Page 54 of Love in the Wild

“This isn’t that kind of therapy.”

“No, but I’m afraid you’ll punch someone at work today if you don’t get it off your chest.”

That was a valid fear. Gage had been mulling over ways to break ties with his family ever since his talk with Hadley, but there wasn’t a way out that didn’t involve blood.

He wouldn’t put Hadley in the middle of that. Not now. Not ever.

Gage stared at the floor between his feet. “I’ve got a problem I can’t fix.”

“Need a thinking partner?”

Travis was a smart guy on the mat, but Gage had always kept their talks surface deep. Everyone in town knew Gage’s family, but Howards never talked to outsiders about inside information.

“Thanks for the offer, but I have to figure this one out on my own.”

Travis slapped a hand on Gage’s back. “Relax. The right answer will come at the right time.”

Easy for Travis to say. He wasn’t dealing with half a dozen family members who’d just as easily kill him as hug him. Right and wrong were luxuries Gage couldn’t afford.

“Is it about a woman?” Travis asked.

Gage sighed. Was he really sitting here having girl talk with Travis?

“Some of it,” Gage admitted.

Travis slouched on the bench beside Gage. “I bet my woman story is worse than yours.”

Gage huffed. “Try me.”

“My fiancée left me for my brother.”

Gage slowly straightened and turned to Travis. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope. They met when I brought her home to meet my family. She said she prefers brains to brawn.”

Sucking in a breath through his teeth, Gage rested back against the wall. “That’s harsh, man. You’re not stupid though.”

“No, but my brother is a successful attorney in Seattle. I’m just a paramedic in a small town. She said I wasn’t going anywhere in life, and she wanted more.”

“Sounds like you dodged a bullet with that one.”

Travis wiped his head with a towel. “I guess so. I’m not still pining over her or anything, but rejection stings.”

Hadley was doing the opposite of rejecting Gage, but even that was a problem. With Thea gone, he should be worry free. Instead, he was still spending all his time concerned about a woman in his family’s crosshairs.

Gage slapped his hands on his knees and stood. “I guess I’ll head to work early since you’re too tired to spar.”

“We’ve been here for hours! A man needs a water break every once in a while.”

“Whatever you gotta tell yourself.”

Travis stood and held out a hand. “I hope things get sorted out.”

“Thanks.” Gage was seriously hoping the same thing, but the answers were hiding too well.

After a shower at the gym, Gage headed to Beau’s. After missing half a shift yesterday, he could get started early and make up some time.

The morning passed quickly with half a dozen vehicles waiting at the garage. Gage texted Hadley as he went to wash up for lunch.

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