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“Before tonight, I wouldn’t have considered myself a jealous man, but one look at you out there and I knew I would have fought every single person who thought to come up and ask you to dance. Body hair hasn’t ever bothered me. You already know I prefer salty to sweet, so as long as you make a bit’a room for me in that drawer of yours for some chips, we’ll be peachy. I grew up around stallions and bulls, so trust that I can weather a few days of attitude while you’re hurtin’.”
It’s disappointing to tuck it away, to hide it from view once more, but I don’t need anyone else gawking at him once we leave. That’s my job, and I plan on being employee of the month.
“If you kiss me again, we’ll miss dinner completely,” I warn him, dropping my hand to finish fixing his shirt. “I wouldn’t mind eatin’ you instead of whatever they’ve got out there.”
“Look good?” I arch a brow. “Searching for compliments now, are we?” “From you? Absolutely.” My chest flutters. “You’re the most handsome man I’ve ever laid eyes on, let alone had as my own.” “Now you know how I feel every time I look at you. Come here,” he orders softly.
“It’s too late to worry about turnin’ out as fools. Been thinkin’ about you daily for weeks now. Either way, I was fucked. I don’t want to focus on the after right now. Not when I have you in my arms like this for the first time. Maybe that’s not a fair thing to ask of you. But all I know is that you’re my woman now, and I don’t give a shit what anyone else thinks about it.”
Maddox boldly looks Brody up and down, donning a mask of indifference. I could cry at the obvious show of protectiveness. His big-brother sense must begin to tingle because he meets my stare and winks. I push every ounce of appreciation into my expression, hoping he understands just how grateful I am for him.
Growing up, my sister and I never had anyone other than Maddox to be protective of us. When it came to my sister, Maddox was protective for his own reasons, most of which stemmed from being in love with her his entire life, but he picked up the responsibilities that came with being my big brother too, warning the boys away and threatening ultimate destruction if they broke my heart.
Braxton beams. “How’s the hand? My husband has quite the grip.” “Fuck me, I think he might have crushed my bones,” Maddox groans, shaking his hand out in front of him. Brody huffs a deep laugh. “I’ve been shaking hands with men used to gripping bull rope since I was a boy.” “You don’t say?” Maddox retorts. Braxton lays a hand on her husband’s back and coos, “Poor baby. Will you be okay?” “Don’t mention this to anyone, and I’ll take it easier on you than I usually do Anna’s boyfriends,” he tells Brody.
“Dinner isn’t for half an hour anyway, Anna,” Maddox adds, goading me. My glare is vicious as I pin him beneath it. The douchebag howls a laugh in response. Even Braxton—my own sister—lifts a hand to hide her mouth and avoids my eyes.
“It’s been nice to have a break, though. Been a long time since I was at home to help out.” The couple across from us nods, a shared look of sympathy there and gone in a flash, making way for understanding. “I get you. Nothing compares to the feeling of being gone for a long stretch and getting to come home,” Maddox says, gazing at his wife with a lovesick expression that has me saying fuck it and tugging Anna right into my lap.
“It’s a good thing that I don’t want to brush her aside, then. I’m dancin’ with my woman, Rita. End of conversation.”
Just like I was expecting, the DJ changes to a slower song a beat later, but the sound of my own voice comes as a shock. Anna’s abrupt laugh calls one of my own to the surface. “Do you think that was on purpose?” she asks, fighting a smile. When I catch Walker waving at me from the bridal party table, I shake my head, laughing incredulously. “Oh yeah, it was on purpose.”
“Are you hintin’ that not all of my songs are good, Annalise?” I tease. She wiggles her brows. “Oh no, you brought out the full name. Did I brush a nerve, Brody?”
“Walk around for me a little bit,” she orders. I blink. “What? Why?” “She wants to see if you’re bow-legged,” Bryce answers from her knee-slung-over-knee sitting position on the soft ottoman facing us. “We didn’t have sex!” I shriek, face suddenly on fire.
Lmao
I felt silly worrying about Brody’s reaction to my wanting to stay with my sister, but for the millionth time, he proved just how out of Stewart’s league he is. After kissing me breathless, Brody walked me to Maddox’s SUV and went as far as to even buckle me in before telling me good night. He stood waving until we got too far to see him.
