Page 17 of Say You Won't Let Go
“Hey, I need to take care of something,” I try to explain to Wade.
He smiles. “Sure you do.”
“You know how it is.” It’s the way it’s always been and how it always will be. “Listen, I’m only in town for a few days, but I’d love to catch up.”
Wade writes his number down, and I shake his hand. “I’m around this week, but if I get a job, I may be gone without warning.”
“I get it. It was good to see you.”
“Good to see you, too, Coop.”
We part ways, and I find myself practically running to the car. Now that I know I’m going to see her, I need to get to her immediately.
During the drive, I think about all the responsibilities I’m blowing off right now. I’ve never been one to walk away from something that involved the ranch. My sister was able to turn her back on things, but I couldn’t.
Though I’m not the only one around to run things, so it isn’t such a big deal. A year ago, I knew I needed to bring on a partner. Presley was the one who caught onto how much money we were losing because of how quickly we were growing and we couldn’t keep up. I needed more help so we could scale the business, buy more land, and also sleep more than two hours a night. So, I offered the job to Wyatt Hennington, who had been my foreman for eight years. It made sense to bring him on. Between the both of us, it’s allowed us to expand and grow.
Me: I’m going to be a few more days.
Wyatt: No worries. We have things covered.
Me: I’ll call you when I have more info.
Wyatt: What has you tied up?
I debate what to tell him. I can be honest or play it off as something work related.
Me: A girl.
Wyatt: I figured. One in particular?
Me: Emily.
Wyatt: Nice! We’ll talk soon.
This is why I like having him as my partner. He gets it. Girls make us do shit we’d never consider any other time. I’ve been a very patient and practical guy. I don’t make a fool out of myself very often; yet, here I am, driving four hours because she said she misses me.
Women.
Chapter Six
Emily
I chew on the tip of my thumb as I pace in the tour bus. The guys are all partying in the hotel, but I wanted to be far away from everyone.
Then I got the flowers, and all I could think about was him. How perfect he is. I was so overcome with emotion, I couldn’t stop myself from texting him.
This could go very good or end in disaster. I’m not sure what I was thinking, other than I had to see him again. It was far beyond just want—it was need. Once I broke the dam, allowing the feelings to flood forward, I drowned in them.
I need his touch.
I need his arms.
I need him to give me air.
I hear a car door close, rush to the window, and my stomach flips at the sight of him.
Okay. I can do this. It’s Cooper, and I like him. He clearly likes me since he drove almost four hours, and this doesn’t have to be anything more than tonight.
