Page 98 of Burn the Wild

The briefest flash of worry crosses Gavin’s plastic face. I hide a smile. Gavin can make ripples, but I can make waves.

He laughs dryly. “It’ll take time. But if that’s what you need to come home…”

“I do.” I smooth a hand across my dress. “I need that. And then I’ll go to the studio. I’ll do the album.” I give him my sweetest smile. Whatever I have to do to protect myself, to buy me time. “I promise.”

Gavin’s gaze is dark, but he says, “I’ll hold you to that, Reese.”

Then, without another word, he stalks to the door, whipping it open and storming into the bright July sunshine.

Ford pulls me into him. “You okay?”

“I’m so sorry,” I sniffle, fighting back tears. “I had no idea he was coming.”

“How’d he find you?”

I flinch. I already know he won’t like it. “He said he has a tracker in my phone.”

Ford swears.

I stare at the door Gavin exited. The urge to give in like I’ve always done resurfaces. It all feels hopeless. Like I’ll never escape.

“Maybe I should go with him.” My voice is hollow. “Make it easier.”

No matter how much anger and distrust I feel towards Gavin, there’s still the fear he’s right. What if I can’t do it? Will the summer really make a difference?

I wait for my mother’s voice.Be brave.Instead, I hear Ford’s.

“Don’t go.”

I look up at him. “What?”

Ford’s handsome face is creased with something I don’t recognize. “I don’t want you to go.”

“You don’t?” I breathe.

“No, Birdie. I don’t.”

“Why?” I bite my lip. “Because of Grady?”

“No.” His throat works. “Because of me. I like you here.”

“Yeah? You like me, Country Boy?”

“You’re a pain in my ass, but yeah.” His voice softens. “I like you.”

My heart riots in my chest. I can’t think of a time in my life when someone has truly wanted me around. It makes me feel more than wanted. It makes me feel everything. Especially happy.

Ford cups my cheek. “Stay, okay?”

And then he leans down and kisses me, on the ranch, in front of everyone.

The black hole, the past—I may never get over them.

But Ford makes me feel like I can. If only for a little while.

It’s seven a.m. when I burst into Charlie’s cabin. I groan when I spot Ruby and Charlie in the kitchen. So much for not getting hassled about why I’m here. Charlie sits at the counter, paper in hand. There are about half a dozen flower varieties scattered across the kitchen table. Ruby stands over them, brown kraft paper in her arms.

Making sure to school my expression into a scowl, I start checking the cupboards. “Y’all got any honey?”

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