“In my defense, he had sent me a photo of his body soon after we started talking, and it was nice enough the prospect of him being creepy didn’t matter as much,” I add. “You shallow bitch,” Bryce teases, earning a laugh from both Poppy and me.
“It’s a lot, I know,” I add. “Don’t even try me right now with that friendship bullshit. You’re not friends with the guy. Not from what I saw on social media this morning. What have I been saying for weeks now, Bryce?” Poppy asks, the first to speak.
“That Brody’s been into you, Anna. Ever since he gave you his jacket, we both knew. It was only a matter of time before he finally grew the balls to make a move.”
“It doesn’t matter when. You guys keep swaying from the point of what I’m saying. We’re definitely not just friends, but we started that way. Both via text and in person. That’s crazy, right? That I met a guy I liked not just once but twice?” “It is crazy. Crazy enough that if you don’t end up marrying him, I’m certain I’ll die a crazy spinster,” Poppy says.
“You’re right. Because you’re going to lock down your man. You found each other before his career totally exploded too. It’s going to be adorable to watch you together on red carpets and for him to write songs about you! Oh, my God! He’s going to write albums upon albums about you.”
“No, I don’t think you are. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think that’s because you’re falling in love with him,” Bryce says, her words taking an axe through the thoughts in my mind. I meet her waiting stare and smile. “I think you’re right.” “Oh shit,” Poppy breathes. “A good oh shit or a bad oh shit?” I ask. Bryce answers, nudging Poppy with her foot. “An incredible oh shit, right?” “Yeah. That.”
I leave the truck running as I climb out and step over the snowy curb onto her clear sidewalk. I’ve taken to shovelling for her, not wanting her to have to do it herself. The appreciative grin she gifts me every time she steps outside and sees that her sidewalk is clear is more than worth the effort.
“Banana? Were you called Anna Banana as a kid?” “My sister actually calls me that. I don’t know why I decided to have you use it as my contact name.” My stomach pinches as I draw a deep breath. “My ma called me Bo. Not sure why I offered it to you either. Especially not before I knew a damn thing about you.”
“Does she have to do with why you were so at odds around Sky?” she asks, always so observant. “I stopped riding shortly after Ma died and my dad took off. Couldn’t bring myself to get close to them afterward.”
“Would you like me to rip the thing out and toss it out the window?” I ask. She keeps her voice steady in a no-bullshit tone. “That would be great, actually. It’s a giant pain in my ass right now.”
“This is one of my official Passenger Princess duties, babe. I’m at your service for the next two hours,” she sings, beaming proudly. “We should get a little sign for my seat so everyone knows what’s up whenever you’re out without me.” I stifle my laugh, enjoying her possessive train of thought. “What would the sign say? Property Of Anna?”
“Where do you prefer? Here or Nashville?” There’s no hesitation in my reply. “It’s always been Cherry Peak. My love for this place has only grown as of late.”
If I never had to leave Cherry Peak again, I wouldn’t. And when the time comes that I do, I’ll be leaving half of myself here. With her.
“I don’t see anything wrong with spending the holidays alone, Eliza,” Wanda puts in. “Well, then you can call me Mrs. Steele, Wanda,” Eliza tuts. The salon owner huffs a laugh and pats Eliza on the back. “Just for that, I’m not going to give you all the mini samples you love so much.”
Lmao
“Are you sure I won’t be overstepping? I don’t want to impose.” “Dear, I don’t think you could impose on our family even if you tried. I’m sure you’re the only thing on Brody’s Christmas list anyway.” There’s no stopping my smile.
The guest house is big. Big and spacious and fitted with upgrades that the main house lacks. I had it built a few years ago, spent my first big paycheque from the label on it, knowing I needed a place of my own for when I came back home.
“You said you don’t keep cattle as pets.” “I said my grandfather doesn’t keep cattle as pets. Didn’t say nothin’ ’bout me. Or you,” he corrects me. “You or me,” I echo, hands itching to reach for the door. “I wasn’t expecting this.” “That’s the whole point of a surprise, Buttercup. Not knowing what to expect.”
