Austin sat in the shadowy back of a no-name bar in a no-name town. It physically hurt to watch Hayden sing, to hear and see the most beautiful woman in the world and know deep down that hunting season wasn’t open. Tonight, like every time they’d bumped into each other—on purpose or by design—since the day at the police station, was going to be all about catch and release.

He was prepared to try one more time before he listened to his cousin’s advice and quit torturing himself for his own mental wellbeing.

Ever since he’d encountered her at the Crispy Biscuit and started this chain of hook ups he’d been responding to the emails she’d sent him. Getting to know each other on a deeper level when falling into bed wasn’t an option. Though of course they’d had some sexy chats too. He’d also shared more stories about his family when she asked how they were. How could she love them all so much but not want to be part of their clan? Didn’t she realize that’s what he was offering her? Not only all of himself, but the rest of them, too. They asked about her constantly.

Probably because he’d turned into a lovesick fool.

Hayden was willing to sacrifice not only his affection but that of his family to pursue her career and achieve her independence. If she was that serious, he doubted anything he said would make a difference.

He’d spent an unhealthy amount of time dreaming up schemes to get her back before tossing them in the trash. The reality was, nothing would work until she decided he was good for her. Given her previous disaster of a relationship, she might never believe—as he did—that their bond could elevate them both. It wasn’t the kind of dynamic where one of them rose while the other was ground beneath someone’s boot.

Mesmerized by Hayden, he didn’t quite realize the applause reverberating around him signaled the end of her show instead of a gap between songs. He blinked and she was gone. What the hell?

It took him a second to find her in the dim area around her brightly lit stage. She dodged other patrons as she weaved through the crowd, headed straight for him.

“Hey!” She flung herself into his arms. Of course he caught her. “I wasn’t quite sure if that was you. The lights were in my eyes. I’m so glad you’re here.”

“I—” He bit his tongue to keep from admitting that he’d missed her. “Just happened to be in the area and figured I’d stop by for a bit. You were great. Always are.”

“Thanks. I think I’m finding my groove. Have the set list worked out better and I got some sound equipment so I can play some bigger, louder places. I picked up my campervan this morning.” She beamed. “It reminds me of being in your rig. I like that.”

“I liked that, too.” The sight and sound of her naked and coming beneath him as well as the long conversations they’d shared on the road were always in the back of his mind when he drove these days.

“Want to stay a little longer and christen it with me?” She blushed, toying with the top button of his shirt as she asked.

He forced himself to ask the question that could steal an epic night from him. But the more he mulled it over, the more he thought Bryant might have been right. “And in the morning?”

“I’ll make sure you’re up early enough to head out to your delivery. I’ve got a gig in the other direction tomorrow night, so I need to move on myself. Don’t worry.”

She didn’t get it at all. That was his worry. They kept travelling different directions in life. How could their destinations be the same? He wasn’t about to settle for waving and honking or even a quickie each time they crossed paths on the open road. It wasn’t enough anymore.

If he couldn’t have everything, he couldn’t bear to remind himself of what he couldn’t keep.

“I’m sorry, Hayden. I can’t.” He literally could not. It would devastate him to keep letting her go. “I’m so proud of you for making this dream come true. I hope your new life is everything you ever wanted.”

That wasn’t sarcasm or bitterness seeping through either. He genuinely wished at least one of them was happy. It wasn’t going to be him, so it might as well be her.

“Did I say something wrong?” Her brows drew together. “Isn’t that why you came tonight?”

He shook his head. “That’s not what I was looking for.”

“I didn’t mean to mislead you. You know how I feel. I thought you were okay with that.”

No, it was just that he’d been willing to settle for something, anything, if it meant he could cling to hope for their future. That wasn’t her problem. “Hey, you were always honest about being a solo act. No hard feelings. I wish you the best of luck. You deserve to live your dream.”

“What’s your dream?”

“If you’re ever ready to settle down again, come back to Compass Ranch and we can figure that out together.” He cupped her cheeks between his hands and held her steady as he gave her one final kiss. Hopefully she could feel every bit of his heart, which he poured into it.

“Drive safe, wherever the road takes you,” she murmured as he walked out of the door and out of her life, for good.