“I think you need a good ass kicking.”

“You wouldn’t.”

He glances at the boys and smiles. “You’re right. I wouldn’t.”

He stops moving, and my heart settles. Maybe I’m not in trouble.

Before I can say another word, he rushes toward me, catching me completely off guard, grabs my legs, and throws me over his shoulders. “Zach!”

The earth spins beneath me as he twirls me around. I’m going to kill him. “Say you’re sorry.”

“Never!” I yell as I grow dizzy.

“Say it!”

“Put me down, you giant jerk!”

He slaps my ass. “Say you’re sorry and that you wish you were named Wilber.”

Logan and Cayden’s laughter fills my ears as Zach continues to spin. “Fine!” I yell as my vision blurs. “Sorry that your parents named you Wilber!”

“I don’t think so.”

I laugh and hold on to his waist as he goes faster. My light brown hair floats around me, but all I hear are the boys cheering him on. I don’t care if we look ridiculous. For the first time in a very long time, we’re all happy. The boys are laughing, happy, playful, and I’m feeling the same way.

“Say it, Mom!”

I slap Zach’s legs, and he stops. “I’m sorry and I wish I could be as cool as you and have my name be Wilber.”

“Good girl,” Zach says as he puts me back on solid ground. He doesn’t let go as everything around me spins uncontrollably. My feet stumble, but Zachary’s arms are around me in an instant. I hold on to his broad shoulders and fight back the urge to kiss him.

I bite my lip to stop myself, but I see the desire pooled in his eyes. There’s no denying the attraction between us. It’s been weeks of spending the nights together, chasing away the demons.

“I’m going to fall.”

“I won’t let you.”

I look into his blue eyes, searching for anything to tell me different, but I don’t find it. “I—” I start to say, but Zach saves me.

“Now.” His voice echoes. “You ready for me to show you who the ruler really is?”

Logan hoots. “Team Zach!”

“Team Mom,” Cayden’s unenthusiastic voice calls out.

“Cay!” I say with my hands on my hips. This kid. I gave birth to him, the least he can do is pretend to be on my team.

He shrugs. “Sorry, Mom. I want Zach to beat you.”

“Kids,” I say and then head over to grab the horse.

Shortstop is saddled up next to Zach’s horse. I go around, checking my saddle and all, making sure no one is trying to sabotage me. I put nothing past these boys.

Zach brushes his front against my back as I’m bent over checking the horse’s hoofs. “Sorry,” he jests with a grin.

“Keep it up, Cowboy.”

He does it again and the deep timbre of his voice vibrates. “You know how much I like it when you call me that.”

I take a few steps back and peek over at the boys who are immersed in some argument. It also helps having a very large animal blocking their view. I saunter up to him, run my finger down his chest, and enjoy the way he shudders. “I do know this. Maybe tonight I’ll call you it without anyone around.”

Zach’s head falls back, and his hands grip my arms. “You’re going to make me crazy.”

“Not as much as watching you right now is making me.”

I’m so enjoying this. His eyes travel down and rest on my chest. I flex a little, puffing my breasts out. My tight, white tank top leaves little to his imagination, plus his mouth was on them less than twelve hours ago. We’ve been tempting that line for the last week, and I notice he’s growing more desperate. But right now, this isn’t so much sexual as part of my plan.

“Fucking killing me, Pres.”

And it’s working.

“Awww,” I croon. “Is it going to be kind of . . . hard . . . to ride?”

His eyes flash to mine. Recognition flashes as he figures out my game. “You play dirty.”

I smirk. “I play to win.” Zach adjusts himself while grumbling under his breath. “Time to race, boys!”

I hop on Shortstop and Zach drops his chin and his lip twitches. “You’re dead.”

“You’re not on your horse yet, Zach.” I cock my head to the side. “What’s wrong?”

“Some things never change,” Zach mutters as he goes around walking funny.

I head over to the starting point as Zach struggles slightly to get on his horse. Well, no reason that the race can’t start now. “Call it, Cayden!”

“Ready.”

“No!” Zach yells.

“Set.”

“Presley! Don’t cheat!” he calls out as he finally gets on the horse.

“I’m not the one starting it.” I smile innocently.

“Go!” Cayden says, and I’m off.

One misstep and Zach will easily catch me. I ride as fast as Shortstop will go toward the tree. Wyatt, Cooper, Zach, and I used to race all the time. Wyatt always beat us. I swear he cheated somehow. There was only one race when I actually came close. But Zach and I were pretty neck and neck. There’s a way to turn and get the most traction, but I can’t remember if it’s left or right.

“Come on, Shortstop.” I spur him on. We fly through the trail without focusing on anything but us. I need to use the time I got. Plus, I want to win.

The tree comes into my view and I hear Zach’s voice behind me.

“Better watch, darlin’. I’m coming.”

“Shit.”

I lean forward and slap Shortstop’s back, hoping he’ll fly faster.

I take the turn and Zach is right on my heels. “I’m gonna get ya,” he taunts.

The end is in sight. I want to win, but he’ll never let me.

We come to the trail that widens so we’re side by side. We both surge forward and the boys yell and jump up and down.

No matter who wins the actual race. I think I’ve won much more.

According to Logan, Zach won. Cayden, of course, doesn’t dispute, just so I lose for once. Little shits.

Zach does his own victory dance and the boys join in. I laugh, watching the three of them behave like dorks. After they’re done with the taunting and celebrating, we all go on a ride. The boys handle the horses with ease. He’s done such a great job with them. They sit tall and maintain control the entire time.

“Can you guys race again?” Logan asks as we put the horses in their stalls.

“I think Zach has to work,” I explain.

“He’s a lot of fun, Mom.”

I smile. “Yeah, he is. I’ve known him a long time.”

He leans back against the wall. “Wyatt told me. He said you and Zach were boyfriend and girlfriend for a long time.”

Oh, Jesus. Well, I guess it was going to come out sooner or later. “Yeah.” I smile. “We were for a long time. Then I met your dad.”

Logan nods as if he understands. I sit and wait for his next question because I see the wheels turning. His mind goes non stop and I can never be too prepared. Cayden and Zach are still in the corral, and I want to give him the answers he’s searching for. Logan is a tender heart. He’s missing his dad, and I’ve probably done a shitty job of helping him through that.