Page 75 of The Other Side

Paul eventually came back and collected Thane from Thea’s feet. With a wave, her friend was gone, leaving Thea in the quiet barn as twilight descended on the ranch. Brett and Jess had disappeared, and Thea’s knee was stiff from sitting with her foot propped on a bucket all afternoon.

She stood, stretched her neck from side to side, and started looking for Brett. She’d been caught up in saying her good-byes to Thane and lost track of him.

Limping her way around the barn, voices came from Brett’s office. Well, he called it an office. Thea thought it was more of a closet, but did he really need one when Jess handled all the paperwork?

“I’m over your attitude,” Brett said. “Take it or leave it, Thea isn’t going anywhere.”

Thea sucked in a breath and held it. Could she quietly sneak away without attracting their attention?

“She’ll be out of here in a heartbeat, as soon as she figures out she doesn’t need you anymore.”

“What would it matter to you if she did?”

“Um, you might not remember all your pining when she left, but I do. Don’t get attached this time.”

“Too late,” Brett said.

Thea had only heard that sharpness in his voice once before–when he’d confessed his hatred for his family and all they stood for. But Jess had always been that exception for him. Now, Thea was driving a wedge between him and the only family he cared about.

“You’re making a big mistake,” Jess said.

“Then it’s my mistake to make, but you’re not changing my mind. Get over it.”

“Just wait until she screws you over again.”

“My decision, Jess.” Brett huffed. “I’ll see you later.”

His footsteps were quick and heavy just before he flung open the office door. The furrow in his brow was new, and he didn’t smile when he noticed her.

His chest rose and fell in deep swells. “Let’s get out of here.”

Thea’s throat burned. She’d ruined any chance of trust between them, and Jess was right about all of it.

He stepped around her, intent to keep up his stomping pace, but he turned around and paused, waiting for her.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“Can we go somewhere quiet?”

Thea nodded.

He pulled off his hat and brushed a hand through his hair. “You want to grab dinner and eat at your place?”

“Sure.”

He scooped her into his arms and resumed his quick pace. She didn’t mind being close to him. Not at all. What she did mind was the awkwardness between them after she overheard his conversation with Jess.

He set her on her feet beside the truck and opened the passenger door for her. He didn’t rush her as she climbed in.

After taking his place behind the wheel, he sighed. “Sorry about that.”

“I’m sorry too,” she said.

He parked in front of the dining hall and held up a finger. “I’ll be right back. Wait here.”

Her thoughts wandered in the darkness. She’d known leaving would hurt him. It hurt her too. But how could she make up for what she’d done? She left him at a time when half the town thought he was a murderer.

It wasn’t long before he returned with a large brown paper bag. It was stuffed to the brim with to-go plates. He got in and stashed it in the backseat. “I didn’t know what you wanted, so I got some of everything.”

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