Page 146 of When We Were Us
I take another deep breath and let it out. “I’ve been helping a lot at the ranch, actually. It’s been great learning something new. And there is so much to do.” Hank busts his ass all day every day, and whether he’ll admit it or not, he could really use more help. “Aside from that, I’m not really sure yet.”
“That’s amazing, Wren,” she says. “And besides, isn’t Montana like the cattle ranching capital of the country? They’ve gotta have horses there, too, right? You could do literally anything. You’re incredible at what you do.”
‘That’s Texas, but yes. There are plenty of horses here. And the ranch is amazing, Ginger. His parents and his siblings, they’re all great too.”
“And what about the house? Will you still sell it, or are you gonna stay there and let that man fill you and it with babies?”
That yanks a laugh out of me. “No, Finnley’s buying it. She’s going to turn it into a bed-and-breakfast.”
“Wow. I didn’t see that coming.” She pauses. “But back to you and those babies. If you sell the house, where will you all live?”
A nervous smile tugs on my lips. Watching Finnley with Hudson and Paige over the last two weeks has me feeling things I’ve never felt before. Sure, Finn and Hudson are just friends, but she loves Paige so much. And Hank adores that little girl, too. It’s kind of startling how quickly and drastically everything is hitting me. I want to put a voice to what I’m feeling, but the thought of it being too late for me, for us, is suddenly gut-wrenching.
“We talked about me moving into the cabin with him. It’s small, but I love it here. And besides, I’m a little old for babies, aren’t I?”
“Pshhh! I had Tate and Jordan at thirty-three. You’re only two years ahead of that. “
I laugh then. The thought of having Hank’s babies does something to my insides. My stomach does this funny, little swooping dip thing and my heart squeezes.
My eyes prick with tears. “Stop it, you’re gonna make me cry.”
She laughs. “Well, if nothing else, just think of all the fun you guys will have trying.”
“Ginger.”
She cackles. “Well, it sounds like you've got it all figured out then, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah, I guess I do,” I say softly, looking around the tiny cabin. Eight weeks ago, I never would have imagined this would be what my life would look like.
“I’m so glad you’re happy, Wrenley. Truly. You deserve all the happiness in the world.”
This time, I do tear up. “How’d I get such a good best friend?”
“Because you're a great best friend yourself.”
Ginger and I talk for a few more minutes and I promise to call her as soon as I have an idea of when I’ll be coming back for my stuff. When I hang up, I fall back against the bed, turn, and bury my face in Hank’s pillow, hugging it against my body and breathing in his scent.
CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
hank
I sleptlike shit last night. The hotel bed is lumpy, and I miss having Wrenley pressed against me. I miss her laugh and her long legs wrapped around me as she moans my name. I’ve barely been gone twenty-four hours, and I’ve already jerked off twice thinking about her: once last night and again in the shower this morning.
I’m a fifteen-year-old boy with a perpetual boner. I can’t get enough of her, even when she isn’t here. I tried to get the phone she gave me to connect to the Wi-Fi last night. I sat there with my flip phone clamped between my ear and shoulder, following her instructions, but after almost an hour, we gave up.
Hoping to try again later tonight, I shoot off a text.
7:18am
Hank
How’s my girl this morning?
Wren
Good. Tuck chased a squirrel off into the trees. Waiting for him to come back in.
Hank
