Page 76 of Breathless

“Noshit.”

Not sure why, but my palms are sweaty. I wipe them on my jeans. “We’re, uh, we’re together now.” Silence. “Dating.” Still nothing. “You know, each other.” The silence drags on. “Zey?”

“Yeah. I heard you. I had to look out the window to see if pigs wereflying.”

I shake my head with a chuckle. “Is it weird we’redating?”

“Not as weird as it is to hear you admit you have a girlfriend. Never thought I’d see the day when our little Logan would growup.”

“Shut up,dick.”

He laughs. “I’m happy for you, man. Joey’s a great girl, and she’s always had a thing foryou.”

“I don’t know about that. I’m just glad we’re working out now.” My lungs fill with a deep breath. “I really likeher.”

Jesus. I sound like I’m in middle school. But then I’m flooded with images from last night and have to bite back a groan. There’s something about Bitsy’s vulnerability and her girl-next-door vibe that’s such a turn-on. Hopefully our first time together meant as much to her as it did to me. I can’t lie—thoughts of last night bring out the caveman in me. There’s nothing more I want to do than drag her back to my house and strip off every stitch of herclothing.

He chuckles. “I figured as much.” People yell in the background, and it sounds like he moves to somewhere quieter. “I almost hate to ask this question, but does she know about Sam and Zachyet?”

There goes myboner.

“No. I’m planning to talk to everyone after the wedding.” Isaiah makes a sound of disbelief. “What?”

“Not sure you should wait to tell her with the rest of the family. I understand why you want to wait, but she might not take itwell.”

A knot forms in my gut. “But Jo always gets me. If it weren’t for Silas always being up in her grill, I would’ve told her sooner. You know the rumors he spread about my family. Joey’s the only reason I didn’t beat his ass for being such acocksucker.”

“I hear you about Silas. He can be vengeful, but you need to trust Joey to have your back. She’s not a kid anymore. You gotta trust her to handle Silas.” He laughs humorously. “Take it from the guy whose last relationship imploded, don’t put off an important conversation too long. I’d hate to see you screw up a goodthing.”

I swallow, wishing I hadn’t dug this hole for myself. “I do excel at screwing up,so…”

“Dude, it takes a screwup to knowone.”

We laugh, and although I might not be a particularly religious man, I send up a prayer that my buddy makes it homesafely.

When we get off the phone, I stare out at the fields and wonder how I begin to untangle thismess.

I guess it starts with thetruth.

And Joey needs to hearit.

31

Logan

When I comearound the corner, I spot Joey taking a selfie with Cinnamon Pie, who’s leaning out of the stall. I’ve missed seeing Jo in the barn. She looks at homehere.

I try to shake off the somberness lingering since Isaiah’s phone call. As much as I want to take his advice, this isn’t the kind of convo I can handle if my brother interrupts. It’ll have to wait until Jo and I are back at myplace.

Besides, the barn has too many bad memories. If I wanna jinx myself and fuck up my life permanently, this would be the perfect place to doit.

“My feelings are hurt, Bitsy,” I tease, knowing she’ll be able to get me out of this funk. “You’ve been home over a week, and you’ve taken a selfie with a horse but not withme.”

She rolls her eyes but reaches for me. I swing her into my arms, relishing the giggle she letsout.

She wraps those gorgeous legs around my waist, and I hold her up by her ass while she takes pics ofus.

“Gonna post those on yourInstagram?”

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