Page 18 of Bull Rush

“Guess that’s fair.” He waves me off a moment later, and I crank up the music, trying to drown out all the second thoughts I’m having on every decision I’ve made lately.

I getthe bike into the shop and the paperwork filled out within the hour. I forgot how quick small-town service can be when you’re not standing in a ticketed line waiting on the twenty people in front of you. I’m headed back to the ranch truck, contemplating lunch at the café, when I see Bo leaning on the door, his feet crossed at his ankles. His brows raise as he sizes me up, no doubt surprised to see me instead of Elliot or Kell—one of the people he thought would be coming back to the Bull Rush Ranch branded truck.

“Well, well, well. Look what the fuckin’ goddamn wind blew in. Haze said you were back with your little bitch-boy tail between your legs, but I told her I wouldn’t believe it until I saw it with my own eyes.” The smile on his face betrays the words he uses.

“Well, I would have called, but then there was that little thing where you threatened to stuff my balls down my throat if you saw me again. It’s rough on a friendship.”

“What’s rough on a friendship is when you make my baby sister cry for a week straight.” His brow raises along with the accusation.

“She seems to have recovered.”

“She’s done a lot more than that. You seen what she’s done with the place? Those ladies love it.”

“She’s made some choices, that’s for sure.”

“’Bout to make one of them permanent, and you show upjust in time to try to stop it. I’d say it’s fate the way you keep doing that, but I’m starting to wonder if you’ve got a sixth sense.” Bo muses, and though I’m momentarily distracted by the thought of Hazel in college, I frown at my friend’s implication.

“You think she’s making a mistake?” I ask.

“I think I don’t like the fucker she’s marrying,” he answers flatly.

“She seems to think he shits rainbows. Made it seem like you all were on board.”

“I don’t argue with her about her choices. You know that best of all. I’d have fuckin’ stopped it if I thought she’d listen and saved her a whole lot of heartache in the process.” Like I said, Bo won’t let me off easy.

“Yeah, well… that’s a two-way street with her. She doesn’t make anyone’s life easy.”

“I thought that’s what you liked best about her.” Bo draws up off the truck and smirks. He’s not wrong. A good part of our relationship was built on being fascinated with trying to wrangle each other into submission.

“Well, I’m sure I’m headed for a hell of a lot more of it, so I guess I’ll find out.” I nod to the door he’s blocking. “I should probably get on my way.”

“No time for a beer then?” Bo nods across the street to Morton’s Bar, and I raise a brow.

“Are we on good enough terms for that, or is this a trick where I walk in the door and you and your brothers beat the fucking shit out of me? ‘Cause I gotta say, I’m not in the mood to beat all your asses today.”

“I’d guess not after a prison sentence.” His smirk draws wider.

“Make a joke about the soap, and I’ll fuck you up right here.”

“Was it like that?” His smirk drops like lead, and concern clouds his face.

“Nah. Low security. A lot of lawyers and white-collar types. They were more scared of me than anything else.” Prison had been fucking awful, but it certainly could have been a lot worse.

“Well… I’m glad you’re in one piece after all that. I figure if Haze can look past all of it, I can try.” There’s a moment of quiet, the death of our grudge passing in between us, transforming into something more akin to a mutual understanding that hard decisions sometimes have to be made.

“It’s not like I’ve got anywhere to be right now.” I return his gesture. I could use my friend right now, if he’s willing to mend fences, I’m more than happy to help.

“Good.” He slaps me on the back, and we head across the street.

We’rea couple of beers in and nearly caught up on the state of his life. He’s still single, running the garage and a couple of side businesses, still playing enforcer—including moonlighting for my brothers’ casino on occasion, and still every bit the lovable asshole he’s always been. But then he glances out the window and turns back to me with the kind of look that could send a chill down your spine.

“I’m trusting you with this next part. I’m saying this to you as family—since you still are—and someone who loves Haze. If you use this against her or tell her—especially that I told you—Iwillput you six feet under this time,” he threatens. I roll my shoulders back instinctively as a wave of apprehension courses through me, but I nod my understanding. I have no doubt Bowould follow through; we’re more alike than either of us want to admit.

“Hit me.”

“I’m actually glad you’re back. I don’t trust that slimy little fuck living with her. I think he’s hiding something. Anson and Cade and me… we’ve been keeping an eye on him. We don’t have enough to say anything to her yet. If she has any doubts, she’ll dig her heels in and tell me to fuck off. So I don’t want her getting a single fucking idea that we think anything’s up until I know for sure.”

“What has you thinking he’s a problem? Seems like a prick, sure. Not good enough for her. But I didn’t get an immediate piece of shit vibe from him.”

---