“How long will you be gone?” “Just a few days. I’m meeting with the label, but it shouldn’t take long.” “And then?” He tightens his grip on me, and I let him. “Then I’m comin’ back until I know what comes next. Until we’ve decided what to do next.” “As in us? You and me?” “Yeah, us, sweetheart. You and me. I don’t want to say goodbye once I go back. Plan on keepin’ you as long as I can.”
“I know it will. For you, I’ll make it work. We have a lot to figure out, but we still have time. Today isn’t for that conversation, though. I want to just be here with you. Spend the holidays with my woman. I’m confident enough in us to ask you to let me do that.”
Me: Never thought I’d be the father of a cow, but I’m damn proud. You’re both adorable. Miss you.
“A statement that says what? I don’t want any sensitive information shared about her. She’s my girlfriend, and that’s that. Nothin’ personal.” I stand firm, Anna’s well-being my top priority.
“Where do I go, then?” “The ranch. I’ll let my grandparents know you’re comin’. Spencer won’t get on the property. Poppy can stay with you too. We don’t need him knowin’ where you both live.” “I’m not bringing him to the ranch and making him your family’s problem, Brody. Give me an alternative route.” “You are family. And that fucker won’t dare step a foot on our land without permission. I’ll be home tomorrow.”
“What if he resents me for dragging him back so soon?” Poppy laughs, but it isn’t a warm sound. It’s sad. “Something tells me that if he never had to leave, he wouldn’t. He’s probably relieved to have an excuse to come back.”
“You’re lucky to be dealing with me and not my grandson after cornerin’ his woman like that and followin’ her back here,” Wade barks, voice like a whip.
Spencer’s eyes focus on me, and he takes a step forward. Wade is moving in the blink of an eye. His arm snaps out, and he grips Spencer’s wrist, tugging it hard enough to send him stumbling. “I’ll tell you one more time. Get. Off. My. Land,” he spits, releasing Spencer suddenly. The reporter trips over his feet and tumbles into the snowbank, sinking deep. “Come any closer and I’ll call the cops.”
“Thank you,” I croak. Wade drops his arm over my shoulder as he says, “Anything for family.”
“I eat before these lazy fucks have even woken up,” Wade chuffs behind me. The guy with the long hair flashes me an easy grin. “Easy, Wade. Don’t ruin my chance with the pretty lady before I’ve even introduced myself.” “Brody’ll lock you in the pen with Zeus and feed him the key if you try it with his woman, Johnny,” Wade warns,
“He thinks you resent him for leaving. That you hold his career against him and wish he’d done something else. Stayed here, maybe. Is that really how you feel?” He flinches. “Jesus. Never knew it would kill to hear that.” “I’m sorry.” “Don’t apologize for speakin’ the truth. Not ever.”
“I’ve never been one to believe in any sort of afterlife. No God and pearly gates. But hell if I’m not considerin’ it now.” He swallows, staring straight at me. “’Cause there’s no fuckin’ way my daughter didn’t send you here to be with her boy.”
“Let’s hear it,” I say, breaking the silence. “Tell me I should have done a better job of shieldin’ her from this part of my life or whatever it is you’re thinkin’. I’ve already beat myself up enough for the both of us.” “I wasn’t thinking none of that.” “No?”
“I was going to say that I’m proud of you for comin’ home. I’d have done the same thing for your grandmother,” he says.
“I was just reminded of who you are instead of who I told myself you were. You taught me a full life of lessons, Brody. I didn’t have a clue how to raise a son. Your grandmother did most of the raisin’ with your mother, and I always regretted the lack of time I spent with her growin’ up. She was snatched too soon.” His voice cracks, and my chest splinters. “She left us her boy, and I have regretted a lot of things in my life, but takin’ my resentment for your father out on you is my worst mistake.”
My grandparents snicker, but Anna ignores them and the realization that if I have it my way, she’ll be out of that rental of hers in no time.
“I missed you. It’s time to come home,” he says.
Wtf
Air shoot from my nostrils as I attempt to rein in my anger, but the grin he flashes is a big red flag waving in my face. I’m not a fighter. I’ve thrown one punch in my life, and it sucked. But I’m teetering on the ledge, my hands in fists at my sides.
Lol
