Page 17 of January's Bad Boy: Shane

"I know," he says quietly.

"Did Caitlin tell you what was going on at work and the real reason she is taking a break here in Mustang Mountain?"

His head snaps up to look at me."No."

"You should ask her. It's not my story to tell, but you will want to know. Now come to the barn and see the horses Asher sent me to save. I’ve decided to keep them for myself."

“We need to look into this land developer. If they are trying to grab more land, they have a plan,” he says.

“Agreed.”

Together, we walk out the back door.

Just like that, for now, the tension between us is gone. But we still have lots to talk about.

CHAPTER 10

CAITLIN

After my brotherpractically threw me out of Shane's house, I’m on my way home. Everything that just happened is racing through my head. I know Shane and my brother have to talk, but what startled me was Atlas’s anger. I didn't expect him to be mad. While I knew Atlas wouldn't be thrilled, this was worse than I expected.

What are they doing now? Is Atlas going off on Shane? Is Shane changing his mind? He said he loved me, and I froze because Atlas was standing right there. I never got a chance to say it back. Is Shane changing his mind because of something Atlas is saying to him?My mind is going crazy with all those thoughts circling around in my head.

I have to pull over to the side of the road because with everything going on, I’m beginning to have a panic attack. After doing a few of the breathing exercises my therapist back in the city taught me, I reach for my phone and call my best friend, Paisley. She’s the only other person outside of Shane who knows what happened at work and why I'm taking a break between clients.

"Hey girl, I was about to send a search party out! You go to your brother's wedding and then drop off the face of the earth?Then I heard on the news that you guys got hit with a huge snowstorm that came out of nowhere. You, okay?" She finally stops to breathe after talking in her bubbly, million questions a minute self.

"Yeah, I'm ok, but I need some advice. There are a lot of back stories, but I need to get it out all at once. Can you save the questions for the end?"

"Of course," she says more seriously now.

I go on to tell her about meeting Shane at the wedding and his visits to the store. His story with Atlas, his ranch, and his time in jail. Us having burgers, me helping at this place, the talks, and visits, and leading up to last night at the cabin. Then I end with the grand finale of running into Atlas, the unsaid I love you, and being sent home.

"Where are you right now?" she asks.

"Parked safely on the side of the road because I had the start of a panic attack."

"Alright, you’re in a safe place. So talk. Do you love him?" she asks straight to the point.

I stop and think. Even though my heart and my gut say yes, I want to be sure. These feelings I have for him are unlike anything I've had for anyone else. The thought of leaving him and walking away would kill me. It would be like taking away my air. He just makes me feel like myself again. As if I'm finally home and whole for the first time in so long.

"Yes," I say, barely above a whisper, as I admit it for the first time.

"I thought so, judging by the way you talked about him, but I still had to ask." She then lets out a squeal that I'm sure everyone around her heard. "I'm so happy for you, and I can't wait to meet this guy!"

"Paisley! What do I do now?" I’m trying to keep my breathing regulated so I don't spiral again.

The line is silent for a moment, and I check my phone to make sure the call didn't drop. But it's still connected.

"Paisley?" I ask, wondering if maybe she didn't hear me.

"I was thinking. Didn't you say your brother met his wife through his old friend? One who knew Shane too? Didn’t he marry his old friend’s daughter? If you ask me, I think dating your friend's daughter is worse than dating your friend's sister."

"Paisley, you are a genius! Thank you! I will call you and let you know how it goes!"

"Remember, I claim being your maid of honor!" She calls out as I hang up the phone. As if there would be any other choice.

I change my course. Instead of going to the cabin I rented, I head to Atlas’s house and am grateful that Bex is there. She answers the door with a welcoming smile on her face.

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