Page 12 of Wrangle Me

Most of us Kingridge brothers don’t share the same mother anyway. That’s just part of the patchwork family tree we were born into. But still, there’s something about Danner that makes him hard to swallow.

It could be that he didn’t grow up with the rest of us. Or possibly it’s his laid-back California attitude. It could be the ever-present baseball hat he wears like it’s a crown. But if I had to put money on it, I’d say it’s the way he carries himself. It’s like he’s already earned a seat at the table without having to prove a damn thing.

We haven’t made it easy for him, not by a long shot. But Pa sure has, and the guy keeps showing up. He doesn’t flinch.Doesn’t fold. And I’ll admit, quietly, in the privacy of my own thoughts, he’s tossed out a couple of solid suggestions for the ranch. Though I’d never tell him that.

Alex and Bowen mutter their hellos and try to play it cool. Like forming some sort of tentative alliance might make the whole situation less awkward. But a head nod is as good as it’s gonna get from me, at least for tonight.

Meanwhile, Pa, Cassidy, and Priya flock to him like he’s the guest of honor. Pouring drinks, making conversation, and laughing with him like he’s been here for years.What the hell do they see in him? Can’t he tell that charming the women on this ranch isn’t any way to make strides with the men?

But Maisie hangs back now, watching the scene unfold. Her face pinches in a way I’m not used to seeing. In an instant, I’m by her side, before the chaos swallows us whole.

“Hey, beautiful.” I slip an arm around Maisie’s shoulders.

The familiar warmth of her sinks straight into me. Even after weeks of being wrapped up in her, I still get lit up by the simplest touch. With her sobriety staring me straight in the face, I realize I’m a little more tipsy than even I realized.

“Sorry about my brothers,” I add with a lopsided grin.

“I’ve been waiting to see this side of the infamous Kingridge brothers. That was sure a sight,” she laughs, soft and breathy.

Damn if all I can think about is kissing the smile right off her lips. “Didn’t scare you away, did it?”

“No, actually, I loved it,” she says, eyes drifting back toward the porch where Priya and Cassidy are still chatting. “But I got some interesting news earlier today, and I think I’m going to call it a night.”

“Oh, don’t do that,” I tilt my head toward her. “We’ve still got at least two rounds of beer pong rematches left in us.”

“I know, I want to stay, but honestly, I’m not feeling great, and it’s getting pretty late.”

“I’ll walk you back,” I offer without hesitation. “What’s the news? Is everything okay?”

“It’s Rosalie… She’s pregnant. At least it’s Dawson’s, her ex-husband. But she’s leaving now, you know, to talk to him about it, and it’s kind of chaotic in the apartment.”

“Pregnant?” The word bursts out of me, and it’s loud enough for my brothers to hear.

Their comments drift to us on the breeze.Who’s pregnant? Uh-oh Callum. Time to step it up.

“Shut the hell up, it ain’t me. Her sister’s knocked up by her ex-husband,” I shout back at them with a drunken chuckle.

“Hey.” Maisie snaps, elbowing me in the ribs hard enough to make me straighten. “What the hell?”

“What?” I shrug, slurring a little. “There aren’t any secrets here anyway.

My brothers laugh in the distance and fall in line with the ribbing. But Maisie stiffens beside me, and I know I’ve messed up.

Her voice is quieter now, more distant. “I want to head out.”

“Okay, let’s get you home.”

Maisie says her goodbyes to Pa, Danner, Cassidy, and Priya, then gives my brothers a tight-lipped wave. They’ve earned it. But even the tension can’t keep their comments from spilling out of their mouths, and it’s infuriating.

Whatever mistake I’ve made by telling them is becoming so much worse with each poorly timed joke.

“Night night Callum, and congrats on dodging a bullet.” Alex’s drunken slur is annoying, but coming from him, there’s no bite to it. All Alex has ever wanted is to be a father.

“Yeah, poor dude,” I mutter, leaning in. “He’s saddled for life now.”

Maisie stops in her tracks. Her head whips around toward me, and even through the beer buzz, I can feel the air shift. Myblood runs cold. That was the line, and I didn’t just cross it; I’ve jumped over it.

The look in her eyes is sharp, disappointed, and guarded. I’ve seen it before, but never trained on me. Yet somehow, I know exactly what it means. I sober up real fast because this night just took a turn for the worst.

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