Page 39 of Burn the Wild

Ever since Fallon was kidnapped and attacked last year, she’s been jumpy as fuck. Wild as hell.

If anything could have brought her and Wyatt back together, it was the mess with Aiden King. Only Fallon took about ten steps back from Wyatt and anyone who cared about her. Started sleeping in her truck, or at Davis and Dakota’s. Taking risks with her riding. Surrounding herself with Pappy Starr and her entourage of managers, who are all ready to bet on the next big thing. And that’s her.

It’s taken a toll on the entire family, including my little brother. Wyatt misses her.

The only time he can get close to her is on the rodeo circuit. Which is why he’s hesitant to retire. He thinks if he’s there, he can protect her.

“Fuck.” I whistle as Fallon flies by us in a blast of dust. “That horse is running like he pays the vet bills.”

“Shit,” Wyatt hisses.

Fallon, her horse stationary, is standing on top of its saddle. She has her arms out, her face to the sun.

“She’s takin’ too many risks,” Wyatt hisses. Blowing out a breath of air, he tears a hand through his hair. Only when Fallon slides off Lawless’s backside does Wyatt relax.

Fallon McGraw’s guardian angel is exhausted.

And so is my little brother.

“Listen, kid.” I lean in, drop my voice. Gentler than I was last year. “You’re overcompensating for what happened last year, and you can’t do it.”

Wyatt wishes he had been there to save Fallon. Hell, we all do. But living in the past won’t change a damn thing.

If only I could take my own advice.

“You don’t know shit,” Wyatt says, but his words don’t hold any real heat.

“I know that girl is the wind,” I tell him. “You can’t catch her or babysit her when you gotta worry about your own damn self.”

Wyatt stares into the sun, looking pained, but he’s listening.

Fuck. I’m not good at this. I can talk to my therapist about my feelings, but talking to my brothers… it’s complicated. It fucks me up every damn time.

Still, I have to do my best for my little brother. I put him on the edge of that cliff last year by goading him about Fallon. If I can make up for it, be there for him and listen to whatever comes out of his stupid mouth, I’ll do it. I owe him. Because that goofy kid pranking the Wolfington’s two years ago is gone, and I can’t be sure he’s ever coming back. Not unless he and Fallon fix their shit.

I nod at his elbow. “This why you keep busting your stupid ass up? Watching out for Fallon?”

Wyatt opens his mouth, but then quickly shuts it as Fallon and Lawless approach.

“Hey, Ford.”

“Hey, honey.” I take off my ball cap, set it back on. “That was an insanely risky move, cowgirl.” Fallon and I have always had an honest friendship. She’s like a feral little sister of mine. I respect her for her risk and her heart.

“Lawless had it.” Fallon pats her horse’s flank. “Isn’t that right?”

Wyatt scowls. “Horse has it until he doesn’t.”

“If I have to fuck around and find out, so be it,” she says with a stone-cold expression, staring right at Wyatt.

I roll my eyes. Fallon will do anything possible not to get help from a man.

A kind of manic energy radiates between Fallon and Wyatt. As they bicker, I check my phone.

One missed text. Unknown number.

Do you have an answer for my daddy?

Fuck.

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