Page 77 of If You Loved Me

“Maybe he didn’t mean to do that.”

A menacing laugh ripped from my throat. “Even now, you would defend him. Why? Because his family has money?” I tossed my hands in the air and let them drop with a slap against my thighs. “You know what? I don’t care anymore because I’ve finally realized that you and dad will never change and I’m not going to be a part of your world. I won’t sacrifice my integrity just to save face with people who don’t care about me. I won’t do it.

“So, get the fuck out of my kitchen, and don’t ever come back here again.” I pointed toward the door, my finger surprisingly steady.

Her mouth popped open like she wanted to say something, but I didn’t waver. I kept my arm outstretched, fingerpointed toward the door until she finally spun on her stiletto heel and left.

When the door slid to a close, I exhaled loudly and my shoulders drooped. Strong arms wrapped around me from behind and I let myself melt into Ranger’s embrace.

“I’m sorry you had to do that,” he whispered against my hair.

“I’m not.” I turned in his arms so I could look into his eyes. “It’s been long overdue. She walked all over me for way too many years. I could have taken it. But not when she started talking about someone I—” Love? Did I love Ranger? Everything I felt for him certainly painted the picture of love. I hated that I couldn’t say it out loud. I hated that I questioned whether or not he felt the same for me. Not because he didn’t show me through his actions, but because I was terrified of letting someone be that close to me.

My gaze darted back and forth between his eyes, the word I wanted to say lodged in my throat. His low chuckle was a balm to my nerves. “You don’t have to say it, sugar. But I feel it too.”

My heart fluttered when his lips grazed mine in a sweet kiss. “We’re definitely crazy,” I murmured against his mouth.

His palms met the sides of my face. “If being crazy means that I get to be with you, then I don’t fucking care.”

I laughed as he pressed a kiss to each one of my cheeks. “Touché, cowboy. Touché.” I reached up and covered his hands with mine. “I think I’m actually looking forward to your surprise this weekend after all that.”

“Me too.”

Chapter 33

Sarah

The next few days were a blur of emotions. On the one hand, it felt good to finally stand up to my mother in defense of Ranger. I wasn’t going to allow her to demean him. He was too good, too amazing to be held under her wrath.

I thought that standing up to her might make me feel more empowered. I’d finally said what I was truly feeling about her and how she treated me. But all I felt was a giant weight lingering over me, supported by a tiny string that might break at any moment. I didn’t want to be crushed, and at the same time, I felt like it almost needed to happen so I could walk away from my parents forever. They caused me too much pain and I was a glutton for punishment.

Ranger could tell something was up with my string of mopey text messages since then, so he opted to invite all my friends out for a night of fun before he and I shared the weekend and whatever surprise he had planned for me. Wewere going line dancing atCowboysand I was ready for a night of distraction.

“Feeling any better?” he asked, driving his truck into the dirt parking lot. Holes in the lot had me jostling side-to-side in the passenger seat.

I looked over at him, feeling a lift in my chest as I took him in. His normal flannel was replaced with a long sleeve black shirt, tucked into dark wash jeans and his leather belt. His black cowboy hat didn’t have a speck of dirt on it. I found myself wanting to climb into his lap and weave my fingers through his long hair. I just wanted it to be us, lost in the feeling of one another.

But my gaze flicked to his window where I saw Johnny and Willow getting out of Johnny’s truck a few cars over.

Shifting my attention back to Ranger, I nodded. “Yeah, a little bit better I think.”

Those stormy blue eyes assessed me. “If you get overwhelmed at all or just want to leave, say the word and we’re out of here.”

I leaned across the center console and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.” Ranger knew I had problems with my parents, but this was the first time he saw my mother in action with her vile words and nasty attitude. It was embarrassing and I didn’t understand how she couldn’t see that. For all the effort she put into maintaining the perfect image, she didn’t seem to care how mean she came across.

As Ranger got out of the truck and came to my side to open the door, I took in a few deep breaths, letting my shouldersfall from all the tension I was carrying. Tonight would be fun. Iwantedit to be fun.

“Come on, sugar.” Ranger lifted me from the seat of his truck and set me down. The smell of leather and fresh grass swirling around me at his closeness. Letting my eyes close for a moment, I held onto his forearms and allowed his presence to ground me.

“Okay, I’m ready.” Hand-in-hand, we rounded the back of his truck and found Willow and Johnny walking toward us. Deacon was getting out of his truck at the end of the parking lot. I waved him over and he made his way.

Willow pulled me in for a hug and said against my neck, “Holding up okay?” I’d called her the night my mother stormed into my work kitchen and debriefed her on everything that had happened. She was furious, of course.

“Yeah,” I breathed. “It feels hard right now, but I know it will be alright eventually.”

If there was anyone in the world who understood complicated family dynamics, it was Willow. I was thankful to have her helping me navigate everything happening with my mother. But I was tired of talking about it. I wanted to forget about everything and enjoy the night.

“Let’s go have some fun,” I said, pulling back from her embrace.

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