Moonlight Rose, Texas, 2015
Shane, twenty-three years old
“So, you’re a football player?” Ren asked as he made one more turn, which opened onto the narrow road leading to the ranch. A big sign said Rising Star, and fuck if it didn't make my heart beat faster and my hands sweaty. I couldn't believe I was finally there. “Dude?” he asked again, bringing me back to the conversation.
“Yeah, at the University of Houston.”
Ren whistled loudly. “That’s great, man. Good enough to go pro?”
“I’m still thinking about it.” I was the star quarterback and had offers, but I wasn’t sure professional was for me. Great way to have a good, comfortable life, but to make any final decisions, I needed to come here first.
Ren nodded and opened the window more, allowing the breeze to slip in, and a moan of pleasure almost left me. The hot Texas summer was making me sweat like a pig, and the car had no air-conditioning. How people survived without it here was beyond me.
“It’s an important decision.” I was surprised how talkative the guy was with a complete stranger. He and I met just two hours ago in the town’s small airport. No transport went to the ranch directly, but luckily for me, Ren offered to give me a lift; as it turned out, he lived and worked there. The guy didn't shut up about how great nature, horses, and everything else having to do with ranching were, which I didn't give a shit about. Mostly, I just nodded or said a word here and there.
Maybe I should be more friendly and grateful to him. Talking was better than thinking about what awaited me in a few minutes. “What about you?”
Ren laughed and shook his head while he wiped some of the sweat from his forehead. “No, never had the desire to go to college. Love everything about ranching, and besides, I’m getting married soon.”
My eyebrows rose at his words. The dude was my age and already wanted to tie the knot? Was he insane? As much as I liked to have fun with the opposite sex, no way in hell did I want to cuff myself to one of them and live happily ever after. Who needed that shit when they were young?
“As long as you’re sure, man.” My voice held zero enthusiasm.
“Oh, I’m sure. Knew she was the one since high school.” He looked at me with warmth in his gray eyes. “We’re each other’s one and only. Proposed last year, and the wedding is in a few weeks.” Fuck, the dude only had one girl in his entire life? That just convinced me more he was out of his fucking mind. How could you decide someone was for you if you had never been with anyone else?
Unfortunately, I couldn't keep my mouth shut.
“And you never wonder what it’s like to be with someone else?”
His hand tightened on the steering wheel as he blushed. “No,” he muttered.
Yeah, right. Okay then.
“So you’ve worked on the ranch since high school?” A change of subject was the best option in that situation.
“Actually, I grew up here. My parents died in a plane crash when I was ten, and their friends, Hawk and Beth, took me in. Maggie and I were childhood friends, and they made me part of their family.”
My hands tightened into fists at the mention of Hawk and that he’d raised someone else’s son. Based on Ren’s tone and happiness about ranching, they did a good job of welcoming him into the family. I swallowed down the resentment burning inside me. “Maggie?”
Ren furrowed his brows at my tense voice. “Yeah, their only daughter. She’s away in college now. Should be back in a week for the wedding preparations.” It didn't escape my notice how his voice hitched at her name, but maybe I was reading too much into it.
Finally, the truck stopped. Ren took out the key and turned to me. “We’re here.”
“Yeah, we are,” I replied, opening the door and praying to God I wasn't about to make the biggest mistake of my life.
One Hour Later
The front door shut loudly behind me as I quickly went down the steps and cursed, only then realizing I had no means to run away. What the fuck would I do?
“Shane,” Hawk said behind me, and everything froze. I shut my eyes, trying to block it. This reunion wasn’t going the way I had planned in my head.
The word nightmare seemed more fitting for the whole fiasco that happened inside the house.
“Forget it. I’m sorry I came here.”
“I didn’t know,” he said regretfully. “Please stay.”
Shaking my head, I finally turned around, struck once again by the resemblance between us. “I can’t.” I swallowed the bile in my throat. “Not after what happened in the living room.”
His eyes darkened, remembering his wife’s tears and screams. “I need time to think. I had no clue… I just had no fucking clue,” he finished, not really knowing what else to add. He ran his hand over his face, and took car keys from his pocket.
“Take the car. There is a motel in town. You can do whatever you want, but promise to come tomorrow and talk. Please.” His eyes pleaded, and part of me, the part that always wanted to know him, almost listened and stayed. The other part wanted to get the fuck out of that town and forget I ever learned about his existence.
But he was right, I needed to come and talk. Otherwise, it all would have been for nothing.
My hand caught the keys, and with one last glance at him, I climbed into the truck and made my way to the city.
What have I done?