everyone in the place is watching. Allie too. She’s focused on us, her arms crossed. She deals with cowboys enough not to bother interfering unless punches are exchanged.
Gage looks down at my fist twisted in his shirt, then back at me. Like he’s waiting for me to swing first so he can claim to be the victim.
Behind me, tension rolls off my brothers. Quinn ready to jump in, River probably enjoying this too much, Chance dead quiet.
And Sage, her small hand on my back. Not pulling me away, just there, grounding me.
“Do you want to let go of him?” she asks softly.
She’s not scared or self-conscious, and that might be worse than if she were. Because all I can think about is the look on her face a minute ago when Gage made her question herself.
Gage smirks. “What’s the matter, McBride? Hit a nerve?”
My lip curls, and I tighten my grip on him.
Tessa’s voice cuts through the charged moment. “Oh my god, Gage, shut the hell up already.”
He shoots her a withering look. “Stay out of it.”
“No,” she snaps. “You’re acting like an idiot in public again.”
A few people nearby laugh quietly. Even River snorts.
Gage’s glare sharpens. “Are you done?”
“No.” She elbows her way next to him and nods at me. “Are you going to hit him or just wrinkle his shirt?”
Chance chokes on a laugh, but as I glance sideways at him and Tessa does the same, he sobers. “Careful, Ashland.”
“Or what?” she shoots back.
Jesus Christ. The last thing we need is them getting into a fight.
But the tension in the room has shifted. Not gone, just… loosened.
Gage mutters under his breath. I can’t make out the words, but I let go of his shirt with a hard shove.
“Go play pool,” I bark.
His mouth twists like he wants to keep going, but before he can jump back in, Allie whistles.
“That’s enough testosterone for one night, boys.” She points toward the pool tables. “Either drink your beer or get out of my bar.”
River raises his bottle. “Reasonable.”
Gage adjusts his shirt, sneering, then backs off. Levi follows, but Tessa lingers for another second, her gaze flicking between Sage and me. Then she eyes Chance, her chin lifted, and turns away.
“Well,” River says once they’re gone. “That felt healthy.”
Quinn laughs into his beer, and even Chance’s expression has lightened, but my pulse still hasn’t eased.
Adrenaline burns hot under my skin, tangled up with anger and something rougher—something possessive.
Sage runs a hand down my arm. “Hey.” A slight line forms between her brows. “Talk to me.”
I take her in. Pink cheeks, wide eyes, mint and lime still lingering on her breath. Suddenly, staying here another minute feels impossible. Angling closer, I bring my mouth to her ear. “If we don’t get out of here soon, I’m going to do something stupid. And I won’t care who’s here to see it.”
The way her throat moves when she swallows does nothing to ease the coiled energy crackling inside me.
Mine.
This time, the word sinks deeper.
I hold her gaze a beat too long before jerking my chin toward the door. She nods, eyes brightening.
Turning to River, I grip his shoulder. “I’m gonna take Sage home.”
His brows rise, a grin spreading across his face. “Sure, man. Go take care of her.”
That earns him a look, but his smile doesn’t drop as he brings his beer to his lips.
Without bothering to say goodbye to anyone else, I take Sage’s hand and lead her toward the door. The second we step out into the cool night air, away from the noise and heat and people, I rest my palm low on her back.
Like it belongs there.