Page 91 of Butter My Biscuit

It’s been two weeks since Grace and I last crossed the line, and there hasn’t been a single day I haven’t thought about her.

I’m still under the influence of her, but she can’t see that. No matter how fucking clear I try to make it for her. Denial should be her middle name.

“Hello?” I hear a deep voice echo through the barn, and I walk out of the stable to see Cash standing in the entryway.

“There ya are, you silly bastard.” I pull him into a hug.

He’s my older brother’s best friend, and we all grew up together. I had Grace, and Beckett had Cash.

“Excited to see me?” He pats me on the shoulder.

“Not really,” I say with a laugh.

“Beckett!” I yell, my voice carrying through the entryway.

“What?” He comes around the corner and then grins wide when he sees Cash.

“I thought you weren’t gonna make it in town until tomorrow.” Beckett gives him a handshake and pulls him in for a hug.

Cash shrugs, and he looks happy. “I said fuck it. Couldn’t wait to be back home.”

Beckett looks at me. “Must be somethin’ in the water. Did you hear who else is back in town?”

“Nah, who?” He rolls the sleeves of his hoodie up.

“Stephanie Paterson.”

Cash turns and looks at me. “Your ex?”

I shrug. “What can I say? The ladies can’t get enough.”

“That shit is gonna catch up with you one day,” he warns.

“Still waitin’,” I tell him with a shrug.

“Y’all want to ride over to the clinic and check it out? I’ve looked at pictures, but haven’t seen the progress in real life yet.”

“Fuck yeah,” Beckett says.

“I need to finish up with this horse. Can you give me five?”

They nod, and Beckett gives him a tour of the facility as I finish brushing down Deneb, an Arabian beauty I’m currently training. Once she’s back in her stable and I’ve put the saddle and bridle in the tack room, I meet Beckett and Cash in the office.

“Sterling!” Beckett yells as we make our way toward the exit. “You’re in charge.”

He pokes his head from the top loft, where we keep all of the hay. “Sounds good.”

Then, the three of us jump in Cash’s truck and drive over to the facility. When we pass the B-and-B, I see Remi walking to her car with her tote bag over her shoulder.

“Hey, stop,” I tell Cash, then roll down the back seat window, where I’m sitting.

“Hey, sis!” I whistle loud, and her head turns in my direction.

“Harrison?” She looks confused. “Who are you with?”

“Join us at the clinic, doing a walk-through.” I point in the direction.

“Okay!” she yells back.