Page 137 of My Cowboy Freedom
Hey.A text from Sky.Wish to God I’d woken you before I left.
I tucked my head down and thumbed a reply.I’m heading home.
Don’t go.Next, he typed a series of short bursts.Why go? I’ll go. You stay here. You love it here. It’s yours. Christ.
I fat-fingered a reply.You too. You love it. It’s good for you.
DON’T GO.
I hesitated before replying. Hit the phone icon instead and called him. I didn’t want Jackson to overhear so I stepped away. Maisy followed me.
“Rock, what the hell? Are you okay?”
“Good to hear your voice.” His anxiety broke my heart. “You dry yet? That was a real gully washer you boys rode out in.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving?”
“I was going to but then there wasn’t much time and—”
“You couldn’t tell me you had a problem? Maybe I could help you out? You ever think of that?”
“What are you going to do? Beat up my dad for me?” As soon as the words were out of my mouth I regretted them terribly. Not just because Sky’s lack of response told me they hit home, but because of how much more callous they were when I put them together with his past.
“God, I’m sorry. That was—”
“Maybe I deserve that.” He took his time before speaking again. “But I’m good for more than beating people up.”
“Iknowthat,” I practically moaned into the phone. “Oh, honey. I’m stupid. I didn’t think.”
“I’ll be fine, even if I have to go find another job. Your whole life is here and you need to come back homeright now.”
“I’m working on that.” Jackson was staring at me like he was about to weigh in on our conversation.
“Get a lawyer,” said Sky. “You’re an adult. There are government agencies that can help you. Christ. I have some cash and I don’t need more than room and board. I can—”
Jackson’s expression went from regretful to grim and my heart sank. “C’mon son. Let’s get back in the car.”
“I have to go,” I said.
Jackson looked unhappy.
Maybe he had orders where Sky was concerned. He was probably supposed to separate me from other dudes by any means necessary. I wasn’t going to find an ally in Jackson just then. But I had reason to believe he might come around someday.
“I should probably hang up,” I said. “I’ll do what I need to do.”
It was going to be a bitch taking on my family. But I was a manipulative bastard when I needed to be. I was a survivor. I’d proven that over and over.
I had nothing to lose and my whole life to gain.
“You still there?” Sky asked.
“Still here.” I meant the words with my whole being.
Still here. Still solid. Still yours.
I’mwith you.
“I need to hang up now, but I’m sending you a file.”
