Page 65 of Wyatt & Weston
I can't believe I’m doing this. I’m really leaving. And you know what, I’ve never felt so damn happy about anything in my life.
“Emma, honey what is going on?” my mother asks just as I’m about to leave my room.
“I’m leaving. I’m going back to Wild Thorn Ranch.”
“What, why?” Her eyes widen.
“Because I’m in love. And I refuse to spend the rest of my life with a man who doesn’t love me.”
“Emma, you can learn to fall in love. You just have to give it time. I’m sure whoever your father picks for you will be better than Greg.”
“I love you mom, but no. I shouldn’t have to wait and see if I end up falling in love with my husband. Do you see how messed up that is?” I step forward and hug her. “I’ll call you when I get there.” Kissing her cheek, I grab my bags and head back downstairs.
My father is waiting for me now, standing off to the side looking pissed as hell, his face red like a raging bull.
“If you leave this house, you're done, Emma. You're cut off. No money, no cars, nothing!”
“If I had to choose love or money, Dad, I’ll always choose love. Money doesn’t fix everything, it doesn’t always make your life better. Two weeks at the ranch, I felt more myself than I ever had in this house. I will no longer let you control me. I will take back my life and live it for myself. I don’t care about the money, the house, or the car. It means nothing if I’m sad and lonely at the end of the day.”
He keeps yelling at me, but I don’t bother with him, throwing my bags into the back seat and sliding in.
“Airport,” I tell the driver. “Go now please.” I want to go before my father tries to stop me again.
Once I buy a ticket and get checked in, I head to my gate.
It’s as I’m sitting, waiting for my plane to be ready to board, that's when I start to spiral. What if they hate me? What if they don’t want anything to do with me anymore?
I’ve been ignoring their calls and texts. I’ve been afraid that if I heard their voices, I’d crumble.
With shaky hands, I decided to listen to my voice messages.
A sob gets caught in my throat when the first one is Wyatt’s voice.
“Please listen before you delete this. Emma, I don’t know what’s going on in your head right now, but I need you to hear me out. We love you. Weston and I, we’re in this for the long haul. We’re willing to work through anything life throws at us. You’re it for us, Emma. Take all the time you need, but know that we’re waiting for you. Unless you call or text us to fuck off, we’re not going anywhere. And honestly, even if you did, we probably wouldn’t. We’re that stubborn.”
I’m full on ugly crying in the middle of the airport by the time the voice message ends. He said they loved me. That I’m it for them. Smiling, I bite my lower lip. I don’t listen to the other messages, afraid of what they say.
I’m going back to Wild Thorn Ranch. I’m going to tell those two sexy cowboys how stupid I was for leaving, that I’m sorry and that I love them too.
I just hope I’m not too late.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
I’m on the plane, staring out the window, trying to make sense of the whirlwind my life has become. The clouds drift lazily by, the sun casting a warm glow over the wings of the aircraft. The screen flashes on the back of the headrest in front of me, tracking where we’re at in the air.
Each passing mile takes me further from the chaos of my past and closer to the peace I found at the Wild Thorn Ranch. Closer to the place I left my heart and the men I gave it to.
Greg is a distant memory, a mistake I’m leaving behind like a bad dream. I can't believe I let my dad control me for so long. I feel free, like an adult for the first time in…well…forever.
I pull out my phone, my fingers trembling slightly as I type out a message to Hadley.
Me: Hey Hadley, it’s Emma. Look, I know you must hate me for leaving like I did, but I don’t regret doing what I could to protect you, your brothers, or the ranch. But, that's all dealt with and well, pretty much I’m on my way back. Isthere any chance you can pick me up from the airport? I really need to come home.
My heart pounds and my belly flips as I wait to see if she answers. It shows that she read it so I just have to hope she’s not pissed at me and will reply. Thankfully for now my credit card still works so I’m using the plane’s wifi to message. Lord knows how long that will last. I’m sure Dad will remember and cut them off soon.
My phone pings, her reply popping up on the screen. Biting my lower lip, I read it.
Hadley: Emma! I fucking knew you’d be back. Those twin shits owe me money. Also, I totally don’t hate you. You did what you thought you needed to do. Kinda love how much you care.
