Page 52 of Chasing Forever
“Always.”
He nudges Gunner forward, and Echo falls into step beside them. The two of us ride side by side toward the watercolor-painted sky.
I have no idea what we’re doing, but one thing is for sure. I’m not ready for it to be done yet.
Chapter Twenty-One
Brooks
I’m in my barn Thursday night after my shift, working on the truck for my client. My thoughts haven’t stopped focusing on Lottie since Monday. As much as I’m still ready to take Moore to the ground for making her upset, there’s a twisted part of me that’s thankful. Because that look on her face? That flinch like she missed me? It cracked her armor. Showed me I’m right to keep pushing for these damn dates. She’s not uninterested—she’s scared. Scared to start something new. Scared to trust me with her heart.
A car crunches down the gravel path and stops in front of the house. Mack perks up, ears stiff, but doesn’t move. The woman getting out isn’t someone he cares to greet. Which says a hell of a lot. Mack loves everybody.
She stands, scanning the property, eyes locking on me in the barn doorway. I go back to the truck, tightening a bolt I’ve already torqued twice. Her footsteps get louder, and just like that, whatever peace I’d carved out tonight evaporates.
My chest tightens. I brace myself. Bet my dad sent her here on some mission to knock some sense into me.
“You’re not answering my calls,” my mom says, walking in as if this is her property and sitting down at my workbench.
“Your voicemails mentioned why you’re calling. I’m not interested in hearing your opinion on my marriage.”
She scoffs. “Please, you’re not really married to her.”
“I am.” I wipe my hands on a rag. “Want to see the marriage license?”
“This town talks.”
And there it is.
I grab another wrench from the set, wishing she’d leave me the hell alone. “Just say what you came here to say.”
“You’re the town fool.”
I shove the wrench back into the drawer harder than necessary, trying not to blow. My parents preach respect but never model it. I was always the disappointment. The loud one. The bruised-knuckle kid brought home in the same kind of squad car I drive now. Always getting the speech about character, the family name, why I couldn’t be more like my brother.
“I see you’re upset. I didn’t come here to upset you. But someone needs to tell you that this is a fool’s errand. She’s not going to soften toward you. I heard about the deal and the dates. Why the hell are you trying this hard for that girl?”
Her voice has changed since my dad became mayor. She wasn’t always like this. She used to be Mom. The one who wrapped me in hugs after my father’s explosions, whispering to Holden and me that we weren’t screwups. She took the worst of his cruelty and still found a way to love us. But now? Now she’s like him and somehow that feels worse. He’s always been who he is, but once upon a time, my mom was a good woman.
I stay quiet. Not because I don’t have something to say, but because I might say something I can’t take back. She doesn’t deserve my restraint, but I give it anyway. I know what weaponized words feel like. I watched my dad sharpen them into knives and throw them at us, not caring where they landed and how badly they hurt. I will never become him.
“I’ve seen the way you look at her. Since the first time Holden brought her home.”
“She wasn’t a stranger. She’s Ben’s cousin. She’s lived in this town her whole damn life. Same as us.”
She claps her hands for Mack to come to her. He doesn’t budge. Good boy. “You know what I mean,” she presses. “Your father pitted you and Holden against each other your entire lives, and you see her as some kind of prize?—”
“Fucking hell, Mom.” I slam my fist onto the top of the truck. That’s it. I’m done playing nice.
“Brooks,” she snaps, sharp and stern, as if I’m thirteen again.
I don’t flinch. “I love her, and you know it. You always have. So stop making excuses as if she’s to blame for what Holden did.”
She leans back, arms crossed, eyes narrowed. Her silence isn’t thoughtful but rather judgmental. “Your father… the election?—”
“I don’t give one fuck about either of those things.”
“That was clear when you were seen talking to Greg Miller.”
