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From what I gather, Beau won’t be back until the new year. He told us “minor burns” but since Harvey’s return, it’s become clear that minor might be an understatement.
“Easy, Tink,” the man says good-naturedly but a little teasing. “You’re gonna pop a blood vessel stomping around like that.” “Tink?” she shouts, pulling up about six feet from him, not at all affected by his good looks. He waves a hand over her casually. “Yeah. You’ve got this whole angry little Tinkerbell vibe happening. I dig it.”
“Who is she? I think I love her.” “That’s Summer’s older sister, Winter.”
The man’s dark brows shoot up on his forehead, and I can tell he’s trying not to laugh. “I hear that if you want your ass ridden, a small dick is the way to go. So maybe I’m your guy.” Winter’s mouth drops open comically wide, and I cover my entire face with my hands to smother my giggles. “And who is he?” Jasper wheezes a laugh, clearly enjoying this exchange just as much as me. “That’s Theo.”
“Theo Silva. Bull rider. Rhett’s been his mentor for a while now.” Winter holds up her left hand and cocks a hip. “I’m married, you fucking pig. Now leave.” Theo shrugs and smiles. “Married for now, maybe.”
“You’re an idiot, Theo.” “Dude. I think I’m in love with your sister-in-law. She’s so fiery.” Rhett shakes his head as he turns to go back into the house, Theo on his heels. “Like I said, man, you’re an idiot.”
“So are you guys . . . broken up?” Summer asks, her voice small and tentative. “No. I don’t know.” A dark laugh bubbles up in me as I shrug. “I think we’re both just traumatized by our upbringings. Adulting is hard when your parents fuck you up, ya know?” Summer and Winter give each other a loaded look before Winter says, “Yeah. I think we can relate.”
His hand squeezes reassuringly. “The answer is yes, Sloane.” My head tilts. “Yes, what?” “I’ll take that gamble. All day long. Every damn day.”
Sterling sputters as he struggles to right himself. “Did you just—” “Kick his fucking chair over?” Jasper provides, cutting off my dad’s question. “Yes. Because you might be okay with him talking to your daughter that way, but I am not. Must have learned better manners in the trailer park.”
But it’s Jasper who really gets the last laugh when he leans in against my ex’s ear and says, “I fucked that ring right off her finger.”
“Your last name, Sunny. I really don’t like your last name.” And with that, he flips the little box open to show me a ring. A ring I like.
“Don’t much care if I had a role in making you. I know in my heart I had a role in making you who you are today. And I’m damn proud of you, Jasper. Not sure I’ve told you that enough over the years.” “Thanks, Harv.” My voice catches on his name.
“It’s a deed,” he says. “I can see that.” “To your own quarter section. Over on the east side. Nice sunrises. I know you two like to sit on the roof talking until the sun comes up. Thought you’d build there eventually. Stay close. I don’t know. Give your tail-babies lots of space to roam.” He wipes at his eyes, clearly trying to cover his emotion with the most overused joke he has. “All my kids got a quarter. And I feel like a real shmuck for not giving you one until now.”
I hold my left hand up in front of her and wiggle my fingers. The fresh lines of ink on my ring finger catches her attention, and she instantly grabs for it. “Got another tattoo for you this morning.” “Jasper . . .” her voice trails off as her fingers brush over the dark ink. “That’s . . .” Her hands tremble as she holds my hand with both of hers so reverently. “Permanent.” “So are we. I’m never going to take this ring off.”
“What did it mean?” “That when it comes to you, I’m powerless.”
