Page 50 of Bull Rush

“Well, it was Highland State, so not far away or anything.A good football school for him. It had a good hospitality management program for me.” Even in college, I knew I wanted to run my own inn someday.

“Uh-huh.” Bea’s brow hikes up higher. “And then what?”

“That’s a whole other story we don’t have time for.” I smirk.

“So you guys are on your third try then?”

I frown. “I don’t know about that. I’m just trying to be there for him during his parole. What he did for you and Cooper, that’s the kind of guy he is. I hate that they tried to smear him in the media. That that dead piece of shit’s sister tried to come for him and his family. It was disgusting, after everything he did stalking you, that she’d even have the boldness to insinuate anything about Ramsey.”

“Piece of shit or not, it was her brother. We all defend our family, don’t we?” Bea asks thoughtfully.

I nod my agreement on that note. I didn’t always agree with my brother’s decisions, but I usually defend them regardless. Then again, they’re not stalkers and attempted murderers.

“I’m just glad the two of you made it through all that.”

“Me too.” She gives me a soft smile, and we stare out at the view for a bit before she breaks the silence again.

“I know it’s not my place, but the way he talks about you…”

“I was wondering when you were going to start lobbying for him.” My smile fades a bit, but I try to maintain it.

“I won’t say much. I just want you to know he obviously feels differently about you. You’re something special to him, and from what I know, that’s rare for him. Everything he’s been through; I think you’re one of the few people he still trusts.”

“Yeah, well, the problem is… that only goes one way these days. There’s a lot of water under the bridge. A lot of years and experiences that have changed people. You know?”

“Could you trust him again?”

I shrug. I want to trust him again, even if we can’t makethings work. I do trust him with certain things. And given I’m living on his family’s property in our hometown, I want us to at least part as friends when this is over. But it feels hopeless.

“There’s about a mile’s worth of flaming hoops he’d have to get through first.”

“I think if you told him what he needed to do, or even just gave him a hint… he’d do it. He came back here for you.”

I don’t want to argue with her. I already like her after such a short time, and even if I don’t agree with her feelings on Ramsey, I’m happy she’s in his corner rooting for him. He deserves people like that in his life.

“You’re a good friend. I’m glad he has you and Cooper out there.”

I can’t begin to explain how much pain and irreparable damage lies between us. How much of our past has seeped deep into our bones and become part of the fabric of who we are—for better or worse.

It’s not something that can be fixed with one easy conversation, or we would have tried. But I also don’t want to upset her, not when she’s so adamant about him being here to make things right.

TWENTY-THREE

Ramsey

I takeCooper around town until we end up at Morton’s for lunch. He settles in across from me after taking in the bar and studying me for a moment.

“You really fit in here. You know that?”

“I’m from here, so I’d hope so.”

“I know, but seeing this place, I get why you came back. I might have to see how Bea feels about it. Maybe we can find a cabin or something for sale up here. I’d love to have a vacation home in a place like this.”

“You might be better off closer to one of the ski towns, at least finding something. A lot of the folks here are generational. They’re never-sell-their-home types.”

“But you’re thinking about letting it go?” He looks at me thoughtfully as he takes a sip of his drink.

“I’m thinking about what my next move is in general.”

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