Page 152 of My Cowboy Freedom
Smug bastard.
The first thing I noticed was the bruise on his cheek. The next thing was a pair of arms, open and waiting. I couldn’t help myself. I raced Elena to fill them and positively shoved her out of the way when it came time to kiss him.
Because there should be more kissing in the world—especially if that kissing concerns Rock.
More kissing. More laughter. More Rock, who is practically made of those things, and every other good thing I could think of just then.
Rock. Who had gotten himself home without us.
Maisy barked and Elena cried. I tried not to wear emotions on my sleeve but I was awful damned relieved to see him. We were all babbling at once.
“Why didn’t you answer your phone? I was so worried.”
“They took it.” He looked from Elena to me. “Jackson confiscated it that first night. Well. I let him.”
My blood boiled to hear such a thing. “Why?”
Elena said, “You shouldn’t have gone with him.”
“I couldn’t make my stand over the phone, Sky. They’re my parents. We needed to talk.”
“You”—Elena gave Sky a little shake before she let him go—“are growing up.”
“Glad everything’s okay now.” I stared at the bruised cheek.
“I’m sorry.” Rock whispered the words in my ear.
“You’re home now. That’s all that matters.” Elena let Rock go. “How did you even get here? Are you hungry? I have tamales in the freezer. Or I could fry up some burgers.”
“Whoa.” He dropped his backpack. “I’m here to stay, and thanks, but I ate on the road. Jackson brought me. I made him drop me off at the gate.”
“All right.” She scooted him over to the table and pushed him into a chair. “All right. Just sit there and let me look at you.”
“This Jackson the one who hit you?” I asked.
Rock shook his head. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”
“But—”
“I told them I’m never going to be who they want me to be. It took some convincing.”
I stiffened.
“It’s done, Sky. Let it go.”
“I’m going to need more wine.” Elena turned away to top off her glass.
Rock leaned over and spoke in my ear. “Hey.”
“Hey.” I tore my gaze from the mark on his face. I had to trust him. If he said he was okay, then he was okay. “We sure missed hearing your music around here.”
He winked. “I missed you too, Sky.”
“What really happened up there?”
The thunder of cowboy boots on the porch steps was all the warning we had before Foz, Tad, and the rest of them burst through the door.
“Wait up for me,” he whispered urgently. “I’ll come to your room later and we’ll talk.”
