Page 36 of Boss and Brat
That was worse than any explanation. Silence meant decisions were being made without him. Decisions that could end with him back under his father’s control, locked down, watched, and punished. He pressed his palms against his jeans, trying to keep them from shaking.
When they reached the stables, Carter parked and looked straight ahead, not at him. “Work. No trouble. I’ll deal with the rest.”
Ethan nodded fast. “Yes, Boss.”
Carter didn’t correct him. Didn’t soften. Just drove off, gravel spitting under the tires.
Ethan stood there for a second, breathing in the smell of hay and dust, trying to settle the panic clawing at his ribs.
He’s meeting with my father. He’s going to send me back. He’s done with me.The thoughts kept looping, each one worse than the last.
He wiped his palms on his jeans, then wiped them again, unable to stop fidgeting. He forced himself inside.
The horses were already restless, hooves shifting, tails flicking. Work helped. Work always helped. He grabbed a brush and started on Storm first, long strokes down the Arabian’s flank. The rhythm steadied him a little. Storm snorted and nudged his shoulder as if he knew Ethan needed grounding.
“Yeah, I know,” Ethan muttered. “I’m a mess.”
He fed the horses, checked their water, then saddled the ones he’d need for the morning ride. His hands moved on autopilot, but his mind wouldn’t stop spinning.
What if Carter tells him everything? What if he says I’m too much trouble? What if he wants me gone?
He tightened a cinch too hard and had to redo it. His pulse wouldn’t slow.
The barn door creaked.
Ethan turned—and froze.
Tomás strolled in as if he owned the stables, a smirk already in place. “Morning, sunshine.”
Ethan’s jaw clenched. “Get out.”
Tomás stepped closer, hands in his pockets, eyes gleaming with that same smugness that always made Ethan want to swing. “Heard you moved in with the cowboy. Cute.”
“Leave,” Ethan said, voice low.
“Relax. I’m just checking on my favorite thief.”
Ethan shoved him. Hard. “I said get out.”
Tomás stumbled back, then shoved him right in the chest. “You gonna cry to your new daddy?”
Heat shot up Ethan’s back. He grabbed Tomás by the shirt, ready to slam him into the stall door, but another ranch hand, Miguel, rushed in and wedged himself between them.
“Enough,” Miguel snapped. “Both of you. Knock it off.”
Tomás smoothed his shirt, still smirking. “See you around, princess.” He walked out as if he hadn’t just lit Ethan’s nerves on fire.
Miguel gave Ethan a look. “You good?”
Ethan nodded, even though he wasn’t. “Yeah. Thanks.”
Miguel left him alone to finish working.
Ethan leaned against Storm’s stall, chest tight, breath shaky. “If Carter hears about this… if he thinks I’m causing trouble… he’ll send me back for sure.” He pressed his forehead against the wood, eyes closed. He’d never been more scared of losing a place or a person in his life.
Chapter Fifteen
Carter drove toward the Evans estate with the windows cracked, morning air cutting across his face. He tried to focus on the road, but his mind kept circling the same damn thing—Ethan. Not the job. Not the ranch. Ethan.
