Page 58 of Barn Burner
I press my lips together, trying not to laugh as Brayden crosses his arms over his chest.
“We’ve been waiting ages for you. Your brother is ready to go home, and you just turn up like you’re taking a jolly?”
He isn’t late at all, but it’s amusing to watch Rhett’s brows furrow.
“A jolly?” he asks.
Brayden waves him off, and I chuckle silently. “It’s fine. You’re here now. The nurse has put his meds in here.” He picks up the bag and hands it over to Rhett. “The instructions are inside. Two tablets every four hours. There’s also something stronger in there if the pain is too much, but he’s gotta have it with food.”
Rhett nods as Brayden continues, and seeing his bossy caretaker side ignites something inside me.
I love him fiercely. No doubt about it.
“Make sure you don’t separate them, as I’ll know if you’ve removed anything. I’ve counted them, and I’ll be checking when I pick him up tomorrow.”
“Brayden,” I say in amusement.
His attention lands on me, and his face instantly softens. “Yes, my dear?”
Both Rhett and I snort a laugh at his choice of words.
“I’m perfectly capable of managing them myself, but thank you for taking good care of me.”
He flashes me a pleased grin and leans down to steal another kiss.
“Always,” he breathes.
“Okay, enough of the PDA. Mom’s already antsy to get you home.” Rhett claps his hands once and picks up my duffel bag, slinging it over his shoulder before addressing Brayden. “You have a good game tonight.” He turns toward the door, then spins back around to point his finger at him. “No more fights.”
Brayden brings two fingers to his brow and salutes with a playful grin. “Roger that.”
I ease myself up off the bed and follow my boyfriend and brother out to the parking lot. When we reach Rhett’s truck, Ihook my good arm around Brayden’s waist and dip my head. Sliding my mouth over his, I kiss him like I’m trying to memorize the feel of his lips, even though I’ll see him again tomorrow. He curls his fingers into the fabric of my hoodie at my ribs, and I swallow his whimpers as my tongue glides into his mouth.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I murmur, and my heart fucking soars when he says, “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” I reply and press another kiss to his lips. “Text me to let me know you’re safe.”
He smiles, almost shyly. “I will.”
“And have a good game tonight. I’ll be watching you, cheering for you.”
He cups my face with both hands and kisses me one last time before helping me into Rhett’s truck and waving me off. The moment he disappears from the view of the side mirror, my eyes close, and I drift off to sleep with Brayden on my mind.
The next day, Brayden texted to let me know he was on his way, so once I’ve packed a bag with some clothes and toiletries with the help of my mom, she drives me down to the barn to check in on Prince while I wait for Brayden to arrive. This is the longest I’ve gone without seeing my beloved horse, so I have no doubt he’ll make his feelings about my absence very clear.
The second I walk into the barn, it’s as if he senses me. His head pokes over the top of his door and whinnies, shaking his head happily.
“Hey, boy.” I greet him with a smile, holding my palm open in front of him. He shuffles his lips against my skin and then squishes his muzzle into my hand. “Yeah, I’m alright. It’s just a couple of broken bones, nothing major,” I assure him as hecontinues his loving inspection of me by nibbling the brim of my hat. “We’ll be back on our rides before you know it, but Cooper’s going to be looking after you for a few days while I rest up. Don’t go messin’ him around.”
The sound of Brayden’s laughter comes from behind me, and I turn to see him leaning against the wooden beam by Dakota’s stall. She’s also sticking her head over the door and is nibbling along his shoulder and back of his neck.
“When did you get here?” I ask, closing the distance to him to kiss him.
He wraps his arms around my waist, slotting against my side perfectly. “About two minutes ago. Your mum said you were in here,” he answers.
We exchange a few lazy kisses, and then Prince lets out a loud, disgruntled huff that causes both of us to laugh.
“He’s missed you,” Brayden says with a chuckle.
