Page 159 of Knot my First Rodeo

I can see the answer written all over his face before he says a word, because he knows exactly what I'm talking about.

"You told me you loved me."

The hurt I've been trying not to feel finally breaks free. Not because of the photographs or because somebody's been watching me. But after everything that happened at the creek, after finally hearing the things I'd been wanting him to say, his first instinct is still to push me away the second he's scared.

"You finally tell me you love me, and now the second something goes wrong, your solution is sending me back across the country." I shake my head and let out another hollow laugh. "What am I supposed to do with that, Briggs?"

His mouth opens, but nothing comes out.

"I told you I wasn't leaving. I told you I wanted this." My hand gestures between us. "All of this, and your first instinct is still getting rid of me."

"That's not what I'm doing."

"Isn't it?!" I shout.

I’m more hurt than angry because I believed him, believed every word he said at the creek, believed him when he told me he loved me, when he asked me to stay.

Now, here we are again.

"You know what the worst part is?" I ask quietly.

His eyes never leave mine.

"I believed you. I believed everything you said."

His gaze drops to the floor for a second before he drags a hand through his hair. Then he looks back at me.

"You wanna know the truth?” he growls. “I'm terrified.”

All the anger drains out of me.

Briggs takes a slow breath and shakes his head. "I keep seeing those damn pictures. I keep thinking about somebody walking around this ranch taking pictures of you, and none of us noticing. Every time I close my eyes, I start wondering what happens if next time they're closer."

My chest tightens.

"I'm not trying to send you away, Autumn.” He takes a step toward me. "I'm trying to keep you."

"I don't want Virginia," I whisper.

"I don't want Hunter showing up and taking you home," he murmurs. "I want you here."

The lump in my throat makes it difficult to speak.

"Briggs..."

He shakes his head. "No. You don't get to talk right now."

Despite everything, a laugh slips out.

"I do love you, Autumn." His eyes close briefly.

"I know."

Relief moves across his face, then he laughs under his breath and drags a hand over the back of his neck.

"I really screwed this up."

"Little bit."