Yeah, we had a different plan, but this is a chance of a lifetime. There’s a thousand people in line behind me who would kill for this deal. I step closer, and she doesn’t retreat. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Then tell me this isn’t over. We can find a way.”

She steps close, kisses me, and then takes a huge step back. “I wish we could. But I’ve lived the last two years in a long-distance relationship with you. I know what it takes. I won’t do that again.”

“Fine, then we’ll take a break while you finish.”

“A break?” She closes her eyes. “And what? We see other people?”

“I don’t know. We can see how it goes.” In the back of my mind, I know it won’t work. Not because we don’t love each other, but it’s a whole different world. I’ve talked to guys who went to the majors and none of their relationships lasted. “I’m willing to try.”

She wipes the tears that fall. “I want a life with you, Zach. Not to spend the next few years apart while I sit around waiting for phone calls again.” Presley places the engagement ring in my hand. “I will always love you, but goodbye, Zach.”

Before I can say anything else, she’s running away. I could chase her. I want to chase her, but my feet don’t move. I watch the love of my life leave, and I don’t do a damn thing.

Presley

“C AN YOU HEAD OVER TO the Hennington ranch today?”

I look at Cooper as if he’s grown another head. He knows that’s the last place I want to go. “Why can’t Wyatt go get the horses? It’s his family.”

“Listen, it’s business. We bought two more horses from the Henningtons. I need Wyatt out in the pasture. The other men are busy, and you work for me.” Cooper tries so hard to be stern.

I giggle. “That was almost convincing.”

“I’m not joking. You need to be there before five.”

It’s been two weeks since the last time I saw Zach. Two weeks and not a peep. It’s like one step forward and two steps back with us. I thought we were getting somewhere in the truck, and then he ruined it by kissing me. We have these moments of clarity only to have it eclipsed by the past.

“Coop, I can’t.” I go through possible excuses in my mind. He’ll know that I’m lying, but there’s not a chance in hell it’s happening.

“I’m not asking.”

“I’m not going.”

“It’s not all about you and your love life, Presley. Some of us had no choice. Some of us had to give up our dreams to face reality. Now it’s time for you to grow up and face yours.”

What does he know about reality? I’ve been in hell, waiting for things to be a little easier. But no, every time I feel an ounce of relief, something else happens. “Wow, it must be nice to sit in your ivory tower and judge me. You think I haven’t had to grow up? Live a real life? You think I didn’t have dreams that didn’t pan out? Wake the fuck up.”

I stand and Cooper rolls his eyes. “So what if you had to come back home?”

“I didn’t come back home, Cooper. I lost everything . Every single thing that I had in my life. I lost it all. My husband, bakery, home, friends, the kids’ school, you name it . . . it’s gone. So tell me what reality you think I’m not facing, dear brother.”

Cooper and I were close as kids. Being only two years apart meant we spent a ton of time together. Between him dating my girlfriends and teaming up with the Hennington boys to torment me, we were always in the same space. Plus, we had to help with the ranch. But this guy. This angry man isn’t the Cooper I knew.

“I’m not going to argue with you.”

“Yes,” I demand, “you are. I want my brother back.”

“Fine.” His hands rise and fall. “You left all of us, Presley. You didn’t just leave to go to college. You left. You never came back to visit or check on your family. I didn’t even know your husband until after you were married. Let alone ever get to know my nephews. They’re how old? This is the first time I’ve spent any time with them—ever.”

I can imagine it hurt him. But I never knew it did this much. I always assumed Cooper was mad about not being able to leave here. “You were welcome at my home any time.”

“I didn’t want to come there. I wanted you to come home. This is your home. This is where you had an entire life you’ve pretended didn’t exist.” As angry as he appears to be, I can hear the underlying sorrow.

Tears pool as his words cut like knives. I never wanted to hurt my brother or my family. I couldn’t come back here. I didn’t want to face the people who said Zach and I were crazy and too young. Seeing the pity and hearing their whispers was something I knew I couldn’t endure.

“It wasn’t like that. I couldn’t come home and deal with the rumors.”

“Who cares what the hell people think? If you would’ve given anyone a chance, you would’ve known everyone was sad for you. But you never gave anyone a damn chance to show you that. You hid away and created a new life where none of us were welcome.”

Cooper’s right. I should’ve come home after the first time I visited. I excluded everyone in this town from my life. My parents, my brother, and anyone who had any connection to Zachary. I didn’t want to think about him. Just hearing his name was like someone ripping my heart from my chest.

I’ve gone from hearing apologies for months to saying them constantly. “I’m sorry, Coop. I really am. I love you.” I step forward and grab his arm. “It was easier to avoid.”

I see the fight go out in Cooper’s eyes. “It might have been for you. But it hurt like hell to lose my sister.”

All I want is to feel normal again. I don’t want tension with Cooper or anyone else. My brother has been there for the boys since we’ve been back. I want us to be back to what we once were. “I’m so sorry I hurt you.” My honesty is in each syllable. “Can we move on? Can we find a way to be close again?”

“Yeah,” he says with a smile. “You can shovel the stables for the next month, and I’ll find a way to love you again.”

“No way!” I laugh.

Cooper tugs me into his embrace. “I would’ve been there for you. I’m always here. Stop being so stubborn and let us help you.”

I sink into my brother’s arms and let go. “I’m so angry. I’m so sad.”

He holds me tight. “I know, Pres. It’s going to be okay.”

I let him console me because I’m too tired to pretend anymore. And with Cooper, I don’t have to.

“Y OU DIDN’T REALLY THINK YOU could hide forever, did you?” Wyatt says, leaning against the post. “That’s the best part about small towns—they’re small.”

I’ve been able to dodge him for the most part. Keeping things really short and business oriented. “I’m not hiding.”

He flashes a quick grin. “You’re hiding a lot more than you’re willing to admit.”

“Well, if I told you then it would defeat the purpose.”