Page 158 of Marry Me, Maybe?
“Dad would have killed him if he knew it then.”
“Yeah. Well, it’s reported now, so he won’t get away with stuff like that anymore.”
He sighed. “At least there’s that, but it makes me angry someone took advantage of my little brother that way.”
“I’m not so little anymore, Car.”
“The fuck you ain’t. You’ll always be my little brother.” Abeat of silence, then his voice softened. “I love you, man. Just wanted you to know that.”
My eyes burned, and I pressed my face into my palm. “Then come home, Car. We’re not a complete family without you.”
His laugh was broken, almost painful. “You think I still can? After everything I did? After all the bridges I torched?”
“Yes.” My voice cracked. “Dad’s not gonna hold it against you. You know he’s not like that. He wants you back. We all do.”
“Maybe that’s exactly why I can’t,” he whispered. “He’ll forgive me, but I have to live with knowing what I did and be reminded of it every single day, and I don’t know if I can live with that.”
I sucked in a ragged breath. My chest hurt. “I just want my brother back, man. At least tell me you’re good.”
“Let’s just say, having millions of dollars isn’t all it’s cracked up to be when you’re all alone in the world.”
“You are not alone. If you’re worried about Ozzie, he’s a really good guy. He won’t hold a grudge either.”
“Yeah, I know. Ozzie’s great like that. God, I was awful to him, and he didn’t deserve it. I didn’t mean it, you know. All the things I said to him. I just needed him to believe it so he would look elsewhere for love.”
“It’s not me you should be telling this to, Carter.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. You’re going through your shit. No need to dump my problems on you.”
“Just know you’re the only one keeping you away. The ranch is always open for second or third chances. I got my second chance here.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m getting married, and I have a beautiful three-year-old daughter I love to bits.”
The line went quiet, then Carter’s laugh came again, softer this time. “Let me guess. The ranch hand you’ve been pining over since the beginning?”
“Yeah.” I smiled despite the tears in my eyes. “I’m tying him down fast so he never leaves me.”
A sudden nip at my shoulder made me jolt, and I glanced back. Hudson stood behind me, sliding his arms around my waist. “I’m not leaving you either way,” he whispered in my ear. “Stop talking bullshit.”
I grabbed his hand and held on to him.
“You should come to my wedding. It’ll be in a month.”
Hudson stiffened behind me. “That’s too soon,” he said softly.
I shook my head and continued speaking into the phone. “It won’t be a big wedding, but it’ll be perfect.”
“Are you kidding me? The Magnuson heir is getting married. The whole town’s going to expect to be invited. Good luck with planning it in a month.”
“We’ll make it happen. Or we elope, since self-solemnization is a thing here in Colorado.”
“Yeah, don’t make that mistake, brother. Mom and Dad will want to be at your wedding. You’re the only kid they can rely on now. Make them proud for both of us, Matty.”
“Car—”
“I have to go.”
