Page 134 of Captivated

Would he run from Zeeb?

Who am I anymore?The therapy helped, but that question had never been answered.

Could I have a relationship? Am I capable of it?

Then he pictured Zeeb, floating in the water, a lazy smile stretched across his face as he turned his gaze to Nate, and that question became less pronounced.

A new one took its place.

Could I be happywithoutZeeb?

His heart raced.

Could we really have something?

Dad gestured to the canvas. “Can I frame this one and put it on the wall downstairs? It’s beautiful.”

Nate forced a smile. “Of course.”

“Thank you. Okay, now I really will go and start dinner.” Dad left the room.

Once his studio was tidy, Nate went into his bedroom. The drawing of Zeeb and Sorrel sat in a frame on the nightstand. Hesat on the bed and stared at it. He’d managed to capture Zeeb’s lopsided grin, his relaxed stance, the way he had of looking at Nate as if he could see past the barriers to therealNate.

You’re too far away.

He could remedy that.

He could pack a bag, get in his car, and drive for eight or nine hours.

And do what when I get there?

Nate picked up the framed sketch and gazed at it.

I wish you were here.

Except that was wrong.

Nate wished he wasthere.

Chapter Thirty-Six

August 11, 2024

If one more ofthose fuckers asks if I’m okay, I’m gonna?—

Zeeb stood still, his arms by his side, and took a deep, hopefully cleansing breath.

I won’t do a goddamn thing.Because he knew their words came from a place of love, even if that place was rough around the edges and about as subtle as a sledgehammer. It didn’t help that he was mucking out the stalls. He kept seeing Nate there. Hearing him. Every time Zeeb looked at Sorrel, his mind slipped back to a Nate moment.

There were way too many Nate moments.

It was better when he was occupied. The previous day had been pretty much nonstop. Thank God Sundays were quieter. On the dude ranch it was a day for settling in. Chilling. Exploring the surroundings. Seven guests had arrived, which meant the bunkhouse was full to bursting, so much so that they’d put someof them in the overspill bunk room on the second floor, the one they usually used when they had female guests.

Seven guests had also meant a noisy breakfast, and Zeeb couldn’t face that right then.

I need some peace.

Which was why he was in the stable. The horses weren’t a talkative bunch, thankfully.

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