Wyatt (Lucky River Ranch, #2)

by Jessica Peterson

Just being with her, not even talking—neither of us feels the need to fill the silence—makes me feel safe.

My parents died. And right now, with you, is the first time I feel like I might not die too.”

But in my heart of hearts, I know that somehow, over the course of an hour, maybe less, I’ve fallen in love with my best friend. Or maybe I’ve been in love with her all along,

I glance at the tattoo of a sunrise on my left forearm. Sally’s remarked on it in passing, but she doesn’t know I got it for her. She also doesn’t know about the other tattoo I got for her, the one on my leg. That one, more than the sunrise, is a dead giveaway of how obsessed I am with my best friend.

Choose me. Goddamn, Sunshine, I’m dying for you to choose me.

“You worried I’m gonna climb you like a tree?” She twines our fingers again and smirks. “Remember, Wy, just tug on your ear if it’s too much.”

Maybe I was born to be wild and free too. Maybe we all are, every living thing.

And I’m in love with your brother, but I’m still not sure he wants what I want.

Maybe that means I am capable of taking care of her. Maybe I need to trust myself as much as Sally trusts me. Maybe I can trust her not to hurt me.

“All I do know is that I’m so happy you’re here. I want you to stay. I want to be around you all the time. I want you to be my guy. Not just the guy I have a good time with. But the guy I call, and confide in, and come home to. You’re my favorite human, Wy.” I sniffle. “No one else even comes clo⁠—”

I’m free, and I’m wild.

“Ever consider you could never ever hold me back, even if you tried? You’re not a roadblock, Wyatt. You’re the wind beneath my fucking wings.”

“It’s the best song. But I want you to know—I need you to understand”—she gives my shirt an angry pull—“I was in love with you too. Have been since…forever really.”