Page 11 of Burn the Wild

“Clyde Krenshaw.”

“Charlie,” Ruby gasps.

“What’re you two bellyaching over?” Davis asks, eyes narrowing.

“Nothing,” we reply in unison, earning us a glare. Irritating Davis is always gratifying.

“Well, while you two are having the time of your lives laughing over whoever’s ass Charlie beat…” Davis glances at Charlie. “We’re short-staffed.”

Charlie’s face turns professional. “Wyatt gets back tonight. We’ll put him to work.”

That reminds me.

“Speaking of little brothers,” I say, and all eyes land on me. “Heard from Grady last night. Two in the damn morning.”

Dakota snaps off the oven. “He okay?”

“He’s sending someone to the ranch.” I shrug carelessly. “Some big-shot country singer. Wants her to stay in a chalet.”

Both Davis and Charlie look unhappy.

We all know what that means. More work. Ridiculous demands.

For a second, I’m half tempted to tell my twin it’s his problem, but the dark circles under his eyes tell me Duke’s kept him up again. I don’t have the heart to be an asshole.

“I’ll handle it,” I say. “Whatever it is.”

Mouse hisses and swipes a paw at Keena, who launches into a series of frenzied barks. Like Fallon and Wyatt, their peace is tentative and wary.

Eyes on the animals, Davis sighs and holds up a big hand. “For one summer, I’d like to steer clear of fucking messes.”

“Okay, you grumps,” Dakota says, pulling a bottle of champagne from the fridge. Her brown eyes glow with amusement. “No more negative vibes.”

As Ruby pours and hands out glasses of champagne, I slap Charlie on the back. “C’mon, give us a pep talk no one asked for.”

Charlie grumbles, but he grins as he takes Ruby’s hand and pulls her forward for his speech.

A tightness fills my chest as I lift my glass and look around the kitchen.

I love this ranch. I love my brothers. My sisters-in-law. My family.

And last year I almost fucked it all up.

All because I was an angry asshole.

I put down Charlie and Ruby’s relationship. I fucked with Wyatt and his feelings for Fallon. I said bullshit words aboutDakota. Fucking with my twin’s relationship was my rock bottom. I could have lost it all. I should have.

Ford, if you ain’t happy with your life, fix it, Davis had said.

So I did.

I put my ass back in therapy. Being a jackass might have worked twenty years ago in the major leagues, but alienating my family was a long overdue wake-up call.

Since then, I’ve tried to do less. Less drinking, less women, less fighting.

Because when I do more, it reminds me of everything I lost. Everything I want. And don’t have.

“Ford?” Davis meets my eyes and grins. “You good, brother?”

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