Page 77 of Brazen

I tucked the box under my arm. “I need to head out to the ranch right now, Ernie. Are you okay here without me for a bit?”

I didn’t wait for his answer, I was already running to my car.

“Yeah. No problem. You go get that boy!”

I climbed in my car and burst into semi-laughter as I peeled out. Go get that boy?

Apparently, Ernie had known about me and Sam all along. I guessed in this small town everyone had.

For once, it felt like everyone was rooting for us.

I turned onto the road and stepped on the gas. I finally pulled my head out of the past. No more confusing Sam with Ted. Or Sam’s pack with Ted’s. Or past pain with what was happening in the present.

I was ready to start fresh with someone who was right for me. Who cared for me. Who would do anything for me.

I was rooting for us, too.

31

SAM

* * *

“You good? Can you keep it together to work this afternoon?” Johnny eyed me like I was about to shift and rip his throat out.

I’d been on edge for the last two days, despite the long runs he’d been forcing me on.

He’d told me to shower and shave and had taken over my chores this morning when he’d discovered I’d slept out under the stars on my property.

I’d gone out after dark to start clearing the land to build a house. I had to do something to prove to Clio I was a worthy partner, and building a house was the best thing I could come up with. That, and getting my bull siring business going.

After I’d showered, I’d started packing my shit up from the bunkhouse. I didn’t know where I was going, but I knew I wasn’t supposed to be there anymore. I was supposed to be with my mate.

A growl rose in my throat, but I forced it back down. I had to keep it together. “Yeah, I can work. I can work all day and all fucking night.”

“Clearly.” Johnny kept his tone mild. He crossed the room to the fridge and grabbed the fixings for a sandwich. One item at a time, he tossed them onto the counter. Bread, deli meat and cheese, mustard, lettuce. “Have you eaten?”

“No.”

“Well, you’re gonna eat now.”

Emma was out, and I hadn’t seen anyone else from the pack today, including Rob. This was fortunate because I didn’t think I could handle a second confrontation. I’d probably get myself thrown out of the pack. Not that I cared.

“Okay. But this is probably the last meal I’m having here in the bunkhouse.”

He froze, pulling two slices of bread from the bag. “What the hell does that mean?”

“I’m out.”

“Oh, fuck. Are you serious? Rob kicked you out of the pack?”

I winced. Had I been that out of line with my alpha? Yeah, I probably had.

I shook my head, joined him in the kitchen, grabbed a slice of swiss cheese, and took a bite. “No.”

“Did you talk to him yet?”

I growled again. Somewhere, in the recesses of my mind, I knew I should apologize for yelling at Rob, but I just couldn’t make myself give a shit. Nothing mattered without Clio.