Page 35 of Bronco
“We need to talk,” Bronco says as soon as he sees me.
I gesture for him to enter the apartment. I don’t want an audience for this particular conversation. How is it that just yesterday morning I was waking up in his arms and feeling so happy?
He steps inside, crosses his arms over his broad chest, and glares at me. He looks like he didn’t get any more sleep than I did, but the difference is he still looks amazing despite the sleepless night.
“It’s okay,” I tell him as soon as he’s inside. “You don’t owe me any explanations. I understand exactly what happened. I’m his kid sister, and you got stuck with me. A responsibility you never wanted or asked for.”
He rakes his hand through his hair and steps close to me, invading my space and reminding me of that night I spent being held. “It’s not like that.”
I force myself to smile and let him off the hook. It’s not his fault I got my stupid heart broken. “I know you’re trying to spare my feelings. But it’s okay. I’m a big girl. I understand what you had to do.”
He stares at me for a long moment, hurt that I don’t even understand etched onto his features. “Do you have any idea how much it hurts me that you won’t let me love you?”
“Bronco…”
He puts his hand on my face, cupping my cheek, his thumb caressing my lip. “Don’t say anything. I love you. And if you don’t work through what’s going on in your head, then just know that I’m going to ache for you, for us, and everything that we could have been, for the rest of my life.”
I’m caught off guard by his confession. He loves me? Is that true?
He presses a soft kiss to my forehead. “I’m not going to stop fighting for you, Lauren. I’m never going to stop fighting.”
Then he turns and leaves my apartment. I watch him retreat, more confused than ever. Bronco’s a good man. He’s honorable, and he’s never lied to me. But is it possible he’s just confused responsibility with love?
My heart breaks all over again at the question. Why did he have to show up here? I was planning on making it through this day just fine, but then here he is.
I manage to hold it together until I retreat to the employee break room mid-morning to sob. Officially I’m eating some pre-packaged donuts, but unofficially I just needed a few minutes to cry and pretend that my heart isn’t completely shattered.
“Damn, you look rough,” Ryan says when he comes into the room and spots me. He sits down next to me on the bench, our shoulders touching. “Do you want to talk about it?”
I shrug. “It’s really complicated. What about you? Have you talked to Joyce yet? She’d be lucky to have you.”
He swallows hard. “I haven’t talked to her yet. There’s a difference between belonging and being wanted, you know?”
“Exactly.” I sniff and give a little hiccup. “You can belong without being wanted.”
Ryan nods. “It’s my greatest fear. I mean, if you were in my shoes, would you tell her?”
I hesitate, because I’m not sure I’m that brave. But I look to him and tell him the truth. “Joyce is going to love having you as her grandson. She deserves to know about you.”
“I’ll think about it,” he finally says. “Are you sure you don’t want to talk about it? I’m a good listener, and I got two shoulders you can cry on.”
I force a smile I don’t feel. “Thanks. I think I’d like to be alone right now.”
He stands and plucks a donut from the package. “Well, come find me if you need a friend.”
“Okay. What’s going on?” Aunt Elaine finally asks two days later. She’s called me into her office under the guise of talking about the success of the auction. “You’ve been moping around, and Bronco will not stop calling me for updates about how you’re doing. What’s this about?”
I swallow hard. “I’m sorry. I can make him stop calling you.”
“I don’t care about that,” she says. “I just want you to be happy. He says he loves you. I don’t understand. I thought you were sweet on him. What am I missing?”
“I’ve always been in love with him,” I tell her miserably.
“Then what’s the problem? He adores you too.”
“It’s not that simple.” I blow out a deep breath, knowing she won’t let this go. Then I stop and explain the whole story with Vale and how Bronco promised to look after me. “It’s the same situation with you and my mom all over again.”
She frowns and comes around her desk. She leans against the solid wood oak and crosses her ankles. “Tell me what you know about your mom and what happened with her.”
