Page 18 of Brand Me, Cowboy's Second Chance

"I'm saying that loving someone means letting them be who they are. And if who they are doesn't fit with who you are, then you've got choices to make." She plucks a piece of grass and twirls it between her fingers. "But don't go making those choices based on fear or pride."

"It's not pride," I argue. "It's self-preservation."

Patty June laughs, but it's kind. "Oh, honey. You think self-preservation looks like closing yourself off? That ain't living. That's just existing."

The truth of her words settles over me. I've spent six years building walls, convinced I was protecting myself. But now I feel trapped within them.

"I've built something here," I say finally. "When he left, I had to figure out who I was beyond just being his girl. I learned to doctor the livestock when we couldn't afford the vet. I redesigned the breeding program. I have plans to expand the organic produce side that could double our revenue."

"And you're proud of who you've become," Patty June nods. "As you should be."

"I'm terrified of losing her if I let myself fall for him again."

“She ain’t going nowhere.” Patty June studies me for a long moment. "The heart wants what it wants, girl. Question is, what are you gonna do about it?"

CHAPTER13

FALLON

That nightI don't sleep. Not even a little. Instead, I sit on the bunkhouse steps with my elbows on my knees. I watch the moon drag its pale ass across the sky while Hunkleberry stretches out at my feet like he's staging an intervention.

"You mad at me, too?" I mutter.

He lifts his head and gives me a long, disappointed huff. Then he drops it again.

“That’s a yes.”

And I deserve that because I messed up, big time... again. Anny's face keeps replaying in my head. She looks wide-eyed, glassy, and wounded. It's like I tore something open that she barely managed to stitch shut the first time.

She called me a runner. And I admit that it crossed my mind to leave, but never without her. She's a part of the deal now. If I go, she goes, or we stay here together. Those are my terms. I didn't mean to hurt her. But I didn't see her.

I was caught up in the adrenaline of the offer. Being wanted on the field by a team that ruined my life the first time around was a rush. I didn't stop to think what it would sound like to someone listening from the outside.

I just impulsively... chased the dream like it was still mine to chase.

But the truth is, even when I imagined putting that helmet back on, I didn't feel the old thrill in my gut. I felt a knot tighten and grow heavy over my chest. It was a warning that I was about to lose her again.

And I did.

She walked away without asking me to stay. Just like before, because I didn't give her a single reason not to. I lean back with my hands laced behind my neck and stare up at the stars.

"I'm tired of running," I say out loud, voice rough. "Tired of chasing things that don't mean a damn thing if I lose her in the process."

Hunkleberry sighs and bumps his head against my knee. He knows what's up.

My phone buzzes to life, but none of my messages are from her. I ignore texts from Alex, Bowen, and Holden. I clear a call from Pa. Instead, I spend my night on the porch with Hunkleberry making a plan to win Anny back once and for all.

* * *

The next morning, I wake up to a text from Danner asking me if I want to,process things over breakfast quinoa. I mentally addbreakfast quinoato the list of reasons the rest of my brothers can't stand the dude. Then I ignore him, too.

I walk the perimeter of the ranch at dawn, boots crunching on frost-covered grass. The Southern Knights contract sits in my email, unanswered.

What was once so clear now feels murky.

I used to measure my worth in yards gained and plays made. But watching Alex with his family, Bowen with Priya, and hell, even Callum settling down, I've seen a different kind of victory. The sun breaks over the ridge, painting Kingridge in gold. My phone buzzes again.

This time it’s a call I can’t ignore. The name Southern Knights flashes across my screen. I stop at the fence line and stare out at the land. Football gave me purpose when I was lost, but it never gave me peace. Not like this place. Not like her.

---