Page 115 of Knot my First Rodeo

"You know what I mean."

"No, actually, I don't."

I let out a slow breath. "You had a life before you got here, Autumn. Friends, family, a home, and life plans."

"My plans were working at a biker bar and dating a cheating asshole."

The corner of my mouth twitches despite myself. "Still counts."

"It really doesn't."

I shake my head. "That's not the point."

"Then, what is?"

The frustration is starting to creep into her voice now, and I can tell she's trying not to let it. The problem is, I understand exactly why she's frustrated. From her side, it probably looks like we've all been dancing around the obvious.

Maybe we have.

"You showed up here at nineteen."

Her eyes narrow immediately. "Oh my God."

"No, hear me out."

"I hate when people act like, 'cause there’s a ‘teen’ in my age, that somehow I’m automatically an immature child."

"I know."

"Then stop saying it."

I can't help the laugh that slips out, and she looks offended by it.

I rub my hand across my jaw and look back out toward the pasture.

"When you got here, you were fresh off finding out your boyfriend was screwing around behind your back. Your brother was halfway across the country. You were angry at everybody, and stubborn enough to pick fights with people twice your size."

"I won those fights."

"That's not the point, either."

She huffs, and I keep going before she can interrupt again.

"You were hurt, and then all of this happened." I gesture vaguely between us. "You really think none of us considered the possibility that maybe you deserved some time after your first heat before three grown alphas started telling you that you’re our scent match?"

Autumn goes quiet, but I don't miss the way her fingers tighten slightly around the fence rail.

"Clint..."

"We're twenty-five and twenty-six, Darling." I glance over at her. "You've barely started figuring out what you want your life to look like."

A muscle jumps in her jaw.

"There it is."

"What?"

"You think I'm a kid."