Page 34 of Burned & Bound

The what was what?This man had to be on something.Yeah, there’d been something between us once a long time ago. But who knew what that even was besides one night rolling around in the fucking grass.

Not to mention that was a lifetime ago. We were both very different people now—as if that shit wasn’t obvious.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered.

“I’m not.”Yeah, he was dead serious.“I ain’t saying you have to. I’m saying we were robbed of a chance to find out, and if you ever wanted to find out… that door is open on my end.”

“I’m so fucking broken, Jackson. Nothing has worked since…” I couldn’t finish the sentence. The admission made me feel pathetic—less of a man. It must’ve shown on my face because his expression softened.Damn it.I didn’t want him looking at me like that. “I ain’t worth it.”

“I ain’t talking about sex here.”Fucking hell.Folding his hands, he leaned on the table as his voice dropped in volume. “I know I’m all wrapped up in the bad memories so the likelihood you’d ever want anything to do with me is slim to none. That makes me real fucking aware of how goddamn stupid I sound right now, and you know I’m not one to do shit that makes me look like a fool.”

“I know.”

“So what I’m saying is… your stables, your rules,” he whispered. This man was a goddamn moron.Had a bull kicked him in the head too fucking hard?

“You’re a fucking idiot.”

“Probably. But I am done fighting you.”

“Fine,” I grumbled. Anything else I was going to say—which was just a bunch of bullshit anyway—vanished when the waitress showed up to drop our food off. Jackson wasted no time eating, but I just stared at it. I didn’t need him feeding me. I could take care of myself.

“Eat,” he said around a bite of his burger.

“I’m not hungry,” I replied. I didn’t need his charity.

“When was the last time you ate something that wasn’t fucking alcohol?” Jackson demanded. I didn’t have a good answer, so I just glared at him. “Right. Eat the damn food, West. It ain’t going to kill you.”

No, but it would probably kill what little bit of pride I had left. That thought only made my scowl deepen.

“Fine, tell you what,” he continued, “I’ll get this time. You can get the next time. There. It’s done. Now, eat.”

Like we’d be doing this ever again.

Still, it was the best damn sandwich I’d had in a long fucking time.

CHAPTER 22

jackson

There was gray inhis beard. That was the odd thing I noticed as we sat in silence at the diner eating. Instead of trying to start a conversation, I just studied him and how life had changed him. Somehow, I got stuck on the faded grays tucked in his beard. It was easier to focus on that than the fact that he thought I was a fucking moron for suggesting that he stay with me.

Why the fuck had I said it?

I blamed Mickey for that shit. He’d put the idea in my head when we talked—that West and I had been robbed of a chance at something together. That there was something still there under all the anger and hurt.

I hadn’t planned on saying a goddamn thing, but my mouth ran away with me before I had a chance to stop myself.And of course, West thought I was fucking nuts.Couldn’t blame him for that one. I would think I was an idiot too if I were him.

It led to a silent meal and an awkward ride back. He didn’t say a fucking word, and I didn’t know how the hell to bridge the gap. So I didn’t. I justdrove us back to the ranch. As soon as I turned the truck off, West climbed out with the envelope in hand.

“I’ll look these over,” he told me, his voice stiff, “and get them back to you.”

“Okay.” I nodded. There was an uncomfortable feeling in my chest at the idea of letting West go all over again—something I didn’t know how to explain. Though, I knew it was probably the best thing for him.

“Okay,” he echoed. Without another word, he started across my lawn back toward the main drive.

Fuck, he was going back to the stables.Which he’d been sleeping in. It wasn’t exactly like he had a house to go back to.

“Door is open if you need a place to stay,” I called gruffly over my shoulder. “Guest room is on the first floor. Tess won’t bite. She will steal the bed though, if you let her.”

---