Page 17 of Promise You Forever

“Within two months but can be as short as a couple weeks though. It really depends on several factors, none of which you should have to worry about.”

“It could really help with the upcoming field study,” she says to Eli’s dad.

Jesus Christ.

I cannot sit here and listen to these two self-obsessed idiots talk about fucking rocks while their daughter is upset and crying twenty feet away. Goddamn monsters.

I leave the room and step out into the cool, fall air. Eli is standing with her arms wrapped around her stomach as she cries. She looks over, and her expression darkens when she sees me.

“Go away.”

“Don’t think I will.” I walk over beside her.

“Did you know about this?” Her voice holds the sharp edge of accusation.

“I had no clue. You know everything I’ve known.”

“How are we supposed to share the ranch? What does that even mean?”

“I guess we’ll have to work together.” I bend over and prop my elbows on the rail. “Unless you want to sell.”

“Absolutely not.” Her answer comes with zero hesitation, lightening the weight that had settled around my shoulders. “I love this place too much to sell.”

“Good.”

We stand in silence for a few minutes, both of us lost in thought.

“Luke?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m going to have to put Gramps in a home, aren’t I?” Her voice breaks. “I can’t do that. Not alone,” she says as she shakes her head back and forth. “He’s going to hate it. Even if he knew before, he won’t remember, and he’s going to hate me.”

“Shhhh.” I straighten and wrap her in my arms for the first time in years. Fuck, does it feel good. “You don’t have to do any of this alone. Even when you hate me, I’ll be right here with you.”

Her fingers tighten in my shirt as she cries against my chest. I’ll stand here as long as she needs, until I’m old and gray. The sight of her fiancé walking up the steps toward us makes me pull her closer. His narrowed eyes drift down to where her arms encircle my waist, disappearing under my suit jacket.

“Eliana.”

She stiffens at the sound of his voice but pulls out of my arms. Her fingers swipe at the tears gathering on her lashes. “Hey,” her voice is shaky, but she goes to him.

“What happened?” He eyes me warily. “Did he say something to upset you?”

I barely restrain an eye roll at that. Why would she hug me if I had upset her?

“No, not at all. It’s just what the attorney told us.” She starts to pull him away. “I’ll fill you in, but I need to walk.”

“Bobby,” I call out to him. “Careful of your shoes out there. Lots of dog shit, wouldn’t want you to ruin a pair.”

“Brandon,” he corrects me with afuck youexpression.

“Right.” I give him a fakefuck yousmile right back.

The way he always uses her full name sounds so patronizing. It makes me want to slam my fist into his face. He probably wouldn’t even know how to fight back.

“Mr. Stone?” I turn to see the attorney standing behind me. “I have a few things for you to sign.”

“Sure.”

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