Page 51 of Untamed

“You make a good argument, friend.”

She sighs, brushing dirt and leaves from her bare knees. “Finally, you’re being reasonable.”

Trying to be as quiet as we can, we head for the house. At the window, we peek inside and sadly, Grayer’s shirt is on and he’s sitting with his back against the wall on the floor surrounded by boxes. He’s holding what looks to be a photograph. It’s difficult to identify who’s in the photograph, but it appears to be a dad at a rodeo holding up a buckle with three little boys at his feet.

I look around the room. Grayer’s surrounded by five empty cans, the remaining one hanging in his left hand and about a dozen photographs. The boxes he brought in must have been filled with photographs from his family.

Haylee steps away and sits on the ground. “I can’t watch this. I thought his shirt would be off and it’s not. I’m disappointed.”

Turning to look at her, I smile, but when I turn back to the window, Grayer’s forearm brushes over his eyes and it does feel wrong. He’s crying and I’m violating his privacy. But then I wonder if he needs someone to talk to. Maybe a shoulder to cry on?

There is no wayIcould go in there. We got along okay last night, but his moods are like lighting a firecracker and backing away slowly, arms raised so you don’t blow your hand off.

What would I say if I went in there?“Hey, so I was trespassing and spying on you. I know you hate me, but should I hold you?”

That probably wouldn’t go over well.

With a sigh, I step back from the window. “Let’s go.”

Haylee stands. “Why couldn’t he at least take off his shirt again?”

I wrap my arm around her. “I don’t know . . . but we never got around to looking at those naked pictures on the Internet of him.”

Her eyes light up. “Now we’re talking.”

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