Page 176 of Burn the Wild

“What?” Her pretty face screws up. “Why would you—”

“There are other things in life. Things that are more important than baseball.”

“Like what?”

“You.”

Tears glisten in her eyes. “Ford.”

Remembering what’s been on my mind all damn day, I reach into my shirt pocket and pull out a small velvet pouch. “I got you this.”

I slip the necklace out and lift it high. A special order I planned last month—my name in delicate gold script.

Her fingers come up to cover her mouth, eyes wide and shimmering. Then she reaches out to touch it, almost reverently. “Ford, it’s beautiful.”

I fasten it around her neck and say, “You wear this necklace on your throat, baby. Show the world you’re mine.”

With heavy-lidded eyes, she stares back at me. “I’m yours.”

Her words crack like a whip.

“Do you see what you do to me?” I press her hand to my cock. She whimpers, small gasps filling the air between us. I move her hand to my heart. “Do you see how much I love you? You brought me back to life, Bluebird.”

A sob escapes her. “You are my joy, Ford Montgomery.”

My breath hitches.

I interlace our fingers and lift her arms, backing her up to the wall, kissing my way up her scars. “My favorite part ofyou,” I murmur. Tears stream down her face. “They remind me you exist. You’re alive.” Leaning close, I brush my lips over her mouth. “And you’re not hard to love. You are mine to love. Never forget that.”

Her eyes shutter. “I won’t,” she promises.

And then we’re on each other. Ruthless and raging. I kiss her pouty lips, desperate to consume her. To reassure myself that what’s just happened is real. She’s here, she’s mine, and nothing can change that.

Fucking nothing.

Bar M on a Friday afternoon is exactly where I want to be. The lodge buzzes with life as guests order drinks and take them into the cantina or to their cabins. I sit at the back of the large living space, strumming my guitar.

This summer feels like I’ve been testing all the ways I can exist. Playing in the lodge, working in a bakery. Exploring every part of the future I want to build—my own label, my music. All of it feels possible. That night in Silver Springs unleashed something in me. I’ve been given the freedom to move, to choose, and it feels so easy.

I know in my bones that I will somehow make a beautiful life for myself, no matter what the world throws at me.

Especially with Ford. I showed him my truth, my scars, and in return, he loved me more.

I’m all in—heart first, fearless.

For the next thirty minutes, I play covers of familiar country songs. People stand around and listen before tossing dollar bills in my guitar case. They clap or sing along, their smiles showing they enjoy the music. But there’s no mob. I’m just a nobody girl playing her guitar. And I love it.

The set ends and I pack up before heading toward the bar. Fallon is perched on a stool while Ruby wipes down the bar.

“Thanks,” I say when Ruby slides me a glass of ice water.

“The guests love the live music.” Blue eyes bright, she looks at me hopefully. “Is it here to stay?”

I flush.

It’s been a week since Ford’sI love you, and we’ve been caught in a perpetual state of bliss. We’ve spent most of our time making plans or having sex or planning to have sex.

I feel delirious. Like I’ve won the lottery. Like nothing is real.

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