Page 84 of Ride the Sky

“You did. You’ll be running laps by Christmas,” she teases.

“Running laps right out of town.”

She gives me her trademark big sister frown. “Are you still sulking that you have to live with Wyatt?”

“Yes.” I groan. “It’s awful. He hovers. And fusses. And skulks in the night.”

And shares my bed. And cooks for me. And helps me dress. It’s like having a fun slutty sleepover with a cowboy I want to strangle on the daily.But I decide to conveniently leave out those parts. The warm, fluttery stomach parts.

Even I knew sharing a bed was a bad idea. Because with Wyatt and I, one time is never one time. The last seven mornings I’ve woken refreshed from sleep, no nightmares.

When Wyatt is close, everything stills. I feel like my body isn’t brittle and broken. I feel safe. I can actually fucking sleep without dreams. And being curled up beside a hard body is definitely a bonus.

At least one thing we’ve avoided is sex. So far, temptation hasn’t gotten the better of us. So there, stupid non-existent feelings.

Dakota presses her lips together to hide a laugh. “He’s practically a serial killer.”

“We’re divorcing,” I blurt, and Dakota startles. “After PT,” I say with more calm. “We’ll get a divorce.”

“Is that what you want?”

I glance down at my cinnamon roll, feeling the weight of my sister’s gaze. Something uncertain wobbles in my stomach. “It’s what has to happen.”

“And after that?” Dakota asks.

“I don’t know. I have to do something.” I prop my chin in my palm. “I’m bored.”

“Get a hobby.”

“I have horses, I can’t afford hobbies.”

“You don’t need horses right now, Fallon,” Dakota says, her voice tinged with pain.

I bite my lip at her chiding scold. It’s been a week since Wyatt promised to help me ride again. I can’t tell if it was bullshit or bluff to keep me in line. Either way, I’m restless. Aching. I want to get back on the horse. Adrenaline, addiction, sheer stupidity, I’ve never shied away from any of them. But I already know what will happen if Dakota finds out I’m riding again. Total lockdown.

I can’t bear to hurt my sister. But I also can’t bear to give it up.

Straightening in my seat, I dare a glance at my sister. “I’m sorry, Dakota.”

“For what?”

“For giving you so much shit when you came back.” I exhale. The irony isn’t lost on me. The way I treated Dakota when she returned after escaping Aiden. And now here I am, broken and battered, stuck in Resurrection to lick my wounds. “I didn’t make it easy on you.”

A sad smile ghosts Dakota’s lips. “I didn’t want you to come home like this, Fallon.”

“Yeah, well, I’m proud of you, okay, so take the damn compliment.” I rove my eyes around. “You have sweet babies, a bossy, if not semi-amazing husband, you have it all. You’re kicking ass and killing it on the daily.”

“Because I got away from Aiden.”

The name, Dakota’s abruptness, has my stomach twisting in knots. “What are you talking about?”

She leans in, reaching for my hands. “Did you leave town because of him?”

Yes. Because he tried to kill us. He tried to kill us, and it’s my fault.

I swallow. Not ready. Not for this conversation.

Her serious gaze sears mines. “We haven’t talked about it, Fallon. And I think we have to.” She bites her lower lip. “I’m so sorry. You need to know that I don’t blame you. None of us do—”

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