Page 45 of Undone

He gave me a terse nod, then took off for the barn, his mind already on worst-case scenarios.

I watched him walk away and realized that it was the second time that day he’d had to leave me in the dust for an emergency. I knew it was a part of life on a ranch, but I had to wonder…what would happen ifItruly needed him? How would he choose if it came down to me or the ranch?

TWENTY-NINE

JOSH

“What the hell is going on over there?” Fiona demanded without so much as a “hello.”

I scowled into the phone and tried not to hang up on my little sister. She was the quintessential youngest child; brash, loud, charming, confident, and ready to rumble at a moment’s notice. It was as if the world had to stop when she decided I was worthy of a phone call, much like when she’d called to get car advice. Not that she’d bothered to respond to the numerous messages I’d left her afterthatincident.

“Jeez, Fi, nice to talk to you too,” I huffed. Indigo leaned into the curry comb as I made the calming circular motions along the horse’s side.

“Shannon told me you and Zoe are hanging out again. I think you’re making ahugemistake.”

“I didn’t ask what you think,” I snapped back at her. I tossed the comb into my grooming kit and reached for the hard brush. I tried to focus on Indigo’s grooming instead of Fiona’s meddling.

“Josh.” She sighed. “I’m only saying it because I’m looking out for you. I remember what happened…”

“Yeah, everyone does. Zo and I dated for a summer after my freshman year of college. We split up because it made sense for both of us—she was about to start college herself, and our lives were going in different directions.”

She snorted. “You’re really going to pretend that breaking up was what youbothwanted? You were a wreck for months. Remember when I came to visit you at school?”

“What are you talking about?” I paused, the brush hovering over Indigo’s flank. “I thought I showed you a good time at Tech.”

“Revisionist history. Allow me to remind you what actually happened when I came to your campus for a weekend visit.Iwas expecting frat parties and keg stands.”

“Hey, hold on. You know I never would’ve allowed that. You were only a junior in high school.”

“Please,” she said, and I could almost hear her eye roll. “Don’t pretend like we all didn’t start drinking early. Anyway. I was all excited for a weekend of college fun with your cute friends and all I got was you moping around because of Zoe. We spent way too much time at that tacky coffee shop, then we went to see that terrible emo band that mademefeel depressed. You were miserable the whole time I was there, and it was all her fault. I don’t think you should give second chances to someone who could make you feel like that. I still have a grudge because she ruined my first real college weekend.”

I had forgotten about the details of Fiona’s visit. Or more likely, I had pushed them out of my head. The truth was that all reminders of the dark period were almost too painful to think about, because breaking up with Zoe all those years agohadwrecked me. Logic and practicality aside, I had been heartbroken over the breakup.

“I was just trying to be a responsible big brother. I needed to protect you from those wicked college guys. You were cute back then.”

“Joshua Cafferty, I will have you know that I amstillcute! I’m insanely cute!”

I finally laughed at her indignation. “I wouldn’t know, you never get your ass back home, so I haven’t seen what you look like in forever. What’s keeping you so busy in the big city? A guy?”

“Psh,” she snorted. “Hardly. And you don’t get to ask me about my love life if we can’t talk about yours.”

“Speaking of your love life, one of your old high school buddies is working here now. Eli Carter. Remember him?” I was baiting her on purpose.

“Josh, you didn’t! I despised Eli Carter growing up. We competed against each other in everything, and he won more times than he should have, the bastard. Now I’m definitely not coming back.” She paused. “Unless you need triage when Zoe breaks your heart again.”

“Thanks, but that’s not going to happen,” I answered confidently. “We’re in a different place now. We’re grown-ass adults, not teens who don’t know how the world works. We’re in this…whatever it is with our eyes wide open. Even if she decides to stay on the ranch until her grad program begins, we both know that there’s an end in sight because neither of us wants to do a long-distance situation.”

“What if she changes her mind and decides to stay permanently?” Fiona asked. “I mean, you are quite a catch.”

I laughed and shook my head as I worked my way down Indigo’s body with the brush. “I doubt that’ll happen. She’s had her eye on this program in New York for a while. It’s a big deal for her. I wouldn’t want to hold her back from her dreams.”

“Hey, you never know,” Fiona said softly. “You’rea big deal, Josh.”

“Aw, thanks,” I said, my heart softening toward the fiery redhead on the other end of the line.

“Just know this: If she hurts you again, I’m coming for her. And you can tell her that. I’ve been taking kickboxing classes and my hooks are deadly. Got it? I’m talking lethal force.”

“Fi, holy moly. Stand down, woman! I’ve got this, okay? And anyway, I’m the big brother. I’m supposed to be taking care of you.”

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