Page 94 of Silas's Sweetheart

Chapter Forty-Three

Silas

Last night, Ziggy hadn’t shifted, though he had still fidgeted all over him, keeping him awake. But Silas said nothing as Ziggy sprawled over him was his idea of heaven. Given how badly he’d fucked things up, he’d take this every time. He wasn’t sure he’d have slept anyway, with his mind buzzing over the fact Ziggy had proposed. It was so out of left field, he was still processing the fact he was engaged.

He was engaged.

I’m engaged,he tried out.

Who did he tell first?

All morning, and this afternoon, the question ran through his mind and still he’d not said a word to anyone. What was he waiting for? Should he be telling Popi and Dad first?

Fucking bullocks!

His heart sank at how it might appear to Ziggy. He was a selfish ass. Ziggy didn’t have anyone to share his excitementwith. Had him saying nothing to the others at breakfast or lunch given out the wrong signal to Ziggy? Like he didn’t want anyone knowing? That was a big possibility when Silas had wanted to hide what was going on with them in the beginning.

Shit.

Shit and bollocks.

“Are you listenin’ to me? That’s the fourth yawn in the last five minutes. Although after all the noise coming from your cabin last night, I’m not surprised you’re tired.” Laken looked as tired as Silas felt when he looked up from the shit he was shoveling.

“Noise? I don’t know what you’re talkin’ ‘bout.” Silas looked back at the pile of horseshit and dug in his shovel. Laken, like Booker, Rue, and Taylin, had attempted to get the most out of the experience of being on the ranch. Jupiter would never be a rancher, that was for sure, despite his affinity with the animals. Kodi seemed to be in no-man's land of ‘he wasn’t bothered one way or another’, whereas Kari seemed to spend a lot of time with Bowie, taking his enjoyment from Bowie’s fun.

Everyone was talking about how well the PA’s worked together. Silas didn’t need to hear it, he could see how they considered each other when they got given tasks to do.

A shovel hit the wheelbarrow with a clang. “Pull the other one. When did you and Ziggy become a thing?”

Silas glanced sideways, eyeing his brother. Fuck it. “Before I knew he was my PA.”

The shovel landed on the concrete with a thud. “Seriously?”

Silas emptied his own shovel and rested the blade on the ground so he could lean on the handle and stare at Laken. He kept his expression impassive, despite his amusement at the slack jawed shock Laken wore.

“Yep. We’re engaged.”

He waited for it and let loose his grin at catching Laken by surprise.

“No fucking way!” Laken squeaked loudly.

“Yes, fucking way.”

“What the hell is Laken shouting for?” Booker came charging in, carrying a bale of hay like he was ready to jump in between them.

Laken looked at Booker, pointing at Silas. “He’s engaged.”

“What the fuck?” The bale hit the floor in a plume of dust. “When were you gonna tell me?” Booker scowled at Silas.

“You didn’t know?” Laken glanced between them, wearing a look of disbelief.

“I told you first.”

“Why him?” Booker snapped, his scowl deepening. “And when did you propose?”

“Why not me?” Laken growled, but his eyes glinted with amusement. Clearly he was baiting Booker.

“I didn’t propose, Ziggy did. Last night.”

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