Page 66 of When the Smoke Clears

“That explains why you two didn’t interact at The Spur that night.”

That night.The night I met Colt. A man I didn’t realize was my stepbrother. The same night I met James, who I didn’t know was my father. I snort. This is all too much.

“Also, you wanna tell me why you’re carrying?” He crosses his arms.

I have half a mind not to respond. “How do you know I’m carrying?”

His mouth tips up on one side and he gestures to my long-sleeved shirt. “That’s not as loose as you think it is. And I felt it when I pulled you away from the bar.”

I close my eyes. “Habit.”

We stare at each other for a moment. “I had to talk to the detective. About you,” he adds, like I don’t know what he means.

“You don’t have to tell me.” I look into the parking lot. A few stragglers hurry into the building.

“I didn’t lie. I told them what I knew. Which is very little, because frankly, Colt didn’t tell me shit. But I do know he was obsessed with you.” He smirks. “And it might get me punched saying so, but as hot as you are, it’s not surprising. But still not his style.”

He waits quietly for me to say something.

“Ok, that wasn’t appropriate, I just mean—”

“I know what you mean,” I cut him off. Too much from the last few weeks pummels into me. “I gotta go. I’ll talk to you later.”

“See you around.” He gives a small wave as I hurry back to the Jeep. Despite the space here, I need the open skies of the ranch. Everything is closing in on me.

Chapter 23

Sutton

Maci’sJeepthrowsashit ton of dust up behind her as she speeds up the driveway and parks. She slams her door hard enough that the Jeep rocks side to side. Her steps are heavy, stomping around the corner, and she misses me as I come out of The Big House.

Guess that soreness is wearing off.

I don’t bother calling after her. I’m actually a little pleased to see some fire in her. She’s been so stoic since everything with Colt. Unless she’s trying to jump me.

The door closes loudly behind her, and I throw it open again almost immediately.

She jolts in the hallway where she’s sliding out of her shoes. “Oh! I didn’t know you were there.”

“I bet not.” I grin. “Who pissed in your Cheerios this morning?”

She tilts her head and gives me an exasperated look. “I don’t know if going to the MC was the best idea.”

My brows tighten. “Why? James say something?”

“No.” She shakes her head and backs into the bedroom, apparently unaware of the effect she has on me as she inadvertently leads me in. “Actually, he seems very welcoming and supportive. It’s a little surreal.”

When she doesn’t continue, I prod further. “Then?”

“The bartender.”

“The bartender?”

She throws herself onto the couch and pins me with an annoyed look. I slide down next to her and pull her legs atop mine, beginning to rub her calves. “Ginger. I don’t know. She made some stupid comment about me being a House Mouse.”

“Come again?”

“A runaway?” She sounds as confused as me. “I don’t know. Pete said it didn’t fit. I mean, obviously it doesn’t fit. She probably felt threatened.” She shrugs, but it’s not as dismissive as she’s going for.

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