Page 31 of Wild Horses

“War.” My name is a warning. A warmth spreads through me that someone cares enough to scold me.

I draw in a long breath. “Do you want the bad news or the weird news?”

“Bad news first. Then we’ll move on to weird.”

“The meeting with Dad was a clusterfuck.”

“What happened?”

I shrug despite her not being able to see it. “More of the same. Scare tactics and threats when I didn’t immediately agree to return to Dallas and Phillips Construction.” My voice drops. “I left my watch with him.”

“What? You love that thing. I mean, I think it’s ostentatious, but for the last three years, you’ve never taken it off.”

A strangled laugh slips from my throat. “Tonight, I realized it was more of a shackle than a showpiece.”

“What happened after that?”

“I walked out.” I run my hand through my hair. “The picture you sent… you didn’t plan it, but it gave me the courage to leave. So, thank you.” I swallow. “Tuesday, I doubt I’ll ever be able to do enough to make things right for all the hurt I caused you, but I won’t ever stop trying.”

Over the line, she sniffles. “I’ve told you, there’s nothing to forgive. You stood up for me when I needed you the most, and you’ve been by my side since then. We didn’t have a normal upbringing. I don’t blame you for doing what you felt you had to. You’re a good man, Warren Phillips.”

I rest the heel of my palm over my heart where my sister’s kind words have settled. Aiming to lighten the mood, I groan and say, “Don’t call me Warren.”

She giggles. “Fine, fine. Okay, I’m ready for the weird. Spill it.”

“So, I’m extending my stay in Lubbock by a few days.”

“What? Why?”

“Do you remember the day I showed up in Trail Creek?”

“Of course. You were a wreck.”

“And the night we went to The Great Dane and you convinced me to drink three Flocked Up Flamingos?”

Her laugh makes me smile. “God, yes. You were a mess.” Her laughter cuts off. “Oh. Laramie.”

“Yep.”

“She’s there?” Surprise colors Tuesday’s voice.

“Believe me, I’m as shocked as you are.”

“How did you… when did…” She sputters before finally settling on, “What?”

I chuckle. “After leaving the bar, I drove to some arena and somehow ended up sitting next to Kit Larson, her dad.”

“Damn. What are the odds?” She pauses before continuing. “War, that’s a sign if I’ve ever heard one.”

Closing my eyes, I say, “I’m scared out of my mind.” Being vulnerable with Tuesday is new, but after the way I crawled to her back in December, it’s safe to say she’s seen me at my worst.

“You’re a moron if you don’t take advantage of this.”

My mouth is like parchment. “What if I do this and she leaves again?” Confessing that fear loosens some of the tightness in my chest.

“What if you don’t do this and miss out on something amazing?” Tuesday counters before huffing out a sharp laugh. “You and I have more in common than we know. Do you think I didn’t try to run from Bond? To deny what I felt for him? That I wasn’t scared? But he’s everything I’ve ever wanted, and I never would have gotten it if I hadn’t taken a chance.” Her tone softens. “What would you regret more?”

What would I regret more? Having her for only a moment or never having her at all?

---