Page 17 of Rope Me

Alex has lifted me up, not held me back. He’s made my life better, fuller, brighter. I pushed him away because I was afraid of losing myself and getting caught up in something I couldn’t control. But that was a huge mistake and I can see it so clearly now. My heart rate ticks up.

Before Connor gets out of the car, we do our secret handshake. It’s the best part of our morning routine. Before he disappears into the school building, I remind him that tomorrow he’ll be back with his dad.

Connor barely reacts to the news. It doesn’t bother him. Not the way it bothers me. It gives me hope that maybe things with Randolph will smooth out after a while. Maybe there is a world where Connor could have two sets of loving parents.

I drive home with my to-do list still burning a hole in my pocket. There are a million things I should be focusing on. Finding a job, building a community of support for Connor, and taking care of myself all compete for my attention. But one thought keeps floating to the top.

Building my life could mean creating a world with Alex. Maybe I don’t have to choose. Maybe I can reach my goals and love Alex too. It seems too good to be true. I know that kind of happily ever after happens for other people, but maybe it could happen for me too.

I take the pups for their morning walk. By the time we get back home, I’m overwhelmed with a desperate need to talk to Alex. I want to apologize. I’ve been a coward, I can see that now. I’m done letting fear dictate my choices. I can create security for myself, the interviews have proven that. But right now, I choose love.

I don’t bother putting on makeup or changing out of my worn-in jeans and hoodie. It feels good and natural. The best part is that Alex won’t care either way. He isn’t in this to impress anyone. He loves me for who I am and it’s time for me to tell him that I love him too.

Just as I reach for my phone, it vibrates on the kitchen table. My heart leaps into my throat when I see the name on the screen. It’s him. The message is short but it sends my heart thudding in my chest.

Alex: We need to talk.

My hands tremble as I type out my reply, my fingers moving faster than my thoughts can keep up.

Me: Yes we do. I want to see you.

A pause stretches on for what feels like a lifetime and I hold my breath. Three dots appear, disappear, and then finally?—

Alex:Meet me at the stables.

CHAPTER 14

ALEXANDER

In Cassidy’s absence,I’ve had nothing but time and I’ve sure as hell made the most of it.

Since I made the decision to win her back I’ve poured every minute of that time into this project. I also called in every favor I could wrangle from my brothers. They came through for me. That’s one thing about the Kingridge boys, we fight, but when it comes down to it we show up for each other. Standing back and looking at it now that it’s finally done, I can say the blood, sweat, and late nights have paid off… I think. But of course, none of it matters if this doesn’t end with Cassidy back in my arms.

Cassidy pulls up the gravel drive. Her Jeep rolls to a stop in front of me and my chest goes tight at the sight of her. She’s stunning with her hair pulled back in a simple baseball cap and an old sweatshirt. My heart hammers, an odd mix of anticipation and something deeper. It’s the chokehold Cassidy has had on me since the day she walked back into my life.

I open her door before she can get it open herself because I have to touch her. Having her this close again ignites me and all I want is to pull her into my arms.

She steps out, eyes searching mine, raw and unreadable. “Thank you for wanting me here,” she whispers. “After the way I ended things…”

Her voice cracks, and her eyes go glassy. But this time, the sight of her tear-filled eyes doesn’t gut me. These tears feel different somehow. There’s hope in them and I wonder if they mean that she’s changed her mind about us. I wrap my arms around her and pull her close. The moment her body molds to mine, the world tilts back into place. I know without a doubt thatthisis where she belongs and I never want to let her go.

She tilts her head up, her gaze locking onto mine with a raw intensity that makes it impossible to look away. Her breath trembles as she exhales, her hands tightening into fists at her sides like she’s bracing herself.

“I’m sorry, Alex,” she says, her voice thick with emotion. “For the way I handled things. For pushing you away when all you ever did was show up for me. I was scared, and I was totally out of line. I was wrong.”

A single tear spills down her cheek, but she doesn’t flinch, doesn’t blink it away. She stands her ground, vulnerable and unguarded, the way she’s never let herself be before.

Her chin lifts slightly, her throat working as she swallows. “I know now that you aren’t some dangerous distraction. And I hate myself for saying that to you. I know it must have cut deep, and I can’t take it back, but if I could, I would.” She steps closer, the warmth of her body radiating into mine. “You are the man I want by my side. Not because I need you to build a life for me, but because I want you in it. Because with you, everything feels possible.”

Her words land with the force of a storm I’ve been waiting my whole damn life to be caught in. Emotion surges through me—fierce, overwhelming, undeniable. Every wall I’ve built to protectmyself from disappointment, from the fear of not being enough, crumbles under the weight of her honesty.

I cup her face, my thumb brushing away the tear tracing down her cheek. “Cassidy,” I murmur, my voice low and rough, “I love you.” The words come easy because they’re the truest thing I’ve ever known. “I have loved you for longer than I’ve even let myself admit. And I will never stop being here, never stop helping you reach your goals, never stop believing in everything you are.”

I press a lingering kiss to the top of her head, breathing her in, grounding myself in her presence. Then, with my hand firm around hers, I take a steadying breath. “There’s something I need to show you.”

I take her hand, lacing my fingers through hers, and lead her toward the stables. With every step, my pulse pounds harder. I want this to be right. I want this to be everything she deserves.

As we round the corner, the new sign comes into view. Gone is the old Buckand Whinnyplaque. In its place, bold and unmistakable is a new one that readsConnor’s Club: Horse Therapy.

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