Page 56 of Wild Rivals

“Looks like we’re all done here,” Kade says.

I grunt.

“What’s got you so distracted today?”

“Nothing,” I deny, shrugging a shoulder. I’m not telling him about Maddie. I promised her we could keep it under wraps, which means outside of what I’ve already told Grayson, my lips are sealed.

“Yeah, right,” he huffs. “You’ve had at least five shots set up for you today and you’ve taken none of them. Are you sick?” He reaches toward me, the back of his hand aimed at my forehead under the brim of my Stetson before I duck out of his way.

Grayson arrives by our sides just as I’m scowling at Kade. “Don’t start, not now,” he huffs. “We’ve got an hour ride back to the ranch and the last thing I want to do is listen to you both bitch and moan about each other like a couple of schoolkids.”

I open my mouth at the same time as Kade before Grayson gives us a look and I snap mine shut.

“That’s exactly what I’m talking about. Can’t you just behave like the grown-ass men you are?”

He moves between us, shaking his head before he starts the ride back to the yard.

Kade studies me for a beat before following Grayson and grumbling, “There’s definitely something going on with you.”

“Leave it, Kade. He’ll tell us when he’s ready,” Grayson calls.

As I follow them, I consider my options. I haven’t dated anyone seriously in over thirteen years. When I was in my early twenties and wanted to escape my reality, I realized that I could enjoy a woman without having to commit to her. Back then, that was the last thing I wanted.

But with Maddie, that doesn’t feel like enough. If it was, I’d have just walked away or even fucked someone else by now, but she’s been consuming me, and when I’m not with her, I’m thinking about her. It feels weird but at the same time, so right.

When I catch up to Grayson and Kade, I force Bolt into an easy walk as we cover the ground back to the ranch. The natural sounds of Montana in the summer—the buzzing of grasshoppers mingling with the crunch of dry grass under our horses’ hooves—surrounds us until I can’t take the peace and quiet anymore. It’s like being in my own head is suddenly too much.

I can ask them for advice without giving away who it is I’m talking about.

“How did you guys know that it wasn’t just sex anymore?”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Kade’s head snap in my direction. It’s so fast, I’m surprised he doesn’t hurt himself. “Have you met someone? Holy sh⁠—”

When he stops mid-sentence, I imagine Grayson is giving him a look, but I keep my focus on the men moving up ahead. It feels safer that way.

“With Avery, it was always more than sex. I basically handed over my heart the day I met her, but we were kids, so it was different, you know?”

I nod and we fall quiet again.

Apparently having recovered from his surprise, Kade says, “Chloe hit me like a freight train. The second we locked eyes I had this overwhelming need to know everything about her. I went out of my way to spend time with her. The sex was just a bonus because I felt so connected to her.”

Fuck. It’s just my luck that my brothers have found soul connections and can’t relate at all to my situation. Have they seriously never had an intense dislike for someone that turned into something pleasurable? I can’t be the only person this has happened to.

“I’m glad you’ve both found love, but, fuck me, that was not helpful at all,” I huff, my body sagging in my saddle.

We laugh, the sound loud enough to make a few of the ranch hands up ahead turn back.

A lightness sinks into my chest as I pull in a lungful of fresh air. It’s entirely possible that I’m making too much of this. It doesn’t have to be more than this date, not right now. Sure, we’ll no doubt have fun, but we don’t need to label whatever is going on between us. It sure as hell isn’t anything close to what Grayson and Kade have with Avery and Chloe.

Grayson’s the first to fall serious. “Maybe if you tell us what’s going on we can help. I know you mentioned Maddie⁠—”

Fuck. I should have kept my mouth shut. I promised her I’d keep us a secret. Grayson knew already, but I should have known better than to open my mouth in front of Kade.

“Maddie Hart?” Kade shouts, the sound echoing around the mountains that surround us.

I shoot him a look that would topple a weaker man. He holds up a hand, pulling his fingers across his lips, even though his eyes are still wide with his surprise.

“Yes, Maddie Hart,” I confirm before adding, “We slept together.” I hesitate for a beat, as if I should know better. “Three times.”