Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 112903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Without thinking, I grab my zipper and yank it down. “I have proof of my choice too.”
Sally’s eyes go wide as they take in my white T-shirt. It’s one of those simple I Love New York shirts, a red heart in the place of the word love.
“Wyatt”—her voice cracks as her eyes flick to meet mine—“what’s this?”
I hear more zippers being pulled behind me, and then Ryder appears at my elbow. “Surprise! We’re forming a boy band.”
Sally looks at his shirt, Duke’s too. And then she laughs.
She covers her mouth with her hand and howls, tears leaking out of her eyes.
John still has my gun in his hands, but I don’t care. I curl an arm around Sally’s neck and pull her against me, pressing a kiss into her hair.
“You and I are apparently on the same wavelength, Sunshine. Same night you were gonna tell me you were staying in Texas was when I was gonna ask you if I could join you in New York. Show you I had my family’s blessing. Show you that I was excited to follow you wherever your dreams took us. I was never gonna make you choose between your job and me.”
Cash chuckles. “That’s pretty dang sweet.”
I hear another car door opening, and I look up to see Mollie climbing out of Cash’s truck. “Everything okay?”
“Not okay that you didn’t tell me Sally’s news,” Cash replies. “But, yes, it’s safe for you to come out. Right, John?”
Sally’s father has a flabbergasted look on his face. He doesn’t say a word.
Instead, he watches Sally sob into my new T-shirt, my brothers discreetly wiping their eyes around us.
“I can’t believe you’d move for me,” Sally manages.
“Aw, Sunshine, can’t you though? I can’t let you out of my sight as it is. You really think I could handle living halfway across the country from you?”
“I’m glad you can’t.”
“You sure?” I ask, even though I already know the answer. “About the job?”
Sally nods. “I’m sure. I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.”
“Okay.” Okay.
My God, I feel so much better than just okay.
“You look beautiful, by the way. Love the dress. But love you more.”
John B clears his throat. Every head swings in his direction.
That’s when I see that he’s crying, tears streaking down his cheeks. My chest contracts.
“I believe I owe y’all an apology.” He sniffles. “I didn’t—I assumed the worst about all of you, and I’m sorry.”
Sally gives him a look. “Dad, you pulled a fucking gun on my boyfriend.”
John B’s voice wavers when he says, “I wasn’t gonna actually shoot anyone. Safety’s still on, see?”
He holds up the rifle, the floodlights glinting off its polished barrel. I let out a breath when I see that the safety is—my God—indeed engaged.
Cash steps forward and holds out his hand. “I’d still like to take it, please.”
“I’m sorry.” John passes my brother the rifle, then covers his face with his hands. “I’m so, so sorry, honey. You’re right. I should’ve trusted you. I didn’t understand—I only wanted the best for you. I was trying to save you from having the regrets I do. I thought I was doing the right thing. I’m sorry.”
Sally glances up at me. “Are you okay, Wy?”
“Not gonna lie. I’m a little shaken. For a second there, I thought…well…”
“I promise I wasn’t gonna shoot,” John says. “Did you not see the safety was on?”
I shake my head. “Too dark.”
“I’m sorry,” he repeats.
“But I do feel better now that I know it was on,” I say. “Still not right what you did, John.”
He scoffs. “Of course it wasn’t right. I just—y’all gotta understand how my regrets have eaten away at me over the years. I never want my daughter to have to wonder about what-ifs.”
Sally’s expression softens ever so slightly. “I’d wonder what if for the rest of my life if I took the job in New York, Dad.”
“I see that now.”
“Do you really?” Sally presses. “Because if you ever pull a gun on my boyfriend again, even if you don’t mean to shoot—”
“I promise, Sally.” John’s voice breaks. “I understand. I’m sorry, and I’ll keep saying I’m sorry until you believe me.”
Sally looks at him for a long beat before she turns to my brothers. “And y’all? Are you guys okay?”
They nod.
Dropping my hand, Sally moves toward her dad. I hold my breath, half expecting her to slap him, give him another verbal dressing-down at the very least.
Instead, she pulls him in for a hug. “You have a lot of work to do on yourself, Dad,” I hear her murmur.
“I know,” he replies. “I’ll do it. I promise you, honey, I’ll do better.”
Mollie claps her hands. “All right, y’all. No one is dead, and Sally and Wyatt are gonna ride off into the Texas sunset together. I think this calls for a celebratory drink.”